Search & book Amtrak tickets

Amtrak's luggage policy is fairly generous. Each passenger can bring two personal carry-on items, two carry-on bags, and two checked bags for free. Passengers may also check an additional two bags, for a fee of $20 each.

• Personal Items — Passengers are allowed two personal items of no more than 25 pounds each, not to exceed the following dimensions: 14 x 11 x 7 inches.
• Carry-On Items — Passengers are allowed two carry on items of no more than 50 pounds each, to be stowed on designated racks or in the compartment above the seat. These bags should not exceed the following dimensions: 28 x 22 x 14 inches.
• Checked Bags — Passengers are allowed up to four checked bags. The first two are free of charge, and the second two cost $20 each. Bags are not to exceed 50 pounds and 75 linear inches (length + width + height).

Here are some additional requirements to keep in mind:

• Your luggage should be checked at least 45 minutes before the train departs.
• ID tags are required for all luggage.
• All luggage must be in containers that are suitable for transport (storage tubs and plastic bags are not allowed).

Yes, there are power points onboard Amtrak trains. You can generally find one or two sockets per row of seats, so be a good traveller and check if your seat neighbour might want to charge up their devices as well. With the onboard power points, you can charge both a computer and USB devices with a power point USB converter that typically comes with most phones and tablets.

Since Amtrak might sometimes use replacement train vehicles, not all trips are guaranteed to have power points. We recommend to bring a power bank to charge your phone for all trips over 2 hours, just in case.

Because Amtrak operates in so many different regions, the schedule varies widely depending on the route. Amtrak is actually divided into over 40 regional services, each with its own timetables. These regional services include the following popular routes:

• Amtrak Northeast Regional for Boston-NYC-DC-Virginia
• Acela Express for Boston-NYC-DC
• Amtrak Pacific Surfliner for the California coast
• Amtrak Keystone Service for NYC to Pennsylvania
• Amtrak Empire Service for NYC to Upstate NY
• Amtrak Hiawatha for Chicago-Milwaukee
• Amtrak Cascades for the Pacific Northwest

You can buy a train ticket at most large train stations, which are staffed with Amtrak ticket agents. If a ticket agent is not available, many stations provide a Quik-Trak Kiosk from which you can purchase a ticket directly.

If your nearest station is not big enough to sell tickets in-person, you can purchase online at Amtrak.com or via an online booking platform like Wanderu. Alternatively, Amtrak allows you to buy tickets over the phone 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Amtrak is taking steps to ensure safe travel for passengers during the coronavirus outbreak.

As part of its COVID-19 policies:

• Amtrak is waiving all change fees for reservations made by December 31.
• Amtrak is following industry recommendations for deep cleaning and sanitizing of its vehicles prior to service, with additional en-route cleaning to disinfect restrooms and frequently touched surfaces along the journey.
• Amtrak requires that all customers and employees wear a face mask or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose, unless actively eating or drinking while stationary.
• Amtrak is limiting bookings to allow for more physical distancing in seating areas.

Click here to learn more about COVID-19 travel guidelines.

Amtrak goes the extra distance to deliver premium features to its customers.

Do you find yourself squished in a regular seat or just love having extra room to sprawl out? Well you’re in luck as Amtrak offers extra legroom seating. Since there is no standard of what extra legroom is, the extra space you get may vary between train lines, but getting extra is always good.