Amtrak Beginners Guide | Everything You Need To Know To Ride The Train 

Just an extra tip if you don't mind to add to all your wonderful information. When it comes to people asking about whether they can warm their food on the train... If you are traveling in a group of two or more; so that you are not carrying all your stuff by yourself; Amazon sells portable food warmers that you can use to heat up any food... some only come with a car type power plug, so you would need an adapter for it, but others come with both that and a regular plug type power cord. You can use it to heat anything from soup to sandwiches to fried chicken... burger and fries....etc....

The Amtrak credit card costs $99 a year. If it provides for a 20 percent discount on the fare, it may be worth getting, but if not, you would have to pay for an awful lot of meals to get back that 99 bucks. And with a sleeper, meals are included, so you wouldn't even have to pay for them anyway.

So glad I found your channel. You guys are doing amazing explaining details. As a retired engineer and conductor for UPRR and working Amtrak 21 & 22, delays are to be expected like you mentioned. Amtrak will operate on rails with freight trains. Dispatchers are good at placing freights in a siding well ahead of Amtrak, but when these trains don’t fit in the siding, or they go into emergency because of broken air hoses, hot wheels meaning brakes or journals are stuck. Trains will slow or stop for the repair. Amtrak will get stuck behind these trains. Lastly. If there is a train vs car collision, expect to be taken off the train if it’s a bad situation or if its ahead of you, could be hours and I mean hours for the area to get clear depending on severity ! I can’t stress enough, traveling by rail IS NOT air travel. These attendants and conductors, are overworked and are just as stressed as you when issues happen. Plan for it, prepare for it, and expect it !!

In regards to the train being late - if you at a station where the train originates, ( not in the middle of the route) usually they will be on time because that is where the train set starts the trip. If you plan to get on the train in the middle of the route, the train can be late because of issues " upstream ". Also if you getting on the train where it starts the route the time of departure is when the train starts to move, not when the boarding process starts. From my experiences the boarding process starts about 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. When booking a ticket , do that as soon as you know you are going to travel. The cheapest tickets do not allow you to change tickets and charge 25% of the ticket if you cancel. For a small amount extra one can get a ticket that you can cancel or change for no charge. About $4.00 more on my trips to NYC or about $$39.00 vs $ 35.00 . Well worth it for peace of mind and last minute changes.

The both of you do a great job!! Would the two of you ever do a hints video of hints suggested by viewers? Here is a little tip I use for sleeping on Amtrak. For a month before my Amtrak Adventure, I train my sleep pattern using "Ambient Sounds of Amtrak" for 6-10 hours in length as found on "RU-vid ". This allows for less stress when you try to sleep on the train and mentally prepares you for rest.

As usual. Great advice!

Happy 51st birthday Rob! Allie, I hope you had a very special day yesterday!

Such valuable information. You guys are great!

Found your videos just in time! Going on my first train trip tomorrow morning and it's nice to get an idea on what to expect. Thank you for sharing your experiences :)

I'M A TRAVEL ADVISOR AND I CAME ACROSS YOUR CHANNEL ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND HAVE WATCHED AND POSTED YOUR INFO ON MY EVENT PAGE & WEBSITE. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO TAKING MY SMALL GROUP FROM NY TO THE GRAND CANYON! I APPRECIATE THE INFO, SUGGESTIONS AND VIDEOS TOO! THANKS...

Loved the Empire Builder last year! Going Via Rail across Canada this Summer...then Amtrak down to Seattle!

I had one cafe attendant on the Maple Leaf actually use the oven normally reserved for crews to heat up my stromboli and he was like "I'm from Philly and we take our strombolis very seriously" but on the other hand I've also had an attendant on the Silver Star barking at everyone for silly reasons and kicking everyone out for 3 HOURS for his "lunchtime" so no one else could actually buy food when most people needed it.

Great video. Thanks very much much!

Just wanted to thank you for the chance meeting the other night. You are both as genuine in person as you are on the channel. Although an Amtrak excursion will have to wait because of my current geography, I will share this with my mother who has become an Amtrak fan in recent years. Merry Christmas 🎄 and Happy New Year 🎊

We will be on our first Amtrak-trip next week on the Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to Boston. It has always been a kind of a dream for us to make a overnight-Journey in an Amtrak sleeper-car so we’re absolutely excited. Your videos have been so helpful for us, thanks so much!

