Not exactly. The USA Railpass enables you to book up to ten travel segments, but you must book each segment in advance. You can’t just choose to hop off at, say, Flagstaff to spend a day at the Grand Canyon, then expect to just board the train the next day to continue your journey. You can certainly book it that way, but each time you board a train it counts as a travel segment, and you only get ten.
Okie doke... Maybe next year when they put the Pass on sale again, I'll get one and try it out... with very little luggage...! All with proper planning, of course...
Dear Choo Choo Lady, I started watching your UA-cam videos. I’m 70 and on fixed income, so financially my travel days are over. As a kid, my family traveled cross country 3 times from L.A. to Toledo visiting relatives. In the summer of 1990, we flew from San Diego to Baltimore to visit Wash DC. We returned home via Amtrak, stopping at Huntingdon, PA and Canton, OH. Drove to Akron, then drove to Detroit. Picked up Amtrak again at Detroit and traveled all the way to LA., switching trains to San Diego. We were visiting relatives all the way home, so much fun seeing the USA. 😁 I ‘lived’ in the observation car. 😁 This was icing on the cake being a Rail Fan! 🙂🚂 I just wanted to say, your videos are so easy to understand; your command of the English language is outstanding; I love your happy-honest face; you are so sincere AND beautiful; your imaging out the windows and inside the passenger cars is also excellent. I look forward to watching the rest of your videos. Perhaps your husband is in the ones I’ve yet to see? 🤔🙂 Keep up the good work.
Dennis Ammann - Since " choo choo train " refers to a steam locomotive, maybe the Rail Fans ought to start a new popular nickname that refers to a diesel locomotive! Do you recall some of the railroads & named trains that you traveled as a kid?
@@Petemonster62 Dear Pete the Monster, I can't think of any nicknames for diesel locomotives. Sadly, they revolutionized RRs in 1949, making steam obsolete and diesel engines more economically cheaper. 🤔 It's sad that many of the tourist RRs are only running their steam engines on special occasions because of government regulations (interference). Soon the antique diesel/electric locomotives will be taking over for steam. There is NOTHING like steam engines with their looks (running gear), smells (coal smoke & oily steam), and sounds (whistle & pistons). As a kid, I only rode the Santa Fe from L.A. to Chicago. When I retired from the Navy in 1990, I rode the following steam trains: Durango & Silverton; Combres & Toltec; a Shay at Santa Cruz, CA; a Shay by Yosemite; & Grand Canyon RR. All of these in the 1990s... all steam! They were working with about 150 psi. On 4 of my Navy ships (2 DDs & 2 CVs), were working with 1,200 psi... bad stuff if something went wrong. My 5th ship was an amphibious ship that was using 500 psi. 🚂 In 2001 I rode a tourist train by Prescott, AZ that was using two F7 diesels (I think?) pulling about 5 passenger cars and one flat car for a great look at the canyon. That was my last tourist train ride. Sad that the Grand Canyon RR 'upgraded' itself by getting rid of their little GCRR museum, a wonderful collections of items, pictures, and history. The steam engine I rode in 1995 is pulled out only for special occasions. They use two 1950s diesel-electric engines now. Times change... it looks like only the cities of Durango, CO & Chama, NM are the only two places west of the Mississippi River that one can go back into time. 🤔 Just my opinion... Dennis Rail Fan Toot Toot! 🙂🚂 Have you ridden on any tourist trains or Amtrak travels lately Pete? 🤔
@@dennisammann9104 - 1200 psi ! - That is some incredible boiler pressure! It is hard to give a general nickname to diesel locomotives; the different models don't make the same sound - an EMD 571 sounds different from a modern GE unit! I haven't ridden any trains lately; I would like to go on Amtrak & some tourist/railfan trips once they get covid 19 under control. You are right about steamers getting side tracked for the federal mandatory boiler inspection; if they need repairs, it can take years. The big concern now is Positive Train Control; it probably can be fitted to vintage diesels, but not yet for steamers. Unfortunately for train preservation groups, P.T.C. is an expensive feature to add. Didn't get to see Big Boy 4014 in operation. Keep On Tracking!!!
