Taking the train for first time
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Anonymous
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I'm taking the train for the first time ever and going from Richmond to Philly. Any tips or tricks at all. I'll have a carry-on-sized suitcase. Are seats assinged (don't think so) any seating locations to avoid? Should I worry about gettin motion sickness, the DC Metro makes me feel a little off but that might be the smell & the jerking stop/starts.
Thanks. Now all you jaded international travelers are laughing at me. |
Anonymous
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No one is laughing at you but I can't really think of any tips or tricks you will need. Traveling by train is extraordinarily easy. They don't check your bags, etc.
Once you take your seat, have your ticket ready as someone will come through to check it. Seats aren't assigned. |
Anonymous
| Enjoy it! I bet you will love it. |
Anonymous
| It's really easy and you'll love it. No assigned seats, no tricks (although I try to sit by the window to have an outlet for my iPhone if I need to charge it). |
Anonymous
| No assigned seats. There is one car that's the designated quiet car, so if you sit there, no cell phone conversations or audible computer sounds. Just have your ticket available. Train travel is really easy. I prefer not to sit in the row right next to the bathrooms, because people often leave the door open and I don't really want to look at that, but otherwise, the seats are all the same. The cars have electrical outlets so you can charge your phone. There is wi-fi for email-type stuff (not good for videos). |
Anonymous
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Jut make sure you do have your ticket ready when they come around.
Be aware that there are quiet cars - sit there if you want to be in quiet environment, like really quiet. The motion is gentler than the metro. I sometimes get motion sick on metro but never on amtrak. There is a snack car if you want to get a drink or anything. |
Anonymous
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I really doubt that you'll get motion sick. I mean, it's possible, but it's really unlikely.
Congratulations on your first train trip! It's my favorite way to travel. |
Anonymous
If you're sensitive, sometimes sitting near the bathrooms can be a little stinky. If you're motion sensitive, it depends on which train you're taking. The Acela is the smoothest from DC up through Boston. The Metroliner or others with very few stops are next, then the milk-runs. The Acela has a different suspension system that is much smoother. I'm not motion sensitive, but on a milk-run train I find it difficult to read/work due to the motion. |
Anonymous
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Thanks lots of great advice, like the wifi and the electrical outlets. Can you bring your own drink on the train or only in the snack car?
Think I'll go for the quiet car. If I need to make a cell phone call, I can just go to the snack car. Where does my bag go? Are there overhead compartments or under the seat? |
Anonymous
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You can eat/drink whatever you want anywhere.
Bags typically go overhead. Remember to take your ticket stub with you when you go to the bathroom/snack car/whatever -- it stays with you, not at your seat. |
Anonymous
| I LOVE the train. Enjoy!! |
Anonymous
| If you are leaving from Richmond, there usually is a long layover in DC while they change engines. You can leave if you want to go into union station, just don't leave valuables |
Anonymous
| I get motion sickness and can't sit in the seats that face backwards. Something to think about. Other than that easy as pie. |
Anonymous
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If the tickets are all sold out, does that mean all the seats will be filled? How early can I get on?
I'd avoid the backward seats. Anyone know how overnight parking works in Richmond at the Main St. Station? |
Anonymous
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I don't think the Richmond train starts in Richmond, so you can't get on until the train arrives, basically.
I get motion sickness reading in cars but I'm fine on the train. While there is a snack bar, it's not really great, so if you want a meal, you may want to think about bringing something with you. |