FAQ | Amtrak Guide

What major cities does Amtrak serve (and not serve)?

Posted on March 8, 2021March 20, 2021 by Transit Guides

Amtrak travels to most major cities in the United States. Some of the busiest stations before the coronavirus pandemic were all in large cities, including: New YorkWashington D.C.PhiladelphiaChicago (pictured above)BostonLos AngelesSacramentoBaltimoreSeattlePortland (OR)San Diego Other medium to large cities with stations include: San JoseOrlandoTampaMiamiJacksonvilleAtlantaBirminghamCharlotteDallasFort WorthAustinSan AntonioHoustonTusconNew OrleansSt. LouisKansas CityOklahoma CityIndianapolisClevelandDetroitPittsburghMilwaukeeMinneapolis-St. PaulDenverSt. Lake City The better questions … Continue reading What major cities does Amtrak serve (and not serve)?

Coach vs business class seats on Amtrak

Posted on February 12, 2021February 25, 2021 by Transit Guides

Depending on the Amtrak route, coach seats, business class seats, first class seats, roomettes and bedrooms are just some of your seating choices. If you don't need sleeping accommodations, then you may need to make a choice between coach and business seats when booking your tickets. Learn about the different options and perks below. Coach … Continue reading Coach vs business class seats on Amtrak

How Amtrak Points Work

Posted on December 30, 2020December 30, 2020 by Transit Guides

Amtrak points are of part of the Amtrak Guest Rewards program, which is open to residents in the United States and Canada. You can earn points online or with an Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card. To get started, call 1-800-307-5000 to enroll in the rewards program or complete a short form on Amtrak.com. Once you … Continue reading How Amtrak Points Work

Is Grand Central the same as Penn Station?

Posted on December 29, 2020December 29, 2020 by Transit Guides

Grand Central and New York Penn Station are two different train terminals in Manhattan. They were built by rival railroad companies in the early 20th century: New York Central and Pennsylvania Railroad. Different trains still arrive and depart from these stations today. Here's what you need to know: Grand Central Opened in 1913 A very … Continue reading Is Grand Central the same as Penn Station?

Can Amtrak ship my car?

Posted on December 11, 2020December 20, 2020 by Transit Guides

Amtrak transports vehicles, including cars, on the Auto Train that travels non-stop between Virginia and Florida. However, you have to be a ticketed Amtrak passenger and travel with your vehicle in order to use this service. View vehicle requirements and dimensions allowed on the Amtrak train. Additionally, there is some space for specialized vehicles including … Continue reading Can Amtrak ship my car?

Amtrak vs Flying: Pros and Cons

Posted on September 8, 2020September 8, 2020 by Transit Guides

There are pros and cons to Amtrak travel and pros and cons to getting on a plane. Your interest in seeing the country, need for on-time arrival or quick travel time are some of the top deciding factors when choosing between these transportation options. See below to learn more about Amtrak vs. flying. Pros of … Continue reading Amtrak vs Flying: Pros and Cons

Who owns Amtrak?

Posted on April 3, 2020December 20, 2020 by Transit Guides

Amtrak, officially called the The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, is a corporation that was chartered by the U.S. government in 1970 (operation began May 1, 1971). The federal government owns the majority of the stock (source), but despite this, Amtrak is classified as an independent agency. Other things to know: Amtrak has a Board of … Continue reading Who owns Amtrak?

Amtrak routes with dining cars

Posted on February 18, 2020February 18, 2020 by Transit Guides

Amtrak has recently ended traditional dining car service on some of its routes east of the Mississippi River. However, many of the scenic, long-distance trains still have a dining car where you can sit and order meals during your rail trip. View the list below to learn more. Dining Car Routes Auto Train California Zephyr … Continue reading Amtrak routes with dining cars

How long does it take to travel across the U.S. by train?

Posted on December 31, 2019January 3, 2020 by Transit Guides

To travel across the United States by rail, you'll have to ride more than one Amtrak train. The shortest trip time without any delays is approximately 61 hours (between two and three days) , plus a four hour layover. You can also choose from multiple start and end cities based on your preferences, which are … Continue reading How long does it take to travel across the U.S. by train?

Can you bring food on Amtrak trains?

Posted on December 28, 2019December 28, 2019 by Transit Guides

Yes, you can bring food on Amtrak trains that you can eat at your seat or in the Superliner sightseer lounge if that is available on your train. We encourage bringing food on board, including to-go meals from restaurants near stations, if you have special diet needs, like to eat large amounts of fresh fruit … Continue reading Can you bring food on Amtrak trains?