Amtrak First Time Riders Guide | Tips and Tricks For Beginners
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- Опубликовано: 5 июн 2024
- In this Amtrak first time riders guide, we will share everything from when you show up at the station to picking up your bag at your final destination. We will share tips for riding in coach on Amtrak to riding in sleeper car on Amtrak. We talk about luggage as well as when there are fresh air breaks and what you can do on the train. It is important to know the difference between a Viewliner and a Superliner as well as what type of sleeping car choices you have. We hope these Amtrak tips and tricks are valuable on your next train ride!
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One thing that was not mentioned in this video that I found very useful when traveling in coach or business on long distance routes is the official Amtrak comfort kit. You can buy it either at the station or in the cafe car. For $20 (as of this writing) you get an officially branded Amtrak blanket, eye mask, ear plugs, and an inflatable neck pillow.
FYI the online shop has it for just under $12
@@dlsjr123 TY!
I would think as many seniors ride Amtrak, there would be someone of crew trained in emergency situations & essential equipment available.
This was so helpful. Thank You 🤗
Thank you for your help but am 54 and learning about Amtrak I’ve never been on am traveling from San Diego California to Medford Oregon so I will get comfort kit 😊
The No TSA thing is my fav part of Amtrak, it’s so stress free ❤️
So much easier to smuggle, amiright!?
Amen!!1
@@oswurth8774except they use sniffer dogs in each car, you just try it, they’re waiting for ya.🤣🤣🤣
Do your research before you shoot off ignorant comments
i’m traveling with amtrak tomorrow actually for a good couple hours and i’ll be solo for the very first time. i’ve been very anxious about this little trip but this video really helped me with everything i’ve been worried about so i want to thank you guys for it ! this was extremely helpful it feels good to have someone go step by step in details ! 😊
Have a great trip!
@briana I’m going to use the Amtrak soon and very nervous because I’m going alone as well. How was it for you?
I'm so glad I found this video, I'm planning on traveling to VA.beach later this year.this will be my first time traveling by rail now I have a blueprint of the do's and don't 's
@@lawyermorty6735 soon i’m actually gonna be using it for a third trip ! i still do get anxious but the workers on board are very helpful as well as the workers at different stops. even people traveling on the same train have double checked with me so we both know where our train is going. on the speakers if there’s any delays or you have a connecting bus they’ll announce it and what’s going on. jus remember to not be afraid to ask for help that’s what i’ve found the most useful. i hope you have/had a safe trip !
I’m riding a an Amtrak for my very first time in a roomette traveling from Harrisburg to Jacksonville. It’s a 20 hour trip and I don’t have any idea what I can bring on the train or what to expect. My anxiety is very high.
Lots of good tips! One thing I didn't hear is this: If you are in a coach car that is a double decker, you might want to reserve a seat on the lower level. Why? That is where the bathrooms and carry on luggage are, and there is no through traffic on the lower level, so it is more private.
Thanks for sharing that
I took you tip and upgraded to Business on Coast Starlight Portland to Martinez. $20 to upgrade. What a pleasure. I was in a car with no more than 10 people. Bigger seats. Bottled water offered. Quiet and clean . Between dining car and parlor car! I've been traveling the Coast Starlight for over 20 years and I had no idea! Thanks for this great advise!
Wow, that is great, glad you had such a great trip!
@@GroundedLifeTravel What are the travel rules for pets I have a small 5 pound dog I would like to bring
@@GroundedLifeTravel Could you enlighten me on what the up grade tip was. To go from I guess coach to business, I missed out on it , reading through messages heard someone talk about it
I love you both. Can’t travel but I do vicariously through your videos. Thank you.
Our pleasure!
thank you so much for your channel. im on the autism spectrum and was having a lot of anxiety over my first train ride but your videos have been soothing my new experience worries
Hope you have a great trip!
One thing I've learned over the years was not to pack checked baggage heavier than 50 lbs. They will charge extra for each additional pound they handle. I've also learned to pack my patience. Long distance trains can be heavily delayed causing passengers to miss connections. Sometimes Amtrak will accommodate by having ticketed folks transfer to busses in order to meet connecting trains in time.
Very true! On our first trip we had to take some things out of our checked bag. We packed way too much anyway!
