This is our first time on a train and I had some questions about the basics. Do you need to arrive and hour or two before departure like in the airport? Do your check your bags first or carry them all on?
Thanks
Jenn

I have only been on Amtak "out west"
At station about an hour ahead of scheduled departure.
I think two bags per person is limit but I don't think that is enforced.
I checked a suitcase before I got on the train and then a carryon that fit into the overhead. Most of these issues depend on the type of train as some =of them are meant for commuters and space is limited.
I'd call 1-800-USA Rail and ask, I have found them to be very helpful.
If our government does not appropriate more money for Amtrak, I fear it may soon be a thing of the past--At least in the west...

I think for the northeast corridor it's a different ballgame altogether from what traveler24 describes.

I would typically plan to get to Baltimore's Penn Station about, oh, anywhere between 8 and 15 minutes before the train was supposed to leave (sometimes even buying my ticket from the QuikTrak dispensers as well with my 10 minutes to spare). No kidding. Since Baltimore's an intermediate station, like Providence, arriving early will not even get you a better seat, as everyone waits on the platform with you. I've always carried my luggage on with me.

If you feel a little edgy cutting it as close as I would, maybe plan to arrive 20 or 30 minutes in advance, but really no earlier would be necessary.

Bon voyage!

When I ride Amtrak out of NYC, I arrive about 15 minutes before departure time. There's no "check in". You buy a ticket at the station, or within a week before your trip. Usually I buy it about 4-5 days beforehand, via the internet, then just stick my credit card into the machine in the station, and out pops the ticket. There is no bag check...you carry on your own bags, but if you need help, ask them at the desk and they'll send a guy with a cart.

Daniel is correct - NE corridor is different. I'd say no less than 15 mins because if it's a little early you do not want to miss the chaotic rush of the masses. If you do you may get a poor seat, or no seat at all and need to stand. Alot depends on day and time, but price commuter times it is not unusual to have no seats left. No baggage check in.

Would the same advice ... 15 minutes or so ... be true for the Metro-North train, New Haven to Grand Central, with luggage, off-peak? We already have our tickets. Thanks.

I don't think (but not sure) any of the trains out of Boston except the Lakeshore Limited (to Chicago) accept checked baggage. (Providence is on the Boston-NYC route.) 15 minutes should be plenty of time for getting to the station ... maybe a bit more if you need to find parking.

Same advice for the MetroNorth Trains. In the event you don't get a seat during peak periods, don't feel shy about stowing your bags in the overhead racks anywhere you can find space, nor telling someone who monopolizes more than one seat that you need the seat.

Mcqueeney -
Metro North is a commuter train...I don't believe they have luggage porters. And DEFINITELY no luggage check. You have to fit everything on the overhead rack. There is no room under the seat, and if you put anything on the seat you may be asked to move it (if it is a full train).

As for arrival time, get there 15 -20 minutes before departure time in order to find good seats and luggage rack space.

Thanks for the info! I'm hoping we won't have too much trouble w/ seats since its offpeak time ... we will be headed into the city on thursday evening leaving New Haven at 4:50 or 5:30. Seems like most folks should be headed the other way. Once last question ...
When you say overhead rack .. will it hold regular size luggage or just airplane carry on size? We will have 9 days worth of luggage (2 days in NY and then a cruise)and I just assumed we could bring that on the train.

I dragged a good size suitcase onto the Acela recently - definately something that I would have to check on a plane. It fit easily in the overhead compartment but it was very heavy to lift up over my head. Was lucky enough to have fellow passengers give me a hand getting on and off!

What is the Acela like? I really can't find any info on the train except that it's faster. I thought we would take it on our way home for a different experience, for fun. Also, if I buy a ticket before hand, am I locked into that time? In other words, if I decide I want to go a day earlier or stay a day longer.... what would happen if I already bought the ticket online. Anyone know? And, thanks for all the info. This board is great:~)

The Acela is the most comfortable train that I've ridden on the east coast corridor. The seats are comfortable, I believe there is a foot rest. There's a quiet coach where cell phone use is prohibited and noise is kept to a minimum.

