Learn How To Ride Amtrak

Riding Amtrak is not hard if you do some research, listen, and prepare yourself for the adventure. Planning an Amtrak adventure can lead to questions; I know this can be the case because I had several as I started. Links on this page direct you to articles on this site, Amtrak’s site, or occasionally someone else’s if I do not have that information ready or if they did a better job than I can. Come learn how to ride Amtrak.

My Story: Advice From My Experience

Over the years, I went from asking to answering questions.

My first Amtrak adventure took place in 2012, and back then, there were not many websites like this one outside of the Amtrak website.

If there was, I couldn’t find it.

At that time, I found an Amtrak forum (It still is around); albeit handy, it was also discouraging. Several trolls were more interested in complaining and being negative (apparently, welcome to the internet).

A few times, the trolls had me second-guessing if I wanted to travel anymore, just like the modern-day Facebook groups.

Luckily, I didn’t listen, and I found most trolls were people with unrealistic expectations or bitterness because “what was” is now in the past. Or, my favorite, there were a few “experts” that had never been on an Amtrak train but knew it all.

While they have the right to say what they want, I also have the right to move on to other resources.

Without seeing many other options, I pressed on, found a few Amtrak friends, and decided to start this site to give you a more positive place while still being as honest as possible.

Instead of hoarding that information, I want to share my experience with you on this website.

If you can’t find your topic, please reach out, and I will try to help!

At this point, I have over 160,000 miles on the rails and over 660 trains; I have experienced most things. 

Below are the topics I currently cover, and more are coming, so come back or sign up for my email list. Some of these articles come from questions asked by people like you.

Ride Amtrak During The Pandemic Info

Face masks are now highly suggested but not mandatory on trains. They could require them at some stations, depending on state and local rules. Here is more information on Amtrak and the pandemic.

Helpful Planning Topics For Your Next Amtrak adventure

This section could be great if you want to plan an Amtrak Adventure but do not know where to start. Or, if you have a specific question, this section may help you find that topic faster.

• Amtrak’s Long-Distance Route Guides
  • Get an overview of all the long-distance routes with links to more information.
• Printable Long-Distance Route Schedules Or Time Tables
  • If you are looking for stop times for your next Amtrak Long-Distance trip, this page allows you to download the schedule to store on your device or print it out.
• What you need to know when Amtrak trains with multiple route numbers
  • If you plan a trip on the Texas Eagle, Lakeshore Limited, or Empire Builder and are unsure what train section you should book? This article will help you sort things out.
• How to save money on Amtrak tickets
  • If you want to save money with Amtrak, this page gives you the tools to save money on your next adventure.
• Amtrak gift cards
  • This article covers buying Amtrak gift cards and how to use them.
• Entertainment on Amtrak Trains
  • Amtrak offers views, but you may need to pack something else for entertainment. Find out a few of Kev’s suggestions.
• Amtrak Service Alerts and Notifications
  • Amtrak’s office resource for service alerts, weather impacts, passenger advisories, station advisories, plus links to Amtrak service-based Twitter handles.
• Accessible Travel Services
  • If you need info on accessible travel, this link will take you to Amtrak’s page.
• Amtrak’s Acela
  • Amtrak’s high-speed train on the Northeast Corridor travels between Washington DC and Boston.
• Boarding Amtrak Trains
  • You booked your tickets, packed your bags, and now it is time to board the train. Here is an article that will get you on track for your trip.
• Amtrak Connecting and Thruway Services
  • Sometimes Amtrak cannot take you by train to where you want to go by train. These days, Amtrak charters a bus or van or books you on another transportation company as part of your reservation to get you where you need to go.
• Smoking, Vaping, & Marijuana on Amtrak Trains
  • This article covers the basics you need before your next trip.
• Amtrak Red Caps
  • Amtrak Red Caps help you to get to and from your trains at select stations.

Accommodations: Coach and Sleeping Cars

For comprehensive information on Amtrak sleeping accommodations, start here.

