Amtrak Connecting Service

The Amtrak connecting service extends travel to communities without rail by offering other ground transportation on one reservation. Your ticket could include buses, vans, taxis, commuter trains, or ferries. Amtrak also charters buses as a thruway service to align with its train schedule.

This idea is not new; Amtrak took a page from its predecessors to solve this problem. Illinois Central and many other railroads used buses or other transportation to connect passengers to their trains.

Amtrak Connecting Service and Thruway Service provide economical and often comfortable options for reaching your destination or connecting with a train when no tracks or right-of-ways are available.

This article will help you plan your next trip if you see Amtrak Connecting or Thruway Services as part of your future travel plans.

What are Thruway and Amtrak connecting services?

Getting to where you need to go on one reservation makes things easier for you as a traveler. While we may prefer taking the train, this service will help fill the gaps.

Nowadays, Amtrak is not the only company using other forms of transportation to get its passengers where they need to go. American Airlines has also started using vans and buses.

Amtrak Connecting Service – buses and other providers

Again, an Amtrak Connecting Service is when an Amtrak ticket includes another transportation company, such as another rail company, ferry, taxi, or bus.

Where do I transfer?

The short answer is that it depends. Amtrak will indicate that you must self-transfer when booking or window shopping for trips.

Sometimes, these connecting services are at train stations like Milwaukee, WI.

A self-transfer is when you need to catch the next section of your trip at a different location. The transfers could be a short walk, like in Pittsburg, PA, where the bus station is across the street.

However, sometimes, the self-transfer requires a longer walk, or you may need a ride-share or taxi to get where you need to go.

Booking Amtrak Connecting Service

Booking is easy; Amtrak arranges everything for you. If you see mixed service when you book, part of your tip is not on the rail.

Since Amtrak allows extra layover time to transfer and for late trains (to the best of their ability), it is best not to make a fancy booking with them because you could lose transfer privileges.

Some connecting tickets are for a specific time, but sometimes tickets are open, and you can take a different time than what is on your reservation. If you have questions, ask onboard staff or Amtrak agents.

A few tips for Amtrak Connecting Service

Sometimes, you cannot check your bags with Amtrak and have them transferred to the next leg of your trip. So pack light and be prepared to carry your luggage. Most buses allow you to stow your luggage during your ride. You may be able to check bags with the connecting service.

Bringing extra snacks and entertainment will help you fill your time and prevent you from getting hungry during layovers and travel.

Some companies, like Greyhound, offer onboard entertainment that you can access from your phone or tablet. Nowadays, most buses have Wi-Fi and an outlet, but the service may not be the best. A power bank could help keep your gear powered up, as there may be one outlet for two seats or no outlet at all.

If you need Wi-Fi, see if your phone can work as a hotspot or get a separate one. If you do not have unlimited data, check your data plan.

A booking tip: If you want to create a layover (i.e., spend the night), booking directly with the carrier may be best. For example, I could take the train to Champaign, IL, spend the night, and then go to Normal the next day. Amtrak tells you what the bus company is when booking, so if this works, you know what bus you could take.

Amtrak Thruway Service FAQs

Amtrak established a Thruway service with guaranteed connections on select routes. This service connects passengers with Amtrak trains or destinations using dedicated chartered buses, taxis, or vans. Often, buses are Amtrak-branded, but not always. It depends on the route.

Buses sometimes finish a train route.

Some train routes get lengthened with these Amtrak Connecting Bus Services. Routs like the California Zephyr to or from San Fransico, the bus takes you over the Bay Bridge. Amtrak California uses Thruway buses to connect passengers to the San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner trains.

Buses connecting you to another train

Sometimes, you may need to take a Thruway Service bus to get from one train to the next.

A great example is a bus connecting eastbound Cardinal to catch the Silver Meteor. In this case, the Amtrak Thruway Bus connects Charlottesville, VA, and Richmond, VA.

Some Amtrak stops are bus-only

Your transfer point may be at a station like Milwaukee Intermodal Station, where it connects with the I-41 bus. Some Amtrak stations and stops, such as the San Fransico stop, never see a train.

Travelers note

There is not always a station for these buses and vans; some stops are signs on a pole, such as in San Fransico.

When you see the sign, you know you’re in the right place at the right time. If you want more information, check out this article about unstaffed stations; in this case, the bus and train are similar.

I have a short layover with an Amtrak Thruway Bus. Is that all right?

Absolutely! Amtrak would not offer these connections if they were not okay. Since these buses and vans are train-specific, they will wait for you.

For example, suppose you are taking the California Zephyr to San Fransico. The train will take you to Emeryville, and the Amtrak Connecting Bus will take you over the Bay Bridge. If the Zephyr is early, the bus may leave as soon as all passengers board, or it may wait for you if the train is running late. That said, if the train arrives early, you may have to wait until the scheduled time; this could happen if your bus is finishing up another route.

Getting your tickets for Amtrak Thruway or Amtrak Connecting Service

Booking tickets for these services with Amtrak should feel no different than booking any train. Often, you need to book a connecting or thruways service in conjunction with a train ticket, so if you get an error message, that could mean you need to add a train or make different plans.

Wrap-up and Kev’s views on Amtrak Connecting Service

Several of my trips included Amtrak connecting and thruway services. Most were on Amtrak-chartered buses, but other companies ran a few. I chose the bus for the experience on a few trips.

When I go to San Francisco, the throughway service is the easiest and cheapest way to cross the Bay Bridge.

From my experience, a printed ticket worked best, especially when I left the Amtrak system.

On one trip, the driver needed information on my ticket and took it for a while before returning it. Handing them a piece of paper is often easier and safer than giving them your phone number.

When traveling, getting between your starting point and your destination is essential, so consider using Amtrak connecting services, even if you are a train-only person.

Pay attention when booking: take responsibility for your trip

When booking, pay attention to the details; mixed service means taking a bus or other service.

I have been on a few trips where people were flummoxed that they would ride a bus. Just because you didn’t see that message, you still booked it. Your responsibility as a traveler is to verify your trip and accept or change it. Remember, it is sometimes too late to make changes once you start the journey.

Pay attention to layovers and transfers. See if you leave from the station or need to make plans for a self-transfer. A map app can help you determine how far you need to go so you know if you are walking across the street or getting a ride share.

Pack a few extras for comfort.

Bring some extra entertainment and snacks for layovers. Power bricks and chargers with longer cords can keep your phone and electronics charged.

No matter how you go, a great attitude and realistic expectations can ensure the best trip within your control.

Have a great trip, and don’t worry about short layovers on the Thruway bus service.

Safe Travels!

Kev