I've traveled across the US numerous times on Amtrak trains.
My experiences have been overwhelmingly positive, but I've run into plenty of mishaps.
I prepare for spotty cell reception, crowded train cars, and unscheduled delays.
Amtrak is the biggest name in US train travel, which also means there's a pretty high demand, especially around the holidays — over 1 million passengers boarded trains around Thanksgiving time last year.
I've crisscrossed the US numerous times on Amtrak trains from San Francisco to Chicago, Denver to California, Los Angeles to New Orleans, New York to Chicago, Chicago to Washington, DC, New York to Boston, and Chicago to Portland, Oregon.
Although my long-haul journeys have been positive overall, things can always go wrong.
Here are the biggest mishaps I've encountered on Amtrak journeys and how I prepare for them in advance.
Delays of any size can wreak havoc on travel plans, so I plan my schedule to account for them.
I never make firm evening plans on the days of train trips.
Diana Kruzman
Delays are common with train travel — I've frequently experienced one-, two-, or even three-hour delays on long-distance Amtrak journeys.
However, I have friends who've been delayed up to seven hours on a ride, so whenever any sort of delay is announced, I'm always prepared for the worst.
I never plan anything time-sensitive for the day I arrive, and I always bring a book or something that can keep me occupied if the journey is longer than expected.
I always pack my own food so I don't have to rely on onboard options.
I'm not a huge fan of train food.
Diana Kruzman
Amtrak food has gotten a lot better in recent years. Even if you don't spring for the restaurant car, the café car has things like coffee, crudités, and noodle bowls.
However, the options are often limited, and eating the same things for three days straight on long-haul journeys can get boring. Plus, the café can run out of things and isn't open 24/7.
Packing my own snacks and meals saves me money and ensures I always have access to something I want to eat.
Before I board the train, I prepare for spotty signals and limited cell reception.
Some Amtrak trains don't offer WiFi.
Diana Kruzman
Amtrak travels through some remote areas of the US, including the Rocky Mountains and the Northern Plains.
These parts of the country don't always have great cell reception. Although some of Amtrak's routes and trains advertise WiFi access, even then, reception may be spotty.
If I know I'll be riding through more rural areas, I always tell people not to worry if I don't reply immediately. I also make sure to download any books or movies I want access to on the train before I board it.
There are a few ways I prepare for a crowded coach car, which can be difficult to sleep in.
I'm always glad when I bring a comfortable pillow.
Diana Kruzman
Unlike some international trains I've ridden, Amtrak's sleeper cars are not in my budget. I usually just book a regular coach seat, even if the journey is scheduled to take 20+ hours.
I don't typically get to choose my seat on Amtrak, but whenever I do, I'm savvy about it. A spot that's far from the bathroom or families with noisy kids is ideal — bonus points if there's no one else in the row.
Unfortunately, if I board and the coach cars are already crowded, there's not much I can do other than hope people get off before me.
To prepare, I also like to bring a travel pillow, a sleeping mask, and earplugs, which make sleeping upright on a long journey a little easier.
Sometimes train tickets can be more expensive than flights, so I stay on top of discounts and deals.
There are Amtrak routes all across the US.
Diana Kruzman
Traveling by train (particularly on longer routes) isn't always cheaper than flying.
To get the best deals, I look out for Amtrak's frequent sales by signing up for its promotional email lists. I've landed discounts of up to 30% at certain times of the year.
I also have a free Amtrak rewards account I use to earn points that can go toward future tickets.
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