Tipping on Amtrak is optional, but it’s a nice way to show your appreciation to the staff who make your journey better. Passengers usually tip attendants in sleeping cars, coach cars, or food service. They rarely tip conductors and engineers unless a conductor provides exceptional assistance.
Remember that many staff members are away from friends and family for days and do a lot of work while you relax.
Grab your favorite beverage or snack, and let’s walk you through the basics of tipping on Amtrak. Thank you for reading this article, which offers valuable tips and advice based on years of Amtrak travel experience.
Quick Answer: Do You Tip on Amtrak?
Tipping on Amtrak is optional, but many passengers choose to tip for good service.
Passengers commonly tip:
- Sleeping car attendants
- Dining car servers
- Café car attendants
- Red Caps and station assistants
Typical optional tips are:
- $10–$20 per night for sleeper attendants
- 15–25% in the dining car
- $1–$3 in the café car per transaction
- $2–$5 per bag for Red Caps
Conductors and engineers generally do not receive tips; however, if a conductor assisted you, it is acceptable to give one.
Using cash is typically the simplest way to tip on Amtrak trains.
A Travels with Kev podcast on tipping on Amtrak
This episode summarizes this article.
Do You Have to Tip on Amtrak?
Let’s get this out of the way upfront: tipping on Amtrak is optional.
Amtrak employees earn a livable wage, unlike many restaurant and hospitality workers, whose income relies on tips. This means you don’t have to leave a tip, and there is no automatic service fee or pressure to tip.
If tipping isn’t part of your culture, don’t worry; you’re not doing anything wrong.
Over the years, passengers have developed a tipping culture, particularly in sleeper, dining, and café cars.
This article examines the origins of this tradition and standard practices for travelers, offering guidance on approaching tipping with confidence.
Not everyone shares the same opinion on this topic, and that is perfectly fine!
Quick Amtrak Tipping Guide
Here are typical optional tipping ranges some passengers choose to follow on Amtrak:
• Sleeping car attendants: $10 to $20 per night, usually given at the end of the trip
• Dining car staff: Around 15 to 25% of the set menu price, similar to restaurant tipping
• Café car: $1 to $3 per order, or a percentage when paying by card
• Red Cap and station helpers: $2 to $5 per bag
Showing Appreciation Without Pressure
To clarify again: Tipping is always optional and not mandatory.
Tipping can be a nice way to show appreciation for excellent service. I often tip, but sometimes I don’t, and I’ll explain why later in this post.
If tipping is not in your budget, don’t worry. A genuine thank you can be just as meaningful. You can also share a positive employee experience with Amtrak (a link is provided at the end of this post).
Want to do something thoughtful and small? A treat from the café car, a small snack pack, or even a modest gift card can be a thoughtful gesture. It’s all about showing kindness, not about how much you spend.
Tipping On Amtrak: When To Do It
When to tip and whom to tip is up to you.
Acela
If you are in first class, you receive at-seat service, and people often tip the attendant. Some may tip the café car attendant if they are in business class.
Many people give tips at the end or along the way. Depending on the services you require, a tip of $5 or more is appropriate.
Sleeping and coach car attendants
Typically, I tip when the attendant notifies me of my stop or during one of their sweeps as we approach the final station. You can also tip as you step off the train.
The average tip for car attendants ranges from $5 to $20 per day, or more, depending on the quality of service and your budget.
Some passengers prefer to tip at the start of their trip. I tip at the end based on the service I receive; it’s just my approach. Either way works fine; do what feels right for you.
Dining car employees
For example, at bars and restaurants, you can tip at the end of the transaction, whether you pay by card or cash.
On occasion, if I have the same dinner attendant for the day, I tip at that day’s last meal. But that all depends on how much cash I have. Typically, standard food service rates range from 15% to 25%. Below are the prices charged to coach passengers; you can use them as a base or adjust as needed.
