- No menu assigned!
Your Five Step Guide to Planning a Train Trip
If you’re planning a train weekend getaway or a longer cross country adventure chances are you have some questions about Amtrak travel. Questions like, where can I find the best deal, how many bags can I bring, what’s the nearest station to me? We totally get it. We’re not like our buddies that soar through the sky, so customer questions are common. You are not alone!
We’re always happy to answer questions about what train travel is really like. But first, here’s a quick guide to some of our most frequently asked questions. Read on, and if you have more questions, just ask us here !
Step 1: Decide on a Point B (or C, or D, etc.) Deciding on a location can be difficult. Do you want to see the ocean , mountains, quaint towns or cityscapes ? With over 500 destinations, narrowing it down can be a little daunting, but definitely exciting. But before you lock down a spot, we recommend heading over to our 500 destinations page to read all about the cities we travel to and hear recommendations of what to do when you get there.
Step 2: Learn the Route Amtrak trains crisscross the country running on over 30 routes . But sometimes getting you from point A to point B looks a lot different than you think. So to get a better understanding of our routes and where they travel, make sure to take a peek at our Travel Planning Map . Just put in your city of origin and your destination, then sit back and see where the train can take you .
Step 3: Discounts and Deals Now that you have a destination and you know your route, it’s time to see if there are any deals or discounts that apply to you. We offer everyday discounts on travel for children, students and more. There are also regional deals on travel with us. Deals like saving 25% on travel in the Northeast or saving 30% on travel on the Amtrak Cascades. No matter what route you plan to travel on, make sure to check and see the available deals and discounts.
Step 4: Baggage 101 Here’s the deal. We have the most generous baggage policy in the travel industry, but before you travel with us, it is important to find out what exactly is and is not permitted on the train. Spoiler Alert: When you travel with us you can carry-on two free pieces of luggage plus two personal items. Let us repeat. You + two bags + two personal items = no extra charge!
Step 5: What it’s Really Like If you’ve never taken a train ride before you might be surprised at the leg room, the fact that your phone will never die because there are outlets at every seat and that snacks and drinks are just steps away from you seat. But if you want even more information about the Amtrak experience, just head over to Amtrak Stories to see what real customers said about their recent trips with us.
Share This Post
Top Amtrak Perks
All aboard: the official blog of amtrak, other amtrak websites, buy tickets.
Copyright © National Railroad Passenger Corporation
- 500 Destinations
- Amtrak News
- Amtrak Stories
- Cross Country
- Northeast Corridor
- How It Works
- Travel Tips
- Social Media Residency
About this app
Data safety.
Ratings and reviews
- Flag inappropriate
- Show review history
What's new
App support, similar apps.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Discover more of America with our trip planning map. See our routes and stations on a map, find trips options between stations and book your next trip. START PLANNING. Track Your Train. Check train status and track your train's location. TRACK NOW. Make Travel a Little Easier. With the Amtrak app.
Plan Your Train Travel. A great trip starts with good planning, so start here for some helpful tips. Whether you're traveling alone, with your family or with a large group, you'll learn how to get the best price and book your reservation.
To get the most out of your Amtrak experience, start with planning for your train travel — booking a ticket, reserving a hotel, car rental, buying travel insurance, familiarizing yourself with station facilities, train amenities, reserving accessible space and more.
Trip planning is easy with Amtrak Vacations. Here’s everything you need to know about planning your train vacation from start to finish, including booking information, luggage requirements, options onboard the train, passports and identification, everyday travel discounts, and more.
With more than 30 train routes throughout the United States, and some in Canada, Amtrak travels to over 500 destinations in 46 states, giving you the best views North America has to offer. Whether you want to visit big cities, small towns or places you can only see by rail, Amtrak can take you there. Amtrak National Route Map (PDF, 3MB)
You’ll see departure and arrival times for each station on the route, along with the features and amenities of each travel option. You can even print or download the timetable you've created. It’s an essential planning tool with all the information you need in one handy package. Discover more of America with our travel planning map.
Amtrak trains crisscross the country running on over 30 routes. But sometimes getting you from point A to point B looks a lot different than you think. So to get a better understanding of our routes and where they travel, make sure to take a peek at our Travel Planning Map.
36.9K reviews. 5M+. Downloads. Everyone. info. About this app. arrow_forward. Discover the convenience of traveling with Amtrak. With the Amtrak app you can get simple and intuitive access to...
Train Stations Served by the Borealis. Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. Take the Borealis train between St. Paul/Minneapolis and Chicago with stops in Glenview, La Crosse, Milwaukee & Winona. Book your trip today.
Take a look at the full list of Amtrak's Northeast train routes for the essential details on amenities, accommodations, menus, local guides, route highlights and much more. Ready to go right now? Buy train tickets to New York City on Amtrak.com, from the Amtrak app, at an Amtrak kiosk or from a ticketing agent at any Amtrak station.