Nice video. Pl share email id to clear some doubts. We are from India and coming to USA by end of current month. Require your advice.
I love you two. Great shows and content. Thanks for the info!
Thank you so much for all the info, looks fan lot of fun!!!
I have my first Amtrak trip this Thursday, going from LA to Chicago! I’m pretty excited and all your videos have helped me so much to be prepared!!
Have fun! We wish you a great trip!
Trust me, lower your expectations and you’ll be ok.
That is a trip I want to take.
Delays delays. For Freight trains delays delays.
Take less luggage as possible.
I’m so glad I found you all planning my first trip and a huge one at that. Lovelovelove ❤️✌🏻🌸
You two are the best! I love your channel. Thanks for sharing you experiences.
This one is essential. I love that you give such great tips. I would have had no clues at all. Thanks so much.
Have an overnight coach trip today, your videos have been SO helpful!
If anyone needs this reference: Grand Rapids, MI has parking available at our station and it's located (literally) next to the bus terminal. Both public and Greyhound buses are located there. Many hotels and attractions are within walking distance.
Great info!!!! Thanks so much!!
I’ve recently started watching your videos as I am preparing for a long trip across the USA at some point this year. This video is so helpful, it answers all my questions and more! I’ve been to the USA twice already, however I never took a train before while there. This time is going to be different and I’ll spend over 25 hours on trains traveling across states. 😅 Thank you for creating and uploading such useful content, greetings from Warsaw, Poland! ❤
Thanks, have a great trip!
I was thinking of doing something like this too
@@GroundedLifeTravel❤ Thank you!
You can really tell you like and love each other. Its so sweet. Thanks for sharing your adventures!!
Thank you for another informative video. I love the channel, it's been so helpful in preparing for my first trip. I'm taking the California Zephyr in December for my birthday, I can't wait!
Loving the videos. Your information is very helpful. We're going on our first trip in December.
Thank you both, such a thorough overview. I'm travelling on SWC later this year and these tips are very useful. I loved your other uploaded videos, also.
Thank you for making these videos, I plan to do a solo amtrak ride next year and it is my first time ever riding on a train. I've been watching your videos and saving them for tips, I just worry that I might be confused at the station and not being able to find my train haha! Thanks again! 😄
Hugeeee help. You guys have answered to all of my questions! thank you so much! Excellent video!
Another thing to know about Amtrak is if you get stuck due to a delay in train travel that they have the following policy. As information, Amtrak does not authorize monetary reimbursement of expenses incurred with other service providers, nor do they offer monetary compensation for inconvenience. I got stuck due to a delay on the Amtrak Cardinal in Chicago overnight They were able to get me on the Southwest chief the next day but I have to overnight in Chicago and they told me they would cover that expense. I just got an email telling me that is not the case. Spread the word on this too.
This was helpful. I’m traveling coast to coast in a Roomette next week, first time with Amtrak. I started wondering a few things and now this cleared those up and has me looking forward to the trip.
Glad it was helpful!
How was your trip?
@@GroundedLifeTravel trip last year went well, I feel like an "experienced" Amtrak traveler now. In fact, I'm taking another cross country trip in two weeks.
@@marladawn6249 good
Not sure if anyone has already commented on this, but I’ve taken the City of New Orleans back and forth between Nola and Chicago monthly for the past year and there is no dining car other than the cafe. I upgraded thinking I’d have different dining options and was disappointed to find that passengers in bedrooms and roomettes were only offered food from cafe at no charge but no dining
car or other meal options. Your videos are very informative and I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge. Just hope no one else pays to upgrade thinking they’re also upgrading food options on board. Amtrak also advertises that the train is equipped with wifi which is untrue.
We are planning a trip across the country from Connecticut to Seattle Washington, I am watching a lot of your videos. Very excided about this trip, we have been on a lot of trips from Connecticut to either Boston and New York and loved the train ride. You two are giving me a lot of information that I would never of thought of. Thank you.
Thank you for your videos. I'm traveling on Amtrak for the first time and I was wondering about checking and retrieving luggage. 👏 👍
Appreciate the info! If you guys go back and want to do something like this again , you should do a tips and tricks specifically for each class vs. covering them all in one shot.
