How To Prepare For 2025 Amtrak Holiday Travel

Does holiday travel give you mixed emotions? You’re not alone! I love taking Amtrak for the holidays—it’s a chance to relax, enjoy the scenery, and connect with loved ones. But let’s be honest: holiday travel can also be stressful. From booking the right ticket to navigating busy stations and packing smartly, there’s much to consider. And we’ve all seen those frazzled travelers who didn’t plan, struggling with bags, missing announcements, or looking lost and confused.

I designed this page to help you if you’re new to Amtrak, holiday travel, or need a refresh. I want you to feel confident before you board the train. By learning key tips, you can avoid common mistakes that newcomers make, ensuring a smoother journey and enhancing your travel experience for future trips.

Let’s get you ready for a stress-free, enjoyable Amtrak holiday adventure!

How Early Should You Start Planning for Amtrak Holiday Travel?

Do You Need to Plan Early?

In most cases—yes!

The earlier you book, the easier it will be to plan and handle any unexpected issues. Holiday trains, particular routes, and accommodations can sell out quickly.

For local commuter railroads that don’t require reservations, remember that packed trains may leave you standing—or you might not be able to board at all if they reach capacity.

How Early Can You Book Amtrak Trains?

Amtrak allows reservations to be made up to 11 months in advance.

While booking nearly a year ahead may seem excessive, making early reservations can help reduce stress, secure better fares, and guarantee your preferred accommodations, particularly during the busy holiday season.

Planning as early as possible gives you more flexibility and peace of mind, so don’t wait too long to secure your spot!

Why Plan Early for Amtrak Holiday Travel?

There are plenty of good reasons to book your Amtrak trip early, whether it’s a holiday or not.

Here are a few that I always keep in mind:

• Better Prices & Availability: Booking early gives you a better chance of securing lower fares and ensures you get the route and accommodations you want. This point is critical if you’re looking for specific setups, like two roomettes across from each other or a bedroom suite.
• Time-Off Requests: If you’re traveling for the holidays, being the first to request vacation time at work increases your chances of getting the necessary dates.
• Planning & Preparation: Early booking gives you more time to arrange rides, check baggage policies, and attend to any travel essentials, such as upgrading your luggage if needed.

Early planning can go a long way in making your Amtrak holiday trip smoother and stress-free!

What To Consider To Have A Smoother Amtrak Holiday Travel Experience

Holiday travel is no different than any other travel; you have the same questions to answer for a successful trip:

• Where are you going?
• How are you getting there?
• Where are you staying?
• How are you getting around?

The sooner you answer these questions, the better your life will be! If you know you are visiting friends or family or heading in the opposite direction early in the game, you can plan a trip with less stress and often lower prices.

Where Are You Going?

For many of us, our holiday destination is chosen by someone else, such as when we visit friends and family, which can save us time on research. However, if you want to escape for the holidays somewhere other than to visit friends or family, you will need to do some research.

Train stations can be like airports; they can get you close to where you need to go, but maybe not exactly.

For example, I used to take the train to Omaha to visit my sister, who lived in Papillion and Bellevue, Nebraska. Omaha was a short drive for her.

Sometimes, you may have a longer drive, as you often do when traveling to airports. In this case, the Omaha Airport was more out of the way.

How are you getting there?

Since you are on this page, I assume Amtrak is involved in your travel plans, which is exciting! But how are you getting to the train station? What about parking? Figuring these questions out early enough allows you to avoid last-minute panic.

Can you take Amtrak the whole way, or do you have to take another form of transport to get to the train? If you need to fly to catch the train, some airports, such as Milwaukee’s General Mitchell, have direct access to Amtrak, while others may require you to use other forms of public transportation.

Where Are You Staying?

After you have a destination, lodging comes next. Are you staying with people you know, or do you need to book a place? If you are staying with people, ensure they have space for you and clear the dates before booking.

Staying with others often happens over the holidays, and I have a lot of experience.