@@Petemonster62 10-4 Pete. I too missed the great appearance of Union Pacific’s Big Boy in 2019. What a show that would be for us steam fans... the ultimate in a steam engine. 🤔😀🚂 Keep on chugging down life’s silver rails Mr. Pete. 😀
@@Petemonster62 Perhaps "chugga-chugga" will supplant "choo choo"? I have never actually heard anyone call a diesel train a "chugga-chugga train", so if the 'choo' fits... :^)
Thanks for the tips, me being a railfan I go to many different locations in Michigan to film freight trains and Amtrak trains (yet I have not rode Amtrak, but I plan to in the future), and what you were saying about baggage checks is completely right, it does depend on the stations. I've visited a couple Amtrak stations as locations to film trains, and while I've been there I have checked out the inside of those stations. Depending on the size and if the station has staff on duty, some stations don't have bag checks or ticket purchasing kiosks. Examples include Lapeer and Royal Oak (Michigan stations) other stations that do have staff, ticket purchases, and bag checks tend to be stations of bigger cities, the start and end of a train's route. Those are the good stations to go to if possible. Examples of those in Michigan include Port Huron, Pontiac, Detroit, and more. Thank you once again for the tips, looking forward to my first Amtrak trip.
I went from Havre de Grace MD to Rocky Mount North Carolina alone with my little service dog 🐕🦺 and had a great time, 4 hour lay over in Washington felt safe the whole time 👍🙏♥️😍
Hello, thank you for the tips. Are there any restrictions or medical testing required to travel via Amtrak between multiple state or inter-coastal routes as there is for air flight travel? Thanks.
Generally safe as there are conductors and a perpetrator is stuck on the train and has nowhere to run. If you are harassed, talk to a conductor. This only applies to coach and the lounge car, but if you are harassed at all it will most likely not happen in the lounge car but rather at your seat in coach. And by harassment I mean touching/propositions. It generally does not happen but it can, especially if someone is drunk. If you need to move seats to get away from someone who makes you uncomfortable, just ask the conductor -- on most trains seats are either not assigned or are assigned by the conductor, not your ticket. If a person is being belligerent the conductor has authority to remove them from the train at the next stop. Amtrak is known for strangers meeting up and making conversation though, particularly in the lounge and dining cars, so you have to be prepared for that if you are riding coach. It's considered part of the experience. If you want to be left alone, put up the same disinterested look you'd use in a bar -- this will generally work at your seat, but if you're in the lounge someone still might try to talk to you (rarely). None of this applies if you have a roomette/bedroom in the sleeper car and just want alone time. The door to your room locks and you can close the curtains and be as alone as you want to be. The other sleeper car passengers, again especially if you go to the dining car, tend to be either *very* chatty (but in a friendly way not a creepy way), or are introverts who stay in their room the whole trip. As far as general safety traveling alone -- you will not get mugged, again because there's nowhere for a miscreant to run. If you are in coach don't leave valuables at your seat when you get up to go to the bathroom or get food, etc. In the sleeper cars theft is almost nonexistent and it's pretty much safe to leave your luggage on the racks. I leave laptops and valuables in my room all the time and have never had a problem over hundreds of trips. I just put them out of immediate view and close the privacy curtains and close the door when I leave my room. Basically the experience is halfway between a long-distance ferry boat and a cruise ship. Some people are there just get from point A to point B, but a lot of people are also there to enjoy the ride and socialize.
NozomuYume I asked a female Amtrak employee about safety. I was informed there are plain clothes Amtrak employees riding the rails, security cowboys! Have fun!
@@leticiapalomimo6704 No problem. I would say not to worry at all, but there's never a 100% guarantee that someone won't do something uncomfortable. I will say there is pretty much no chance of anything worse than uncomfortable happening as there are always authority figures around. Coach is not some dangerous dark alley. At its absolute worst you're in no more danger than you are at a bar or movie theater. ...and of course you can just upgrade out of coach if you're still worried.
Everyone mentions the tips for room attendants, but no one provides a guideline as to how much and for what. I'm saving up for the Bedroom option for my cross country trip. The in room bathroom and in room meal options mean never having to leave your room...worth the extra cost to me.
Completely agree with you and that's why I'm saving up as well so I can get a room with amenities. Can imagine having to sit in a coach seat for over 20 hours & God forbid there's a delay.
I noticed you don't have anything about the cardinal train, the one that goes to Virginia, West Virginia. It's such a beautiful scenery. Cid you please do a video about it? Thanks you.