Red Cap service would have been wonderful when I traveled roundtrip from Denver to Emeryville but it wasn't available. I am a senior and although I usually don't have any trouble, no one told me how long of a walk it is from the station to the train cars. If you are in coach, you get there first because the cars are at the back of the train but if you are travelling in a sleeper car it is a very long way up to the front of the train. Going out to California, I checked my bag but coming back I was in a Roomette so took my bag with me. First, that very long walk and then you haul your bag (s) up a set of stairs that are very narrow and turn half way up. I think I got my exercise for the whole week just with the walking! All of your tips are spot on. Your earlier version of this video helped immensely with my first trip. Thank you! 😊
Flying to FL in December, but taking the train back home. I'm so excited I've been watching, rewatching and taking notes. Thought this would be a great experience to end my vacation with.
Solid vid as always! Amtrak is always a great adventure, and especially enhanced with a good attitude.
Couldn't agree more!
Great video, I’m traveling long distance for the first time, all the details really helpful 👍
Using Amtrak for the first time in a couple of weeks and - especially as a non-American citizen - I found this really useful.
Mornin’ from south Florida. Enjoying your vids. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for watching!
Love the adapter tip! Brilliant! I travel with a 10-foot charge cord. I can reach an outlet from anywhere and if a stranger is between me and the outlet I can run the cord under their seat so I only have to bother them once.
Great tip!
Thank you for sharing! I'm doing a solo trip for the first time on Amtrak! This is very helpful information!
Always helpful and informative.... couple does a great job!
Thanks
Somebody might have said this, but I didn't see it. One other thing to be aware of is that the vast majority of Amtrak stations will not have any kind of car rental facility nearby, or at least not one that's open at train time. For example, if you take the Coast Starlight from Seattle to San Jose you could pick up a rental at a downtown location, but you can't return it because they close too early. Fortunately, you can take the light rail from the Amtrak station to the airport (with a shuttle bus for the last 5 minutes of the trip). Same problem at the Midway station serving Minneapolis and St Paul, which is in the middle of absolutely nowhere. If you're lucky there will be a cab you can take to the airport (my experience there was before Uber and Lyft, so obviously those are options now, as well).
Hi Grounded Life! Thank You for all videos. I grew up using the New Haven, and later other trains in the Northeast corridor. Mostly not overnight. This October my wife and I are going to travel from Memphis to Portland, OR. Your advice is so helpful. We're getting a roomette. So far we've had a hard time booking using the app. It's pretty difficult.
Excellent video! It’s been a while since I went cross country on Amtrak. This is a great refresher!
Glad it was helpful!
so helpful! taking my first amtrak from pittsburgh to nyc in april! thank u for these videos!!!!!
Happy to help!
You guys are awesome so much great info , definitely going to try the train travel
Thanks for posting this as you know I'm going on my first long train ride soonish so this is very helpful!!
Have a great trip!
Super helpful. Thanks!
Appreciate ya'lls videos! The knowledge drop has been invaluable as I have started to use Amtrak for regional trips. Thanks!
Our pleasure!
Going on the car train to Florida asap! Great info!😊😎🍀🇺🇸
I really enjoy watching you guys I love to watch what my bucket list adventures will be n look like lol thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Thanks so much for all of this info! 🥰
Wow. This was very informative. I plan to take a little trip hopefully before this year is over.
Hi, It is so nice seeing your wonderful videos!!. I finally posted the videos hanging out with you both on the California Zephyr. I even posted our dinner video. I had such a great time on that trip. By the way, I had the pizza you recommended, when I went to Chicago. I will post that video also. 🌺🌺🌺
Your videos are super, but…. So many people ask questions or for advice and you don’t answer. It would be helpful if you would respond to the comment section.
In the 90's I went skiing in Montana. We were riding coach and we went to the dining car. It is worth going to the dining car because it is a break from the coach seats, I would recommend it.
Thank you!! Very helpful tips for the train ride beginner.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you both! This was such a thorough and informative video.
Thanks
Been watching you on RUclips TV but now I'm subscribing. I've written a lot of Amtrak trains. I love train travel. Thank you for your tips. You all are fantastic
Awesome, thank you!
Im gonna be going from LA to Cleveland soon. With one in-between at Chicago. Im super excited!
