Printing Amtrak Tickets

Whether you’re new to Amtrak travel or need a quick reminder, this guide covers everything you need to know about printing Amtrak tickets for your journey.

We’ll walk through when and where you can print your Amtrak tickets, how to access them electronically, and what to do if you need help retrieving them at the station. By the end, you’ll know if and when to print them, feel confident about your options, and be ready for a smooth trip!

Do you need to print Amtrak tickets?

No, you don’t need to print Amtrak tickets. Conductors can scan tickets directly from your phone, other electronic devices, or paper tickets.

Some travelers prefer a printed ticket as a backup, especially if they’re worried about their phone’s battery life or prefer a paper copy for easy access.

If your phone or tablet screen is cracked or broken, you should print your ticket, as this may affect the ticket scanning.

When you approach the train, the key is to have your ticket ready—either printed or on your device. This way, the conductor can scan or reference it quickly and easily. What do you think will work best for you?

When and how do you receive your Amtrak tickets?

When you make a reservation, you will receive your tickets via email within a minute or two, whether you book over the phone, through the website, or using the Amtrak app. Passengers who stay logged into the app should also see their tickets appear automatically within that timeframe.

Please check your spam or junk folder if you don’t see your tickets. If you still can’t find them, log back into your Amtrak account and request a resend. Amtrak sends tickets as PDF attachments, making it easy to save or print them if needed.

You will receive a printed paper ticket immediately when you purchase tickets at a station or from a ticket machine. If you ask, station attendants can also email you a backup copy. Additionally, if you have an Amtrak Rewards number, provide it to earn points!

Do Amtrak tickets have cash value?

Years ago, all transportation tickets had cash value, but in most cases these days, things have changed for the better. Nowadays, paper tickets do not hold cash value. That is great for those of us who tend to lose things.

So, if you leave your tickets at home, you will usually not run out of cash. You can reprint them at the station, use the app, or email them.

Should You Print Your Amtrak Ticket? Here’s Why It Might Be a Good Idea

While digital tickets are convenient, printing your Amtrak ticket can be beneficial in specific situations. Here are a few reasons why having a paper copy might make your trip easier:

Checked Luggage

A paper ticket can simplify things if you’re checking bags. Sometimes, Amtrak agents staple your baggage claim check to your ticket, and it’s just easier to manage when it’s printed. Your ticket may even be printed automatically during the baggage check process.

The other reason is that giving someone a piece of paper is often easier than using your phone.

Room Accommodations

If you’re traveling in a Roomette or Bedroom, having a printed ticket can be very helpful. It lets you easily show your room details to lounge attendants or conductors, especially during boarding. This way, you won’t have to scroll through your phone while managing your bags and locating your sleeper car and room.

Business Class Perks

Business Class passengers typically receive a complimentary beverage from the café car. A paper ticket allows for quick and easy proof of your class of service.

Phone Problems

If your phone dies, has a cracked screen, or you forget to charge it, having a printed ticket is a helpful backup to prevent any issues during boarding.

When printing Amtrak tickets might be overkill

Printing Amtrak tickets may not be necessary for short trips.

For instance, I don’t need a printed ticket on the Hiawatha line when I travel from Sturtevant Depot to Milwaukee Airport, especially for last-minute journeys.

The ride lasts only 13 minutes, so printing a ticket feels unnecessary. Besides, I am usually one of the few passengers, and they might ask for my name. If you purchase your ticket at the last minute—say, ten minutes before departure—there might not be enough time to print it out. In those situations, it’s not worth stressing over.

Should I print tickets for everyone on the reservation?

Technically, no; unlike airlines, one printed ticket is valid, but that can depend on the train. If you booked more than one sleeper, I would print at least one ticket for each room to make things easier.

Although Amtrak will do its best to keep groups together, there may be instances when this is impossible. If you end up separated, a ticket for each person will make things easier, but others could use e-tickets.

The art of printing Amtrak tickets

You can print tickets from your home or at many Amtrak stations.

Printing Amtrak Tickets At Home

If you prefer to print your tickets at home, open the email from Amtrak and print the attached PDF. These tickets will be on a full sheet of paper and will include additional travel information.

When printing at home, use white or light-colored paper to ensure the barcode is easy to scan. Darker colors may cause issues with the scanner. Some travelers even use different colors for each trip segment to stay organized—a great idea for keeping track of a journey’s multiple legs.

Kev’s Travel Hack

Use a plastic folder with flaps to keep your paper tickets safe if the folder drops or is put in your bag upside down. Look for one with a pouch for transit cards and other tickets.

I love this idea because it helps keep you organized and makes it easier to find your tickets.

I recommend a folder with flaps to prevent everything from spilling out. If you can get a folder with an additional small pocket, I find it handy for storing boarding pass- style tickets or transit cards for places you frequently visit.

Printing Amtrak Tickets At A Station

If you need to print your Amtrak tickets at a station, follow these steps:

1. Locate the ticketing kiosk or window.
2. Have your confirmation number or credit card ready.
   • The machine can scan your email or the Amtrak app on your phone to retrieve information for printing tickets.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions at the kiosk to print your tickets.
4. If you’re at a ticket window, provide your confirmation number or identification to the staff for assistance.