Sleeper reservations include meals; however, separate meal prices are available for coach passengers.
- $20 for Breakfast
- $25 Lunch
- $45 Dinner
- $20 Kid’s Meals
Café car attendants
For café car attendees, the same café is available throughout the trip, so you can tip as you go or at your final visit.
Station Staff
Some stations have red caps or agents who can help you get to or from the train. You may tip them a few dollars per bag.
Something to Consider About Amtrak Staff.
Some staff members remain on the train with you throughout your trip, while others rotate in as you travel.
Conductors and engineers change out throughout the trip, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sets the maximum number of hours these employees may work. Typically, these individuals switch out during longer smoke breaks.
Who stays with you for your entire trip?
Attendants for coach class, sleeping cars, and food service stay with you for the entire journey, with two exceptions: the Texas Eagle (Trains 421-422) changes staff in San Antonio, and the Floridian swaps attendants in Washington, DC.
How long are the staff away from home?
Amtrak employees are often away from home and family for four to six days or more. However, the situation differs on a regional train: you may be away overnight or at home.
For instance, the California Zephyr crews are based in Chicago. They travel with passengers to Emeryville, CA, where they spend the night before piloting the return train to Chicago the next day. As a result, most staff members are away from home for about a week!
What do the attendants do on the train?
These employees work behind the scenes to ensure your trip is as comfortable as possible.
For example, sleeping car attendants help you along your journey. They make your beds and put them away, assist with getting you off the train, help with meal reservations, provide you with the information you may need during your journey, and more. They also run errands for some passengers and clean the car.
Coach attendants help keep their cars clean and assist passengers. Food service staff prepare and serve food on a moving train, a task that is more challenging than it might seem.
When Tipping on Amtrak Is Not Recommended
Not everyone will agree with me on this point, which is fine. You know what is best for you; like all my articles, these are guides, and you can take from them what you want.
For the record, I follow the motto “assume positive intent,” and I try to improve someone’s day when in doubt. However, I received inadequate service several times during my travels, so I did not tip.
When I haven’t tipped on Amtrak
During my many Amtrak trips, I had only a few poor attendants who refused to accept tips.
For example, once I pressed the call button, the car attendant came to my room, looked at me, and then walked away. As a result, I made my bed for the night. On another occasion, the attendant ignored me for most of my journey.
I reported them to Amtrak both times.
I let Amtrak know whether they did well or poorly, but I let things go if the service was middle-of-the-road. On the other hand, if I receive excellent service, I let Amtrak know. The link to do that is at the end of the article.
If you choose not to tip, keep this in mind.
Sometimes, we need to take a step back and check ourselves. I do this to keep my expectations realistic and make sure my mood doesn’t affect my experience.
Do not expect the car attendant to be a personal attendant; you will be disappointed if you do!
Remember, they have a whole car to maintain. Also, if you had different expectations about the train or things didn’t go your way, don’t take that out on your attendant. Train travel isn’t like it is in the movies, and neither is flying.
The car attendant didn’t make your train late, and they didn’t cause mechanical problems. It takes one person a long time to make up twenty rooms in a full Superliner sleeper car.
Tipping on Amtrak Trains: How You Do It!
Tipping Station, Coach, and Sleeping Attendants
If you’d like to tip, cash is generally the most convenient option.
You can always ask if they accept electronic payments if you run out or forget. Packaged treats and gift cards are also lovely gestures. There are no ATMs on the train, and you can’t get cash back, so bring tip money.
Tipping Café and Dining Car Attendants.
You can tip these hard workers with cash, but there’s another way.
If you pay with a credit or debit card, you can leave a tip, just as you would at a restaurant. However, sleeper cars include meals in your reservation. If you want to tip but forget cash, you can purchase an adult beverage to take back to your room or lounge car and leave your meal tip on the charge slip.
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FAQ: Tipping on Amtrak
Do you have to tip on Amtrak?
