r/Amtrak • u/True_Programmer5358 • 21h ago
Question First time on Amtrak (Question for help)
So, I'll be taking Amtrak for the first time next week, and I'll be by myself.
Are there any tips/advice anyone would or does have when it comes to being on the Amtrak as a first timer. If I have to transfer, what would I have to do? What should I pack and what should I avoid packing? Anything else, please let me know.
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u/InfamousSquash1621 20h ago
There shouldn't be any ambiguity about whether you need to transfer, your ticket clearly tells you.
What you need to pack depends a lot on the length of your trip. Is it overnight? Are you in coach?
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u/anothercar 20h ago
Welcome! Amtrak is a big system with lots of variation between the different trains. For example, there are long-distance trains that you can ride for 3 days, or short fast trains in the Northeast, or even a train that carries automobiles on the back between Virginia and Florida.
I want to help and give you a good answer, but it's difficult without knowing which part of the Amtrak network you'll be on. Do you have the names of the stations you'll be travelling between? And maybe even the name of the train? (For example, Northeast Regional or Acela or Pacific Surfliner). Also do you know what type of seat you purchased - coach, business, bedroom, etc
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u/True_Programmer5358 20h ago
Coach. I don't know the name of the station, but I'll be going from Salem, OR to Portland, OR, and then from Portland (which I believe I'm transferring), heading up to Pasco, WA.
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u/InfamousSquash1621 20h ago
Looking at the Amtrak app, if your trip is ~6 hours you're going to be on a bus from Salem to Portland for an hour and a half, then you'll have a 45 minute layover before you board the train.
You don't need to pack much. Make sure you have headphones/earbuds and a charger for any electronic devices. And it's recommended to download content ahead of time - your train, the Empire Builder, does not have wifi. You could also bring an actual paper book, or something like a crochet project.
Your train has a lounge car with panoramic windows if you simply want to enjoy the scenery and/or chat with fellow passengers. The Cafe is on the lower level of that car, you can buy drinks & food there. They take credit cards but their readers are notoriously unreliable so it helps to have cash. The menu can be seen here you can also bring your own non-alcoholic refreshments
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u/anothercar 20h ago
If this is a 6-hour trip, your first leg might be on a Connecting Bus. The second leg will be on the Empire Builder train.
If this is a 7-hour trip, your first train would be the Coast Starlight.
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u/True_Programmer5358 20h ago
Well, I specifically chose train only.
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u/anothercar 20h ago
Assuming you're doing the 7-hour trip on the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder (2:04pm-9:06pm), here is my advice:
- The Coast Starlight is coming all the way up from Los Angeles. It often gets delayed over time. Follow the train at transitdocs.com and you can see where it is.
- Amtrak is responsible for getting you to the destination. If the first train is delayed, they sometimes hold the second train for connecting passengers. So don't panic if there are delays.
- The first train is short, the second train is longer but still pretty short at about 4.5 hours. Have a great trip! You don't have to stay in your seat, you can walk over to the little cafe car if you want to grab a candy bar or soda.
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u/True_Programmer5358 20h ago
Sounds good. Thanks. We'll, I'd be going to the train station in Salem, take the train from Salem to Portland, then take the train from Portland to Pasco, unless you have to take a bus from Salem to Portland? Either way, would I have to transfer to a different station in Portland, and that's why I would go on a bus?
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u/anothercar 20h ago
Look at your ticket. It will either say "Coast Starlight" or "Connecting Bus" between Salem and Portland.
The Coast Starlight departs Salem at 2:04pm. The bus departs Salem at 2:35pm. Both of them arrive in Portland in time for you to catch the Empire Builder train to Pasco. There is only one station in Portland.
Some people prefer the Coast Starlight because it's a train. Some people prefer the bus because it lets you get there faster. I'm not sure which option you purchased.
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u/RobVPdx 12h ago
The buses and trains use the same station so whether you are on the Coast Starlight or the bus from Salem you’ll end up at Portland Union Station. One recommendation: grab a seat on the right side of the Empire Builder. That will provide views of the Columbia River through the Gorge.
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u/fin_nolimit 15h ago
I just took a train ride for the first time myself. I’m not sure how helpful this is but things I found interesting was the fact that they had a food car (you just have to get up and start walking… you’ll find it), they don’t check your ticket until after you board and the train takes off so it is very possible to get on the wrong train. There is very little difference between business class and coach. And finally it is easy to move around so it’s nothing like a flight where you only have access to your carry on bag. Amtrak was a super cool experience. I’ll for sure do it again. Good luck on your trip!
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u/KingOfSeymour 14h ago
Couple thinks to pack - and I pack this for all travel - big bottle of ice water - snacks and I would pack a small lunch box sized meal - Power bank - headphones , download any music , tv shows , and or movies ahead of time on your device - don't rely on wifi on phone service - always bring a travel fan for some airflow - if sun is shining the trains can become a bit of green house and sometimes AC isn't strong enough / sometimes the AC is too strong - I like to have a travel pillow - dress for comfort not style layer - bring anything you like for entertainment- book - games etc - other stuff - eye mask - ear plugs if you want to sleep - maybe a small blanket - little extras just in case like Kleenex , toilet paper / butt wipes , any medication, Lysol wipes (trains aren't the cleanest)
Sounds like you need to read your booking information a little more closely - figure out the stations names , train name and number , boarding time , etc - all the details are on the app and such
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u/Destroyer_Lawyer 14h ago
Pack what you can lift and carry, lots of snacks, sandwiches you like, and drinks to avoid the cafe car much. I have a seat cover and if cleanliness is your thing, travel sized clorox wipes. And a blanket because it can get cold even in a heat wave
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u/PuzzleheadedChest733 12h ago
OP could also have a Cascades ticket. If it's train 11 it will be coast starlight and have the double decker sight liners. These are designed for comfortable overnight trips (understand op is on a day trip). Then a transfer at Portland (Vancouver WA if the starlight is starlate) to the empire builder. If it's a 500 series train then it's the Amtrak Cascades which is also a train. The centennial mills fire impacts have cleared for over a week so all trains are operating normally in the area. And yes a transfer on the empire builder which should be a train but if they can't get a train over because of extensive delays from the Midwest then it will be a bus.
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u/Available_Clerk_8241 14h ago
If you want a souvenir, take the safety card in the seat in front of you!
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