Can I bring my own snacks on Amtrak?

You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars. Personal food and beverages are allowed in the upper level of Superliner Sightseer Lounges.



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You can bring a smaller cooler or insulated lunch bag with you on the train to include refrigerated foods, or consider buying a meal at or near your starting station to eat while on board. If you're planning to pack food at home before your trip, here are some idea: Salty snacks like nuts, chips, crackers, pretzels.

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They do random bag checks sometimes, but they don't make everything go through security like at the airport. I've never had my bag checked on Amtrak, and they only do that at places where they have Amtrak police permanently stationed, like in New York and Chicago.

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With due respect to passengers' privacy, the random and unannounced screening and inspection of passengers and their personal items is completed as quickly as possible - usually in less than a minute.

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You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars. Personal food and beverages are allowed in the upper level of Superliner Sightseer Lounges.

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Baggage 101: What Can I Bring on Board with Amtrak?
  • one personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches.
  • two carry-on items, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each (Pacific Surfliner: up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each)
  • two additional bags for $20 each.


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Arriving at the Station 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).

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Carry-on and personal items must be kept with you, stored in overhead racks, under seats or designated baggage areas.

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To ensure you stay connected while traveling, we offer free basic WiFi service in select trains and stations throughout the country. Stay productive, or simply sit back and have some fun while en route to your destination.

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Healthy options that will travel well in your backpack and carry-on include:
  • Applesauce.
  • Single-serving bags of veggie chips.
  • Single-serving containers of tuna.
  • Single-serving packets of unsalted nuts, like almonds or cashews.
  • Air-popped or bagged popcorn (stick to kinds that are low in salt and no butter).


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Bring a Travel Pillow and Blanket While Amtrak does provide bedding in the Sleeping car rooms, you may wish to have your own pillow and an extra blanket for warmth.

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Prohibited Items The following items are prohibited onboard the train: non-service animals, firearms and ammunition, hover boards, corrosive or dangerous chemicals and materials, incendiaries, martial arts and self-defense items, archery equipment, devices containing propellants, sharp objects, and similar items.

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If you want to get up and stretch your legs, there's plenty of room to walk around, with restrooms conveniently located in every car. On shorter train journeys, Amtrak's Coach Class seats provide a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the view.

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Do you have to check your suitcase on Amtrak? Each passenger on board the train; each item should not exceed 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches.

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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.

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Each traveler can check up to 4 bags (2 free and 2 at $20 per bag). Size/weight limitations apply.

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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.

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While not nearly as expensive, taking an Amtrak train across the US is also largely the domain of rail enthusiasts as it takes multiple days and costs significantly more than flying. In countries like Japan, South Korea and much of Europe, the opposite is true as the train is simply a way to travel larger distances.

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Fewer than half (46 percent) of long-distance trains arrive on time. They have an average delay of about 49 minutes, according to the analysis. Delays can be much longer on some trains, according to Amtrak's own data, which shows that one of every five long-distance trains arrives more than two hours late.

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Complimentary beverages are available throughout your journey. First drink is on us.

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Your seat will be automatically assigned when you complete your reservation. You may change your assigned seat at any time after your booking is complete using interactive seat maps on the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. There is no fee to change your seat.

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Carry-on requirements
  • Shouldn't exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches / 56 x 36 x 23 centimeters (including handles and wheels)
  • Must fit in the sizer at the airport.


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