Getting Around After Arriving by Amtrak

Did you know some of the best travel memories happen right after you hop off the train? As someone who loves traveling with Amtrak, I’ve discovered that planning your transportation upon arrival is key, though it’s often overlooked. While renting a car might seem like the go-to option for newcomers, many affordable, convenient alternatives can enhance your journey. Let’s explore these options together to make your travels smoother and more enjoyable as you get around after arriving by Amtrak.

Quick Answer: How Do You Get Around After Taking Amtrak?

After arriving by Amtrak, travelers often walk, use public transportation, take rideshares, use hotel shuttles, take taxis, rent cars, rent bicycles, or get rides from friends and family. The best option depends on your destination, budget, luggage, and comfort level.

Why I Wrote This Guide

A reader and friend named Sue, my former co-worker, once asked how people get around after arriving at their destination by train.

Honestly, I had never considered explaining my travel habits before because they have become second nature to me over the years. Sometimes, I forget that what seems obvious to experienced travelers can feel entirely new to someone planning their first trip.

After reading her message, I realized that she made a valid point.

Things To Think About Before You Arrive

Train schedules make this an important part of travel planning. Arriving early in the morning or late at night can significantly affect your transportation options.

Before choosing the best option for your stay, consider your accommodation’s location. Sometimes, cheaper lodging on the outskirts of a city can cost more in time, rideshares, parking, or rental car fees. In many cases, paying a bit more for a hotel closer to the station might actually save you money and reduce stress.

Things to consider include:

• How far is the station from your hotel or attraction
• Your arrival time, especially for late-night arrivals
• Weather conditions
• How much luggage you are bringing
• Whether local public transportation is available
• If your hotel offers a shuttle
• Whether you feel comfortable walking in the area
• If you need to reserve a rental car in advance

Some Amtrak stations are conveniently located in downtown areas, while others may require additional planning to reach your final destination. Planning can make arriving at your destination much less stressful once you step off the train.

Which Transportation Option Is Best?

Here’s how I typically view situations:

The Advantage of Amtrak Travel

One advantage of traveling by train is that many Amtrak stations, including those in Chicago and Philadelphia, are situated in the city center. This convenient location makes it easier to walk, use public transportation, or quickly access hotels and attractions upon arrival.

Stations like Charleston, SC, are located farther from downtown and may require additional transportation planning, similar to airports.

Many communities, both large and small, connect train stations and airports with public transportation systems, including buses, subways, light rail, and commuter trains.

Airports are generally not located in downtown areas, unlike train stations. Toronto is a notable exception. However, not all airports provide convenient or affordable public transportation options to and from the city center.

Option 1: Arrange For Rides From Friends And Family.

Having friends or family pick you up is an economical way to get around, and it can be fun, depending on who you’re with. My sister and I have always relied on each other for transportation when visiting. Since she married and moved away from Wisconsin, she and her husband have been incredibly kind, often picking me up and dropping me off at train stations or airports.

Tips to Make Everyone’s Life Better and on the Same Page

Keeping everyone on the same page will improve things for all.

Dates & Schedule

Confirm dates and schedules before booking to avoid confusion and ensure everyone is on the same page. Doing this more than once may seem tedious, but it provides clarity and helps avoid misunderstandings. Involving the person who will pick you up in the planning and booking process can be very helpful.

How You Can Share Your Details

Use electronic calendars, such as Google Calendar or any other shared calendar, to ensure everyone has the correct dates and times. This way, they can check the schedule at their convenience. Keep the calendar up to date to avoid confusion.

Tracking Trains

In addition to your arrival dates and times, please share the route numbers so the other person can track your journey and determine whether you are running on schedule. If you are unfamiliar with this, I have a post that explains how to track Amtrak trains. You can also set up alerts when booking, or whoever is picking you up can sign up for Amtrak text or email alerts for significant delays at any time.

A small gift or offering to buy a meal, coffee, or a drink can help show your appreciation and improve the other person’s experience.

Option 2: Explore Your Destination On Foot.

Walking is my first choice when traveling because it’s affordable, good for you, and helps you become familiar with your surroundings faster. I have walked in major cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, as well as smaller communities like Galesburg, IL, and Battle Creek, MI.

What Goes Into My Decision to Walk

The main factors that determine whether I walk are distance, weather, safety, and my physical well-being at the time.

Storytime: An Omelet Po-boy From Killer Po-Boy

Here is an example of how I use walking to familiarize myself with my surroundings.

I took Amtrak’s City of New Orleans from Chicago to New Orleans. After arriving, I stepped off the train and walked to my hotel using GPS and some tunes. I was almost at the Hotel Dauphine when I noticed a restaurant I wanted to visit: Killer Po-Boy.

I could have found Killer using Google Maps or other means once I got to my room, but seeing it on my way sealed the deal. Deciding where to eat is often one of the most challenging parts of traveling.

Before long, I had a cheese omelet (with bacon) po’boy in front of me, accompanied by a little Crystal hot sauce and a cold brew to complete the meal. Instead of wasting time at my hotel deciding where to eat, I quickly decided to eat there because it was so close.

Keeping your eyes open while walking may help you discover a great “hole in the wall” you might miss on a ride.

Side note: Killer Po-Boy’s Cheese Omelet is an excellent choice. Here’s the Killer Po-Boy menu (just in case).

Option 3: Public Transportation

My second choice for getting around is public transportation. Over the years, I have collected transportation cards from cities across the nation. It’s not a bad collection, and it saves me time and money when I arrive.

Having my cards loaded beforehand allows me to start my experience as soon as I arrive, making me look less like a tourist. Nowadays, you can also use tap credit or debit cards; I appreciate the option to use both, just in case one gets lost or stolen while I’m traveling.

