I travel the same way, bicycle and Amtrak. I love using Amtrak to get places. I started using Amtrak a couple years ago and now I use it all the time, love it. The matter of fact I'm traveling right now, all over country. And that's so true that, this annoying honking goes away so quickly that I don't even notice it anymore.
I laughed and laughed when I saw the pizza and Coca Cola combo! That IS, BY FAR, THERE IS NO COMPARE, the quintessential travel meal!! :) So satisfying!
I did the Capitol Limited from Chicago to Cumberland, Maryland and then from DC back to Chicago. It was my first Amtrak experience and it was really cool. They just laid my bike against the luggage in the luggage car for my trips. I definitely prefer the upper section seating as well.
Helpful stuff. I'm researching travel with my Cruzbike Recumbent (hangable design dimensions) from Indianapolis to the western terminus of the Great American Rail Trail. It looks like the Empire Builder is the train for that trip. Now I'm wondering if my original box is acceptable because It's 11.5" wide instead of the limit 8.5" but mine is shorter in the other two dimensions.
I want to do this with my large eBike (about 55lbs total) where I take an Amtrak somewhere I can ride 18 miles in a single direction, straight without turns/curvy roads.
My dad’s best friend, Bill, died after hitting his head from being so intoxicated with alcohol and falling. His surfboard hangs above my head every night. I pedal for him every time I go somewhere under 5 miles away. But once I am financially better off, that will turn into every day even if I have nowhere to go as I will be able to afford my own bike mechanic tools and parts. If you could dedicate a small part of the pedaling you do to him I’m sure the universe will thank you.
21:53 Question: on those trains that rack the bikes is it a quick release clamp style for securing front fork? The reason I ask, through axles do not fit these types of clamps as they are a different size.
Have you rode the sleeper car? It is stupid expensive, but we’ll worth it in my opinion, if you have the extra cash. It’s always at the back of the train, so you can’t really hear the whistle. It’s really nice to just have your own space, and just rest while you’re traveling. Plus they treat you really well. It’s an awesome experience.
Well let’s tell the whole Amtrak bike story. Amtrak moves bikes many different ways, your experience was different than mine. I traveled from Boston to NYC with my bike. 16 passengers cars but only places for 3 bikes. You remove your front wheel and hang it by the back wheel in a bin. So many different ways Amtrak moves bikes.
This vids been up for a while now I’m going from Philadelphia to nyc and on my way back I’m coming back with a bmx bike now when I was selecting my ticket it didn’t say anything about like adding a bike now my question is would they just let me on when I have the bike wit me coming back even tho I can’t pay the extra 20$ it’s my first time
In my experience, they won't let the bike on. I've even seen multiple extra racks in the luggage car and they wouldn't let my bike on without the $20 bike ticket. You might want to call Amtrak customer service and see if you can add it on. I've talked to them on the phone a couple of times and they're usually very helpful. Hope this helps!
So I'm doing a big ride from NYC to Philadelphia. I'm planning to ride amtrack back to nyc. We have expensive bike. Is there a fear of the bikes getting stolen or are they safe?
No fear at all of a bike being stolen on the train. Especially if it's in the luggage car. You have to show your bike ticket to take it off, either way. That didn't stop me from sitting in the same car with my bike, though...
Hi! I'm not sure if you will see this as this video has been up for a while now but I wanted to ask where would carry-on items be placed? I'm taking brompton aka. foldable bike with me.. Any other advise? I have never taken the Amtrak before and this would be my first time. Can I have it on the floor in front of my seat? I'd be taking my folding bike along with me and to keep it safe I'd prefer to have it with me in coach like I'd be getting on the station in NYC and getting off in TPA. Thank you in advance! PS: I love what you are doing and this made me even more aware (or more "woke" as the kids would say these days) about addiction recovery. Love this! More power to you! As well as subscribers! CHEERS!
Hi Nadine! Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm not sure a Brompton would fit in the overhead luggage area. There's plenty of room length wise and depth wise, but the height between the shelf and the roof is just tall enough for my detergent bucket front panniers and red dry bag to slide into. Maybe 12-15 inches max. You could always try it and if it doesn't, you could put it on the floor in front of you, but your space would be really tight. You're allowed two checked bags, two carry-ons, and two personal item bags. They have never really seemed to care about the size. I've never seen them weigh them either. (Less concern with weight on a train than an airplane, I assume.) Worst case scenario, check the bike as a bike, pay the 20$ fee per train, and still have six bags you can check and carry-on. I do know they allow boxed bikes for the same fee, and if you showed them that a bike is in the Brompton bag, I'm sure they'd understand. On the commuter style trains, there is a luggage rack that you could easily fit the Brompton into (the rack at the end of the video that I folded up, you'd just leave as a luggage rack.) If you absolutely did not want to check it on a train with a luggage car, there is usually ample room for carry-ons in a luggage area, you just may not be seated where you'd be able to keep an eye on it. I'd hate to think someone would take one, but that possibility always exists. They don't check what luggage people are carrying off the train, they only check your ticket and match the numbers if you have a checked bag. All in all, I highly recommend Amtrak and will be on at least two Amtrak trips this year, maybe three. Book the ticket, pay the 20$ for the bike, and feel it out. With all the information you've researched, it should be a very smooth trip, no pun intended. 😃
I didn't respond to this comment when you posted it because I wanted it to remain in my unanswered comments section. I have prayed for your family and her friends often over the year, and we will be riding for her today. It will post as Day 3 of the State 47 to RAGBRAI 50 tour. We'll be thinking of you all day.
I haven't tried it, but I read they are OK as long as they fit the standard bike limits: "Standard size", weight under 50 pounds and tires are under 2 inches wide.
If I remember correctly, there were some options for trikes and recumbents. It's not the same as a bike, but I think they will take them on the luggage car. Don't quote me on that, though. If I can find out, I'll let you know here.
Though one can go to Amtrak's website and view their bicycle policies, to save you time and offer others the answer, this is what I found in Amtrak's FAQ section where many other common questions are dealt with: "Currently, only standard size bicycles (50 lbs. or less, 70" x 41" x 8.5") will fit in our racks. We are working on making updates that will allow us to accommodate non-standard bicycles like tandems, trikes and recumbents." So, to ship a trike you'll have to use their luggage car as Redeeming Eden stated here.
I'm not sure about that. That's one rule I'm unfamiliar with. However, they have no restrictions on batteries, so, I don't see why not. As long as it fits the criteria...