• Coach Class 
  • The article covers coach class basics for your next regional or long-distance train adventure.
• Overview Of Amtrak Sleeping Accommodations
  • If you are new to Amtrak Long-distance trains, this page will give you a quick overview of what you can expect and links to put you in the right direction to get the info you need.

• Viewliner Roomette
  • The Amtrak Viewliner Roomette is a cozy accommodation in Amtrak’s single-level sleeping cars, and this article will help you with the basics and a few tips.
• Superliner Roomettes
  • The Amtrak Superliner Roomette is a cozy accommodation in Amtrak’s bi-level sleeping cars, and this article will help you with the basics and a few tips.
• Amtrak Bedrooms – Superline & Viewliner
  • Find out about the bedrooms, Amtrak’s largest sleeping accommodations.
  • The article covers both Veiwliner and Superliner sleeping cars.
• General Questions on rooms (sleeper cars)
  • An overview of Amtrak rooms and the top 21 asked questions answered.

Onboard Experiences When You Ride Amtrak

Amtrak Wi-Fi

You can find Amtrak Wi-Fi on many regional and long-distance trains; this article will let you know what trains plus what you can expect.

Showers on Amtrak

Sleeping cars on long-distance trains offer a few nice perks, including privacy, sleeping horizontally at night, and more!

One nice amenity is the shower! This article covers everything you need to know to stay fresh while traveling.

Eating While You Ride Amtrak

Eating on Amtrak can be a fun experience, and knowing what to expect can help you plan what snacks you want or need to bring and how much money you need to set aside as you roll down the rails.

Eating on Amtrak Long-Distance Trains

Sleeper car passengers on the Auto Train and those trains that run for two nights use Amtrak’s traditional dining. The remaining long-distance trains offer sleeping car passengers Amtrak’s flex dining.

Coach passengers, at this point, do not have access to dining cars, but they can use the cafe car. Business Class passengers on the Coast Starlight can use the dining car at their expense, and this is a trial run.

Amtrak provides a cafe car for coach and sleeper passengers looking to add more to their food, snack, or drink intake.

Food On Amtrak Regional Trains

Many regional trains offer food aboard the trains. Short routes like the Hiawatha do not provide food or beverage services. The cafe car is where you can find food on regional trains. This article covers the basics of what you need to know and the menus.

Amtrak Stations

The Amtrak system contains different station types, from a platform and a sign next to a cornfield to a beautiful station leftover from rail travel’s glory days.

These articles will prepare you for whatever station starts or ends your Amtrak adventure. You could encounter different types on a trip.

• Train Stations (General overview)
  • Unstaffed Stations
  • Platform Station
    • This article also covers Amtrak Connecting services.
  • Staffed station (coming soon)
  • Amtrak Flag Stops
    • Flag stops can be unstaffed or platform stations.

No matter what station, you need to know how to board Amtrak trains, and this article will help.

Amtrak Lounges

Some of Amtrak’s stations have lounges for select passengers. Do you qualify to use an Amtrak lounge? Find out what stations have them, what you can expect, and who has access.

Learn more about Riding Amtrak Long-Distance Trains.

This page is an excellent start to learning more about each route. This page includes articles I wrote about each train route, or if I haven’t written about that route yet, I link to Amtrak’s page. You can also get schedules and route guides.

Amtrak’s Auto Train

The Auto Train runs on the east coast as an alternative to driving I-95. This train travels from the great DC area to the great Orlando area.

The Auto train allows you to ride comfortably and bring your car along. You do need a car to ride on this train.

There are two articles, the first is what you need to know, and the second gives an idea of where your room is on Amtrak’s Auto Train.

Other Helpful Tidbits & Links To Help You Ride Amtrak

• Entertainment on Amtrak
• Why do the lights go off and on while on the train
• Amtrak route guides
  • Years ago, Amtrak published route guides for passengers to read while traveling on the rails, but these days these guides are no longer found on trains. Route guides add a lot to your trips, especially if you like trivia and learning, and the history of the many stops and towns you pass through along your journey is fun.

This page is growing!

More stories and articles are coming! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you can learn a thing or two about riding Amtrak. If you have questions, please reach out and let me know!

Safe travels!

Kev