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» NARP News Rail Travel Tips
Tip #1—When visiting a prospective college with your high school senior or junior, take advantage of Amtrak’s Campus Visit “Buy One Ticket, Get One Free” deal. Book on-line at least seven days in advance at the Campus Visit website. Fill out on-line form indicating name of student, parent/guardian, year of student’s high-school graduation, and the number of colleges you will be visiting. Restrictions apply; they are posted on the website listed above. Tip #2—When traveling alone in a Viewliner Standard Bedroom, consider sleeping in the upper bunk. This will let you keep a sitting area for working (with papers, laptop, etc.) or watching the in-room television. Setting up your room in this manner helps make it seem bigger and more user-friendly. It also makes accessing the toilet during the night more simple. Tip #3—Amtrak passengers ride free on SEPTA commuter trains between Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, Penn Center/Suburban station, and Market East station. Outbound passengers show Amtrak ticket; inbound passengers ticket stub. Useful for travel to or from Center City Philadelphia, including the intercity bus terminal adjacent to Market East. SEPTA’s regular fare currently is $3.50. Tip #4—Pick up a copy of the New York By Rail Travel Guide for insight into attractions across the Empire State that are accessible by Amtrak train and Thruway Motorcoach connections. This guide, published in September, has a wealth of information about attractions in New York State—some of which you may not have realized are accessible by train! The 2004 edition is available from travel agents, tour operators, “I Love New York” information centers, Amtrak stations (and 1-800-USA-RAIL), and hotels and attractions near the stations. Tip #5—Baggage choices Amtrak officially limits carry-on luggage to two pieces a passenger; bags may not exceed 28”x22”x14” and 50 pounds. “Personal items such as briefcases, purses, laptops, and infant paraphernalia” do not count against the limit of two. For some trains, the exceptions list includes winter recreational items (see page three). The list does not include “standard large-sized shopping bags of merchandise,” but you can combine “shopping bags, one inside the other, to count as one bag.” Amtrak encourages you to have merchants ship your purchases. Large musical instruments may occupy a seat “at the applicable rail fare” if there’s no safety problem. Where checked baggage is offered, up to three bags (size and weight limits as above) may be checked free [some special items have a $5 charge]; up to three more for $10 a bag. Also, where Amtrak Package Express is offered (over 100 stations), you can ship larger bags (up to 3’x3’x3’; maximum 500 pounds per shipment and, again, 50 pounds per bag). That said, in markets without checked baggage service, unfortunately, Amtrak’s luggage policy is more restrictive than the airlines’. Tip #6—Avoid Southern California traffic…use mass transit between Los Angeles Union Station (or other downtown points) and LAX International Airport. While it requires three transfers, using Los Angeles MTA rail service between Union Station and LAX is much cheaper than a cab or shuttle—and could mean the difference between making and missing your flight: Red Line subway Union Station-Metro Center; Blue Line light rail Metro Center-Rosa Parks Transfer Station; Green Line light rail Rosa Parks-Aviation/I-105 station; free LAX Shuttle Bus. Total trip time: just under one hour; cost: $3.00. Tip #7—Want to visit a college campus with your son or daughter? Take advantage of Amtrak’s Campus Visit program: code H459. Students receive a discount and may bring a parent or guardian with them as a free companion in coach. Reservations may be made for travel through December 15, 2005 (blackout dates: February 18-21, March 24-28, May 27-30, July 1-4, September 2-5, and November 22-29). Not valid on Acela Express, Metroliners, Auto Train, the Canadian portion of the Maple Leaf, or 7000-8999 series Thruway buses. Tip #8—Take advantage of the Amtrak / Continental Airlines partnership at Newark International Airport for travel to and from Northeast Corridor points. When booking travel with Continental Airlines, you can connect with Amtrak at Newark’s Liberty International Airport. Four cities provide through reservations services (pickup Amtrak tickets at Amtrak station). IATA (airline booking) codes for Amtrak/Continental stations:
The AirTrain monorail also gets rail passengers to airport rental car outlets, and helps link air travelers with any northeast rail station. Tip #9—Book NOW for summer travel; trains (especially sleeping cars) sell out early! Capacity is limited on most Amtrak trains, but especially on sleeping cars during the summer. Several trips of western long distance trains are already sold out. Call Amtrak’s reservations center at 1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245), go to Amtrak’s website or visit your local travel agent or Amtrak station. Tip #10—Train riding with small children is more fun when you have a “survival bag.” Here are some ideas for what to include.
Tip #11—If you own a cell phone, be sure to give that number in addition to a home or work number to Amtrak when making a reservation. It is important that Amtrak be able to contact you not only at your destination (for a round trip), but potentially enroute as well. If your Amtrak reservation has only a home or work number in the record, you cannot be contacted in case of a service disruption or very late train. When either the Amtrak website or an Amtrak agent asks for your phone number, provide a cell number, even if they specifically request your home phone number. Tip #12—For a smoother, quieter ride, sit near the center of a passenger rail car or—when possible— reserve sleeping car accommodations in the middle. If you’re traveling in coach, either chose a seat or, if seat assignments are given, request to be seated as close to the center as possible. This will avoid the possibly irritating sounds and smells of the lavatory (on Amfleets) or enddoor, and will situate you away from the noise of the trucks. If you’re traveling in a roomette, try to reserve rooms 2-6 (Superliner), or 3-6 (Viewliner). Tip #13—Use Travelers Aid. TA works to reunite families separated in transit, give food or shelter to those stranded without cash, and provide emotional counseling. TA is in 23 airports; train stations in Boston, Los Angeles, San Diego, Toronto, Washington; and in or near 10 bus terminals. An “e-help” feature at their website lets you type in a problem and get an individualized response. Check back soon for more Tips! |
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