Train travel can be an adventure.
Whizzing by different terrain and meeting new people are all part of the trip. However, a ride can also be frustrating or a bit chaotic, especially if other passengers are doing things that irritate you.
After more than 26 years of riding trains up and down both US coasts and across the Midwest, here are seven things I wish passengers would stop doing.
Talking your seat partner’s ear off
As is the case on most public transportation, you risk encountering talkative seatmates on trains.
Being stuck in a conversation for a multihour train ride can be exhausting, especially since many people choose this form of transit because it’s considered a leisurely and relaxing travel option.
I don’t usually mind having brief conversations with people near me — it’s a shared experience after all — but not everyone wants to be social.
When it comes to chatting on board, consent from both parties is key.
Bringing too much luggage
Similar to air travel, trains have limited space in front of the seats and in the overhead bins. Try to stick to your fair share of luggage, or plan in advance to check it when you board.
On Amtrak, most reservations allow you to bring one bag and two carry-on items. You may be able to bring more if you book a private car or upgrade your ticket.
People are getting on and off at every stop, so even if your train car looks empty when you board, you should still be mindful of how much space you’re taking up.
Spreading your belongings (or body) out across a row of seats
Speaking of taking up too much space: Spreading all your things across a row or more of seats is annoying for fellow passengers.
Since there isn’t much extra space on trains, I wish people were more mindful about taking too many seats, blocking the middle aisle, and knocking into the people around them when they need to unpack something or resituate their luggage.
This also goes for lying down across multiple seats. If you need to stretch out, go to the café car or observation space, where there’s usually a little more room to move around.
Leaving trash and spills for others to clean
A lot of people think they don’t have to clean up after themselves on trains and planes.
It’s especially annoying because there are trash receptacles throughout the train, making it easy to organize your space as you go. I usually find them near stairwells, in restrooms, in the dining car, or at the end of the passenger cars.
Your trash is your responsibility — the same goes for anything you spill during the trip.
Trapping people on the stairs or between cars
Don’t stand in the way of people in the space between cars or on the narrow, sometimes winding, stairwells.
Space is limited, and if you trap someone for too long, they may start to feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
It’s sometimes unavoidable to momentarily block people as they get on and off the train, but otherwise, be mindful and stay aware of your surroundings.
Taking your shoes off
When you’re in a public place that’s not a pool or spa, taking your shoes off probably won’t elicit a pleasant reaction.
This is especially true when you’re trapped in what’s essentially a metal tube for hours.
Keep your shoes on to avoid bothering your fellow train riders. I personally wouldn’t want my feet touching the floor of a train anyway.
Watching videos or listening to music without using headphones
If you want to avoid irritating everyone around you, reduce your noise pollution.
You might be fascinated by the cooking video you found on YouTube, but the rest of the passengers probably aren’t. And no matter how amazing your taste in music is, use headphones while on the train.
This also applies to phone calls — no one wants to hear your whole conversation on speakerphone.
This story was originally published on November 10, 2024, and most recently updated on February 20, 2025.
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