Hi Everyone,
I’m taking an 18 hour train ride. What should I know? What should I take or NOT take?
I appreciate your input.
Where are you going? Is it an overnight (dusk to dawn) trip?
California to Washington. Train leaves at midnight and arrives at 6:00 pm the following day.
Foam ear plugs, hand sanitizer. A drink and a snack, headphones and a music source. I usually buy a newspaper I don’t normally read, or a magazine.
The first thing that comes to mind is some sort of sleeping aid, plus slippers, a blanket, and a travel pillow.
If you’re planning on staying up all night, then a thermos of coffee or some No-Doz.
Snacks, reading material, something to play music (I’d just use my laptop and earphones).
A change of underwear or some Depends (if you’re challenged age-wise).
You need to bring your own meals to the extent possible, and not just snacks. Amtrak food is wayyy overpriced.
I regularly take a 8-9 hour ride from Boston to DC and back. I have a book, music, and a laptop. What with all that stuff and just looking out the window, it goes by pretty quickly.
That femme fatale in the saloon car at 4am? Loads of trouble. So is the mustachioed Belgian bloke. Beware.
A neck brace. Not the stiff medical kind, but the soft supportive ones they sell at the drugstore. It works much better than the u-shaped neck pillows. I also found that opening the tray table and putting my head down on folded arms worked pretty well.
The food thing is true, and if you are traveling alone then you have to schlep all your stuff and risk losing your seat to get any. All for food that is overpriced and under-nourishing. And bring a lot of bottled water. For a trip that long I’d plan a couple of the 2 litre bottles, one frozen. But then I drink (water) like a fish.
Dress in layers. Most routes have areas where the doors open often, then long stretches where they don’t stop at all. The weather encroaches, then is overcome, then exacts its revenge as the HVAC over compensates.
Overall though, it’s a very comfortable way to travel. And I imagine the scenery will be amazing. Have a great trip!
Some heroin would be good.
Amtrak has restrictions on perishables (read food and snacks) and they put it this way: Small amounts of food or drink is (sic) allowed on-board for the passengers trip. I know that when my sisters went cross country they brought lots of wine for the rigors of the trip. But then again they had sleeping accommodations. My point is just to second** jaycat**'s advice to bring whatever you can. I just did an eight hour trip over the weekend, San Diego - San Luis Obispo on the Surfliner and liked it much but then I like trains. My secondary question is are you traveling by train strictly for the transportation, or do want to enjoy this as a train trip. If it’s the latter then don’t worry overmuch about prices aboard the Coast Starlight. The dining Car will be downright pricey but that’s sit down table service in the dining car itself : a pretty fun experience but a little expensive. If you’re just using the train as transportation and nothing else then call Amtrak see how much of what you can bring as carry-on and just buy the rest at the cafe car (sort of movie theater prices). Have fun. I’ve taken the Coast Starlight (your train) before and it was pretty slick: not overnight or as far North but it really beats driving if you have the time. And I’m assuming you’re not getting sleeping accommodations because that’s $300 extra for8 hours or so of sack-time.
I once traveled from Minneapolis to New Orleans by train. I went to sleep almost immediately after leaving Chicago, so I didn’t miss many meals. A light lunch, evening snack, and something for breakfast sufficed. (I don’t like to eat a lot before or during a trip, anyway.)
If you don’t have a private compartment or berth (does Amtrack even offer those?), the dome car is a great place to sleep. At night, it’s kind of like flying through a dark sky.
Inflatable or disposable pillow, a blanket, something to read or listen to that doesn’t require Wi-Fi. I also like to have sweatpants to sleep in, thick socks or sock-slippers to walk around in, and gloves for various handles and buttons in and around the bathrooms.
Trains in America don’t have Wi-Fi? :eek: :dubious: 
They do.
They do, but only on some trains. The Coast Starlight does not appear to have it.
Thanks for your reply. I’m traveling on vacation to see family. I could have flown out, but the train ride is part of what I wanted to do.
I’d like to have gotten a sleeper car, but just couldn’t justify the $400.00 extra.
Are there compartments for your carry on baggage? It’s not clear to me what the baggage situation is. It doesn’t look like this train allows checked baggage, but I’m not sure.
Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. Part of my motivation in taking the train is to challenge myself to do something I’m nervous about, so I really appreciate your taking the time.
There are racks at the end of each carriage where you can put your luggage, and just have small stuff at your seat. There are also showers on board if you feel the need, even for coach passengers.
Enjoy the trip!
The Coast Starlight is a Superliner, so the luggage racks are on the lower level next to the vestibule. As for checked baggage, it does have a baggage car but not all stations are staffed to handle it; the ones that can are indicated by a luggage icon on the schedule.
If you plan to sleep don’t take a seat that’s over the wheels – you’ll feel every bump. The center of the car is much better.
Train seats have far more legroom than airplane seats, so there’s room to stretch out, and it’s not an issue if you put the seat back. Also, there may be a lever to the left or right of the seat that pulls up a footrest. You can’t get horizontal, but you can lie down.
Food is overpriced, but the dining car is a great experience; they will seat you with other travelers and you have some interesting conversations. The club car isn’t too bad if you want something there.
It’s rare that anyone will take your seat. People tend to respect that it’s yours, and they have their own space anyway. You might want to stay there when in a station, but otherwise, no one’s going to take it from you.
The rest rooms often run out of toilet paper toward the end of the trip. It wouldn’t hurt to bring some of your own. Same for paper towels.
A neck pillow, earplugs, and a sleep mask are essential.
They have it in the lounge cars, business class and the sleepers.
OP - look into upgrading your ticket to “business class”. If I recall correctly, it doesn’t cost much more (sometimes it’s even less, because fares are weird), and you get some perks like wi-fi, better seats, nearly empty car. I can’t remember if meals are included or not.