Again, make sure to clear the dates and times with the person you are visiting before purchasing tickets.

Where you stay ties into how you get around once you get there, so consider that.

How are you getting around?

For some trips, family or friends will serve as your transportation, which is always a good option if you don’t abuse it. Once someone picks you up, renting a car is also an option.

Renting a car is great if you want to explore more or are not always going in the same direction.

Using apps like Google Maps or other map apps can help you determine your public transportation options. Ride-shares may or may not be available in the areas you travel to over the holidays. These services do not operate at scheduled times, like taxis, because they run when the drivers are available. Check out this article for more information on obtaining one upon arrival. Cabs are available most of the time.

Luggage

Make sure that your luggage is travel-worthy. Bad zippers and holes do not get better. Remember that the wheels and handles work well if you have wheeled luggage. I would only travel with faulty luggage if I knew I was getting a new piece for the holidays.

Packing – The Lighter, The Better

The lighter you pack, the more accessible traveling becomes.

Remember that not all stations offer checked bag service; to check bags, both the start and end stations must provide this service. If you can carry your luggage, you don’t have to worry about that.

Amtrak has a generous carry-on policy. If you cannot check, you must carry your luggage to your seat and put it on the overhead shelf or luggage racks within the car. Some cars may require you to take your luggage upstairs.

Don’t Forget Comfort & Entertainment

A travel blanket, pillow, sleep mask, earplugs, and similar items can make your trip more comfortable. Amtrak sells comfort kits in many cafe cars or on the Amtrak online store, or you can create one yourself.

If you look out the train windows, you may catch some epic views, but if you want to watch movies or similar content, you’ll need to bring your entertainment. This article on Amtrak entertainment ideas may help.

Remember to pack snacks and beverages for your trip. If these do not fit in my luggage, I put snacks in a small, reusable bag that I can stow in my luggage after I’ve eaten them. The other option is to bring extra cash for the cafe car.

How To Travel With Gifts (Or Don’t)

The easiest way to travel with gifts is not to do it, but there are a few ways to deal with them.

These days, we have more options than ever. Companies like Amazon allow you to send your packages to a drop box, where you can pick them up upon arrival, or send them to a friend or family member.

You could also pre-order your gifts from stores that allow drive-up pick-up.

The Cost Of Amtrak Holiday Travel

The cost of Amtrak tickets can vary from moment to moment, as the supply and demand for that particular trip determines prices. However, a few trains have set prices.

Amtrak uses dynamic pricing, also known as bucket rates. Once all tickets at one price level sell out, the cost increases to the next level until the train fills up. Sometimes, there are workarounds available if you receive a “sold out” message when booking.

The system works both ways, so the price can decrease if people cancel or change their plans. Fortunately, this has happened to me too when booking, and it’s always a happy surprise.

If you can devise a plan early, even if you’re not ready to buy, you can take advantage of a sale if one becomes available.

Amtrak Holiday Travel Could Include More Than Trains

While Amtrak is known for train travel, it also partners with other ground transportation companies to create Amtrak Connecting Services.

This service includes other modes of transportation, such as commuter trains, ferries, taxis, shuttles, and buses. Some of the buses chartered by Amtrak and even branded,

When you see mixed service options when booking, part of your journey may not be on the rails. With this service, you may need to transfer your bags between transportation methods.

Amtrak Adventures May Have Mixed Accommodations

Some Amtrak trips may involve multiple trains or even an Amtrak Connecting Service, which means your accommodations may change along the way.

For example, if you’re traveling from Sturtevant, WI, to St. Petersburg, FL, you’d start on the Hiawatha in coach. Once you reach Chicago and transfer to the Amtrak Floridian, you could have a roomette or bedroom for that portion of the trip. Then, you’d switch to a bus connection in Tampa to reach St. Petersburg.

Once you’re on a train, your accommodations stay the same unless you upgrade onboard or specifically book different accommodations for different parts of your journey.

Scheduling Your Amtrak Holiday Travel

There are several key factors to consider when booking an Amtrak trip.

