This is my first time to ride a train.Could anyone tell me what to expect in an AMTRAK station? I am taking the train from Chicago to New York.

If I don't need to check my baggage,what's the procedure I have to deal with before I get onto a train?

Is there anyone to check my ticket before I get onto the train?

Or I can get on the train and have a seat first, just like the public bus, then a conductor on the train will come to check my ticket??

If there is a seat available, can I take it, or I have to be assigned by a conductor?

Thanks.

Just make sure that you show up at least a half hour before departure and I’d probably recommend an hour just to be safe. Take a seat in the waiting area and then wait for your train to be announced. Since you already have your tickets, there are no pre-checkin procedures that you need to complete if you’re not checking bags.

Yes, an Amtrak employee at the door leading to the tracks will glance at your tickets both to ensure that you are a passenger and that you are boarding the correct train, before allowing you to exit the waiting area to head for the train. But again there are no formal check-in proceedures like there is when traveling by airplane.

Most likely once you reach the train the car attendant will direct you to a specific car and may even assign you a specific seat. Seat assignments seem to happen when the train is expected to be full or close to it. If the train isn’t full, then they’ll probably just tell you what car to sit in and let you pick your own seats.

Once the train has left the station, the conductor will come around to take your tickets and punch a hole in your ticket stub. He/she will also place a seat check above your seats so that others will know those seats are occupied.

Finally you may want to check out On Track On Line’s hints and tips for train travel. The pages are full of useful information for the first timer.

Have a great trip. :)

New Codes - Baltimore, Lancaster P.A., Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
 

V756 - Save 50% off the best available fare for one companion traveling with a paid regular (full fare) adult, senior citizen or disabled discounted rail fare ticket when traveling on Amtrak to Baltimore, Valid for sale through June 27, 2005, and valid for travel between Jan. 4 and June 30, 2005. Blackouts apply for 2005: March 24-28. Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance of travel. Discount is valid for travel in the Northeast Corridor on Amtrak Regional trains. Travel on Acela Express and Metroliner is prohibited.

V737 - Save 50% off the best available fare for one companion traveling with a paid regular (full fare) adult, senior citizen or disabled discounted rail fare ticket when traveling on Amtrak to Baltimore, Valid for sale between Jan. 2 and Dec. 12, 2005, and valid for travel between Jan. 5 and June Dec. 15, 2005. Blackouts apply for 2005: March 24-28, May 27-30, July 1-4, Sept. 2-5, and Nov. 22-29. Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance of travel. Discount is valid for travel in the Northeast Corridor on Amtrak Regional trains. Travel on Acela Express and Metroliner is prohibited.

V760 - Save 50% off the best available fair for one companion traveling with a paid regular (full fare) adult, senior citizen or disabled discounted rail fare ticket when traveling on Amtrak to and from Lancaster ,Pa. Valid for sale through Nov. 27, 2005, and valid for travel from March 15 through Nov. 30, 2005. Blackouts apply for 2005: March 24-28, May 27-30, July 1-4, Sept. 2-5, and Nov. 22-29. Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance of travel. Discount is valid for travel in the Northeast Corridor on Amtrak Regional trains. Travel on Acela Express and Metroliner is prohibited.

DR762AH - Catch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the musical, for only $66.25 (Mondays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Wednesdays at 2 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.); or for $76.25 (Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.). Only good through April 10, 2005. Visit broadwayoffers.com or call Telecharge.com at (212) 947-8844. Blackout on March 3, 2005. Limit 10 tickets. A $1.25 facilities fee is included in the price.

To AlanB
 

Thank you so much! I wish you the best!

Weekly Specials and waiting
 

hi...

I will be taking trains three times (or more this summer) beginning from June 15th:

Buffalo to Chicago

St. Louis to Chicago

Chicago to Spokane

Anyways, I have been eyeing the weekly specials to see if I luck out...i know it is a bit early since my first trip will not commence until june 15th.

What I want to know is if I am risking losing seats on the train if I wait too long to book? I am willing to wait until two weeks before each trip before I book at normal prices (or with my AAA discount). However, i cant risk losing seats as i have a strict travel plan this summer. We will be 3-4 travelllers travelling together. It would be good to know if seats actually sell out during the summer season.

Thanks for the help!

Free companion ticket and Ebay
 

Does anyone know if there are still companion tickets available? I am so angry since I saw tons of companion tickets sold on Ebay usually for more than 20 or 25 dollars. Now I see that Ebayers have took advantage of this situation, when real travellers like myself would have liked to request a coupon, but it is likely that they will be out thanks to Ebayers and Ebay!

Anyways, Ebay is one way of saving money if you want to bid for companion coupons and other certificates.
:rolleyes:

From my experience, the rates don't change based on time - as far as losing seats, that I don't know. I've never taken the longer routes that you mention.

