Can coach passengers eat in the dining car on Amtrak?

If you're traveling in coach on some of Amtrak's long-distance train services, you'll now have the opportunity to use the dining car onboard. Coach passengers will now be able to enjoy full-fledged meals for an additional cost in the dining car, which was a beloved service removed during the COVID-19 pandemic.



People Also Ask

The dining car is a sit-down restaurant with waiters and tasty food. It is only available on our long distance routes. Sitting in the café car for the entire ride is totally acceptable.

MORE DETAILS

Sign-up for email today! WASHINGTON — Amtrak has begun offering coach passengers on the Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight, and Sunset Limited the opportunity to buy meals in those trains' dining cars, a practice that began March 1.

MORE DETAILS

Coach class is offered on every Amtrak train and features wide, reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seat option and at-seat trays, reading lights and electric outlets. Restrooms are located in each car. Amtrak Guest Rewards customers traveling in Coach earn 2 points per dollar spent.

MORE DETAILS

In almost all cases, Amtrak seats are not assigned. The exception is Acela Express route seats and business class seating on the Northeast Regional, Carolinian, Palmetto, and Vermonter. Otherwise, Amtrak has a first-come, first-serve seating policy for coach seats.

MORE DETAILS

Adjust Your Seat The average Amtrak Coach seat measures 23 inches in width (compared to around 17 inches for airplane equivalent seating) with exceptional legroom and the ability to recline for an even more comfortable sleeping position.

MORE DETAILS

If you're traveling West, you'll experience the best views on the right side of the train. Traveling East? Be sure to sit on the left side.

MORE DETAILS

Sleeping car passengers are furnished with a full set of blankets and pillows, so don't need to worry about it.

MORE DETAILS

Seating accommodations Comfortable and economical, Coach Class offers large, reclining seats with fold-down tray tables, overhead reading lights, and overhead luggage racks.

MORE DETAILS

According to Thomas Hall, Amtrak Vice President, Passenger Experience, “Amtrak takes pride in enriching the customer experience with premium services and brands, and offering Dunkin' Donuts hot coffee aboard all of our Acela Express trains is just the latest example of this on-going commitment.

MORE DETAILS

A dining car (American English) or a restaurant car (British English), also a diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a full-service, sit-down restaurant.

MORE DETAILS

In almost all cases, Amtrak seats are not assigned. The exception is Acela Express route seats and business class seating on the Northeast Regional, Carolinian, Palmetto, and Vermonter. Otherwise, Amtrak has a first-come, first-serve seating policy for coach seats.

MORE DETAILS

The best place to sit in Amtrak Coach Class is on the upper level. It's all about the view on the upper level. This is the biggest advantage of sitting in the upper level. You can also move from car to car more freely as there is access from each car on the upper level.

MORE DETAILS

Sleeping Car Amenities and Perks These include fresh linens and towels, a hot shower, complimentary bottled water ice, soft drinks, and hot coffee. Another thing to keep in mind is that all of your Dining Car meals (up to three full-service meals a day with water, soda or juice) are included in your ticket fare.

MORE DETAILS

Each passenger may bring two personal items, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches each, and two carry-on items, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each, onboard.

MORE DETAILS

When you travel with us, you can carry-on two free pieces of luggage. Each item should not exceed 50 lbs. (23 kg) and needs to be 28 x 22 x 14 inches in size. For those Amtrak families traveling with infants under the age of two, your baby items (strollers and diaper bags) will not count towards your carry-on limit.

MORE DETAILS

The best place to sit in Amtrak Coach Class is on the upper level. It's all about the view on the upper level. This is the biggest advantage of sitting in the upper level. You can also move from car to car more freely as there is access from each car on the upper level.

MORE DETAILS

Being on the lower level is indeed closer to the restrooms, and you'll have less foot traffic going by. There will be less sway, but more noise from the track, since you're closer to the track. The view will be better from the upper level and you must be on the upper level to pass from one car to the next.

MORE DETAILS

Plan to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart (Auto Train passengers should arrive at the station at least two hours prior to departure).

MORE DETAILS