Travel Guides

Long-form reference articles on tickets, accommodations, accessibility, baggage, pets, bicycles, onboard amenities, and the corridor and operator structure of U.S. passenger rail.

Tickets & fares

How to Buy Amtrak Tickets (and Pay Less Doing It)

A walkthrough of every Amtrak fare bucket, the booking windows that matter, and the discount programs casual riders frequently miss.

Amtrak Baggage Rules: Carry-On, Checked, and Special Items

Two carry-ons, two personal items, and free checked baggage on most routes — the U.S. passenger railroad with the most generous luggage policy in the country.

Group Travel, Multi-Ride Tickets, and Rail Passes

For groups of 8 or more, regular commuters, and travelers piecing together long routes, the right ticket type can cut the bill in half.

Long-distance travel

Sleeping Car 101: A Complete Guide to Amtrak Overnight Accommodations

Roomettes, Bedrooms, Family Bedrooms, Accessible Bedrooms — what each one looks like, what is included, and how to choose between them.

The 15 Long-Distance Amtrak Routes, Ranked and Explained

A working tour of every overnight Amtrak service, from the daily Empire Builder to the tri-weekly Sunset Limited.

Bicycles & gear

Bringing Your Bicycle on the Train: An Operator-by-Operator Guide

Roll-on, boxed, folding, and electric: every U.S. passenger railroad has its own bike policy. Here is what to know before you board.

Accessibility

Accessible Train Travel: Reservations, Equipment, and Station Access

Train travel is one of the most accessible long-distance modes in America. Here is how to book accommodations, what equipment to expect, and which stations are fully ADA compliant.

Trip planning

Amtrak vs. Flying: When the Train Actually Wins

On six U.S. corridors the train is faster door-to-door than the plane. We break down the math by trip distance, city pair, and traveler.

First-Time Train Rider Checklist

Twelve things experienced Amtrak passengers know that first-timers usually do not.

Corridors

The Northeast Corridor, Explained

457 miles of Boston–Washington railroad: who owns it, who runs it, and why it matters more than any other rail line in America.

Pets & service animals

Bringing a Pet on the Train: Carriers, Fees, and Routes That Allow It

Service animals travel free everywhere. For pets, the rules vary by operator, train, and route.

Onboard amenities

Cafe Cars, Dining Cars, and Flexible Dining: A Guide to Eating on Amtrak

Traditional Dining is back on every western long-distance train. Here is the menu, the timing, the dress code, and what costs extra.

Wi-Fi, Power Outlets, and Working from the Train

Which Amtrak and commuter trains have working internet, where the outlets are, and what to expect when you depend on connectivity.

Connections

Amtrak Thruway Buses: How to Reach the Off-Network Cities

Hundreds of cities are reachable on a single Amtrak ticket via the Thruway connecting bus network — Las Vegas, Phoenix, Bakersfield, Bend, Asheville, Sioux Falls, and many more.

Stations

A Field Guide to Amtrak Station Types

From historic union stations to flag stops in cornfields: how Amtrak stations differ in services, hours, and what to expect when you arrive.