Reservations
Amtrak recommends making your reservations in advance. This can be done on their website at www.amtrak.com, by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL or at the station from which you plan to depart.
Travel Options
When making a reservation, passengers may upgrade their ticket to a business class seat for an extra fee when available. In some cities, passengers have an option to take an Acela Express train, the nation's fastest train that reaches top speeds of 135 mph.
At the Station
If reservations are made online, passengers will have to arrive early to collect their ticket. At many stations, travelers can avoid the service desk by visiting a Quik-Trak kiosk. To print out a ticket, the credit card used for the purchase must be used in the machine. Find out which stations have a Quik-Trak kiosk at www.amtrak.com.
Routes
Amtrak trains have more than 21,000 route miles covering 46 states as of 2009. The trains stop at more than 500 destinations. These totals include four commuter rail agencies operated by Amtrak.
Luggage
Each traveler is limited to two carry-on bags and three checked bags. No individual piece of luggage may weigh more than 50 pounds, and checked bags must be turned in at least 30 minutes before departure. All bags must have visible tags. Weapons, flammable items, chemicals and other dangerous materials are prohibited. Special items like golf bags typically have a $5 handling charge.
About The Author
Ashley Henshaw began her freelance writing career in 2007. Previously, she has worked for a publishing house and contributed to Citysearch in Chicago. She currently writes feature articles for City's Best, an AOL site. Henshaw attended Loyola University Chicago, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Photo Credits
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of John Mueller
