Entertainment On Amtrak: Advice For Better Travel

All aboard! Train travel is more than simply getting from A to B; it’s a chance to relax, soak in the scenery, and enjoy the ride. But when it comes to entertainment on Amtrak, things work a little differently than on planes or buses.

You won’t find built-in seatback screens along your journey. With some planning and a few essentials packed in your bag, you can transform your time on the train into a fun and memorable experience.

In this guide, I will share easy ways to stay entertained, comfortable, and engaged, whether that involves diving into a playlist, podcast, or audiobook; playing a game; watching something; or simply letting the rolling landscape speak for itself.

If you intend to use a noisy device, remember to bring a charger and headphones.

Quick Answer: How to Stay Entertained on Amtrak

One of the best parts of traveling on Amtrak is having the freedom to relax during the journey.

Popular ways to stay entertained on Amtrak include:

• Watching downloaded movies or TV shows
• Listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks with headphones
• Reading books or eBooks
• Enjoying the scenery outside your window
• Playing games on your phone, tablet, laptop, or with cards.
• Working remotely using onboard Wi-Fi or a personal hotspot, and power outlets
• Socializing in the café, dining, or lounge car
• Journaling, trip planning, or photo editing
• Take a nap

All Amtrak trains have at-seat power outlets, and many offer Wi-Fi. However, connections can be unreliable in remote areas, and many long-distance trains do not provide Wi-Fi at all. Downloading entertainment before your trip is strongly recommended, especially for overnight and long-distance routes.

The podcast companion to entertainment on Amtrak

Preparing for entertainment on Amtrak

When preparing for your trip, consider the available space, the weight of your belongings, and what you will need to entertain yourself for hours at a time.

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 if you have space in your checked bags, you won’t have access to your belongings until 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 enjoy this form of 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, and rail travel lets me do it.

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

Trains offer breathtaking scenery that you can only appreciate from a train window. The sounds and motion of the train also enhance my enjoyment of the journey.

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

I don’t have to focus on anything; if I nap, so be it.

During long-distance train journeys, there will be stops where you can get off 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 you’re interested, you can find the route guides here; you can print them or download them 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.

Of the 52 hours, standard tasks 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 ways to enjoy Amtrak!

One of the best aspects 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 ample space available. 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 feature both leg and footrests, and they recline without encroaching on the space of the person behind you.

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

The best part of train travel is the 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 on trains because they are light and great for meeting new people. If you bring some playing cards, here are some game rules and ideas to get you started.

Amtrak often has playing cards in the café 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 suit.

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 got her new activity books and toys. 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 comfort animal, was a big hit and brought her comfort. 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. Do what you believe is best for you and your child.

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

Crayons or colored pencils work great for adults and kids. A few freight railroads also offer activities for those interested in a railroad theme.

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

I found a site that bundles activities for your kids; this option could work well for some.

Step off the train at the designated stops for fresh air.

Fresh air stops are mainly on long-distance routes, but some regions have them when trains arrive early.

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

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

Coach and sleeper passengers can walk around and stretch their legs in a few places.

All passengers can walk around the train, except for coach passengers, who are not permitted to walk through the sleeper cars. The following section offers alternative ideas for places to stretch your legs.

One of my favorite activities on Superliner trains is going downstairs, standing by the door, and watching the scenery go by. I enjoy this because it allows me to stand for a while without being in the way.

Eating on Amtrak: for nourishment and entertainment

Everyone needs to eat.

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

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

You can sit in the café car, but please remember that other passengers might also want to use that space. If you are on a Superliner train, you can dine downstairs and then go upstairs for a better view. Or take your food upstairs.

Review your destination plans.

One advantage of train travel is that it lets you review your destination plans before you arrive.

This lets you review your thoughts, see what’s still relevant, and identify which activities work best for this trip, avoiding last-minute disappointments and letting you make adjustments. Additionally, you can check if the places you want to visit are open when you plan to see them.

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 serve as both portable entertainment centers and organizational tools. Tablets, such as iPads, offer versatile functionality, serving as both entertainment hubs and lightweight 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’s helpful not to rely solely on Wi-Fi for entertainment. Not all trains offer Wi-Fi, and some routes may have areas with limited or no coverage.

Additionally, a smartphone can serve as a camera for most travelers. Map apps help you navigate to your destination, decide whether to walk or take a ride, and request a ride from a ridesharing service.

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, such as an iPad; we discuss this in the next section.

Tablets

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

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 Video, Disney+, and more let you temporarily download movies and shows to your phone or tablet for offline viewing (without a Wi-Fi connection).

I prefer to use my iPad for visual content and my iPhone for audio content, but feel free to experiment with what works best for you. Like most things in travel, these are suggestions, not a Set of Rules. 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 it’s up to you.

Track your train

You can track trains in several ways, including using a map app on an electronic device or GPS equipment.

This will help you see 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 isn’t necessary for life, but for some of us, it is an accessory for entertainment or work that lets us 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 email and web browsing and usually doesn’t allow streaming or downloading large files.

While Amtrak’s Wi-Fi has improved, it remains unavailable on most long-distance trains, and some areas still have slow or no connectivity. If there’s no cell signal, Amtrak will not have internet access.

If you need Wi-Fi while traveling, check whether your phone can act as a hotspot, or consider purchasing a separate 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, and the best way is the one that works for you.

Although streaming music is the norm these days, I always make sure to have some tunes available offline, especially when I travel. Train Wi-Fi can be unreliable, and cell service isn’t always dependable in rural areas. Most streaming services allow you to download playlists, so it’s a good idea to set this up before your trip.

If you have a limited data plan, download content rather than stream, since streaming can quickly use up your data allowance. Additionally, if you’re like me and have a collection of CDs gathering dust, you can easily rip your favorite songs onto your computer and transfer them to your phone.

I recommend creating a travel playlist because the right mix of songs can genuinely enhance your journey’s mood.

Podcasts are also an excellent choice; whether you want to learn something new or just be entertained, there’s even a podcast called “Travels with Kev” that you can add to your queue!

Personally, I download all my audio to my phone and save visual content, such as movies, for my iPad. That way, my music doesn’t take up the space I need for videos.

Plus, it keeps everything organized in a way that reflects how I actually use it on the train.

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, make sure you have the right cables and that they work. 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 the perfect opportunity to journal.

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’re up for it, adult coloring books and colored pencils don’t 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, whether I’m writing or editing. The train’s motion, the sounds, and simply being in motion are therapeutic for me, and I hope they are for you as well.

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 take a proactive approach to enhance your trip or someone else’s.

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. However, if you view the trip as an adventure and plan some entertainment for your Amtrak journey, you can enhance your experience before you leave home. Make the most of your time and enjoy the trip to the fullest.

Safe Travels,

Kev

8/23/22