One thing that was not mentioned in this video that I found very useful when traveling in coach or business on long distance routes is the official Amtrak comfort kit. You can buy it either at the station or in the cafe car. For $20 (as of this writing) you get an officially branded Amtrak blanket, eye mask, ear plugs, and an inflatable neck pillow.

The No TSA thing is my fav part of Amtrak, it’s so stress free ❤️

i’m traveling with amtrak tomorrow actually for a good couple hours and i’ll be solo for the very first time. i’ve been very anxious about this little trip but this video really helped me with everything i’ve been worried about so i want to thank you guys for it ! this was extremely helpful it feels good to have someone go step by step in details ! 😊

Lots of good tips! One thing I didn't hear is this: If you are in a coach car that is a double decker, you might want to reserve a seat on the lower level. Why? That is where the bathrooms and carry on luggage are, and there is no through traffic on the lower level, so it is more private.

thank you so much for your channel. im on the autism spectrum and was having a lot of anxiety over my first train ride but your videos have been soothing my new experience worries

I love you both. Can’t travel but I do vicariously through your videos. Thank you.

I took you tip and upgraded to Business on Coast Starlight Portland to Martinez. $20 to upgrade. What a pleasure. I was in a car with no more than 10 people. Bigger seats. Bottled water offered. Quiet and clean . Between dining car and parlor car! I've been traveling the Coast Starlight for over 20 years and I had no idea! Thanks for this great advise!

Using Amtrak for the first time in a couple of weeks and - especially as a non-American citizen - I found this really useful.

One thing I've learned over the years was not to pack checked baggage heavier than 50 lbs. They will charge extra for each additional pound they handle. I've also learned to pack my patience. Long distance trains can be heavily delayed causing passengers to miss connections. Sometimes Amtrak will accommodate by having ticketed folks transfer to busses in order to meet connecting trains in time.

Are you made aware of time zone changes?

Red Cap service would have been wonderful when I traveled roundtrip from Denver to Emeryville but it wasn't available. I am a senior and although I usually don't have any trouble, no one told me how long of a walk it is from the station to the train cars. If you are in coach, you get there first because the cars are at the back of the train but if you are travelling in a sleeper car it is a very long way up to the front of the train. Going out to California, I checked my bag but coming back I was in a Roomette so took my bag with me. First, that very long walk and then you haul your bag (s) up a set of stairs that are very narrow and turn half way up. I think I got my exercise for the whole week just with the walking! All of your tips are spot on. Your earlier version of this video helped immensely with my first trip. Thank you! 😊

If anyone needs this reference: Grand Rapids, MI has parking available at our station and it's located (literally) next to the bus terminal. Both public and Greyhound buses are located there. Many hotels and attractions are within walking distance.

Love the adapter tip! Brilliant! I travel with a 10-foot charge cord. I can reach an outlet from anywhere and if a stranger is between me and the outlet I can run the cord under their seat so I only have to bother them once.

I ALWAYS enjoyed the seating arrangements of a traditional dining car. You get seated with strangers. I found it was a great way to meet people. I’ve never had my meals served in the room because I like the social aspects of a dining car.

I have my first Amtrak trip this Thursday, going from LA to Chicago! I’m pretty excited and all your videos have helped me so much to be prepared!!

I’ve recently started watching your videos as I am preparing for a long trip across the USA at some point this year. This video is so helpful, it answers all my questions and more! I’ve been to the USA twice already, however I never took a train before while there. This time is going to be different and I’ll spend over 25 hours on trains traveling across states. 😅 Thank you for creating and uploading such useful content, greetings from Warsaw, Poland! ❤

I have no current plans to be on a plane, train, boat or any other form of transportation in the near future. I'm just a girl who day dreams about the day that I can travel the world and see the things I want to see. But i will say this: When that day does come and I find myself about to board a train for a long trip, I'll know exactly what to expect. So thank you for that. Also, wow, what a lovely couple!

My trip from Connecticut to Philly was enjoyable, then I transferred to Jersey transit and then my return trip. Was also great. All my concerns were eliminated before the trip. Thanks again. No more driving to Atlantic city

Amtrak from Sacramento to Bakersfield (to make my wife happy) it stops near Corcoran, CA where newly released inmates take the train to LA...we learned they are not allowed to enter the club car and on occasion the train will make an emergency stop where the sheriff's deputies will get on and take an inmate back into custody!!

This was helpful. I’m traveling coast to coast in a Roomette next week, first time with Amtrak. I started wondering a few things and now this cleared those up and has me looking forward to the trip.

I love you two. Great shows and content. Thanks for the info!

Hugeeee help. You guys have answered to all of my questions! thank you so much! Excellent video!

Thank you so much for all the info, looks fan lot of fun!!!

You two are the best! I love your channel. Thanks for sharing you experiences.

Have an overnight coach trip today, your videos have been SO helpful!

This one is essential. I love that you give such great tips. I would have had no clues at all. Thanks so much.

Great info!!!! Thanks so much!!