All good advice, Thank you Grounded Life! If you're inexperienced at rail travel, I might also recommend paying a "dry run" visit to your local departure station, prior to your trip. Of course, if you've already boarded trains from this station before, this may be completely unnecessary. If you've never been, though, you will probably find out a lot of station-specific information that the internet, phone agents, and even Grounded Life can't tell you. Find out how to get there, how long it takes to get there from your home, where to drop off passengers and luggage, where to park, which station entrance to use, how long it takes you to get from the parking lot to the Amtrak counter, whether they can print you a ticket if your phone dies unexpectedly, and all sorts of things that could be very important, especially if you're running a little late or feeling scatterbrained on the day of your actual departure. When I did this, Amtrak had no issue with me accompanying the ticketed passengers to the platform, meeting the train as it arrived, watching how passengers, tickets, and baggage were handled, and watching and waving goodbye to the train as it pulled away from the station into the distance. All while wearing a mask, staying behind the yellow lines, and maintaining proper social distancing protocol, of course. (Just be nice.) Please don't try to actually board the train without a ticket, or handle anyone else's baggage without permission - that could get you in trouble. If you want a tour of the onboard features and amenities, watch one of GroundedLife's UA-cam videos. :^)
Great tips as usual. I'm just seeing this in 2023. I think the mask ;mandate may have eased. Although in September 2021, I did see someone get put off the train for not having a mask on. The man got on the Cardinal in Philadelphia, same station as me, was put off at Charlottesville, VA, but was suppose to get off at Charleston, WV.
I watched the video, and then was like… 🤔 when it came to the tip regarding 😷. It was then that I noticed that this video was done two years ago, when 😷 was mandatory, unless you were in a roomette or actively eating. Does a modified and/or more current version of this video exist? My “grand loop” Amtrak journey is set for May 2024, and will take place the week prior to Memorial Day.
Hi! Just found your channel. Congrats on finding a good topic and providing good content. 😀 PRICING. Please do a series of videos on this topic. Quick looking at costs and Amtrak does not look very affordable option. Then I did a check for prices based on single occupancy and it almost doubled the cost of the ticket. 🥲 So... videos on single occupancy, double, sleeper car, best times, etc. Thank you kindly.
I have truly enjoyed all your videos and tips for travel. I recently saw Amtrack Dining Room food during COVID. Gummy looking reheated food served in black microwave plastic dishes. Off brand packaged cookies for dessert. THIS IS NOT the food that Amtrack served before Covid. China plates, hot eggs and steaks were cooked to order. Drinks in glass not plastic. Do you have any idea when they might return to some sort of "luxury" and normal food . My trip of a lifetime all over the States, on planes, cars and on the Zephyr and California Coast has been postponed until Feb. 2022.
@@GroundedLifeTravel thanks for response. Saw a video in which travelers brought their own plates, silverware, glass and mug. I guess I will travel with dishes 😁
Hello, I’m taking my first train ride back home from Boston to Little Rock,Arkansas and I was wondering what would be the best ride seating in the lower or upper area? Thanks.❤️
Hi from Texas 😁 I have been watching all your Amtrak videos because I’m going to Oregon January an do not know anything about it!! I was wondering if they have public microwaves or hot water for tea or hot coco??
Quick question I'm travelling Amtrak from Pittsburgh to DC and then from DC to Orlando we have almost the 7 hour layover in DC I'm just trying to figure out if there's anything good that I can do with my luggage so that I can enjoy some sites while I'm there
Hello there. New to your channel. First time traveling to Chicago Only 2 adults and 1 12yr old. Are the seats numbered by the ticket purchase or when boarding the train first come first serve. Will the three of us be sitting together. How that go. First time riding a train.
The room attendant, we tipped $10 per night and the dining room car we tipped $5 per day. Normally we would tip the dining car attendant 20% of meal price but these are prefixed meals and now there is minimal attending being done. Hope that helps.
We handed it to them on the last day of our trip. The dining car attendant we gave at our last meal in the train and the room attendant lets you off the train, so you can hand it to them then.
@@GroundedLifeTravel Big hint: tip your room attendant when you get on the train. Either the whole tip up front, or half when you get on and half when you get off. Tipping first gets you extra good service. I usually tip all up front for single day trips. Don't worry too much about *having* to tip -- they are all paid reasonable wages -- even the waiters in the dining car. The dining car staff actually have some of the easier shifts as they get to sleep at night. That said, sleeping car attendants have the worst job because they don't get to trade off shifts, only get to sleep in between stations at night (and thus have to sleep and wake up at 1-3 hour intervals), and have to be cleaning staff and plumbers too, so they definitely deserve the tips.
This video saved me lots of frustration. I'm planning a trip from Colorado to California and after watching this video, realized my California stop doesn't accept checked baggage. My Colorado stop will but I would have to take my suitcase with me on my return trip - I can't imagine how upset I would have been if I hadn't seen this video where she encourages looking into this issue. Now I'm planning to ship my clothes both ways - thank you for doing these videos.
