Anybody Ever Travel By Train Before?

[Silent Brad]

Next month I will be heading up to Chicago during my spring break. I've always wanted to go to Chicago, so I can live out my own Ferris Bueller's Day Off. However, I will be traveling there and back on an Amtrak train. I've been on planes numerous times and I know there are many little tricks and things to know before you leave that make the experience so much easier, so I was wondering if there is anything I should know before leaving?

Are there baggage weight limits?

Are there carry on bags?

Is it easy to sleep on them?

Is it an overall pleasant experience?

[Back to being Cenanuff]

Not sure

I think so

Super uncomfortable.

No way in hell.

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

Not sure, check Amtrak's website

There are generally only carry on bags on shorter routes, not sure about from Kansas. I go Chicago-Detroit on a regular basis, and there is no checking luggage. Check Amtrak's site for your route for sure.

Depends on many factors, namely who is sitting around you. The seats are generally comfy enough though.

Depends on many factors, namely who is sitting around you.



Pack food, if you don't want to pay 5-7 dollars for a s***ty microwaved burger (unless being a longer route you have better options)


I love taking the train, but I also just get to cuddle up with my wife and watch movies for 6 hours.

[Display Name]

About a year and a half ago I took the Amtrak from here in So Cal to Chicago and back.There are carry on bags.I took a medium sized rollaway and a backpack with me and was able to just set them both onto an overhead compartment,right above my seat.I spent two nights on the train and found my sleep schedule to be kind of funky because I am not a guy that goes to sleep early,but the lights go down and the car gets really quiet at about 8pm.

[Silent Brad]

I was looking on Amtrak's site right now and it says I have a choice between upper level seating "for the view" or lower level seating "for the comfort." I didn't even know they had two separate levels. They're both the same price, though. Says the lower level seats are bigger and more leg room so I'm probably going to go with those. I'd rather be in comfort for 12 hours than looking at pretty trees for 12 hours.

[Urethra Franklin]

I haven't traveled too great a distance by train, but they've been fine. Most have wi-fi, offer food and drink and are easy enough to sleep in.

I've done Toronto to Montreal in North America and several similar distance trips in the UK and Ireland.

[minorleagueguy]

...we went from Buffalo to NYC by Amtrak..we stayed in Business class, and had TONS of room, you are seperate from coach, and were close to the dining car..the restrooms are good sized (I'm 6'4", and 300 lbs.) and had no problem with space, as for bags, we had 1 suitcase each, and a carry on that went above you..BRING YOUR OWN FOOD....Amtrak is very expensive in this area, and bring something to do...our ride was 8 hours, and I went through 2 books..my wife and daughter brought their laptops, hope this helps..

[slasher911]

It beats the shit out of riding the bus. I love trains. Just bring a laptop or something to do.

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

Feb 16, 2012 19:49:04 GMT -5 minorleagueguy said:

...we went from Buffalo to NYC by Amtrak..we stayed in Business class, and had TONS of room, you are seperate from coach, and were close to the dining car..the restrooms are good sized (I'm 6'4", and 300 lbs.) and had no problem with space, as for bags, we had 1 suitcase each, and a carry on that went above you..BRING YOUR OWN FOOD....Amtrak is very expensive in this area, and bring something to do...our ride was 8 hours, and I went through 2 books..my wife and daughter brought their laptops, hope this helps..

Oh yeah, if you have money to blow, go for business class. You get to board first too.

[Deleted]

I have. DC to Tampa and vice versa. Honestly, I'd rather go by plane.

[whistleblower]

I have done amtrack from Montreal to New York, I think it may have been 50 pounds luggage limit but always check as they change often. when we were waiting in line some luggage guys came around and offered to carry luggage for us and put it on train and also reserve our seats as it was first come first served, they work on tips and expect about 3 to 5 bucks a bag.. I thought it was well worth it as we didn't have to carry the heavy bags down the stairs, and we knew that all our seats would be together.
Make sure you bring something to occupy your time with, laptop books etc as it can be very boring.. our group went up to the cafeteria and sat at the tables and played cards and had some beers.
I didn't have any food from the actual dining car, but I had a microwave burger from the canteen area and it was bad, but for a microwave burger it was edible lol... I ended up buying some cheese and crackers and they were yum. Trip was quiet and other passengers were quiet.
I also did overnight trip from Chicago to Memphis and it was not good at all, We were late to train station so were the last to board and could not get any seats together, the passengers were rough and rowdy, but it was entertaining.. the conductor had to come through a few times and tell people to quieten down and mind their language. I could not sleep at all, but the guy sitting next to me was snoring lol, I just found it uncomfortable, but you have more legroom than a bus or plane. We ended up breaking down in the middle of nowhere and were stopped for 3 hours and no staff came through or made announcements..I thought a near riot was about to happen lol. Got into Memphis 5 hrs late. So I guess my tips would be get there about an hour early, bring some snacks on board, and bring some entertainment with you, personally I would have preferred to fly, but it is way better than a bus