Entertainment On Amtrak

For a more enjoyable journey, wise travelers account for the beautiful scenery and the potential lack of personal entertainment options on train rides. While Amtrak may not provide at-seat entertainment, you can plan and bring various forms of amusement.

Improving your travel experience involves more than just having activities planned. Packing essential tools like a positive attitude and realistic expectations is just as important. Based on my extensive experiences and those of others, these intangible items can significantly impact the quality of your journey.

These insights extend beyond train travel and can also apply to flying and other forms of transportation. Discover what suits you best so you can pack your essentials for your next journey.

The podcast companion to entertainment on Amtrak

Preparing for entertainment on Amtrak

When preparing for your trip, consider space, the weight of your belongings, and what you will need to entertain yourself for hours. Don’t forget headphones and chargers for watching videos or listening to music.

Pro tip: Don’t pack your entertainment in your checked bags! Even though you might have space in your checked bags, you will only have access to your things once you reach your destination.

Free entertainment on Amtrak

The train provides an opportunity to converse with strangers. While this experience may not appeal to everyone, it is an option for those who wish to engage in this entertainment on Amtrak.

I made several new friends on the train—some just for the trip, and a few for life.

Watching the scenery is one of my favorite forms of entertainment that only rail travel allows.

I understand that road and bus trips provide excellent views, and planes offer a perspective from above.

Trains provide breathtaking scenery that can only be appreciated from a train window. The sounds and motion of the train also enhance the enjoyment of the journey, at least for me.

When I embark on road trips, I am often the driver, so I see some things but miss a lot because I focus on the road. Being on the train (or other transportation) is relaxing because I do not need to pay attention.

I do not have to focus on anything; if I nap, so be it!

During the journey on long-distance trains, there will be stops where you can get off the train to get some fresh air and stretch your legs. However, these stops will not be long enough to explore towns or stations.

Amtrak Route Guides

Several years ago, Amtrak produced route guides about the communities the train stops at or rolls through. These guides can educate travelers about the communities they pass through. While they are a bit outdated, they are still cool.

If that interests you, you can find those route guides here that you can print out or download to your device.

Life on the train

One of my favorite train routes is the California Zephyr. Traveling from Chicago to California takes about 52 hours.

Out of the 52 hours, there are standard things you do that take up time.

For example, sleeping and eating take some time.

Don’t forget that no one judges you if you take a nap on the train!

Depending on how much you sleep and nap, you have thirty-six hours to account for your adventure.

You will eat meals during this ride, which takes time. Train travel gives you plenty of time to relax; that is the next section!

Relaxing is one of the best entertainment ideas on Amtrak!

One of the best parts of train travel is the chance to sit back and relax—and for many riders, napping is a favorite onboard activity!

When traveling by train, you only need to focus on making meal reservations for long-distance journeys and getting off at the correct station. That’s all!

If you’re traveling in coach on a long-distance train, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the available space. You get more legroom than you would on a bus or plane. I’m about 6’2″ and still have plenty of room to stretch out comfortably. The seats have both leg and footrests, and they recline without invading the space of the person behind you.

Even on regional trains, passengers in coach class enjoy spacious seats—often with more legroom than many airlines—and no middle seats to contend with.

The best part of train travel is that it provides time and space to relax. Whether you nap, read, or watch the world pass by, there’s something special about letting the train handle the journey.

Games

Cards and other travel-friendly games work well for train travel because they are light and great for meeting new people. If you bring some playing cards, here are some game rules and ideas.

Amtrak often sells cards in the cafe car, but I leave a pack in my luggage because they are handy, light, and don’t take up much space.

Other lightweight and easy-to-learn games that work for meeting new friends include:

• Apples to Apples
• Bananagrams
• Uno
• and more

Cards Against Humanity may be fun, but it’s not the best game for the train’s public areas unless you have a family-friendly one.

Entertainment on Amtrak for the kiddos

I have little experience traveling with a toddler, and this is not my strong point.