Public transportation can be intimidating at first, but you’ll become a pro after a few uses. Before traveling to a new city, you can often find YouTube videos or websites that explain the local public transportation system and what you need to use it effectively.

Tips for Using Public Transportation

1. Research Before You Go: Look up the public transportation options in your destination city. Websites and apps can provide maps, schedules, and fare information.
2. Get a Transportation Card: Many cities offer tap cards that work on all or most public transportation systems. You can load these cards with fares in advance, saving time and making it easier to navigate the system. Determine which option—day or weekend pass, transport card, or tap credit/debit card—is best for you.
3. Watch Tutorials: YouTube videos and online tutorials can provide helpful visual guides on using the local transportation system. That is how I learned when I started traveling.
4. Download Apps: Many public transportation systems offer apps with real-time updates, payment options, route planning, and other helpful features.
5. Ask Locals: Don’t hesitate to ask locals for advice or directions. They can provide insider tips and help you avoid newbie errors.

Option 4: Use Free Shuttles Or Hire A Shuttle Service.

Some larger hotels and hostels occasionally offer free or economical shuttles. Check with your hotel to see if you need to make shuttle reservations and whether it will pick you up at an Amtrak station or connect you to Amtrak service.

Sometimes, you can hire shuttles, too, like GO Riteway in the Midwest. Other shuttle services offer rides to airports and train stations, so check for a service in your area.

If your hotel or hostel doesn’t offer a shuttle, it may suggest local shuttle services. These services can be a little pricey, but they specialize in transporting travelers.

Travel Tip: Reserve Early

Reserve your shuttle early and confirm your reservation at least 24 hours before your ride. If there are delays, please notify the service as soon as possible. This way, no one has to wait for you if your plans change.

Option 5: Taxis & Rideshare Services

Hiring a driver can include options such as Uber, Lyft, taxis, rickshaws, horse-drawn carriages, or any other available transportation in your area.

I have only hired a taxi once and used rideshares a few times. Rideshares are more accessible if you are away from bigger train stations, at least for me. What I like about rideshares over taxis is that I can book them using an app, which is less intimidating.

Taxis

Taxis often wait at stations and airports, making them a convenient choice if you are in a hurry. They are typically available 24/7 and often wait for passengers in bigger cities. While taxis may not be the cheapest option, they can be reliable, especially when rideshares are unavailable.

Rideshares

Uber and Lyft are the two leading rideshare companies. To get a ride, you use an app to request a car, and someone picks you up and takes you to your destination. Rideshares are often more affordable than taxis and offer the convenience of cashless transactions and ride tracking.

Option 6: Renting a Car

Some train stations, like Los Angeles, have car rental companies, so you can walk off the train and leave the station by car. Some companies, such as Enterprise, will even pick you up with your rental car (restrictions apply, and the service isn’t available everywhere).

Renting a car offers the freedom to go wherever you want, but it also has downsides. I have never rented a car because it can be more expensive and cumbersome, especially for a solo traveler.

Downsides to Renting A Car

• Expense: Renting cars can be costly, with hidden taxes and fees that add up.
• Parking: Parking in large cities can be costly; fees are sometimes higher than the cost of renting.
• Additional Fees: Be aware of potential hidden taxes and fees.

When to Rent A Car

• Mobility Issues: If you have mobility issues that make other transportation options challenging.
• Extended Day Trips: For trips where other transportation options might not be available.
• Rural Areas: When visiting rural areas with limited public transportation.

Some hotels charge for parking, a common practice in cities like New Orleans and San Francisco. If your hotel does not have parking, you may need to use street parking or a nearby garage.

Parking in cities like Chicago can cost $40 or more daily. Before renting a car, research the parking costs at your destination to avoid any surprises. You may find that public transportation, rideshares, or taxis are cheaper in the long run.

Money-Saving Tip

To save money on car rentals, group your destinations together. Instead of renting a car for the entire trip, rent it only when you need it and for as long as you need it.

For more insights, check out my articles on renting cars for Amtrak adventures.

Option 7: Bicycle Rentals

Renting a bike can be an excellent way to get around your destination. It is cheaper than car rentals, faster than walking, and more flexible than public transportation.

Many major cities now have bike rental systems.

How Bike Rentals Work (in a Nutshell)

1. Sign Up for a Membership: Many bike rental systems require you to sign up for a membership or a day pass.
2. Pick up a bike: Visit the rental location and collect your bike.
3. Return the Bike: Return it to any rental site when you’re finished.

Hostels (if you stay at one) or local bike shops may also offer bike rentals. A quick Google search will help you find a bike quickly. From my travels, I noticed that the hostels I stayed at in the U.S. and Canada offered bikes at very reasonable rates.

Final Thoughts on Getting Around After Taking Amtrak

One of the best aspects of train travel is that you often arrive closer to downtown areas and attractions than you would when flying into an airport. With some planning, getting around after arriving by Amtrak can be easy, affordable, and even add to the adventure.

Having a transportation plan before you arrive can make your trip smoother and less stressful, whether you choose to walk, use public transport, take rideshares, rely on hotel shuttles, or rent a car.

Smaller towns might not always have rental car agencies or a variety of transportation options. In some instances, it may be more practical to arrive at a larger nearby station and drive the remaining distance. Researching before your trip can save you time, money, and frustration later.

We only have a limited amount of travel money, so it helps to use it wisely.

If you found this guide useful, check out my other beginner-friendly Amtrak travel guides on Travels with Kev. You can also subscribe to my newsletter for train travel tips, route updates, and practical advice from my years of riding Amtrak.

If you would like to support Travels with Kev, please visit my support page or Patreon. Your contributions help keep the website running and let me keep creating free Amtrak travel guides and resources for travelers like you. Thank you for your support!

Safe Travels!

Kev

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