National Train Day: Traveling by Train

This Saturday, May 10th is National Train Day.

I have never traveled by train so I can’t even begin to share personal tips. That is why I scouted out some of the best tips for you.

Tips for Traveling by Train:

1. Tips for Traveling on Amtrak (here’s an article with tips on traveling Amtrak)
2. USA Tourist has a whole article on seeing America by train (hotel on wheels made me laugh)
3. All Aboard: The Complete North American Train Travel Guide(a book on how to make travel by train a good experience)
4. And from Amtrak: Riding on Amtrak for the First Time

Amtrak is so intriguing to me. They have 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and 3 Canadian provinces.

Dining:

Amtrak has a variety of dining options (a long distance dining car, lounge car and cafe car).  They even offer special menus for vegans, vegetarians, kosher meals and more.

You can bring your own food but must consume it in your seat or in your private sleeping car.  For long distance trips they will come around and ask you to make a reservation for the dining car for lunch and dinner.

Sleeping:

This is the most exciting part for me. I would love to take a long distance train trip and get a sleeper car. They have a variety of rooms depending on the train (check out their 3D tours here). Here’s a video review I found that  you might enjoy.

then I found this video

Now I really want to travel by train…

Maybe one day we’ll just hop on a train to take trip somewhere.  I wouldn’t mind traveling to visit a friend in Utah. I imagine that might be a nice long and beautiful trip. Their baggage policy is MUCH better than any airline by the way.

I look at all the travel pictures on Amtrak’s Pinterest page and yearn to go on a fun journey. What say you?

Have you experienced traveling by train?

P.S. On behalf of National Train Day, check out the hashtag #AmtrakNTD on Twitter for some fun opportunities. Chicago’s Union Station will celebrate too for you locals!