Can't answer your questions regarding the tickets.

I believe the Acela is an "all-reserved" train. Your ticket is for a particular train.

Also, note that some of the Metro-North trains have an open area, technically for wheelchair passengers. You might leave larger luggage in this area if not otherwise occupied, and avoid lifting larger suitcases onto overhead racks.

Trains do not have overhead "compartments" with doors, just (usually) one long open overhead rack. Often there is some space somewhere for larger items on the floor. I would venture to state that if you can lift it, you can probably put it in the overhead compartments, there's that much space. (True on Amtrak & Metrorail). I agree that you will be going opposite the "heavy" traffic.

I've not looked into the details, but Amtrak's home page has a "deal" on certain Acela trains. I've been in them when they were on display, and they ARE very nice, comfortable trains, but I cannot bring myself to spend the almost doubled price for those amenities. I think I would pay the extra if it was a longer-distance trip, however.

Mcqueeney - I'd say the Metro North overhead racks can fit "medium" size luggage - a little bigger than what you can fit on a plane. But since you are traveling off-peak, they probably won't have a problem with you putting it on a seat.

Thanks guys ... I'll try and leave my monster size suitcase at home but it sounds like we should be ok.

Hi, I've just taken the Amtrak train (but not Acela) from Providence to NYC and back, this week, so here are some comments.

(1) The Metro North trains are commuter trains, they are not the same as the trains that run between Prov and NYC.

(2) The trains from Prov to NYC are actually going between Boston and Washington, so they do not board in advance. Indeed, in NYC at Penn Station, Amtrak waits for the arriving passengers to disembark before even announcing the gate number, so they don't get trampled.

(3) There is no security check, so no huge lead time is needed, as others have pointed out. This is one reason why the train can be faster door-to-door than flying! (The other major reason is that it goes from city-center to city-center, so no additional ground transport is required.) The trains don't have the same weight concerns as airlines, so are much more casual about how much you lug aboard. In general, people are allowed to drag on all they can manage.

(4) You can change your reservation. I had made reservations online, but on the morning of travel, I got ahead of schedule (!) and called Amtrak, and got switched to an earlier train with no hassles, fees, etc. at all.

(5) Some Amtrak trains have reserved economy-class seats but some are unreserved (these are the ones where you can end up standing), you can go to Amtrak.com and see the type there. I usually pay the $20 extra for business class, which always guarantees a seat and is just a bit quieter, more comfortable, etc.

(6) Lugage storage: In the business class cars at least there's a space at the end of each car to stash suitcases that are just too big or heavy to heft up into the overhead racks.

(7) IMHO, the extra cost of the Acela is just not worth it. They certainly don't save a significant amount of time. If I'm concerned about crowding, or taking an unreserved train, I'll spring for business class. The non-Acela economy and business-class seats also have footrests.

(8) To get the best prices, check the Amtrak web site in two places: The specials link on their home page, and the "Rail Sale" (mentioned above) which is a link at the top of the first screen in Reservations. They always offer discounts for veterans, AAA, AARP, etc. and kids (under 15 IIRC) always go half-price.

"Anonymous" has posted some good advice. One more about discounts. If you are US Military/Active or a veteran (don't have to be retired, just have served) and join an organization call Veterans Advantage, you can get a 50% discount on coach for yourself. Certain black out periods (like all of July & August, Thanksgiving; and 11am - 11pm on Fri & Sundays). Also a 15% discount on you and your family's tickets at ALL times. Cost to join $23 ... I've been a member for about a year and saved the cost of membership in the first trip I made. Click on the "Discounts" button on Amtrak's home page for more.


( VetAdv appears to be similar to AARP, probably mainly a lobbying group that also negotiates discounts for members ... and in return we get junk mail! )

I've taken the Acela between Boston and NYC a dozen times, and I've taken the regular Amtrak only once. I really like the Acela a lot and I think it's worth the extra cost. I liken the ride on the Acela to flying first class, and I love being dropped off right in the middle of Manhattan ! (I just hate getting back on at Penn Station .. what a crazy mess !)

I personally don't think the reserved Acela seats are worth the extra cost.