Travel By Train in the US

Unlike European train travel, if you travel by train in the United States, it can be challenging. A trip from Boston to San Francisco often takes longer than three days and may require as many (or more) connections. Still, rail travel in the US does have its pleasures, if you take time to appreciate them. Trains travel through some of the most breathtaking scenery the US has to offer, affording you views you won't see any other way.

An Introduction to Amtrak

If you've ever ridden by rail from one city to another in the United States, it was most likely on an Amtrak train. Also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak has been in business since 1971, when it was established as alternative to the privately owned passenger trains that were struggling to complete with inexpensive airfare and other travel options.

When Amtrak was established it combined assets from 20 of the major passenger train carriers, so the routes Amtrak traveled were already defined. Amtrak's assets, however, included only the trains and the stations. The rights to the rails weren't part of the deal and remained a source of income for the companies that owned them, so who could travel where and when was out of Amtrak's hands. Today this means that many Amtrak trains still find themselves stuck traveling behind slow-moving, higher-paying freight trains.

Amtrak does own stretches of rail in the Northeast corridor (between Boston and Washington, D.C.) and in the vicinity of Chicago, making travel in those areas relatively painless. In fact, travel in the Northeast and between Chicago and Detroit can be done more cheaply and conveniently by train than by airplane. Elsewhere in the country, the riding isn't so easy.

Purchasing Tickets

If you plan extensive travel by rail throughout the United States and Canada, you might consider purchasing the North America Rail Pass. Its price includes unlimited US and Canadian rail travel over a 30-day period. However, it does come with restrictions that might make it impractical for many travelers. For example, pass holders are required to take at least one trip in both the US and Canada and you must travel on at least one Amtrak train and one VIA Rail train (the Canadian rail company). If you're planning a month-long trip across North America, this pass is your ideal ticket.

Most travelers will do best to purchase single tickets. Like airfare, it pays to buy Amtrak tickets in advance. The sleeping compartments, in particular, are priced so that they become progressively more expensive as they sell out. Tickets are available online as well as at your local train station, but you may want to do some research, using published schedules and online resources, to plan the most cost-effective and efficient route for your trip.

Seating accommodations range from Coach to First (Sleeper) class. Additionally, Amtrak offers a variety of different sleeper cars at different price points. It's a good rule of thumb to buy the best ticket you can afford. If you're on a train for three days, the extra cost for a sleeper car with a toilet and shower will be worth it. Especially if you on your way to a honeymoon.

What to Pack

Amtrak allows passengers to carry two items on board. The remainder of your luggage will be checked. Pack as lightly as you can-if you're running late for a connection through Chicago's hectic Union Station, extra bags might slow you down.

Unless you're traveling first class, you might want to pack your own snacks and beverages. First class tickets include meals, but coach travelers must rely on the dining car and what they choose to bring with them. It's always a good idea to pack snacks and water to supplement the dining car's selections which can be pricey and limited.

The length of your trip and how you want to make use of your time will determine what forms of entertainment you want to bring with you. Even if you plan to work on board, you might want to bring a DVD to watch, a book to read or your MP3 player. If you're traveling with others, a deck of cards or other travel games will help you pass the time.

Train Travel Safety

Amtrak trains are generally safe, however luggage theft is far more common on trains than planes. Passengers tend to move about trains more frequently than airplanes and with passengers getting on and off at any number stops, it's easy for thieves to cruise the car and take an unsuspecting traveler's bag and exit the train before the traveler notices.

Reducing the risk of baggage theft comes down to common sense: keep your eye on your bags and keep your bags with you at all times. Hold onto them physically, or secure them to your person or seat with bungee cords or carabiners. The more prepared and alert you are, the more likely any thief will move on to an easier target.