Amtrak Train Tickets And Schedules

Train Onboard Services

Amenities

• Free Wi-Fi
  • Available on most routes: connectivity and speed may vary depending on the route and train service.
  • Wi-Fi-Free Zones: Some long-distance routes may not offer Wi-Fi or may have limited connectivity in remote areas.
• Power Outlets & USB Ports: Available in all classes, Coach, Business, and First-Class cars on most routes.
  • Acela Express: Every seat has own outlets.
  • Long-Distance Trains: Power outlets are available in most rooms and coach seats, but not at all older trains.
• Onboard Restrooms: Available in all cars, regularly maintained.
• Shower Facilities: Available only in Sleeper Cars on long-distance routes.

Seats and Classes

• Coach Class.
• Business Class.
• First Class (Acela): Premium leather seats with extra space, and service at the seat.
• Roomettes & Bedrooms: Private accommodations with beds for overnight trips.

Amtrak Coach Class vs. Business Class

Dining & Food Services

• Café Car: Open on most routes, offering a variety of snacks, beverages, and light meals.

Amtrak Dining Car on Long-Distance Trains

Many offer traditional dining in the dining car, with full meals included in ticket prices for Sleeper Car passengers.

• Routes with Traditional Dining: Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and more.
• Acela Express: Complimentary at-seat meal service for First-Class passengers.
• Flexible Dining: On select routes, "flexible dining", with pre-packaged meals delivered at seat in Sleeper Cars.

Luggage

Carry-On Luggage

Amtrak allows passengers to bring carry-on luggage on board free of charge. The following are the standard rules for carry-on items across all services:

• Personal Item: One personal item allowed.
  • Size Limit: 14 x 11 x 7 inches (35 x 28 x 18 cm)
  • Weight Limit: 25 lbs (12 kg)
• Carry-On Bag: Two carry-on items allowed per passenger.
  • Size Limit: 28 x 22 x 14 inches (71 x 56 x 35 cm)
  • Weight Limit: 50 lbs (23 kg) per item

Infant Items: Passengers traveling with infants can bring an additional item such as a stroller or diaper bag, which doesn’t count toward the carry-on allowance.

Rules for Specific Routes

• Acela Express: Same carry-on allowance applies, but space is limited due to high occupancy. Arrive early to secure overhead or under-seat storage.
• Pacific Surfliner: Size limit is slightly smaller: 28 x 22 x 11 inches (71 x 56 x 28 cm).

Excess Carry-On Baggage

• Max Items: Allowed up to two additional carry-on bags, with a total of four carry-ons, including the initial two free bags.
• Excess Fee: For each additional a fee of $20 per item.

Checked Luggage

Amtrak offers checked baggage service on select trains and stations.

IMPORTANT: Availability depends on whether the station or train has checked baggage capabilities.

• Free Checked Bags: Each passenger is allowed two checked bags.
• Size Limit: 75 linear inches (length + width + height).
• Weight Limit: 50 lbs (23 kg) per item.
• Additional Checked Bags: Two additional bags are allowed at $20 per item.

Overweight and Oversized Bags

• Overweight Bags: Bags exceeding 50 lbs must be repacked. Overweight bags will not be accepted.
• Oversized Bags: Oversized baggage (76-100 linear inches) is accepted for an additional fee of $20 per item.

Specific Routes

• Long-Distance trains allowed: California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and Coast Starlight.
• Acela Express: No checked baggage service.
• Auto Train: While checked baggage is not offered, luggage can be stored inside your vehicle during the trip.

💡 Busbuster Tips: Ensure your departure and destination stations have checked baggage service available.

Stations Without Checked Baggage

If you are traveling to or from a station without checked baggage service, you must carry your luggage onboard as carry-on items.

Special Items

Some items require special handling and may incur additional fees.

Bicycles

• Carry-On Service: Folding bicycles under 34 x 15 x 48 inches are allowed as carry-on items on most trains and do not require a bicycle reservation.
• Bicycle Racks: Certain routes offer trainside bicycle service or carry-on bicycle racks for a small fee (usually $20).
• Routes Offering Bike Service: Capitol Corridor, Pacific Surfliner, and select long-distance routes like the California Zephyr.
• Checked Bicycles: A $20 fee applies, and bicycles must be boxed (bicycle boxes can be purchased at staffed stations).

Musical Instruments

• Carry-On: Small instruments that fit within carry-on size limits can be brought onboard.
• Larger instruments may require purchasing an extra seat.
• Checked Instruments: Large instruments such as cellos or double basses can be checked if they fall within size and weight limits.

Sports Equipment

• Skis & Snowboards: Skis, snowboards, and poles are allowed as carry-on items or can be checked free of charge in place of a piece of luggage.
• Surfboards & Wakeboards: On select routes like the Pacific Surfliner and can be checked for a $10 fee. They must be in a protective cover.

Pets Policy

While most Amtrak trains allow pets, there are some exceptions based on the service and train type.

• Trip Duration: Allowed on trips of up to 7 hours (this includes transfer times if applicable).
• Longer Trips: Pets are not allowed on journeys that exceed this duration, except for specific trains that permit them.

Routes Not Allowed

• Auto Train route.
• Empire Builder.
• California Zephyr.
• Coast Starlight.
• Thruway Bus Connections (Amtrak Thruway Bus services, which connect to train routes).

