In three short weeks The Husband and I will be boarding an Amtrak train in Baltimore headed to New Orleans for our Anniversary.
This is a first for us, and as I contemplate the 26-hour trip I realized I know nothing about train travel!
So I did a little digging around the Amtrak site to see what I can find.
Carry-on Baggage
Each person is allowed 2 carry-on bags. Each bag must be less than 50 pounds and 28 x 22 x 14 inches.
Not bad! Especially considering pillows, blankets, electronic devices, purses, cooler and bags smaller then 12 x 12 x 12 inches will not count against the 2-bag limit.
Checked Bags
I doubt we will need to check a bag but with The Husband you never know. Me? I’m good with a backpack for most trips.
Just in case, 2 bags can be checked free of charge and an additional 2 bags can be checked for $20 each.
Luggage must be checked 45 minutes before departure.
Route Guide
Amtrak offers route guides, which I love! It’s a PDF document you can print that not only shows you the entire route….
… but fun facts about what you will see on the trip including important information like time changes and milage.
It’s like a personal tour guide! Of course I’m the dork who already printed out the Crescent Route’s guide and plans to check things off as we see/pass them. Well, at least when I’m not sleeping.
Click here to see all the route guides.
Roomette Perks
Considering it’s a 20+ hour ride, we decided to update to a sleeper room. The smallest (aka cheapest and we’re cheap) one they had is called a “Roomette” and it fits 2 adults with its own toilet.
Meals are included with this upgrade as well as fresh linen service and complimentary bottled water. We would also have access to the lounges at the station if there were actually lounges at the station but I’m pretty sure Baltimore doesn’t have one.
Wi-Fi
You know I HAD to ask, and unfortunately according to Amtrak’s wi-fi page the Crescent line does NOT have it. I’m still holding out hope though.
What am I missing?
I’m really excited about this trip. The Husband and I are usually road-trip people as he’s not the biggest fan of flying. We had a blast driving to Vermont 2 years ago but I think this will be fun in a different way. I’m assuming it’s going to be like a road trip without the hassle of actually having to drive.
At least I hope so!
Anyone have any train travel advice? I’m all ears!
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Thea @ It's Me Vs. Me
March 23, 2015No advice, but train travel is on our list of things we'd like to do. Weekends away appear to be a thing of the past for us, so we always have to price things out for 4. Neither of us really like driving (we'll do it because we're also cheap) so anything further away than two days drive has been off the list. I'd really like to go "out west", so we've talked about training out and flying back. It's all just a matter of dreaming (I'm good at that part), planning, and pulling the trigger. It'll happen...eventually.
Tracy Hansen
April 7, 2015Dane (son 10) and I traveled with Amtrak from Dallas to Oklahoma city and had a blast! They make it so comfortable.I have bad motion sickness, but the train rocking was easy. Our trip did take a bit longer due to some serious weather slowdowns (tornado), but we were safe and would do it again.
Tammy
April 12, 2015I can't wait to hear how your experience with the train went. Its something I've always wanted to try and now maybe I'll actually make it happen!