We are already planning our next three trips on Amtrak. And I'm happy to report that I just bought one of your cool T-shirts! Merry Christmas!!

One thing people should learn how to do is 'how to pack.' I always see people getting on trains and airplanes loaded down with bags. I never check bags; I learned my lesson. I have traveled to different countries, 43 states, 3 Canadian provinces. One carry-on. For families it's a bit different but I still will guess that those loads can be lessened. It's a lot less headache.

Very helpful thank you!

Saved to ‘watch later’ for future use!

You two are travel goals 😊I wish I could afford to travel around the world on Amtrak. Maybe in the future I will try to take one trip a year.🙌🏽👍🏽

My wife and I can’t thank you both enough for your help with our anniversary trip! We took Amtrak from Cleveland to Las Vegas! The trip was visually amazing and exactly what we wanted…being able to see the scenery together! We used many of your tips, (charger power cords, snacks, packing light, etc.). I was rather surprised that my 6’3” frame fit comfortably on the bed in the room with no issues…roomette appeared tight, so we went with a full room! Also, I sleep with a CPAP, so the room was the best option. Thanks again for the information you put out there! 👍🏻😁😁

We just booked our trip from Eugene to Seattle. I have traveled on a train since I was a little girl, the 80s. It’s my first time for my teenage boys. They don’t know we’ve booked it. I know they’re be excited. I’m looking forward to watching your videos for ideas!

You always pointed out having a roomette / sleeper.. how about take the challenge by traveling coach on these long amtrak rides. Not everyone might have the luxury of spending so much cash on a sleeper room. Just a thought to consider. ;)

I saw one video on here with a very novice couple. They were in the big beautiful NYC Moynihan train hall and saw a check baggage drop off and stood in line to be told their train didn’t have it checked baggage. I think they were on a north east regional to Boston. 😂 videos like these are good for the novice Amtrak traveler!

Really appreciate your informative & insightful content. Some great advice & tips in this video. Takes me back to when I’d regularly ride the rails in Canada & the US. Before 2019, booking single occupancy Roomettes, managed to accrue almost 30,000 AmTrak Guest Reward points. To my eternal regret I lost most of them owing to international COVID travel restrictions, family commitments, illness etc. Which prevented me from travelling abroad for any practical duration. Plan ahead & pack any essentials(change of clothes, electronics, flannel/towel, night attire, slippers, snacks, toiletries, wipes etc) you may need during your journey in easy reach at the top of your backpack/carry-on case & leave any main checked luggage in the baggage store. Thereby saving space in your compartment & obviating the need to frantically search for items. Must say that I tended to prefer the lower-level Roomttes, providing your accommodation isn’t located directly over the bogie trucks, because of the more pronounced pitching, swaying & yawing of the upper compartments. Which becomes more noticeable the further you are from the carriage’s centre of gravity. I’d strongly advise travellers reduce their in-take of alcohol, caffeine, sugar etc. perhaps by foregoing the odd lunchtime/evening meal or by choosing the lighter, less calorific option. Especially during longer trips. And, as you yourselves advise, take advantage of the extended ‘smoke stops’ by going outside to stretch your legs & regularly walk through the train while the train is rolling. Remaining seated in your compartment or the Sightseer lounge for long periods won’t help with digestion. Definitely agree with Jeb Brooks’ sound travel advice to pack some dried fruit eg. apricots, figs, prunes etc. to help keep you regular. You’re welcome. 😂 Being a light sleeper I particularly found these food, drink & exercise tips definitely helped with getting a good night’s rest. Great job! Look forward to following more of your travels in the near future.

Heads up. Sunset limited east now only serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, break, lunch. Westbound lunch, dinner, break, lunch, dinner. Did roundtrip last year and got dinner before arrival in new orleans at 9:40. Also got breakfast 1st morning back to l.a. They cut 2 meals out of trip but charge same. Confirmed on phone. Guess whole train going to need to grab a sandwich in houston and eat breakfast before boarding heading back west! Seems silly we would all be foodless for the evening.

