Traveling by train can be exciting, especially when you pack effectively. Whether it’s a short trip or an overnight journey, proper packing enhances your experience. In this blog post, we’ll cover Amtrak’s baggage policies, offer packing tips, and suggest items for comfort, entertainment, and convenience. While you probably remember essentials like travel documents, toiletries, and your camera, there are additional considerations for train travel. This guide will help you prepare for your next adventure on the rails.

Amtrak Baggage Policies

Amtrak’s baggage policies are generous. You can bring two carry-on bags, each weighing up to 50 lbs and measuring 28 x 22 x 14 inches, plus one personal item, such as a purse or small backpack, weighing up to 25 lbs. While staff rarely check bag sizes or weights, it’s wise to follow the guidelines. If you need to check luggage, you can check up to two large items for $20 each. Many stations provide checked luggage service, which can be helpful for larger items or if you want to avoid managing luggage on the train.

If you plan to hit the slopes, you’ll be happy to know that Amtrak allows you to bring skis, snowboards, and boots onboard for free!  For more details, check out Amtrak’s carry-on baggage policy. Also, be sure to check if your departure station accepts checked luggage by viewing the station details on Amtrak’s website. Check the Amtrak web page for a list of items prohibited in baggage.

When you board the train, you’ll find luggage racks above the seats in both Coach and Business Class cars. You can also use the space between the seats for smaller carry-on bags. In a Roomette, only smaller carry-ons and personal items will fit, so it’s best to store larger luggage on the lower level. For convenience,  you’ll want to pack pajamas, toiletries, and medications in a bag for easy access in your room accommodation. If you’re in a room (not a roomette), you can comfortably fit two suitcases with you.

Clothing and Footwear

Comfort is essential when traveling by train. To ensure your comfort, wear loose-fitting pants and comfortable shoes. It’s also important to have layers since temperatures can vary significantly on trains. Consider packing a sweater or flannel to wear during cooler times. We’ve noticed that car attendants often try to adjust temperatures in response to passenger complaints, but finding a temperature that suits everyone can be challenging. If you’re traveling overnight, be sure to pack comfortable clothes like sweatpants, pajamas, and slippers.

Entertainment

Watching the scenery as the train moves can be entertaining, but there may be times when the train stops or the view becomes monotonous. To keep yourself engaged during these moments, it’s a good idea to download movies and podcasts onto your phone or tablet. Additionally, bringing along a new book, a card game, or a crossword puzzle can provide fun alternatives. A small reading light can also be helpful for reading at night.

Comfort

Everyone has their preferences for what makes them comfortable while traveling. For instance, I always pack a soft travel blanket because I tend to get cold easily. Chris, on the other hand, prefers to bring his own personal pillow. My favorite travel blanket can also serve as a pillow and hangs conveniently on your suitcase handle.  If you’re traveling in coach or business class, a neck pillow can be a great addition for comfort.

Train and background noises can be distracting when you’re trying to sleep, so noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs are essential. An eye mask to block out light is also important. Also, if you know your train will pass through particularly hot or humid areas, could you bring a small portable fan? While trains do have air temperature controls, they aren’t always very effective.

Hygiene

We find it helpful to bring sanitizing wipes to wipe down the space around us.  We’re not overly concerned about cleanliness, but we’ve noticed that the space can sometimes feel a bit gross and just feels better after a wipe-down.  For long-distance train rides, we find it helpful to pack baby wipes or other personal wipes to freshen up.  There are showers available to sleeper car passengers, but coach passengers do not have access to onboard showers.  If you’re traveling in a private sleeper car and plan to use the showers, we recommend bringing some waterproof sandals to use in the shower room.

Hydration

Staying hydrated is a top priority when we travel. Dehydration can lead to headaches, irritability, and fatigue, which can significantly impact the overall experience. When traveling on the California Zephyr, which crosses the Rocky Mountains, it’s important to note the significant altitude gain. I learned the hard way how crucial it is to stay hydrated in these conditions. By the time we arrived at our destination, I was extremely thirsty and felt like I couldn’t drink enough water to quench my thirst.

Since that experience, I’ve made it a point to pack hydration supplements for our trips. Our favorite is the Zaca Recovery Chewables. They have natural ingredients, taste good, and are much easier to use than the hassle of mixing a powder supplement into water. These hydration tablets are also handy for preventing hangovers and for recovery the day after you’ve had one too many cocktails. They really come in handy! We also pack a reusable water bottle for refills and bring hydration supplements to help combat dehydration and altitude sickness during our adventures.

Food and beverages

Most Amtrak trains have a Café Car that offers various meals, snacks, and drinks, including sandwiches, burgers, pizza, sodas, coffee, wine, and beer. Long-distance trains typically feature a dining car serving complimentary meals to passengers in Sleeper Rooms, with meals available for purchase for others. To save money and cater to dietary preferences, consider packing your own snacks, as train delays can happen. A small cooler with items like sandwiches, cheese, salami, crackers, and chocolate can be pretty handy!

Café and Dining Cars also serve alcohol, and lucky passengers might enjoy specialty drinks from the attendant. We had one Cafe Car attendant who made the best Bloody Marys!  Remember, while passengers in coach can’t bring their own alcohol, those in sleeper cars can enjoy personal alcohol in the privacy of their rooms.  If you’re more of a tea drinker, we’ve seen people onboard who even bring portable tea kettles for hot water.

Staying Connected

We all know how important it is to stay connected in today’s world.  Wifi can be hit or miss on many trains, especially when passing through long expanses of wild American scenery.  Make sure you pack enough chargers for your devices. There is only one outlet in the Roomettes and most Rooms, and it’s not suitable for multiple devices. It’s also located in an awkward position near the head of one of the seats. Here’s the power strip with surge protector we purchased on Amazon. It works out perfectly.  Also, keep in mind that coach car outlets are on the wall, which will be a stretch if you’re seated in the aisle seat.  A portable charger is a good idea for this purpose.

Takeaway

Traveling by train can be a fun and relaxed experience when you’re well-prepared. By understanding Amtrak’s baggage policies and utilizing our packing tips, you can enhance your comfort, entertainment, and overall enjoyment of the journey. Whether you’re savoring the scenic views or settling in for a long trip, the right gear and snacks can make all the difference. So, as you plan your next train journey, keep these suggestions in mind to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish. Safe travels!

Drop a question or comment below! We’d love to hear from you!