Amtrak Red Caps

When traveling, there are times when assistance with luggage or navigating to and from the train is essential. That’s where Amtrak Red Caps come to the rescue. These helpful services are available at select Amtrak stations, making it easier for passengers to handle their luggage and ensure they reach their trains on time.

While you won’t find Red Caps at unstaffed or platform-only stations, they are available at larger stations. Smaller-staffed stations may also offer similar assistance.

Looking to find out which stations provide this service? You’re in the right place!

Who are Amtrak Red Caps & how do they help?

Amtrak Red Caps are dedicated employees who assist passengers with boarding, disembarking, and navigating stations.

They’re invaluable for moving luggage and guiding travelers to key areas, such as waiting rooms and lounges, making them a valuable resource for those with mobility challenges.

This service is particularly valuable for anyone who needs extra time or assistance.

Red Caps can help check your bags and direct you to important locations, such as restrooms, food options, and bars. When it’s time to depart, they will ensure you reach your next train or bus seamlessly.

It’s important to remember that while Red Caps are there to assist, they are not personal chauffeurs for navigating the station. They won’t take you to get food or to bars unless maybe they are by the lounge or where you need to go.

How much does it cost to use Red Cap Services?

The Red Caps service is free for those who need it. 

While the service is free, you can give them tips; however, they are not mandatory.

How to Identify Amtrak Red Caps at Stations

As you might guess, these hardworking employees wear red caps or hats—a tradition that dates back to before Amtrak. These days, they do not necessarily wear red hats. They are easy to spot in red shirts and blue pants, always carrying an Amtrak badge for identification.

Red Caps are often at the train side when trains arrive or near lounges and waiting areas when it’s time to depart. Their “home base” is typically near baggage areas or lounges. You’ll often recognize them by their electric carts, though the equipment may vary by station.

If you need assistance, ask a lounge agent or any Amtrak staff member to connect you with a Red Cap. As you move through the station, be mindful of their carts and give them space to do their work efficiently!

You are ready for your trip, but are your bags ready?

Before you leave home, review Amtrak’s baggage policy to ensure your bags meet the size and weight requirements and remain within the allotted number per passenger.

Ensure your luggage is in good condition, with sturdy handles and functional wheels, to avoid issues during your trip.

Amtrak allows each passenger to bring one personal item (up to 25 pounds) and two carry-ons (each up to 50 pounds). If your station offers checked baggage service, you can check up to two bags for free or additional bags for a fee.

Combined with checked and carry-on luggage, passengers can weigh up to 250 pounds. These limits are in place for safety, so you must familiarize yourself with Amtrak’s baggage policies.

Red Caps can assist with checking bags if the service is available, but not all stations or destinations offer checked baggage. If you plan to check your luggage, confirm in advance.

You may need to wait for the Red Caps.

Patience is key when using Red Cap services.

Assisting passengers takes time, so you may need to wait while Red Caps make multiple trips between the train and the lounge. In some cases, they may need to manage both deboarding a late-arriving train and boarding your train simultaneously, which can add to the wait.

Keep in mind that Red Caps serve all passengers, not just you. You might even share the ride with others you don’t know, which is common at busier stations.

Also, you don’t have to use Red Cap services for both trip directions. For example, in Chicago, you could walk to the lounge from the Hiawatha train and then use a Red Cap to assist you in getting to the Cardinal.

Are Red Caps only for sleepers, business class, and first-class passengers?

Amtrak Red Caps assist passengers in stations, but how they help coach passengers can vary by location.

If you’re traveling in coach class, look for signs or ask station staff to find the designated area where Red Caps can assist you. Some stations also have specific waiting areas for passengers who need extra help.

Red Caps typically offer priority assistance to sleeper car passengers, as sleeper car tickets include priority boarding.

If you need Red Cap assistance upon arrival, notify the conductor while onboard.

Early notification can ensure smoother coordination on shorter routes, like the Hiawatha, where conductors travel the entire journey. However, on longer routes with multiple conductor changes, such as the Floridian, it’s better to inform the conductor closer to your destination to ensure you communicate your request effectively.

Some smaller stations offer similar services.

A service similar to Red Caps may be available at some staffed train stations, but due to limited staffing and equipment, it might not include dedicated staff. The level of assistance can vary depending on the station. Station staff may also be responsible for checking baggage.

Station staff may guide you to the train car’s arrival point. Then, the onboard crew will assist you in boarding.

Please be patient. Station staff often have multiple responsibilities, including handling baggage services, which could result in a brief wait before assistance is available. While this process is typically quick, it may involve wheeled chairs or other mobility devices instead of electric carts, as not all staffed stations have the same resources.

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Amtrak Red Caps wrap-up

Red Caps are helpful individuals who assist passengers on and off trains.

In stations like Los Angeles, they may even escort you to connecting buses for the next leg of your journey. In cities like Chicago and others, they provide valuable assistance in navigating the station and ensuring you reach your destination.

Although I’m able-bodied and don’t often use Red Caps, I accepted their assistance in Los Angeles when space allowed, thanks to the Red Cap’s insistence. On another occasion, I relied on their help with my niece, making her train journey much more effortless.

Even though I don’t regularly need assistance, I’m always willing to give up my spot for someone who does. Red Caps work hard, but delays can happen, especially considering the volume of passengers and the limited number of Red Caps. They may need to assist passengers getting off your train while helping others board, so patience goes a long way.