This process ensures you have your tickets before boarding your train.

You can use this machine to purchase tickets as well.

Note: Quik-Trak machines only accept cards for ticket purchases.

Tickets printed at stations, obtained from an agent or a machine, are similar to airline boarding passes. I prefer them because they are more durable than home-printed versions and can easily be folded into a pocket for convenience.

Alternative Methods for Retrieving Amtrak Tickets

While working on this article, I learned a few things. According to Amtrak.com, you can receive your Amtrak tickets by mail or pick them up on the train. However, these methods have restrictions and may not always be available.

This section’s basis comes from the Amtrak website, with some light editing. If you are interested in one of these options, check Amtrak’s current terms and conditions.

How to Get Amtrak Tickets by Mail

If you have booked a reservation and have yet to receive an eTicket, Amtrak will mail tickets to addresses in the U.S. and Canada for no additional fee.

If you want your tickets mailed to most addresses within the continental U.S., you must purchase them at least nine days before your departure date. For addresses in Alaska, Hawaii, and most of Canada, you must buy your tickets at least 15 days before travel.

Please note that the Ticket by Mail service is unavailable to locations outside the U.S. and Canada, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or any other U.S. territory or possession, as well as APO/FPO addresses.

Express Delivery

In certain circumstances, you may request that your tickets be delivered by express delivery for an additional fee.

To be eligible for express delivery, you must make your reservations at least four days before travel for U.S. delivery and at least six days before travel for Canadian delivery. This option is available only for continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and Canadian addresses. Delivery to P.O. boxes is not available. Deliveries are made Monday through Friday only, and someone must sign for them.

Special considerations for short-notice travel from unstaffed stations:

• If you depart from an unstaffed station and purchase your tickets within ten days of your departure date, you must select the express delivery option. An express delivery fee applies.
• If you are departing from an unstaffed station and purchasing your tickets within four days of your departure date, please call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) and speak with a reservations sales agent to determine what alternative ticketing options may be available.

Picking Up Paid Tickets On Board

You can only pick up your tickets from a conductor under limited circumstances.

For example, if you pay for your tickets before traveling, your departure station will be closed at departure time, and no other delivery options will be available.

Amtrak’s online booking system will determine your eligibility for onboard pick-up based on your itinerary. If you are eligible, you can choose to pick up your tickets onboard during the booking process. When making reservations by phone, your agent will inform you whether you are eligible for this service.

If you choose not to print your Amtrak tickets, here’s what you can do.

If you prefer to go paperless, you’ll need a smart device to access your Amtrak tickets, as there’s no alternative. While you can use a computer, it can be bulky and may be at risk of damage if dropped. A tablet can also work, provided it has cellular service or can tether to your phone.

I recommend using multiple methods to ensure you always have access to your tickets, especially if you might lose Wi-Fi or cell service.

Use Your Smartphone

Your phone is an excellent tool for keeping your trip organized. Since the Amtrak app requires an internet connection, here are some ways to ensure quick and reliable access to your tickets:

• Add tickets to an e-wallet.
  • Many smartphones have built-in wallet apps for adding tickets. The advantage? E-wallets load faster than the Amtrak app and often work without an internet connection. Some even send push notifications for quick access.
• Take a screenshot of your ticket.
  • Whether you access your ticket through the Amtrak app or your email, saving an image ensures that you can retrieve it even without service.

Using multiple methods helps you stay prepared—nothing’s worse than scrambling to find your ticket when needed!

Printed tickets do not refresh, but the QR code remains functional.

Sometimes, travel plans change, and if you’re using a printed ticket, you may need to reprint it. However, if your reservation number stays the same, your barcode will still be valid for your updated trip.

For example, you originally booked a trip from Sturtevant, WI, to Omaha, NE, on the Hiawatha at 11:23 AM but later switched to the 8:23 AM train. Your printed ticket should still work if your reservation number hasn’t changed.

To ensure you have the most accurate ticket information—especially in case of last-minute Amtrak schedule adjustments—it’s best to print your ticket the day before or on your travel day.

Kev’s Thoughts on Printing Amtrak Tickets

As a Gen X traveler, I grew up with catalogs arriving in the mail, but I also embrace technology. I feel comfortable in both worlds, and my approach to tickets reflects that.

I often skip printing tickets for short, last-minute trips like the Hiawatha without connections. However, I prefer having a printed ticket for long-distance trips or those with transfers—especially when lounge access is involved.

Sometimes, I print tickets at home or use the station’s Quik-Trak machine. I keep a digital version on my phone, just in case.

For long-distance travel, especially in a sleeper, I like to have my ticket in my pocket to easily reference my room and car number when heading to the dining car.

Printing Amtrak Tickets, Wrap-up

The moral of this article is to do what works best for you as long as you have a reservation barcode while traveling. The advantage of printing Amtrak tickets is that you do not have to worry about battery life, screen brightness, or Wi-Fi.

I hope this article answers some of your questions about printing Amtrak tickets so you don’t have to worry.

Safe Travels!

Kev