That just means they cannot put baggage in the baggage car since either the home station or arrivial station has no baggage services which means you just have to bring all your baggage on the train.
I find Amtrak's website confusing. Want to book 2 seats ATL NYP round trip. Won't let me book 2 seats for my and my wife. Is fate stated one way or round trip.
Hola estoy necesitando un video q muestre el tren y el viaje q va de miami a tampa. No hablo inglés con lo q necesito los subtítulos en español. Si hay alguno ya podrías pasarme el link para verlo por favor? Muchas gracias y saludos
Hi, great video. I have a question and I hope you can help me. I’m going from NYC to Washington DC by train on July. Do you recommend buying now or later? If so, refundable or non refundable?
Question for you: What if you are on oxygen and can't wear a mask because of that? Is there some medical purposes that they do overlook for wearing a mask? Because both myself and my husband use oxygen and it's difficult to wear a mask while wearing our oxygen at the same time.
They will announce them randomly. You can read about what to expect on our blog: www.groundedlifetravel.com/amtrak-bogo-roomette-sale-details-how-to-get-a-discount/
You can leave the platform, but you do so at your own risk, and people DO get left behind! Makes for an expensive cab/Lyft ride to the next city. I make it a rule to be back on board at least five minutes before the scheduled departure if there's time to take a walk (30-40 minutes; enough for some quick sightseeing in many towns).
@@jamesrichardson1326 it happened to me on several trips. Women sat at my table in the dining car and then after eating told me they had no money! I ended up paying.
@@rpoli100 That was probably when it was opened for Coach Passengers to eat at the dinning Car and they did not collecct money upfront or the person lied to get some more money. Right now dinning car is only open to sleeper passengers and all meals are included with the sleeper car so no extra charge.
Glad to hear that it sounds like they're actually enforcing the mask mandate. It definitely won't be comfortable sleeping with a mask on in coach but it will be more comfortable than constantly feeling anxious about being surrounded by people we don't know not wearing masks.
snacks are a must
ofc
I've been watch all of your videos for the last week. Y'all really make me excited about traveling again. Great tips and planning ideas!
I just found your channel (or it just found me), but your videos are very informative, and just the right length. Thanks for posting.
I recently found this channel too
There is such a thing as a Rail Pass, which allows for "hopping on & off"!
Not exactly. The USA Railpass enables you to book up to ten travel segments, but you must book each segment in advance. You can’t just choose to hop off at, say, Flagstaff to spend a day at the Grand Canyon, then expect to just board the train the next day to continue your journey. You can certainly book it that way, but each time you board a train it counts as a travel segment, and you only get ten.
Okie doke... Maybe next year when they put the Pass on sale again, I'll get one and try it out... with very little luggage...! All with proper planning, of course...
Dear Choo Choo Lady,
I started watching your UA-cam videos. I’m 70 and on fixed income, so financially my travel days are over. As a kid, my family traveled cross country 3 times from L.A. to Toledo visiting relatives. In the summer of 1990, we flew from San Diego to Baltimore to visit Wash DC. We returned home via Amtrak, stopping at Huntingdon, PA and Canton, OH. Drove to Akron, then drove to Detroit. Picked up Amtrak again at Detroit and traveled all the way to LA., switching trains to San Diego. We were visiting relatives all the way home, so much fun seeing the USA. 😁 I ‘lived’ in the observation car. 😁 This was icing on the cake being a Rail Fan! 🙂🚂
I just wanted to say, your videos are so easy to understand; your command of the English language is outstanding; I love your happy-honest face; you are so sincere AND beautiful; your imaging out the windows and inside the passenger cars is also excellent. I look forward to watching the rest of your videos. Perhaps your husband is in the ones I’ve yet to see? 🤔🙂
Keep up the good work.
Dennis Ammann - Since " choo choo train " refers to a steam locomotive, maybe the Rail Fans ought to start a new popular nickname that refers to a diesel locomotive! Do you recall some of the railroads & named trains that you traveled as a kid?