I’m so glad I found you all planning my first trip and a huge one at that. Lovelovelove ❤️✌🏻🌸

Thank you ,this was helpful . I'm 66 and my mom is 96 ! We're taking our first train trip . My cousin moved to western Pa . We're visiting for a week .So we're leaving out of Philly and traveling to Johnstown . We will take advantage of the Red caps ! I'm excited !

You can really tell you like and love each other. Its so sweet. Thanks for sharing your adventures!!

You guys are awesome so much great info , definitely going to try the train travel

Not sure if anyone has already commented on this, but I’ve taken the City of New Orleans back and forth between Nola and Chicago monthly for the past year and there is no dining car other than the cafe. I upgraded thinking I’d have different dining options and was disappointed to find that passengers in bedrooms and roomettes were only offered food from cafe at no charge but no dining car or other meal options. Your videos are very informative and I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge. Just hope no one else pays to upgrade thinking they’re also upgrading food options on board. Amtrak also advertises that the train is equipped with wifi which is untrue.

Going on the car train to Florida asap! Great info!😊😎🍀🇺🇸

Thank you for sharing! I'm doing a solo trip for the first time on Amtrak! This is very helpful information!

Thank you for another informative video. I love the channel, it's been so helpful in preparing for my first trip. I'm taking the California Zephyr in December for my birthday, I can't wait!

Thank you both, such a thorough overview. I'm travelling on SWC later this year and these tips are very useful. I loved your other uploaded videos, also.

Thanks so much for all of this info! 🥰

Mornin’ from south Florida. Enjoying your vids. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

I watch a lot of travel on utube. I really like what you guys r doing. You guys complement each other. I would never guess that you r a mixed couple. I find this very refreshing. Makes me know that my faith and prayers do make a difference. God bless both of you.

When I traveled cross country in coach (from Chicago to Portland on the Empire Builder), I checked one larger suitcase, and carried on a small one with essentials, including a warm throw and small pillow. Btw, I booked a roomette for the return trip!

Super helpful. Thanks!

Loving the videos. Your information is very helpful. We're going on our first trip in December.

This video was so informational thank you.

We are planning a trip across the country from Connecticut to Seattle Washington, I am watching a lot of your videos. Very excided about this trip, we have been on a lot of trips from Connecticut to either Boston and New York and loved the train ride. You two are giving me a lot of information that I would never of thought of. Thank you.

Hi, It is so nice seeing your wonderful videos!!. I finally posted the videos hanging out with you both on the California Zephyr. I even posted our dinner video. I had such a great time on that trip. By the way, I had the pizza you recommended, when I went to Chicago. I will post that video also. 🌺🌺🌺

Always helpful and informative.... couple does a great job!

Thank you for your videos. I'm traveling on Amtrak for the first time and I was wondering about checking and retrieving luggage. 👏 👍

❤❤❤ Thank you for this video!

thank you! very helpful

Flying to FL in December, but taking the train back home. I'm so excited I've been watching, rewatching and taking notes. Thought this would be a great experience to end my vacation with.

Great video, I’m traveling long distance for the first time, all the details really helpful 👍

Thank you for making these videos, I plan to do a solo amtrak ride next year and it is my first time ever riding on a train. I've been watching your videos and saving them for tips, I just worry that I might be confused at the station and not being able to find my train haha! Thanks again! 😄

Appreciate ya'lls videos! The knowledge drop has been invaluable as I have started to use Amtrak for regional trips. Thanks!

Solid vid as always! Amtrak is always a great adventure, and especially enhanced with a good attitude.

Thank you for you information

Hi Grounded Life! Thank You for all videos. I grew up using the New Haven, and later other trains in the Northeast corridor. Mostly not overnight. This October my wife and I are going to travel from Memphis to Portland, OR. Your advice is so helpful. We're getting a roomette. So far we've had a hard time booking using the app. It's pretty difficult.

Excellent video! It’s been a while since I went cross country on Amtrak. This is a great refresher!

Subway sandwiches in New Orleans??? I would be taking down po' boys & mufelattas while enjoying my Amtrak journey. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

Wow. This was very informative. I plan to take a little trip hopefully before this year is over.

I just booked a cross country trip on Amtrak. Miami to San Diego. 4 trains. 3 days. Almost entirely in coach seats because it was $517 for coach / business OR $2K+ for a roomette. It’s either going to be a great adventure or my most regrettable trip. Miami to DC DC to Chicago Chicago to Los Angeles Los Angeles to San Diego

Thank you both! This was such a thorough and informative video.

Love ur videos Am going to orlando , fl from wash, dc : amtrak riding in sleeper car also.

thank you so much for this video! very helpful

This was an interesting little flick. Thanks for taking the time folks

so helpful! taking my first amtrak from pittsburgh to nyc in april! thank u for these videos!!!!!

Thank you!! Very helpful tips for the train ride beginner.

Appreciate the info! If you guys go back and want to do something like this again , you should do a tips and tricks specifically for each class vs. covering them all in one shot.

Im gonna be going from LA to Cleveland soon. With one in-between at Chicago. Im super excited!

Greetings from Chicago! I love our station. Great video!🚈

Great tips! Thanks!

Very helpful for us newbies.