This was an interesting little flick. Thanks for taking the time folks
I booked my first Amtrak. I leave Friday. DALLAS to CHICAGO. A little nervous but I look forward to the journey! I've been on Planes, Buses and Driven.
Planes, Trains, Autos & Buses! Thanks for ypur content!!!
I love you guys! It’s been fun to find you early and watch your subscribers grow. Thanks for all your great guidance for riding the rails!
I ALWAYS enjoyed the seating arrangements of a traditional dining car. You get seated with strangers. I found it was a great way to meet people. I’ve never had my meals served in the room because I like the social aspects of a dining car.
Thanks so much. Even though I'm not a newbie, I found some useful information anyway. Like the temperature control and dining car information. A couple of points I'd like to make: my business class ticket on the Coast Starlight does not have a designated seat assignment. On the Cascades last week it was the same, no seat assignment just open seating. Announcements can be really soft or murky, so ask questions. I was thrilled last week when one of the car attendants was crystal clear and loud. Usually they are not. And, experiment with your luggage etc. I bought the back pack you recommended to use on my trip to Bellingham and discovered it was way too big and heavy for me. I'm making a long trip in September so wanted to make sure things worked for me. I returned it and bought a smaller version which fit me better and was not so heavy. So glad I did that. Happy travels.
I love this information, I rode twice, but only in two hours in time. But never slept there. Thank you.
I'm visiting the US for the first time next month, will be riding Amtrak from DC to Chicago. Some great tips on this video - thanks for sharing!
I do hope you have a good experience on Amtrak. I love it, have only traveled coach style, and found that my favorite scenery so far is from NYC north (or Albany ⬇️ South back to NYC.)
Thank you so much for posting this video. My husband and I are planning on traveling on Amtrak for the first time this summer. We found your video to be very educational and informative as with all of your other videos. Thanks again, happy and safe traveling 😊.
Glad it was helpful!
Amtrak is a great way to travel. In coach overnight, I recommend an eye mask, ear plugs, a blanket, small pillow and bring some snacks/food. I frequently bring a small, Playmate cooler. A great invention is the thermal pot. The sleeper is very comfy. Coach is great too and the best analogy is it’s like camping. I always find it interesting that people harshly criticize the train but put up with horrible plane travel with no complaint.
I have no current plans to be on a plane, train, boat or any other form of transportation in the near future. I'm just a girl who day dreams about the day that I can travel the world and see the things I want to see. But i will say this: When that day does come and I find myself about to board a train for a long trip, I'll know exactly what to expect. So thank you for that. Also, wow, what a lovely couple!
Going on my first ride august 7th to Reno I’m super excited 😆
❤❤❤ Thank you for this video!
Hey you guys thank you so much for all your information.
I am very interested in riding a train. All of your information is very helpful.
Our pleasure!
My trip from Connecticut to Philly was enjoyable, then I transferred to Jersey transit and then my return trip. Was also great. All my concerns were eliminated before the trip. Thanks again. No more driving to Atlantic city
Very cool! Glad you had a good trip
Thank you so much for you guidance, I will be taking my first trip in 53 years this coming January and because of you guys I booked it back in October way ahead of time and I also have the card now. Thanks again..
I’ve watched some of your videos which have made me interested in trying new travel experiences (train). I just purchased some of your suggested must have items from your blog!!!! I’m getting them TOMORROW!
Great to hear! Have a great trip!
Thank you ,this was helpful . I'm 66 and my mom is 96 ! We're taking our first train trip . My cousin moved to western Pa . We're visiting for a week .So we're leaving out of Philly and traveling to Johnstown . We will take advantage of the Red caps ! I'm excited !
I've got another amtrak trip in 3 days, although I've been on amtrak before and this certainly isn't my first, it's good to recap because it's been a while since my last trip.
This video was so informational thank you.
thank you so much for this video! very helpful
You are so welcome!
Viajo com essa dupla todos dias
São fantásticos
Greetings from Chicago! I love our station. Great video!🚈
Oh that is a great station!
Your station is one of the highlights of my trips !
When I traveled cross country in coach (from Chicago to Portland on the Empire Builder), I checked one larger suitcase, and carried on a small one with essentials, including a warm throw and small pillow. Btw, I booked a roomette for the return trip!