@@Petemonster62
Dear Pete the Monster,
I can't think of any nicknames for diesel locomotives. Sadly, they revolutionized RRs in 1949, making steam obsolete and diesel engines more economically cheaper. 🤔
It's sad that many of the tourist RRs are only running their steam engines on special occasions because of government regulations (interference). Soon the antique diesel/electric locomotives will be taking over for steam. There is NOTHING like steam engines with their looks (running gear), smells (coal smoke & oily steam), and sounds (whistle & pistons). As a kid, I only rode the Santa Fe from L.A. to Chicago. When I retired from the Navy in 1990, I rode the following steam trains: Durango & Silverton; Combres & Toltec; a Shay at Santa Cruz, CA; a Shay by Yosemite; & Grand Canyon RR. All of these in the 1990s... all steam! They were working with about 150 psi. On 4 of my Navy ships (2 DDs & 2 CVs), were working with 1,200 psi... bad stuff if something went wrong. My 5th ship was an amphibious ship that was using 500 psi. 🚂
In 2001 I rode a tourist train by Prescott, AZ that was using two F7 diesels (I think?) pulling about 5 passenger cars and one flat car for a great look at the canyon. That was my last tourist train ride. Sad that the Grand Canyon RR 'upgraded' itself by getting rid of their little GCRR museum, a wonderful collections of items, pictures, and history. The steam engine I rode in 1995 is pulled out only for special occasions. They use two 1950s diesel-electric engines now. Times change... it looks like only the cities of Durango, CO & Chama, NM are the only two places west of the Mississippi River that one can go back into time. 🤔
Just my opinion... Dennis Rail Fan Toot Toot! 🙂🚂
Have you ridden on any tourist trains or Amtrak travels lately Pete? 🤔
@@dennisammann9104 - 1200 psi ! - That is some incredible boiler pressure! It is hard to give a general nickname to diesel locomotives; the different models don't make the same sound - an EMD 571 sounds different from a modern GE unit! I haven't ridden any trains lately; I would like to go on Amtrak & some tourist/railfan trips once they get covid 19 under control. You are right about steamers getting side tracked for the federal mandatory boiler inspection; if they need repairs, it can take years. The big concern now is Positive Train Control; it probably can be fitted to vintage diesels, but not yet for steamers. Unfortunately for train preservation groups, P.T.C. is an expensive feature to add. Didn't get to see Big Boy 4014 in operation. Keep On Tracking!!!
@@Petemonster62 10-4 Pete. I too missed the great appearance of Union Pacific’s Big Boy in 2019. What a show that would be for us steam fans... the ultimate in a steam engine. 🤔😀🚂
Keep on chugging down life’s silver rails Mr. Pete. 😀
@@Petemonster62 Perhaps "chugga-chugga" will supplant "choo choo"? I have never actually heard anyone call a diesel train a "chugga-chugga train", so if the 'choo' fits...
:^)
I just discovered your channel, I like it
Thanks, great tips!
Thanks for the 5 or 6 tips of taking an Amtrak train! : )
Thanks for the tips, me being a railfan I go to many different locations in Michigan to film freight trains and Amtrak trains (yet I have not rode Amtrak, but I plan to in the future), and what you were saying about baggage checks is completely right, it does depend on the stations. I've visited a couple Amtrak stations as locations to film trains, and while I've been there I have checked out the inside of those stations. Depending on the size and if the station has staff on duty, some stations don't have bag checks or ticket purchasing kiosks. Examples include Lapeer and Royal Oak (Michigan stations) other stations that do have staff, ticket purchases, and bag checks tend to be stations of bigger cities, the start and end of a train's route. Those are the good stations to go to if possible. Examples of those in Michigan include Port Huron, Pontiac, Detroit, and more. Thank you once again for the tips, looking forward to my first Amtrak trip.
Thank you ! For this information. Stay Safe Always.
Thank you for the information!
Our pleasure!
i have been riding Amtrak for 30 years!
Yeah .. I'm new to rideing what's the best deal on tickets?
Going on my first Amtrak ever and alone.. NYC to SC and my anxiety is crazy!
Best of luck!!!
I went from Havre de Grace MD to Rocky Mount North Carolina alone with my little service dog 🐕🦺 and had a great time, 4 hour lay over in Washington felt safe the whole time 👍🙏♥️😍
Hello, thank you for the tips. Are there any restrictions or medical testing required to travel via Amtrak between multiple state or inter-coastal routes as there is for air flight travel? Thanks.
Heading to Chicago on the Southwest Chief. Thank you for all the tips. I booked coach, should I upgrade to a Roomette?
Thanks. Got some tips for single travelers on the rails? What about females traveling alone?