Every kiddo and grown-up duo has unique entertainment ideas and needs. I sometimes take my niece on trips, and here are some activities that have worked for us.

We had new activity books and toys for her. She loves stickers, coloring, and magic ink books, and the excitement of new ones was fun.

Often, for some little ones, a stuffed travel companion helps them be brave and comfortable.

Her stuffed alligator, which she used as a stuffed support animal, was a big hit and comforted her. She liked that people would talk to her about her critter.

We packed an iPad for her. Some parents discussed limiting screen time or using it as a reward for their kids. Doing what you believe is best for you and your child is best.

Some children enjoy walking on the train, which can alleviate boredom during the trip.

Amtrak has a webpage with activities you can print out for the little ones. Crayons or colored pencils work great for adults and kids. A few freight railroads also have activities if you want a railroad theme.

I have found a few; if you know more, let me know!

I found this site that puts activities together for your kids in a bundle; this option could work well for some.

Step off the train at the designated fresh air stops.

Fresh air stops are mainly on long-distance routes, but some regions have them if the train arrives early.

These stops allow you to get off the train, stretch your legs, and get fresh air or smoke.

Most stops are not fresh air stops, so don’t get off the train unless they announce that you can or at your final stop.

Listen to the instructions and stay close if you get off the train.

Walking around the train

There are a few places to walk and stretch your legs if you are a coach or sleeper passenger.

Anyone on the train can walk to the cafe car for snacks, meals, and beverages.

You can hang out in the Sightseer Lounge on a Superliner Train (two stories) or in a Viewliner train’s cafe car.

Be mindful of others so they get some time in the car, too, because many people want to use these cars.

Eating on Amtrak: for nourishment and entertainment

Everyone needs to eat; am I right?

Whether I am in coach class or a sleeper, one activity I enjoy is walking to the cafe car to grab a snack or beverage.

It is fun to stretch the old legs or get a treat like wine and cheese (or other special treats) while rolling along.

You can hang out in the cafe car, but be aware of other passengers who may want to use that space. If you are on a Superliner train, you can eat downstairs and go upstairs for more views.

Review your destination plans.

One advantage of train travel is that it allows you to review your destination plans before arriving.

Doing so lets you review your thoughts, see if they are still open, and determine which activities work best for this trip to avoid last-minute disappointments and give you a chance to pivot.

The weather predictions might help you decide if walking across the Golden Gate Bridge is still a good idea for your plans. Or open your schedule for last-minute changes, such as different beignet shops every morning during a New Orleans visit. If you have a beignet every morning, I understand and will not judge; send me a picture!

Electronics entertainment on Amtrak ideas

Smartphones are more than just communication tools. They are portable entertainment centers and organizational tools. Tablets, like iPads, offer versatile functionality, serving as entertainment hubs and light workstations.

Smartphones

Smartphones can make calls and store music, podcasts, videos, movies, and ebooks. They can also help with entertainment by keeping your schedule and reservations organized.

When traveling by train, it is helpful not to rely on Wi-Fi-only entertainment. Not all trains have Wi-Fi, and there can be dead spots on the routes.

Additionally, a smartphone can serve as a camera for the average traveler. Map apps help you navigate your destination, decide whether to walk or take a ride, and call for rideshares.

Downloading a few games can pass the time during downtime or while waiting at the station.

Remember to pack headphones!

Another option is a tablet or iPad; that is the next section.

Tablets

A tablet, such as an iPad, can be a great multifunctional tool for travelers. It can be an entertainment center, jukebox, e-reader, audiobook library, learning center, etc.

A tablet can be an excellent substitute for a computer if you need to do light work while on your adventure. Nowadays, tablets are reasonably powerful for many tasks, and you can even get a keyboard if required.

Tips for getting movies & TV Shows

Services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more allow you to download movies and programs temporarily to your phone or tablet without streaming them (aka no Wi-Fi).

I like to put anything visual on my iPad and audio on my iPhone, but see what works best for you. Like most things in travel, these are suggestions, not Canon Law. Remember to use headphones.