Plan For Travel Time

When planning Amtrak travel—especially during the holidays—it’s essential to factor in the length of your trip. Unlike flying, train travel requires more time, so it’s essential to plan accordingly.

For example, if you’re traveling from California to Chicago for Thanksgiving, you should plan to leave on Monday or Tuesday to arrive by Wednesday or Thursday. Giving yourself extra time helps account for potential delays and ensures a stress-free arrival.

Don’t Book Tight Connections

I have several train options from my area to Chicago—two Metra and two Amtrak—which gives me great flexibility. But booking a later train during the holidays can be more tempting than Amtrak suggests. Fight that temptation! Just-in-time travel may look good on paper, but it can lead to unnecessary stress.

Holiday travel means busier stations, potential delays, and an increased risk of things going wrong. If you book your trip as Amtrak recommends, you’ll get guaranteed connections, meaning if a delay causes you to miss your next train, Amtrak will work to get you to your destination. It may not be the perfect solution, but they will make sure you get there.

However, if you book separate tickets instead of a single itinerary, Amtrak won’t see your entire trip and won’t be responsible if you miss a connection. If something goes wrong, you’re on your own to figure out alternative travel plans.

Booking innovatively means less stress and a smoother journey!

Get To The Station Early

If you are a new traveler, try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Train travel can be relaxing and fun, but it can also be intimidating at times.

One way to take the pressure off is to arrive at the station early; that way, you also have some flexibility in case of weather or traffic.

Thirty minutes is good if you are going to a small station and not checking bags. When you leave a station in a big city, such as Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, or other larger stations, arriving earlier is better for finding out where you need to go without rushing. If you leave a station where the train originates, you can board the train early, sometimes as much as 30 minutes prior.

If you are checking bags, please do so at least 45 minutes before departure.

Not All Stations Have Checked Baggage

With Amtrak, most unstaffed or platform stations do not have baggage service.

The Amtrak app or website can indicate whether your station offers baggage service. If you want to check bags, the originating and destination stations must offer baggage service.

Not all stations have a staff or even an indoor waiting area. This site or the Amtrak app can help you with that.

You May Have Layovers With Amtrak Holiday Travel

Like most modes of transportation, layovers happen. Because I live in Wisconsin, I always have a layover in Chicago when I travel. When booking, ensure you have enough time for your layover, especially if taking a commuter railroad to Amtrak.

Layovers are often at staffed stations. With Amtrak, you can leave and return to the stations without going through security again. (Amtrak does not have TSA-like airports.)

If you leave the stations, make sure you return on time. Remember, if you are late, Amtrak is not obliged to “make you right” at that point.

When planning a trip, I look around the train station to see if there are places to eat, get coffee, or visit during my layover. I like to do this beforehand to avoid wasting my layover time.

If you cannot check bags at the first station, you can check bags mid-trip from your layover stop to your destination. Often, you need to do so 45 minutes to an hour before departure. Check with the station staff for more information.

Checked and Carry-on Luggage On Amtrak Trains

Know how much luggage you can bring to avoid a headache during Amtrak holiday travel. Ensure all your bags have a tag with your name and address on the outside. Amtrak has rules on suitable containers for train travel.

*Linear inches: length + width +height

Trainside Checked Baggage Service

Self-serve trainside checked baggage service is available to and from the following stations only: Charleston, WV; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, WI; Crawfordsville, IN; Dyer, IN; Hammond, LA; Lafayette, IN; Meridian, MS; Mount Pleasant, IA; Rensselaer, IN; Texarkana, AR; Tuscaloosa, AL; Winona, MN.

Do not forget to pack your medication when you travel; it’s also a good idea to check if you can obtain refills while away from home. Never place the medicines you need in your checked bags because if your luggage gets lost or delayed, you will not have them when you need them.

You cannot access your checked baggage during your journey or in your car on the Auto Train.