Thank You so much!

Thanks!😊😊 For the updates

You both do a great job. My goal is to go to Thailand for dental work. And hit the rails for my adventures.

We went in October for our first trip on Amtrak. Elyria OH to Chicago then the CZ to Emeryville. Stayed overnight there, the next morning the San Juaquins to Bakersfield. Rented a car to drive to SD. Stayed in SD for a week. On the way home SD to LA, SW Chief to Chicago and back home to Elyria. Our only section with no real extra buffer was the first leg. We were supposed to have 3 hours in Chicago. Ended up with 20 minutes. Not sure what the heck was happening in that last stretch near the Indiana Dunes area into Chicago but I could’ve jogged faster (but without my luggage). The other 5 trains on our journey were on time or even early. Like one of the earlier post the cost would have prohibitive even in roomettes on the trip. We went 3/4 across the country and back for $900. I priced it out, with rooms or roomettes it would’ve been $3500-$6000. Big difference. Huge difference. Would it have been nice to have the meals? Yes. Lounge access on our long LA and eastbound CHI layovers? Yes. But in talking to other passengers who were in a roomette they didn’t sleep all that well either and were leery of the shower. We figured out a pretty good system for the bathroom. Tip, go change clothes for the night/day, wash up etc during a fresh air break. Easier to stand and get the work done without the motion. Heck I even washed my hair in the sink basin. The only food we bought was our “entrees”. The hot sandwiches. We packed Crystal Light type packets, brought a couple of water bottles, granola and breakfast bars, chips and pretzels. The south view that we “had to have” on the CZ heading west was just okay. The sun in October is in the south sky so being a sunny day for a lot of it we were blinded. Conductor Brad on that stretch was a bit of a jerk. Kept lambasting people for hogging the observation car. But nothing had been said to the people who were on tables in there the ENTIRE day prior from Chicago to bedtime. We did not budge. Overheard others in the car saying it was there 5th time on the CZ. Etc etc. This most likely would be our only time. Some got up after his repeated lambasting but tables and chairs then remained empty so we did not feel too bad but when he would walk through I felt we were given the stink eye. For our first time we did appreciate how slow the train went on curves, bridges and trestles. I’m surprised we did not get motion sickness at all. My wife was however more comfortable at the tables in the OC that faced backwards. I watched as many as Allie’s and Rob’s videos I could that applied to our trip. So much that my coworker friends and wife were probably equally sick of hearing about their latest upload. I want to thank them for their help, inspiration and honesty (although the elevator from the station to the hotel in Emeryville was nothing). Way way worse here in our part of NE Ohio if you ride our local transit. Or even the high end outdoor shopping mall that has the Apple and Nike type stores has parking garage elevators that are more sketchy. But again Allie and Rob, thanks for your help.

The Amtrak App is very useful. It keeps track of your tickets and tells you about train delays. I live in the middle of one route, so knowing when my train will be 3 hours late is useful.

Excellent Q&A on Amtrak. Have either of you rode on Brightline?

Thank you for these tips! I have celiac disease. Do they have Gluten Free Options?

First time 🙋

If you're getting off at a station where the train isn't scheduled to stop for a "smoke break", be sure to get out of your seat and gather up your bags well beforehand. Not only will they leave you on a platform if you're not on the train when it's ready to leave, if you're not OFF the train when it's ready to continue (which at smaller stations could be 45-60 seconds after it stops), then you're going to stay on the train until at least the next stop. This almost happened to my wife a couple of years ago.

I've been watching so many of your trips, and greatly enjoy, whether you're in the US or other parts of the world. Only thing I've noticed is that you both eat so so much processed and commercial kitchen foods and snacks. Do you worry long term about your inner health. Still love your travels

Can you please do a video on how to book a trip on Amtrak using the Amtrak app? I can't find train departure schedules for round trip on Empire Builder from Indianapolis thru Chicago onto Portland.

I love Amtrak it’s easy to take especially if you’re in a wheelchair. whereas the airline test to lose everything and break wheelchairs whereas Amtrak, let you bring your wheelchair on as long as you let them know you have a wheelchair the conductors and employees at the station are very professional, and they won’t break your power wheelchair or lose your luggage like the airlines do

You said that if you have an hour lay over in Chicago, you should just stay the night in Chicago. What if you don’t have a reservation for the train you catch in the morning?