Generally safe as there are conductors and a perpetrator is stuck on the train and has nowhere to run. If you are harassed, talk to a conductor. This only applies to coach and the lounge car, but if you are harassed at all it will most likely not happen in the lounge car but rather at your seat in coach. And by harassment I mean touching/propositions. It generally does not happen but it can, especially if someone is drunk. If you need to move seats to get away from someone who makes you uncomfortable, just ask the conductor -- on most trains seats are either not assigned or are assigned by the conductor, not your ticket. If a person is being belligerent the conductor has authority to remove them from the train at the next stop.
Amtrak is known for strangers meeting up and making conversation though, particularly in the lounge and dining cars, so you have to be prepared for that if you are riding coach. It's considered part of the experience. If you want to be left alone, put up the same disinterested look you'd use in a bar -- this will generally work at your seat, but if you're in the lounge someone still might try to talk to you (rarely).
None of this applies if you have a roomette/bedroom in the sleeper car and just want alone time. The door to your room locks and you can close the curtains and be as alone as you want to be. The other sleeper car passengers, again especially if you go to the dining car, tend to be either *very* chatty (but in a friendly way not a creepy way), or are introverts who stay in their room the whole trip.
As far as general safety traveling alone -- you will not get mugged, again because there's nowhere for a miscreant to run. If you are in coach don't leave valuables at your seat when you get up to go to the bathroom or get food, etc. In the sleeper cars theft is almost nonexistent and it's pretty much safe to leave your luggage on the racks. I leave laptops and valuables in my room all the time and have never had a problem over hundreds of trips. I just put them out of immediate view and close the privacy curtains and close the door when I leave my room.
Basically the experience is halfway between a long-distance ferry boat and a cruise ship. Some people are there just get from point A to point B, but a lot of people are also there to enjoy the ride and socialize.
@@NozomuYume thanks for info. Very informative and helpful.
NozomuYume I asked a female Amtrak employee about safety. I was informed there are plain clothes Amtrak employees riding the rails, security cowboys! Have fun!
@@NozomuYume thanks
@@leticiapalomimo6704 No problem. I would say not to worry at all, but there's never a 100% guarantee that someone won't do something uncomfortable. I will say there is pretty much no chance of anything worse than uncomfortable happening as there are always authority figures around. Coach is not some dangerous dark alley. At its absolute worst you're in no more danger than you are at a bar or movie theater.
...and of course you can just upgrade out of coach if you're still worried.
Thank you so useful tips
Thank you for answering my question regarding eating & drinking with the whole mask protocol.
Thank you guys! I want to know tips about traveling via Amtrax from NY city to Philly or Pittsburg. Thank YOU!
Everyone mentions the tips for room attendants, but no one provides a guideline as to how much and for what.
I'm saving up for the Bedroom option for my cross country trip. The in room bathroom and in room meal options mean never having to leave your room...worth the extra cost to me.
Completely agree with you and that's why I'm saving up as well so I can get a room with amenities. Can imagine having to sit in a coach seat for over 20 hours & God forbid there's a delay.
How did that bedroom go by the way did you end up getting? & was it worth it?
I noticed you don't have anything about the cardinal train, the one that goes to Virginia, West Virginia. It's such a beautiful scenery. Cid you please do a video about it? Thanks you.
We rode it last summer, there should be a video on it, but I think the video is called Washington D.C.
I am planning a train trip from Birminham to Cutbank, Mt. will I going thru Chicago Uion Station.
All good advice, Thank you Grounded Life!
If you're inexperienced at rail travel, I might also recommend paying a "dry run" visit to your local departure station, prior to your trip. Of course, if you've already boarded trains from this station before, this may be completely unnecessary. If you've never been, though, you will probably find out a lot of station-specific information that the internet, phone agents, and even Grounded Life can't tell you. Find out how to get there, how long it takes to get there from your home, where to drop off passengers and luggage, where to park, which station entrance to use, how long it takes you to get from the parking lot to the Amtrak counter, whether they can print you a ticket if your phone dies unexpectedly, and all sorts of things that could be very important, especially if you're running a little late or feeling scatterbrained on the day of your actual departure.
When I did this, Amtrak had no issue with me accompanying the ticketed passengers to the platform, meeting the train as it arrived, watching how passengers, tickets, and baggage were handled, and watching and waving goodbye to the train as it pulled away from the station into the distance. All while wearing a mask, staying behind the yellow lines, and maintaining proper social distancing protocol, of course. (Just be nice.)
Please don't try to actually board the train without a ticket, or handle anyone else's baggage without permission - that could get you in trouble.
If you want a tour of the onboard features and amenities, watch one of GroundedLife's UA-cam videos. :^)
Good advice! Our first departure was from Atlanta, and even though we live in the city it was a little harder to find than we thought!