Pet-Friendly Routes

• Northeast Regional: On all trains between Boston and Virginia.
• Acela Express (Weekend Only): Allowed on weekend Acela services but are prohibited on weekdays.
• Midwest Routes: Hiawatha, Wolverine, and Illini trains.
• Pacific Surfliner: Pets must meet the weight and carrier size restrictions.
• Capitol Corridor: Offers pet travel with advanced reservations.

Types of Pets Allowed

Only small dogs and cats are allowed to travel onboard.

• Weight Limit: Pet plus carrier must weigh no more than 20 lbs (9 kg).
• Age Requirement: Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to travel.
• Number of Pets: Only one pet is allowed per passenger.
• Pet Fee: There is a fee of $29 to $39 per pet, depending on the route.

IMPORTANT: All pets must travel in a carrier and must remain inside the carrier at all times during the trip.

Pet Reservations

• Limited Space: Each train has a limited number of spots for pets, so reservations must be made in advance.
• Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

🌐 Reservation Channels: online, app, or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Pet Carrier Guidelines

• Size Limit: No larger than 19 x 14 x 10.5 inches (48 x 35 x 27 cm) to fit under the seat.
• Type of Carrier: Must be leak-proof and well-ventilated.
• Carrier as Baggage: Counts as one piece of carry-on baggage, so plan accordingly.

Service Animals

It is important to note that service animals are not considered pets and are permitted on all Amtrak trains without any restrictions.

• No Size or Weight Restrictions.
• No Carrier Required.

Disabilities and Reduced Mobility

Accessible Seating and Accommodations

• Accessible Seating: Available in Coach, Business, and First Class, located near entrances for easy access.
• Sleeper Cars: Accessible bedrooms with space for wheelchairs, and private restrooms are available on long-distance trains.
• Size Limits: Wheelchairs must be no larger than 30 x 48 inches and weigh no more than 600 lbs with the occupant.
• Accessibility: Amtrak can accommodate both manual and powered wheelchairs.
• Boarding Help: Amtrak provides assistance at all staffed stations with ramps, bridge plates, and mobile lifts based on platform type.
• Priority Boarding: Passengers with disabilities receive priority boarding at all stations.
• 15% Discount: Available for passengers with disabilities on most routes. Companions can also receive a 15% discount.

💡 Busbuster tips: Reserve accessible seating or rooms in advance to ensure availability.

📞 Amtrak Call Center: 1-800-USA-RAIL or TTY 1-800-523-6590.

Companion and Personal Care Attendants

• Companion Discounts: Passengers with disabilities and their companions are eligible for a 15% discount on most routes.
• Personal Care: Amtrak staff cannot provide personal care, so passengers requiring such assistance must travel with a caregiver.

Train Ticket Cancellation and Refunds

Risk-Free Cancellation

• Full Refund: If you cancel within 24 hours of purchasing a reserved ticket.
• Unreserved Tickets: Must be canceled within 1 hour of purchase for a full refund.

Refunds by Fare Type

Flex Fares

• Cancellation: 100% refund with no fees.
• Changes: No fee for changes, but fare differences may apply.

Value Fares

• Cancellation: 25% of the fare is forfeited; 75% refunded.
• Changes: No fees for changes, but fare differences may apply.

Saver Fares

• Cancellation: 50% of the fare is forfeited; 50% refunded.
• Changes: No changes allowed after the 24-hour risk-free period.

Acela First Class & Business Class

• Cancellation: Full refund in both classes; no fee.
• Changes: No fee, but fare differences may apply.

Multi-Ride and Monthly Passes

• Refunds: Passes are refundable only if unused and canceled before the first trip. A cancellation fee applies.
• Changes: Allowed before the first use or within the validity period.

Non-Refundable Fares

No Show. If you miss your train or don’t cancel before departure, the ticket is non-refundable and non-changeable.

Service Disruptions

Full Refund. If a train is canceled or delayed by more than one hour, passengers are eligible for a full refund or can rebook at no cost.

Train Ticket Changes

Changes can be made up to 15 minutes before departure.

• Rescheduling: If the new fare is higher, you must pay the difference. If it's lower, the balance may be issued as a voucher.

📞 Amtrak Call Center: 1-800-USA-RAIL or TTY 1-800-523-6590.

Amtrak Guest Rewards Program

Earning Points

• Earn Points: Earn 2 points per dollar spent on Amtrak travel.
• Bonus Points: Earn through promotions, partner offers, or by booking through the Amtrak credit card.
• Non-Travel Earning: Earn points through hotel stays, car rentals, and shopping with Amtrak partners.

Exclusive Benefits

• Priority Boarding
• Station Lounge Access
• No Blackout Dates

More details about the program here.

Featured Train Routes

Acela Express: Northeast Corridor (Boston to Washington D.C.).

California Zephyr: Chicago to San Francisco.

Coast Starlight: West Coast (Seattle to Los Angeles).

Empire Builder: Chicago to Seattle/Portland.

Northeast Regional: Northeast Corridor (Boston - Virginia).

Silver Service (Silver Meteor & Silver Star): New York City to Miami.

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Oficial Sources

Terms and Conditions of Service: https://www.amtrak.com/terms-and-conditions.html#termsOfTransportation-carriageOfPassengers

Social Page: https://www.youtube.com/@amtrak