Going from Chicago to NYC sounds like a lot of waiting when it comes to connecting, do you recommend staying in Chicago until the next day?

I always try to add atleast 1 or 2 buffer in trip plans "just In case?" I have been scorned by super type A peep that plan tight schedules? But things DO Happen and have been glad to have that cushion? Thanks to your advice? I plan to do Long Loop Cal Zeph west, Coast Star North, Emp Build east? Add a day between? I can take Blue water Flint Mi -Chicago. Chicago to Flint. Do I need much buffer for That? What season wud you suggest a loop like that for Scenery?

Here's my question if I live a few blocks away from the train station and I have to be there at 3:30 a.m. how soon should I leave to get there

Any advice for the disabled people when it comes to sleeper cars?

I walked to the store Minot North Dakota 11night

Happy birthday we love you so very much enjoy Pajonsito she only has 5 days to go enjoy your day love you Roberto el cibaeno

how fequently is there an unpleasant smell in roomettes or bedrooms? RU-vidr Safiya Nygard did an Amtrack trip with her hubby and their roomette had bathroom type smell the whole time. Would you complain and ask to be moved if availability?

Just bought rail pass. Can I travel from SF to Seattle to LA and back to SF? Thanks!!!

Do u provide meals on the over ride?

Are bicycles allowed on Amtrak trains?

Gm.....in March me and about 9 of family and friends are going from Baltimore to Miami for a cruise on Amtrak. Do we all have to check our bags or just Carry them all on? We all probably will have 2 bags a person

I wham to know how long you sleep every nights!!

My question is, what happens if your train is late and you have to change to another train to continue your trip? You have said that a train won't wait for you.

Can you please do a short trip ride on coach just to see how it works.

If 2 people travel together, and 1 person has a guest rewards number & buys both tickets, does that person get points for both ticket purchases?

How far ahead should I book my trip?

Can u ride the train on a power chair?

you said that they do not have microwaves on the train, but do they have refrigerators to keep things cold?

15:04 I Amtrak is messing up perfect opportunity with people wanting to get off the train and shop. They should make the stop 30 minutes to an hour. I mean they’re already behind anyways. They should run on time between the stops and then stop along the way schedule that with the freight get the logistics right. And let them stop at these little towns, and sell local goods like local craft and local foods. That’s how they do it in Japan. Right you know each region has their specialities. It’s crazy me that the train industry is missing this opportunity in America.

I would like a round trip from Austin to little Rock, can i just ride it to and from without getting off???

Hi! I don't know if you are still responding to comments in this video, but if so, please help me know if a small blanket (like a throw) and a neck pillow would be counted as luggage? I took Amtrak last summer for the first time, fell in love with train travel from that, and have been watching a lot of your videos. Amtrak contact isn't responding to my questions. After sending very positive messages with that question, their automatic system kicked out my messages, flagging them as "offensive." They need to stop relying on AI and go back to real people! Anyhow, I love your videos and am watching them for information and entertainment. You are a lovely couple and are inspiring and helpful to us novice travelers.

7:37

Can I get a wheelchair on a train?

Just as there are no microwaves, passengers should be aware that there is no cold storage, either. If you're packing sandwiches, don't include egg salad that you don't plan to eat until the next day!

K, so you stated for layovers routes would you just get a hotel then catch the train next day. My question is would you buy two different tickets? Example KC to Chicago then Chicago to final destination or one ticket for whole trip?

The site sucks to book a trip. Too much work.

12 hours??????

All we have is the cardinal...smh

Love the show. But America Rail infrastructure is horrible and out dated. Compare to Japan, china, and the uk.

what's the story with the major metropolitan stations - are they operating normally or are those pro-palestine people disrupting service? i do not want to waste money on tickets i later regret purchasing.

Amtrak's customer service very, very bad. And they also have racist employees.

Happy birthday we love you so very much enjoy Pajonsito she only has 5 days to go enjoy your day love you Roberto el cibaeno