Tipping on Amtrak is optional; it is not required.
Do you tip Amtrak sleeping car attendants?
Many passengers do so, especially on overnight trips. Tips are generally based on the quality of service provided.
How much should you tip an Amtrak roomette attendant?
Most travelers typically tip between $10 and $20 per night for good service.
Do you tip in the Amtrak dining car?
Most passengers tip as they would at restaurants, typically 15% to 25% for good service.
Do you tip Amtrak conductors?
Typically, conductors and engineers do not receive tips, but if a conductor has provided you with exceptional assistance, you may choose to give a tip.
Can you tip with a credit card on Amtrak?
When purchasing the café or dining car, you may be able to add a tip when paying by card.
Cash remains the simplest way to tip on board. For instance, if you’re staying in a sleeping car, your meals are included in the fare, so you typically can’t tip by card unless you buy something extra, like alcohol.
Should you bring cash on Amtrak for tips?
Yes, bringing small bills can make it easier to tip sleeping car attendants, Red Caps, and dining staff.
Wrapping Up About Tipping on Amtrak Trains
It’s your choice about tipping on Amtrak or not.
Tipping is a great way to show appreciation to someone who made your Amtrak experience better. While most car attendants do not expect it, it is a nice gesture.
Don’t worry if you can’t afford to tip, but let Amtrak know about the excellent service you received.
If you’d like to commend an Amtrak employee for their outstanding service, please use the yellow button below. I spoke with a member of Amtrak management, who told me they share comments with managers, who then relay them to employees.
Safe Travels!
Kev
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Kev
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I have over 186,000 miles of rest, relaxation & rejuvenation on Amtrak. Coast to coast. Border to border. Your article is right on.
Awesome! Amtrak is a great way to travel and see the country! Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the information, Kev… from a fellow Kev. I will be taking an Amtrak Sleepette on a one night journey from NYC to Libby, MT. I may choose to eat at least a couple meals in my sleeper car. I know that during covid, it was fairly standard to have food delivered to your car. How about now? If I am able to do that, how much should I tip for each meal delivered to my sleepette?
Hi Kev! Haha
You can still have your meals in your rooms. You could either tip a few dollars right away or tip them extra in the end.
If they got swamped when they got a meal. I might give the attendant a little extra right away to acknowledge their hard work.
There is no right or wrong, and it depends on your budget. Maybe $10 a day above what you would tip for bringing your meals, and you could even give that each day. I would base the amount on the service you receive.
It would also be nice to get their name and send Amtrak a note of praise; there is a link in the article.
I hope this helps, and safe travels!
Kev
Kev,
Thank you for your informative look at tipping. Basically it follows national trends in tipping while traveling. Appreciated the photos, too.
This post was spotty on! I’ve traveled many, many miles in Amtrak roomettes, bedrooms, family bedrooms as well as coach. Like any other service oriented business, I’ve experienced anywhere from terrible to excellent service. My tipping “technique” is this. When I get on the train I ask the attendant where they are getting off. Most of the time I’m on the Cardinal and in most (if not all) cases the attendant is going to the end of the line (Chicago or NYC) just like me. This gives me time to evaluate the service. Poor service equals a “thanks so much” and excellent service receives $10 to $20. If it’s a poor experience, I’ll save the tip and add it it to the return trip home. So if the service West was poor and I didn’t tip the $10 – $20 and I have a better experience going back home, I’ll simply double up the tip and reward the attendant who did a great job. I should point out that my max tip is $20 each way so part of that tip will go to the food service folks if I eat in the dinging car and not stay in my room.
Thanks, Jay!
If I am travelling Coach on an overnight trail, would it be appropriate to tip the check in person, in hopes that I can request a window or aisle seat?
When boarding, there is often no time to request a seat because they want to get everyone on and take off. You can ask your seatmate to switch or talk to conductors or car attendants once the train leaves the station. If the train is not crowded, often, it is not an issue.