I really enjoy watching you guys I love to watch what my bucket list adventures will be n look like lol thanks for sharing

I love you guys! It’s been fun to find you early and watch your subscribers grow. Thanks for all your great guidance for riding the rails!

Going on my first ride august 7th to Reno I’m super excited 😆

Viajo com essa dupla todos dias São fantásticos

Thanks for posting this as you know I'm going on my first long train ride soonish so this is very helpful!!

Thank you for your time to make this video. I know almost every country subsidizes their passenger rail. If people had to pay what it really costs, no one would take a 40 hours ride, when 3 hour flight would be cheaper. I love the "free food" in the lounge comment. About 30% of Amtrak's income is from federal and state subsidies. That means your "free food" is partially paid for by your fellow tax payers. Were I one of your fellow tax payers, I would be mightily upset that I am helping you pay for your joyride.

Been watching you on KZfaq TV but now I'm subscribing. I've written a lot of Amtrak trains. I love train travel. Thank you for your tips. You all are fantastic

Soooo helpful. Thanks…subscribed

As always, you guys really delivered useful and entertaining content. 👏🏼 Seriously, your standard of organization and efficiency is next level.... you guys are experienced teachers! I learned new things like I always do. To follow up on "no need to bring drinks on sleeper cars", does that include an abundance of bottled water throughout the trip? Thanks so much for all you do❣️

Thank You very much for this information, I am visiting from Germany and will take a train from Washington DC to Norfolk next week. I am excited about travelling by train. You all LLAP 🖖

This was a great video. You are both super helpful. We’re doing the Empire Builder in a Roomette in Sept, Chicago to Seattle. Looking forward to it. Traveled all over by train in Europe but not much here in US. Your videos and blog have really helped us prepare. Thanks!

Thank you for the Heads UP!! Amen 🙏

The red- cap service at the Chicago station is wonderful. The workers are the best- tip them please, they deserve it.

I did it took from NYC got lost the Moynihan building is closed at 3 am so go to a part in Penn Station nice ride was on time bathrooms horrible Cafe opened on train in am all on all I loved it oh I could have put more stuff in bag my fault but thx for all of your videos they helped me a lot

I’m from the UK and looking forward to my first Amtrak trip from Chicago to Boston in October. I have booked a Roomette. Your videos have been really helpful and the Amtrak trains and experience looks fantastic compared to what we get in the UK! Here the trains may be a lot more punctual but that’s about it. The British trains are really expensive, overcrowded, often dirty, cramped (they cram more seats in than the coaches are designed for, so often your ‘view’ could be a pilar rather than a window), and they got rid of the dining cars and even the on train buffet shops years ago - all you get on British trains now is a trolly that will sell you drinks and a few snacks, but often they are not there or can’t make it down the train the train due to the overcrowding. I really feel sorry for the staff on our British trains as there are so understaffed and they then get the blame for things out of their control. In comparison Amtrak sounds amazing! I found booking on the Amtrak website relatively easy, but was disappointed I could not join the Amtrak rewards scheme as its only open to US and Canadian residents - maybe that is something you can highlight in future videos?

I booked my first Amtrak. I leave Friday. DALLAS to CHICAGO. A little nervous but I look forward to the journey! I've been on Planes, Buses and Driven. Planes, Trains, Autos & Buses! Thanks for ypur content!!!

Hey you guys thank you so much for all your information. I am very interested in riding a train. All of your information is very helpful.

Wish I had found your channel before my first ride. I was going to Florida for 4th of July and the attendance were so busy it was hard to stop them to ask questions. I now have two rides under my belt and I’m still learning.

I love this information, I rode twice, but only in two hours in time. But never slept there. Thank you.

Thank you so much for you guidance, I will be taking my first trip in 53 years this coming January and because of you guys I booked it back in October way ahead of time and I also have the card now. Thanks again..

Beautiful couple! Love your content.

Excellent video.

I've got another amtrak trip in 3 days, although I've been on amtrak before and this certainly isn't my first, it's good to recap because it's been a while since my last trip.

Thanks!

The station in Okeechobee Florida is like a little bus stop, there is no attendant there. I had to ride from there a few years ago and as a solo traveling woman I did not feel safe. There was no one around when I arrived at first. Finally, a few other riders showed up.

Another thing to know about Amtrak is if you get stuck due to a delay in train travel that they have the following policy. As information, Amtrak does not authorize monetary reimbursement of expenses incurred with other service providers, nor do they offer monetary compensation for inconvenience. I got stuck due to a delay on the Amtrak Cardinal in Chicago overnight They were able to get me on the Southwest chief the next day but I have to overnight in Chicago and they told me they would cover that expense. I just got an email telling me that is not the case. Spread the word on this too.

I’ve watched some of your videos which have made me interested in trying new travel experiences (train). I just purchased some of your suggested must have items from your blog!!!! I’m getting them TOMORROW!

In the 90's I went skiing in Montana. We were riding coach and we went to the dining car. It is worth going to the dining car because it is a break from the coach seats, I would recommend it.

I'm visiting the US for the first time next month, will be riding Amtrak from DC to Chicago. Some great tips on this video - thanks for sharing!