We may be coming back from winter vacation, but spring break is in less then two months -- it's time to think about that potential trip you’ve been debating on! Amtrak is a rather popular alternative to travel across North America, as it's much more affordable compared to an airplane ride. Here's what I learned from using this service.
1. Really take the season and locations into account.
The first trip I took was from New York to Illinois during the spring 2014, and let me tell you, it got a lot colder then I anticipated. Therefore, it is imperative that you dress in multiple layers. All the more so, if you’re going to be staying 20 plus hours (definitely pack a mini-blanket or snuggie to keep you warm while you’re sleeping). I still remember being sporadically woken up throughout the night because it was freezing. A chilled body will find it difficult to sleep more than two to three hour intervals.
2. It’s still going to smell.
It doesn’t really matter how often you’ve ridden any form of transportation -- it’s going to smell some time or another. Fact of life -- people don’t always shower and everything is pretty much dunked in smelly, slightly feces-infected bacteria. The bathrooms, of course, have fans but still have a distinct smell of number one, and if you’re lucky, not number two. In general, it really doesn’t hurt to carry a small bottle of perfume, air freshener, or potpourri for every day life, but if your nose isn’t hypersensitive and you’re not a germophobe, then you’ll probably be alright in dealing with it.
3. Bring food.
Yeah, that café and dining cars Amtrak boasts of? As is the case with many other establishments, try not to let desire hurt your wallet too much. It’s overpriced and the food is, well, average (a Poland Spring look-a-like water bottle was $2.25 and a bagel with cream cheese $2.75). I’d strongly advise you to splurge on some snacks to bring along with you. At least you’ll save money and spend it on something you know you’ll definitely eat.
4. Don’t depend on the wifi.
My trip to Illinois had no wifi, but my trip to Canada did. Some of the trains do, some don't -- you can check on their website to verify whether or not yours does. However, it's not like it really changed my Canada trip all that much. I expected more out of it than I should have, so I’m warning you now -- it’s not all that great. To give a relatable comparison, Wolfie Net is way better compared to it. Amtrak strongly states not to use it to watch videos or stream media as it lags the connection for everybody, but everyone still does it anyway. Even a piece of technology with the “latest wifi connectivity ability” will have to wait more than a few minutes for a newsfeed to only partially load.
5. Be prepared to wait.
Amtrak is notorious for running late. And I mean late. The trip back home from Illinois was scheduled to last about 22 hours, but ended up lasting about 26. We were supposed to arrive two to three hours before my brother's plans, but we ended up with numerous delays, so my brother couldn’t make it. Even if you’re early, don’t get your hopes up -- the chance of arriving on time is low.
6. Plan out a lot of activities you can do to kill time.
Like I stated in number five, you’re very likely to encounter a delay on an Amtrak. Long trips are always better when you have too much to do, rather then too little. If not, you’ll be so bored. This can either be a solo reflection trip, or you can travel with other people. Whether it’s your thoughts or a companion keeping you company is up to you!
7. Hygiene.
The bathroom’s sinks themselves are kind of awkward. You have to press this button in the middle of the faucet opening to activate. Fortunately, the water doesn’t come out freezing cold, but it still seems unsanitary. In general, Amtrak is a public transit, so you are going to be there for quite a bit and you are going to encounter some sticky, foreign gunk.
8. Take advantage of the scenery.
Depending on the season and location, it might just be trees, dirt, and/or snow outside. Some Amtrak trains are equipped with a scenery car – visit it! It may look consistently bland (unless you travel during the fall where all those “dead” trees support gorgeous leaves), but there’s always a lake, a sunset, or a view of skyscrapers in the distance which momentarily takes your breath away.
9. Pack those liquids.
The greatest thing about not taking an airplane is that you don’t have to worry about packing too much. You can still pack your normal sized bottles and all those liquids that TSA would normally restrict you from carrying. You still want to be wary considering there are limitations, such as it can’t be bigger than 28”x22”x14” and weigh more than 50 pounds, but unless you’re moving, two carry-on luggages and two personal bags are more than enough. On top of that? Some Amtrak trains let you bring your cat or dog!
10. The LIRR still is, and always will be, the best.
Out of all forms of public transportation, the LIRR is the best. It’s pretty cheap for a ticket, and most important of all, never -- and I mean never -- will it keep you waiting for long.
