Beginner's Guide to Train Travel

 Amtrak is a sustainable way to get where you're going that lets you skip the usual headaches of flying or driving and see more of the country, all while making travel feel like an adventure again—a sacred goodbye to traffic and long waits at the airport. With Amtrak, you get right on board. A conductor scans your ticket contact, and you're on your way. No matter what, you get a wide, spacious seat with plenty of legroom, and there aren't middle seats on board at all. The views are great, but if you prefer, free Wi-Fi and workspace make it easy to have a productive trip.

Amtrak serves over 500 stops along more than 30 routes across 46 states and the District of Columbia. One place to get started booking your trip is the travel planning map@amtrak.com. You can enter your departure city and choose the nearest station. Then, enter the destination and click Find Routes. Select your favorite route from among any options, input travel details, including dates and number of passengers, and select your accommodation. All trips have different needs, so Amtrak offers a variety of options.

Coach seats on Amtrak come with lots of room and comfort features. Booking early offers most options, including safer fares and flexible fares that can be easily modified or refunded. While coaches are already significantly better than what you'll find on an airline, business class offers even more enhanced travel in a dedicated section or car. All Assala train seats or business class seats are better and assigned to each passenger. 

Premium fares like first class and sleeper accommodations offer experiences you can't get anywhere else. Plus, they have complimentary food and beverage access to station lounges and other perks. First Class is only available on a high, high-speed cell in the Northeast Corridor. Private rooms or overnight accommodations are found in dedicated cars on long-distance routes. Roommates like this lead to comfortable bedrooms with more space and private restroom facilities. 

For larger groups. A limited number of connecting bedrooms and Family Suites are available on select trains. Accessible bedrooms with space for a wheelchair are found on the entry level and feature an accessible in-room restroom. On your day of travel, arrive 30 minutes early or 45. If checking bags, then follow the signs for your train. Check your confirmation email for details or download the Amtrak app to access your ticket and receive boarding and travel information via push notification. Included in your fare is the ability to bring two checked bags to carry on and to personal items.

 Remember, red caps are also available to help you with baggage or navigate the platform. Use platform markers or follow train crew directions to locate the best entry for your accommodation. Then, find your seat. Now, you can kick back and enjoy the view of your destination when it comes to travel. There's nothing quite like taking the train.