Learn How To Ride Amtrak

Knowing the basics is essential to riding Amtrak, so I put this page together. Setting the right expectations is vital for any trip you plan. Finding good information can be challenging, so why not get it from someone who has spent over a decade riding the rails?

My story and experiences

Over the years, I went from asking others questions to answering them for people like you.

My first Amtrak adventure took place in 2012, and back then, there were not many websites like this one outside of the Amtrak website, at least that I could find and connect with. I did find an Amtrak forum that is still around, albeit handy, but it was also discouraging.

In 2013, I took my first long-distance train and fell in love with Amtrak Travel. That year, I traveled coast to coast in Amtrak coach class on two separate trips. I couldn’t get enough train travel, so I started riding the rails every week! I would take short trips to Milwaukee, Chicago, St Louis, MO, Battle Creek, MI, and more for lunch.

In March 2014, I climbed onto the 421 Texas Eagle sleeper into roomette number 14 and found my happy place! Through my regional travels and learning to utilize Amtrak’s rewards program, I earned several complimentary roomette rides. One of those trips was from Charleston, SC, to San Francisco, CA, on the Silver Meteor, Capitol Limited, Texas Eagle, and Pacific Surfliner, with an Amtrak connection service all on one ticket.

Instead of hoarding my experiences, I want to share them on this website, offering a positive yet honest take on Amtrak travel. At this point, I have over 200,000 miles on the rails and over 700 trains; I have experienced most things.

Helpful planning topics for your next Amtrak Adventure

This section could be great if you want to plan an Amtrak adventure but don’t know where to start. Alternatively, if you have a specific question, this section may help you locate the relevant topic more quickly.

A few topics to explore

• Amtrak’s Long-Distance Route Guides
  • Get an overview of all the long-distance routes, along with links to more detailed information.
• Amtrak Regional & Long-distance schedules & guides
  • Learn the basics about each route and obtain the timetables and schedules.
• Printable Long-Distance Route Schedules Or Timetables
  • 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.
• How to Print Out Amtrak Schedules
  • Learn how to print out a route or custom schedule.
• Amtrak’s Acela
  • Amtrak’s high-speed train on the Northeast Corridor travels between Washington, DC, and Boston.

Amtrak Planning Trips

• Amtrak Schedules or Timetables can be great planning tools!
• What you need to know when Amtrak trains have 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 in? This article will help you sort things out.
• How to save money on Amtrak tickets
  • This page provides tools to help you save money on Amtrak for your next adventure.
• Amtrak gift cards
  • This article covers purchasing Amtrak gift cards and their usage.
• Accessible travel services on Amtrak
  • If you need info on accessible travel, this link will take you to Amtrak’s page.
• How to track Amtrak trains
  • You can start tracking trains when booking using the Amtrak app, website, and third-party sites.
• Amtrak Points & Cash Program
  • You can now book with cash if you don’t have enough points for your next trip or any other reason listed in the post.
• Amtrak Coach Fares Options
  • Learn the difference between Sale, Value, and Flex Coach fares.
• Amtrak and Daylight Saving Time
  • There are two times a year when Daylight Saving upsets Amtrak train schedules.
• Why does Amtrak run empty or lightly-used trains?
  • Some trains operate nearly empty, and there’s a reason for this.
• Learn how to lock the door of your Amtrak sleeping accommodation.
  • While it’s not difficult, locking the door can be tricky the first time. Plus, learn what to do when you leave your room.
• Amtrak and Extreme Heat: What You Should Know
  • Discover how Amtrak manages extreme heat conditions.

Things you should know before your first Amtrak trip.

• 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.
• Boarding Amtrak Trains
  • You booked your tickets, packed your bags, and are now ready to board the train. This article will help you prepare for your trip.

• Amtrak Connecting and Thruway Services
  • Sometimes, Amtrak cannot take you by train to your desired destination.
  • Nowadays, Amtrak may charter a bus or van, or book you with another transportation company as part of your reservation to ensure you arrive at your destination.