I have a question do you need a ID to board the train from texas to California.?
Great tips as usual. I'm just seeing this in 2023. I think the mask ;mandate may have eased. Although in September 2021, I did see someone get put off the train for not having a mask on. The man got on the Cardinal in Philadelphia, same station as me, was put off at Charlottesville, VA, but was suppose to get off at Charleston, WV.
Going to be taking my first Amtrak trip next month. Does anyone know what the current covid/mask protocols are?
Thanks!
update?
@@juanyanez5319 There were zero covid restrictions or requirements when we traveled from St. Louis to Chicago last October.
Love your videos. I have a quick question. Does the room porter has to be tipped daily or after a 2-3 trip (e.g., Chicago, Seattle)?
After the trip. 10.00 per day.
I watched the video, and then was like… 🤔 when it came to the tip regarding 😷. It was then that I noticed that this video was done two years ago, when 😷 was mandatory, unless you were in a roomette or actively eating. Does a modified and/or more current version of this video exist? My “grand loop” Amtrak journey is set for May 2024, and will take place the week prior to Memorial Day.
Hi! Just found your channel. Congrats on finding a good topic and providing good content. 😀 PRICING. Please do a series of videos on this topic. Quick looking at costs and Amtrak does not look very affordable option. Then I did a check for prices based on single occupancy and it almost doubled the cost of the ticket. 🥲 So... videos on single occupancy, double, sleeper car, best times, etc. Thank you kindly.
Great suggestion! It is now on the list, thanks, we appreciate all suggestions like this.
Do you make dining car reservations for meals before you board the train?
No, the dining car attendant comes around and gets reservations from the passengers after your journey begins.
Grounded Life Travel thank you, I saw your vignette regarding this :) glad there's only one answer, we like simple!
I have truly enjoyed all your videos and tips for travel. I recently saw Amtrack Dining Room food during COVID. Gummy looking reheated food served in black microwave plastic dishes. Off brand packaged cookies for dessert. THIS IS NOT the food that Amtrack served before Covid. China plates, hot eggs and steaks were cooked to order. Drinks in glass not plastic. Do you have any idea when they might return to some sort of "luxury" and normal food . My trip of a lifetime all over the States, on planes, cars and on the Zephyr and California Coast has been postponed until Feb. 2022.
No idea when the food menu will be changed again
@@GroundedLifeTravel thanks for response. Saw a video in which travelers brought their own plates, silverware, glass and mug. I guess I will travel with dishes 😁
Can you reserve sleeping cars on west coast routes on Amtrak going to the east coast
Yes you can
Hello,
I’m taking my first train ride back home from Boston to Little Rock,Arkansas and I was wondering what would be the best ride seating in the lower or upper area?
Thanks.❤️
We prefer the upper due to better views, but the lower is closer to the bathrooms. We always choose upper.
@@GroundedLifeTravel thank uou
do they need to check passport or only iD
Hi from Texas 😁 I have been watching all your Amtrak videos because I’m going to Oregon January an do not know anything about it!! I was wondering if they have public microwaves or hot water for tea or hot coco??
Do you have a post on Amtrak carry-on baggage requirements?
U can get off and enjoy the view when ever the train stops in matters how long the train stays
Quick question I'm travelling Amtrak from Pittsburgh to DC and then from DC to Orlando we have almost the 7 hour layover in DC I'm just trying to figure out if there's anything good that I can do with my luggage so that I can enjoy some sites while I'm there
Hello there. New to your channel. First time traveling to Chicago Only 2 adults and 1 12yr old. Are the seats numbered by the ticket purchase or when boarding the train first come first serve. Will the three of us be sitting together. How that go. First time riding a train.
I have been trying to figure out how to catch Amtrak from Williamsburg VA to Phoenix AZ
QUESTION - Is Wanderu a good place to buy tickets
How much do you tip the attendant ?
The room attendant, we tipped $10 per night and the dining room car we tipped $5 per day. Normally we would tip the dining car attendant 20% of meal price but these are prefixed meals and now there is minimal attending being done. Hope that helps.
@@GroundedLifeTravel That's something I've been wondering about. But when and how do you leave those tips?
We handed it to them on the last day of our trip. The dining car attendant we gave at our last meal in the train and the room attendant lets you off the train, so you can hand it to them then.
@@GroundedLifeTravel Big hint: tip your room attendant when you get on the train. Either the whole tip up front, or half when you get on and half when you get off. Tipping first gets you extra good service. I usually tip all up front for single day trips.