Awesome!
Wish I had found your channel before my first ride. I was going to Florida for 4th of July and the attendance were so busy it was hard to stop them to ask questions. I now have two rides under my belt and I’m still learning.
Thanks, hope you had a good trip
Rob and Allie
Thank you so much for your invaluable help!!
We are very grateful for your support in making our 36th Wedding anniversary a truly memorable and special occasion!!
God bless you always!!
Have a great trip!
This was a great video. You are both super helpful. We’re doing the Empire Builder in a Roomette in Sept, Chicago to Seattle. Looking forward to it. Traveled all over by train in Europe but not much here in US. Your videos and blog have really helped us prepare. Thanks!
Bahahaha you’re in for a treat. Take a close look at your dirty cabin. Glory in the bumpy rail line. Get completely bored by looking at pick up trucks, fields and depressing small towns in N.Dakota, Montana. In Spokane in the middle of the night you’ll get woken up as the train separates for Portland. Your attendant will expect a tip at the beginning or end or both for doing very little other than taking your reservation or turning down your bed. Glacier and the Washington coast are interesting and the food is good. But, it’s train food. Have a great time!
thank you! very helpful
I’m from the UK and looking forward to my first Amtrak trip from Chicago to Boston in October. I have booked a Roomette. Your videos have been really helpful and the Amtrak trains and experience looks fantastic compared to what we get in the UK! Here the trains may be a lot more punctual but that’s about it. The British trains are really expensive, overcrowded, often dirty, cramped (they cram more seats in than the coaches are designed for, so often your ‘view’ could be a pilar rather than a window), and they got rid of the dining cars and even the on train buffet shops years ago - all you get on British trains now is a trolly that will sell you drinks and a few snacks, but often they are not there or can’t make it down the train the train due to the overcrowding. I really feel sorry for the staff on our British trains as there are so understaffed and they then get the blame for things out of their control. In comparison Amtrak sounds amazing! I found booking on the Amtrak website relatively easy, but was disappointed I could not join the Amtrak rewards scheme as its only open to US and Canadian residents - maybe that is something you can highlight in future videos?
The red- cap service at the Chicago station is wonderful. The workers are the best- tip them please, they deserve it.
Soooo helpful. Thanks…subscribed
Thanks for the sub!
Subway sandwiches in New Orleans??? I would be taking down po' boys & mufelattas while enjoying my Amtrak journey. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Thank You very much for this information, I am visiting from Germany and will take a train from Washington DC to Norfolk next week. I am excited about travelling by train. You all LLAP 🖖
Great tips! Thanks!
You're so welcome!
As always, you guys really delivered useful and entertaining content. 👏🏼 Seriously, your standard of organization and efficiency is next level.... you guys are experienced teachers! I learned new things like I always do. To follow up on "no need to bring drinks on sleeper cars", does that include an abundance of bottled water throughout the trip? Thanks so much for all you do❣️
About to take my first Amtrak trip and I found this video extremely helpful!! Thank you 💛💛
Have a great trip!
How did it go? I’m going for the first time in a few days and am really anxious.
I absolutely love you guys. So much info; so many notes.We are heading down to Disney World this fall(1st time riders). Would you recommend we get off at the Orlando or the Kissimmee stop? When we do, are there taxis there to get to WDW? We are kinda scared and excited. Being in our 70's makes us a tad more so. Thanks for all your help. We will be watching ALL your videos before we sign up so we can avoid mistakes.
Very helpful for us newbies.
Thanks for info, wife and I are planning a trip from MS to CA in April 2023. It will be our first time traveling by train, definitely will be checking out all you guys videos!!
How was your trip? May i ask the cost? Is per person or for a room ( sleeper )
Thank you for you information
I did it took from NYC got lost the Moynihan building is closed at 3 am so go to a part in Penn Station nice ride was on time bathrooms horrible Cafe opened on train in am all on all I loved it oh I could have put more stuff in bag my fault but thx for all of your videos they helped me a lot
Beautiful couple! Love your content.
Great info as always. I'm taking my first Amtrak trip ever in September and your videos are putting me at ease 😌
Have fun!
DON"T DO IT
Hope you enjoy!
Read some of my posts on this video. I’m here to put you at unease. Moohahaha