• Smoking, Vaping, & Marijuana on Amtrak Trains
  • This article covers the basics you need before your next trip.
• Amtrak Red Caps
  • Amtrak Red Caps assist you in getting to and from your trains at select stations.
• Printing Amtrak Tickets
  • Find out if you need to print them out and more.

Amtrak accommodations

For comprehensive information on Amtrak sleeping accommodations, start here.

• Coach Class 
  • The article covers the basics of coach class for your next regional or long-distance train adventure.
  • Coach-class passengers have access to a Quiet Car on some select trains.
• Overview Of Amtrak Sleeping Accommodations
  • If you’re new to Amtrak’s Long-distance trains, this page provides a quick overview of what to expect and offers links to help you find the information you need.
• Viewliner Roomette
  • The Amtrak Viewliner Roomette is a cozy accommodation in Amtrak’s single-level sleeping cars. This article provides the basics and offers a few helpful tips.
• Superliner Roomettes
  • The Amtrak Superliner Roomette is a cozy accommodation in Amtrak’s bi-level sleeping cars. This article provides the basics and offers a few helpful tips.
• Amtrak Bedrooms – Superline & Viewliner
  • Discover the bedrooms, Amtrak’s largest sleeping accommodations.
  • The article covers both Viewliner and Superliner sleeping cars.
• Amtrak Accessible Bedroom
  • This room could be ideal for individuals with mobility issues.
• Amtrak Family Bedroom
  • A great room for those traveling with wee travelers.
• General Questions on rooms (sleeper cars)
  • An overview of Amtrak rooms and the top 21 most-asked questions answered.

Amtrak onboard experiences

Wi-Fi on Amtrak

Amtrak Wi-Fi is available on many regional and long-distance trains. This article will inform you about which trains offer Wi-Fi and what you can expect from it.

Showers on Amtrak

Sleeping cars on long-distance trains offer several nice perks, including privacy, the ability to sleep horizontally at night, and showers. This article covers everything you need to know to stay fresh while traveling.

Eating on as you ride Amtrak

Eating on Amtrak can be a fun experience, and knowing what to expect can help you decide what snacks to bring and how much money to set aside as you travel.

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.

Amtrak offers a cafe car for coach and sleeper passengers who wish to purchase food, snacks, or drinks.

Food On Amtrak Regional Trains

Many regional trains offer food on board. Short routes, such as 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 you need to know, including the menus.

Stations: where you board Amtrak

The Amtrak system features various station types, ranging from a platform with a sign next to a cornfield to a beautiful station that is a relic of the glory days of rail travel.

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 at some point)
  • Amtrak Flag Stops
    • Flag stops include 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 passengers to use. Do you qualify to go into an Amtrak lounge? Discover which stations offer them, what you can expect, who has access, and more!

Learn How To Ride Amtrak Long-Distance Trains.

This page is an excellent starting point for learning about each train route. It includes articles I wrote about each route; if I haven’t written about a particular route yet, I link to Amtrak’s page instead. You can also get schedules and route guides.

Amtrak’s Auto Train

The Auto Train runs along the East Coast, eliminating the need to drive on 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 with you. You do need a car to ride on this train.

There are two articles: the first is “Auto Train Basics,” and the second provides an overview of where to find your room on the train.

Helpful tidbits & links to help you ride Amtrak

• Entertainment on Amtrak
• How to prevent your Amtrak points from expiring!
  • If you have traveled on Amtrak before and earned points, learn when they expire and how to save them.
• Find Out Why Passenger Train Lights Go On And Off
• Amtrak route guides
  • Amtrak used to provide passengers with route guides while traveling on trains, but these guides are no longer available.
  • Route guides can enhance your trip by providing fun trivia and historical information about the various stops and towns you pass through.

This page is growing!

More stories and articles are coming! Thank you for stopping by. I hope you’ll learn something new about riding Amtrak.

Safe travels!

Kev