I took my first long train ride when I was 18, heading upstate from New York City. I can still remember the view of the gold, rust, and deep-red leaves out the window.
I grew up in Hawaii, where there are no trains or fall foliage, so the experience felt completely new to me. That trip stayed with me, and now, I try to travel by train whenever possible.
Last year, I traveled through the East Coast and Midwest by rail, and by the time I reached Chicago, I finally decided to give Amtrak’s $499 USA Rail Pass a try.
With 10 rides to use within 30 days, I traveled through 11 states in a single month. Here are eight things I wish I knew before buying the pass.
Long trips provide the best value
The pass allows riders to book 10 “segments” on almost any Amtrak route.
A segment refers to one time that you board and disembark, regardless of the distance traveled. In other words, a short regional train counts the same as a multi-day route that crosses several states.
However, if a trip requires a transfer, that counts as two segments, so choosing the most direct route helps to stretch the pass further.
Plus, long rides in coach can often run passengers hundreds of dollars if booked individually, so even a few rides might cover the cost of the pass.
Sleeper-car upgrades aren’t available when using the pass
I’ll be honest — there have been times when I wished I had a private room so I could stretch out or have a little more privacy on the train.
But one of the tradeoffs with the USA Rail Pass is that I’m placed in a coach seat for every segment and don’t have the option to upgrade to a sleeper car.
Luckily, the seats on Amtrak (which are typically about 23 inches wide) recline, have a decent amount of legroom, and are generally quite comfortable. However, the only downside is they don’t lie flat.
So, when going on multiple long-distance trips with the pass, I recommend taking a break between rides to stay at a hotel.
I can save money by packing my own snacks
Dining-car meals are included for passengers traveling in roomettes and sleeper cars, but unfortunately, they are not included for coach passengers traveling with the USA Rail Pass.
Although I can sometimes request a dining-car reservation if there’s space, it’s first-come-first-served and can fill up quickly. Plus, the additional cost adds up quickly.
As a coach passenger, I do get access to the café car, which serves coffee, snacks, sodas, salads, and a few reheated items like breakfast sandwiches or mac and cheese.
However, I usually pack my own food to keep costs down. Although the staff cannot reheat or refrigerate anything for me, they sometimes give me hot water if I ask nicely.
So, I bring things like powdered soups, oatmeal packets, tea, and snacks that keep well at room temperature.
Even though the baggage policy is generous, it’s important to pack light and keep essentials on hand
All passengers, regardless of ticket type or class, can bring two carry-ons and a personal item with them on the train. However, I recommend packing light to allow yourself enough time to get on and off the train quickly.
In order to keep myself organized, I also like to pack a smaller bag in my carry-on that includes anything I’ll want easy access to during the trip.
For example, I carry extra layers of clothing in case I get cold, a neck pillow, a light blanket, earphones, an eye mask, earplugs, and hygiene products.
The WiFi isn’t always reliable
While on long-distance routes, I’ve noticed that Amtrak’s WiFi often becomes unavailable. I’ve sometimes been able to use my phone’s hotspot, but even so, I’ve encountered long stretches without any cell service at all.
Now that I’m a seasoned traveler, I like to plan ahead by downloading movies, music, books, or maps before my trip.
However, I’ve also found that train travel is a good time to journal or sketch, write a postcard to a loved one, or simply daydream.
The Sightseer Lounge offers the best views
Certain trains come equipped with a Sightseer Lounge, which offers beautiful views of the country from large windows. The louge, which includes a mixture of booths, single, and double chairs, is my favorite spot on any train that has one.
As a frequent traveler, I’ve seen the glow of golden hour over a field of wheat, the soft rise of mountain ranges, and canyons filled with rivers and patches of fall color.
In my opinion, sights like these are what make rail travel truly special.
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