Amtrak cannot store or chill your medication, so plan accordingly. If your medication needs to be kept cold, you must find a way. Amtrak might be able to get you to ice if you ask nicely.

Have Your Paperwork & IDs Ready

To save yourself some trouble, ensure you have everything up to date before departing.

Bring A Government ID

Before packing your bags, ensure your IDs or passports do not expire while you are away.

Amtrak does not have a traditional check-in process like airlines, but they do conduct random ID checks. Besides, it is always wise to carry a valid ID when traveling.

Tickets

Staying organized will help you be a more efficient traveler. With Amtrak, you can use either digital or paper tickets. I am in the habit of having both.

I stay organized by keeping all my travel papers in a blue plastic folder with flaps on the top and a small pouch (the color is not essential).

This style works well because the flaps keep my documents from falling out. I also use the pouch for regional or Amtrak tickets I get from station agents or machines.

This folder contains my schedules, tickets, and other reservation information. It is easy for me to pack and find when needed.

With electronic (e-tickets), they often require an internet connection to work, so if you don’t have internet or Wi-Fi, they might not appear. One solution is to take a screenshot of your ticket or use a virtual wallet, which can be found on many phones or accessed through an app. The wallets often do not require an internet connection.

Credit and Debit Cards

You can prepare with credit and debit cards in several ways. First, ensure that your cards do not expire while you are traveling. Banks often send out new cards early to avoid this problem.

Check if you need to report your travel to your card issuer to avoid any issues with your card. Some cards do not require you to report travel if you are traveling within the USA. Often, the app or website allows you to let them know where you are traveling, but you may have to call. Check with your financial institution.

If you plan to travel more before starting your holiday, consider getting a credit card to help you do so. The Amtrak Credit Card often offers a point bonus; why not take advantage of it by double or triple dipping with points?

When Amtrak Holiday Travel Goes Wrong

Planning and avoiding tight dates and connections is one way to make travel easier and avoid missing things.

While we plan for the best, things can go wrong.

Sometimes, the reasons, such as the weather, are out of everyone’s control. Other times, things “just happen.” Occasionally, we cause problems because we don’t do our research or think that travel will be like the movies and work out like a Hallmark movie. Another hidden expectation is that nothing will go wrong with our trips.

No matter how I travel, I always plan on delays because, mentally, it is easier for me to deal with things when they happen. I am pleasantly happy when things go well without delays, which could mean leaving a day early or taking an earlier train so I don’t have a tight connection.

In October 2023, I took Chicago’s Metra to O’Hare to catch a flight. I had three options, and I chose Plan B because Plan A was too early. However, something went wrong with the train, forcing me to fall back on Plan C, which worked but made things tight, and my stress level was a little high. If I had chosen Plan C as my first choice and something had happened, I would have had to change my flight or call a rideshare service.

When Something Goes Wrong

While not easy, staying calm if something goes wrong on your trip will help you and the person helping you.

Yelling at people who are attempting to help you does not solve anything and can actually worsen the situation. The calmer you are, the better for you and the person trying to help you.

The people assisting you, in most cases, have nothing to do with delays, lost luggage, or other issues you may encounter. While these people represent Amtrak or any other carrier, they have limitations and are humans.

If something goes wrong, be realistic about what you expect in terms of compensation. Just because your trip gets delayed does not mean you deserve 100% of your money back, especially if you did arrive at your destination.

When things go wrong, try to be friendly, listen, process how people want to help you, and then talk. I strongly recommend checking out this podcast, which covers the topic more thoroughly than I could. I know this is easier to say than do.

Amtrak Holiday Travel Wrap-up

Remember to relax and enjoy the time you spend with your loved ones or those you must tolerate for the holiday season. If this was your first trip, celebrate your travel achievement during the busiest time of the year. If you can handle this, you can handle anything.

With Amtrak holiday travel, remember to smile, be prepared, and roll with the punches, and you will be fine. Traveling is an adventure, and things happen; when they do, you get fantastic stories to tell later.

Safe Travels!

Kev