Is Amtrak strict about bag size?

You + Two Bags = No Extra Charge Unlike many transportation options, traveling with Amtrak is twice as nice with our generous baggage policy. 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.



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Excess Bags A $20 excess baggage fee will be charged for each carry-on and personal item above the quantity and size limits. A maximum of two excess bags are permitted per passenger. Fees will be collected at the station or onboard the train if the station is unstaffed.

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Checked baggage service is available at a number of our stations and on many trains and Thruway Services. Not all trains or locations are equipped to handle checked baggage. Before you travel, make sure to check and see if your train and origin and destination stations accept checked baggage.

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No one may smoke anything in any area on trains, on Thruway services, in stations or in any other location where smoking is prohibited. This includes: Electronic smoking devices, such as electronic cigarettes.

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If you're traveling by train and a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent asks to search your bags, you have the right to refuse.

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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. Make sure you have a tag with your name and address on the outside of all your bags.

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In general, your personal item should be smaller than your carry-on and under the specific airline's carry-on dimensions, allowing it to fit under the seat in front of you. In most cases, backpacks are considered personal items as long as they fit under the seat in front of you.

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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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It means they are not going to stow your luggage for you. Whatever you have, you take it on the train and find a secure place for it in the overhead bins or under your seat. You will be fine with a carry on and a suitcase 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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For those of us used to traveling by plane, especially on budget airlines, Amtrak's baggage policy can seem incredibly generous. Amtrak passengers can take two personal items, two carry-on bags, and two checked bags onboard for free.

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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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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.

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7 essential things to pack for your Amtrak trip
  1. Food. Even if meals are included with your ticket, bringing food on the train is recommended, especially if you want to eat healthy. ...
  2. Warm Layer or Blanket. ...
  3. Motion Sickness Medicine. ...
  4. Cleaning Wipes. ...
  5. Non-Tech Entertainment. ...
  6. Tech Accessories. ...
  7. Cash.


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Pro Tip: The best part about traveling by train? No liquids restrictions! Make sure you don't leave home without bringing the necessities! Each traveler may bring 2 personal and 2 carry-on items plus check up to 4 bags (2 free and 2 at $20 per bag).

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Are meals included? Yes, most trains offer one or more dining options ranging from casual dining to full sit-down meals. If you have a private sleeper all meals in the dining car are included in your price (gratuities...

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Airlines may sometimes ask you to buy a new seat in order to fit your big item. Then, the additional fee will be significant. Even worse, if your personal item is too large or heavy, it is possible that you have to leave it or be denied entry.

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Most airlines will base their size limits on the total size of your bag, not just the weight in pounds like checked bags. Some airlines only give a guidance on “linear inches,” i.e. the sum of the length + width + depth of your bag. A limit of 40 linear inches could also be expressed as 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

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A good rule of thumb is that if your carry-on bag fits under the seat in front of you, it's considered a personal item. This includes small backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags, etc. Larger bags, including suitcases, must fit in the overhead bin compartment.

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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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Can I choose a specific seat? Not while you're making a reservation. 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.

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Amtrak offers Wi-Fi onboard 29 of its 39 trains, which accounts for the vast majority of annual ridership. Most service is concentrated on the East Coast, Great Lakes, and some parts of California.

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