Avoid downloading 4K movies or shows due to their larger file sizes. Instead, opt for standard-definition movies. Since most of my films are pre-4K, it doesn’t make much difference, but this one is up to you.

Track your train

There are several ways to track trains, one of which uses a map app on an electronic device or GPS equipment.

Doing so will help you determine where you are along your route.

You can also use the Amtrak app or website to ensure your train is on time. There are a few third-party sites, like the one I often use or this one.

A speedometer app can be fun to see how fast you are going down the rails.

Wi-Fi, maybe!

Wi-Fi is not necessary for life, but for some of us, it is an accessory for entertainment, or it allows us to work so we can travel more.

I remind myself that Wi-Fi is not a right but a convenience, so that I can manage my expectations.

Wi-Fi on trains, buses, and planes is often limited to emails and browsing the interwebs and usually does not allow you to stream or download big files.

While Amtrak’s Wi-Fi has improved, it is still unavailable on most long-distance trains, and there are still slow and dead spots. If there are no cell signals, Amtrak will not have internet access.

If you need Wi-Fi while traveling, see if your phone can work as a hotspot or purchase an independent one. Be aware that streaming video can burn through data faster than you think.

Entertainment on Amtrak: Music & Podcasts

Music can enhance your enjoyment of watching the world go by or help you relax while you wait to board your train. These days, there are several ways to add music to your trip efficiently, and the best way is whatever works best for you.

While streaming music is popular these days, and I use it when I travel, I also make sure I have music I can listen to offline. You never know if the Wi-Fi goes down or if you hit a cell dead spot. Some music streaming services allow downloading.

If you have unlimited data, you have nothing to worry about, but if you do not, streaming music can eat into your data allowance.

You can also buy music to download or rip some CDs onto your computer and upload them to your phone.

I suggest creating a travel playlist; the right playlist can aid in your enjoyment of a trip. 

Podcasts can enhance your entertainment or serve as a source of learning. There is even a Travels with Kev Podcast.

Digital downloads are much more manageable than CDs, cassette tapes, eight tracks, records, or live bands.

I download all audio files to my phone and visual content to my iPad. This practice aligns with my usage habits. Also, since movies and similar media take up more space, having my music on my phone allows more storage space on the iPad.

Necessary electronic accessories for entertainment on Amtrak

If you bring electronics, remember to bring chargers, cables, a power pack, and an extension cord.

Before you start packing, ensure you have the appropriate cables and that they are in working condition. The same goes for your chargers. Nothing is worse than wanting to capture a breathtaking landscape, only to discover that your phone is about to die because it hasn’t been charged, or the cable you brought isn’t functioning correctly.

Paper products: old-school entertainment on Amtrak

It is cool to go old school!

Trains offer you time to journal and reflect.

Some travelers trade books with others or swap books at Little Lending Libraries. Others want to donate the book they read and buy a new book at a non-chain bookstore at their destination.

If you are up for it, there are coloring books for adults, and colored pencils do not weigh much. Coloring is one of those activities that can help pass the time without even realizing how much time has passed.

By all means, magazines, gamebooks, journals, sketch pads, or whatever else you can think of are great ways to pass the time.

Entertainment on Amtrak wrap-up

Now that you have some suggestions for determining what works best for you, let me know what you might bring in the comments. Are there things that work well for you that I missed?

Riding on trains relaxes me, even if I write or edit. The train’s motion, the sounds, and just being in motion are therapeutic for me, and I hope for you.

I think the best entertainment on Amtrak is not just sitting there. Get up and move. Strike up a conversation with someone. Step off the train or do something to improve your or someone else’s trip.

If you embark on your Amtrak adventure with the mindset of being stuck on a train for hours, you will have a miserable experience before it starts. But if you look at the trip as an adventure and plan some entertainment on Amtrak, you can improve your experience before you leave home. Make the most of your time and enjoy the journey to the fullest.

Safe Travels,

Kev

8/23/22