The companion fare coupons expire on June 19. They are valid for travel from now through June 19 & tickets must be purchased by 6/16.

The first trip on June 15th probably does not have much risk of a total sell out, as it's just prior to the start of the peak Summer season, although your return could be a problem if it's more than a week later.

Specifically by route, the Lake Shore Limited Train #48/49 that covers the Buffalo to Chicago leg, has the greatest chance of a sell outs. I'd guess at least a 75% chance and probably even higher on the weekends.

There is some danger on the Spokane route also, I'd estimate a 50% or so chance of a sell out on any given day. Again weekends probably have the highest chance.

The St. Louis leg should not be a problem for you, with 3 trains daily in each direction to choose from.

I will also mention that the rail sales/weekly specials tend to dry up during the summer months, since ridership is already high and Amtrak doesn't need to discount to fill trains. Additionally, as the trains fill up the prices for coach seats do rise. There are 4 fare levels for coach, if memory serves. Each level varies by at least 5 bucks and some jump as much as $20 to $25. So it is certainly a gamble as to whether waiting will get you a cheaper rate than you can book right now.

New Amtrak Codes or a Quik Ticket machine
 

Hi all, Im very eager to use the Free Companion Fare Coupon. My Dilemma im in Las Vegas, Nv and have no Quik Ticket machines. I have sent off a SASE envelope in case they have any left. If not i would like to know where could i find a Quik Ticket machine.
Thanks
Demitrius :)

Bos - STM discount codes?
 

Does anyone know of any discount codes valid for June 2005 for 2 adults going from Bos-Stm?

Thanks,
Aussiemate :)

NOTE THE RESTRICTION IN BOLD AT THE BOTTOM - THIS CAN'T BE BOOKED ONLINE, BUT MAYBE, (AGAIN, THIS IS JUST A MAYBE), YOU CAN CALL & BOOK OVER THE PHONE & GIVE THEM A PNR NUMBER FOR A CRUISE - GENERALLY, PNR'S HAVE 6 DIGITS/LETTERS - NOT SURE ABOUT CRUISES, BUT THAT'S HOW THEY ARE FOR AIRLINES - IT'S POSSIBLE YOU COULD JUST GIVE THEM A MADE UP PNR IF YOU WANTED TO. I'M NOT SAYING ONE SHOULD DO THIS, I'M JUST PROVIDING A LINK WITH INFORMATION I FOUND ONLINE.


http://www.ncl.com/more/amtrak.htm

Explore America on the way
to the ship on AMTRAK
Savings of up to 25% through 2005
Amtrak is the relaxing way to travel to the ship.
Each scenic Amtrak route reveals breathtaking North American vistas and fascinating history. Travel on trains whose very names conjure adventure. The Sunset Limited, Silver Service®, Adirondack, City of New Orleans, Crescent and many others.

Another reason for you to travel by train to the ship: Amtrak will discount the rail fare and accommodation charge up to 25%. Now through December 15, 2005

OFF PEAK RATES
25% OFF
Fare code: V570 PEAK RATES
Valid Dates:
Jan 3 – Feb 17, 2005
Feb 22 – Mar 23, 2005
Mar 29 – May 12, 2005
Sept 6 – Nov 21, 2005
Nov 30 – Dec 15, 2005


15% OFF
Fare code: V571
Valid Dates:
May 13 – 26, 2005
May 31 – June 30, 2005
July 5 – Sept 1, 2005

BLACK OUT DATES
(for travel during black out dates, regular Amtrak fares apply)

2005: Jan 1-2; Feb 18 – 21; Mar 24 – 28; May 27 – 30; Jul 1-4; Sept 2-5; Nov 22-29


Offer valid on all trains except:

Auto Train®
Acela Express®
Metroliner®
Canadian portion of joint Amtrak/VIA Rail Canada services

Applicable to:
Adult and child fares
Sleepers
Business class with payment of full accommodation charge

Conditions:

Offer valid with kids discount. Kids between the ages of 2-15 travel on Amtrak at 50% off when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
Offer not valid with other discounts or promotions or with Amtrak Vacations packages
Standard Amtrak refund policies per fare plan purchased apply
Standard Amtrak exchange fee policies per fare plan purchased apply
Tickets can only be sold in conjunction with a participating Cruise Line booking. Cruise Line Reservation number must be placed into the remarks field of the PNR.

Is there a Code for NE travel?
 

Yes. V626 should get you both 20% off.

H442 expires on June 19, 2005
 

My wife and I are planning on travelling Empire Builder and Cascades between June 24 and June 27 (from Vancouver, BC to East Glacier Park and back through Portland and Seattle). I called Amtrak today and they said H442 cannot be applied to my itinerary becuase it expires on June 19.

Is there any other similar code that I can use?

Should I just go ahead and settle with 10% AAA discount or should I wait to see a discount similar to H442 appear.

Thanks.