Amtrak Guest Rewards - Amtrak 1st Time

Hello all-

Will be taking Amtrak for the first time. Routing is SOB (South Bend, IN) to CHI. I have to pick up tickets at the station... The train leaves at 8:49am. What time should I get to the station to get tickets, clear security, etc.? Thanks everyone!

Unfortunately, there is no QuikTrak machine at SOB, so you will have to pick up your tickets at a staffed window. I have no idea how many staffed windows there are at SOB, or how many other people will be picking up tickets at the same time, so someone with experience with that station may have to chime in. Or, you might try calling the station directly, and ask how long the ticket line usually is in the morning. The listed phone for Amtrak at South Bend is: (574) 288-2212.

Of course, if you live close to that station (or any staffed or QuikTrak-equipped Amtrak station), you can always pick up the tickets in advance.

Will you be checking baggage? If so, you would probably need to get to SOB ever earlier than if you were just picking up tickets.

Hello all-

Will be taking Amtrak for the first time. Routing is SOB (South Bend, IN) to CHI. I have to pick up tickets at the station... The train leaves at 8:49am. What time should I get to the station to get tickets, clear security, etc.? Thanks everyone!

If you are checking bags, you need to arrive more than 30 minutes in advance of departure. If not (you're allowed 2 carry-ons) then 20 minutes ought to do it. I don't know about SOB in particular but at some smaller stations, the ticket agent is also the baggage agent, so the ticket window closes 10 minutes ahead of train time so the agent can have everything ready for the train's arrival.

But if you're in line at least 20 minutes before departure time, there's no way they'd leave you high and dry. (That said, if it's at all convenient you may as well swing by there ahead of time and pick up the tickets).

As far as security: There is none. Enjoy your TSA-free experience. ^

If you've already gotten your tickets ahead of time, and if you don't have any checked bags, parking your car in the parking lot 10 minutes before departure and strolling up to the platform 5 minutes before departure is usually perfectly acceptable at most smaller intermediate Amtrak stations.

I've been dropped off at smaller stations two minutes before departure and gotten on board just fine. It's the opposite of the airport experience.

However, Amtrak is extremely strict about the 30-minute checked baggage cut-off (which, at smaller stations, I don't get--it should take the agent five minutes to wheel the cart out to where the baggage car spots), so if you're checking bags, I'd concur with the advice above to get there at least 40 minutes prior to departure, if not even a few minutes more, to ensure you make that cut-off.

And be sure to give yourself time to get your tickets from the ticket agent if you haven't picked them up beforehand.

Hello all-

Will be taking Amtrak for the first time. Routing is SOB (South Bend, IN) to CHI. I have to pick up tickets at the station... The train leaves at 8:49am. What time should I get to the station to get tickets, clear security, etc.? Thanks everyone!

You can also get from South Bend (Home of Northern Ind. Univ !) to Chicago on the South Shore Commuter line .... schedule is much more frequent than Amtrak's, on time service is likely to be significantly better and the station in Chicago is just as convenient as Amtrak's.

One big difference is you can't check baggage and there's no on board food service.

Bob H

Also do note, there is typically ample room for your bags, with dedicated areas near the entrances of the train...

From AMTRAK: (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Title_Image_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1080080553878&ssid=195)


Number of Bags Weight Limit Size Limit Check-in Time
(per passenger) (per bag)

Carry-On Baggage: 2 50 lbs 28"x22"x14" n/a

Checked Baggage: 3 50 lbs 36"x36"x36" 30 minutes

You can also get from South Bend (Home of Northern Ind. Univ !) to Chicago on the South Shore Commuter line .... schedule is much more frequent than Amtrak's, on time service is likely to be significantly better and the station in Chicago is just as convenient as Amtrak's.

One big difference is you can't check baggage and there's no on board food service.

Bob H

If everything is running smoothly, and if the Amtrak departure times times are convenient to the OP, Amtrak's 56-minute travel time compares favorably with the South Shore line's 89 to 93-minute travel time and less comfortable seating.

But Amtrak may very well be delayed, given that it's at the very tail end of a long-distance journey. (Were I to choose, I would probably pick the Capitol Limited over the Lake Shore [i.e. Late For Sure] Limited--I'd need to check, but I think the CL has a better on-time-performance rating than the LSL.) The South Shore line would offer a better guarantee of a specific arrival time in Chicago, given that it begins its journey in South Bend.

But you can't earn AGR points on the South Shore line! :D

Actually over the last 12 months ending with August, the Lake Shore has done better than the Capitol Limited. The difference is so minimal as to be useless in terms of planning, a whopping .6% better than the Capital.

LSL 76.9%
Capitol 76.3%

Hello all-

Will be taking Amtrak for the first time. Routing is SOB (South Bend, IN) to CHI. I have to pick up tickets at the station... The train leaves at 8:49am. What time should I get to the station to get tickets, clear security, etc.? Thanks everyone!

General SOB station info at:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&c=am2Station&cid=1080080552038&ssid=89

Ticket window hours info at:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Hours_Popup&cid=1080080552038&t=1071450161276&c=am2Station#T

Good luck. Don't want to hear any SOB stories. :D

General SOB station info at:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&c=am2Station&cid=1080080552038&ssid=89

Ticket window hours info at:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Hours_Popup&cid=1080080552038&t=1071450161276&c=am2Station#T

Good luck. Don't want to hear any SOB stories. :D

What a good station name :D

If you're taking Amtrak for the first time, you can qualify for an extra bonus for AGR points. Message me and I'll invite you...