Don't worry too much about *having* to tip -- they are all paid reasonable wages -- even the waiters in the dining car. The dining car staff actually have some of the easier shifts as they get to sleep at night. That said, sleeping car attendants have the worst job because they don't get to trade off shifts, only get to sleep in between stations at night (and thus have to sleep and wake up at 1-3 hour intervals), and have to be cleaning staff and plumbers too, so they definitely deserve the tips.
What do you mean by checking the bag for the train ?
They will take it from you when you board and give it back when you get off so you don't have to keep track of it, if you want.
This video saved me lots of frustration. I'm planning a trip from Colorado to California and after watching this video, realized my California stop doesn't accept checked baggage. My Colorado stop will but I would have to take my suitcase with me on my return trip - I can't imagine how upset I would have been if I hadn't seen this video where she encourages looking into this issue. Now I'm planning to ship my clothes both ways - thank you for doing these videos.
That just means they cannot put baggage in the baggage car since either the home station or arrivial station has no baggage services which means you just have to bring all your baggage on the train.
I find Amtrak's website confusing. Want to book 2 seats ATL NYP round trip. Won't let me book 2 seats for my and my wife. Is fate stated one way or round trip.
Hey we are getting on an Amtrak and my dad lost his Id as long as he has his ticket will he be able to board
As a female, is it safe to ride overnight by yourself?
Hola estoy necesitando un video q muestre el tren y el viaje q va de miami a tampa. No hablo inglés con lo q necesito los subtítulos en español. Si hay alguno ya podrías pasarme el link para verlo por favor? Muchas gracias y saludos
Hello, are there hairdryers available for use? We are going cross country for about 15 days?
No
Hi, great video. I have a question and I hope you can help me. I’m going from NYC to Washington DC by train on July. Do you recommend buying now or later? If so, refundable or non refundable?
Last i looked, its refundable till September. Check with amtrak..
Question for you: What if you are on oxygen and can't wear a mask because of that? Is there some medical purposes that they do overlook for wearing a mask? Because both myself and my husband use oxygen and it's difficult to wear a mask while wearing our oxygen at the same time.
There are exceptions in place for medical needs.
Terry Rosendahl call Amtrak customer service they are super helpful and very kind, you'll get the most accurate answers pertaining to disabilities.
Where do yall plan on being in early September
How much do you tip the porter?
what about handicapped rooms
Do you have to book a seat or can you just sit down
On some coach trains it is open seating, everything else is reserved seating
How does one find the Amtrak 2 for 1 deals?
They will announce them randomly. You can read about what to expect on our blog: www.groundedlifetravel.com/amtrak-bogo-roomette-sale-details-how-to-get-a-discount/
Sign up for Amtrak emails
You mentioned tipping ......... could you elaborate?
In a seat bring a blanket, a small pillow. Bring snack and dri ks.
Do they do a head count when there's a fresh air break?
No, you are told not to leave the platform, so they just make sure everyone is on from the platform
You can leave the platform, but you do so at your own risk, and people DO get left behind! Makes for an expensive cab/Lyft ride to the next city. I make it a rule to be back on board at least five minutes before the scheduled departure if there's time to take a walk (30-40 minutes; enough for some quick sightseeing in many towns).
Thank you
I am a passenger who got left behind in Washington D. C. because I left the platform and did not get back on time.
@@glendacobb2753 What happened then, did you hop on the train next day.
Don't forget to tip
Thanks, great advice!
Another tip: some passengers on Amtrak are looking to rip you off for free meals and cash!
Please give an example.
@@jamesrichardson1326 it happened to me on several trips. Women sat at my table in the dining car and then after eating told me they had no money! I ended up paying.
@@rpoli100 Thank you. I will be traveling with my wife and will be wary of this scam.
@@rpoli100 That was probably when it was opened for Coach Passengers to eat at the dinning Car and they did not collecct money upfront or the person lied to get some more money. Right now dinning car is only open to sleeper passengers and all meals are included with the sleeper car so no extra charge.
I accidentally hit dislike. 😂🤦🏼♀️ I love your videos!!! Stupid thumbs. 🤦🏼♀️
Haha no problem! Thanks for watching!
Glad to hear that it sounds like they're actually enforcing the mask mandate. It definitely won't be comfortable sleeping with a mask on in coach but it will be more comfortable than constantly feeling anxious about being surrounded by people we don't know not wearing masks.
are you single? asking for a friend 😏