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

Onboard Wi-Fi has become standard on most U.S. passenger trains, with quality varying widely. Here is what to expect on the major operators.

Amtrak

Amtrak's AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi is provided free of charge on every Acela, Northeast Regional, Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor, San Joaquins, Cascades, Hiawatha, Lincoln Service, Wolverine, Pere Marquette, Empire Service, Maple Leaf, Adirondack (south of the border), Vermonter, Downeaster, Hartford Line, Keystone Service, Pennsylvanian, Carolinian, Piedmont, and most other corridor trains. Speed averages 5–25 Mbps in the Northeast (cellular-aggregated) and slows considerably outside major metros and through tunnels. Acela offers a managed Quiet Car experience and at-seat 110V AC outlets at every seat plus USB-A at most.

Long-distance trains (California Zephyr, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, Empire Builder, Cardinal, Lake Shore Limited, and others) generally do not offer Wi-Fi. Cellular service drops in the Sierra Nevada, Rockies, Marias Pass, Donner Pass, the Mississippi Delta, and the West Texas plains. Plan to be offline; download streaming content and reading material before boarding.

Commuter rail

Wi-Fi quality is variable. LIRR's TrainTime app delivers real-time train status; LIRR Wi-Fi is rolling out on M9 cars. Metra does not offer onboard Wi-Fi as a system. SEPTA Regional Rail offers free Wi-Fi systemwide. Caltrain's new Stadler KISS EMUs include free Wi-Fi at all seats. MBTA Commuter Rail offers Wi-Fi on most lines. MARC and VRE have spotty service.

Power outlets

Every Amfleet I (corridor) and Amfleet II (long-distance) coach seat has at least one 110V AC outlet at the seat — generally at the windowsill on the inboard side. Superliner coach seats have outlets at most rows. Sleeping cars have at least two outlets per compartment. Cafe car booth seats have AC outlets. A live list of which Amtrak fleet has working outlets and updated speed-test data is maintained in the Working from Trains field guide.

Getting started? If this is your first long-distance trip, pair this guide with the first-time rider checklist and skim the field guide to station types for what to expect when you arrive.