Amtrak at Penn...lots of questions

[emsip]

We are planning on taking the train from NYC to Orlando for our next WDW trip. Can someone explain the boarding process for Amtrak at Penn Station? How does it compare to checking in at the airport? Where do we go to check in our luggage and how early do we have to check in? We will be traveling on coach seats, so where do we store our carry on bags? I will have 2 kids with me. Is there a waiting area that has seats? How will we know where our seats are? Will it be printed on the train tickets? Are we able to pick our seats?

Sorry for all the questions. It will be our first time taking Amtrak and I want to be as prepared as possible.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[dawnhaze]

I've never checked bags on Amtrak so I can't help there. You should plan to arrive at least 1 hour before your train is scheduled to depart. I'd leave a little more time than that since you're not familiar with the process.

There is a seated waiting area. You show your ticket to go in, but most of the time the person at the desk doesn't care. There are little shops and food options all around the area, too. There's no security checking line like at an airport, but there are armed police and sniffer dogs wandering the area, so if that's likely to alarm anyone with you, you may want to prepare them for it.

I've never taken a long distance train, just a lot of regionals, so I don't know if the process is different... In my experience, your gate number shows up on the boards (a large one is in the central gate area, and smaller ones are in the waiting areas) about 5-10 minutes before the train arrives. You proceed to the gate (they're marked with signs, but some are hard to see), show your ticket, and go down an escalator to the platform to board, no assigned seating. (There might be assigned seating on long distance trains, I've heard conflicting info.)

Your carry-on luggage goes on an overhead rack, similar to the bins on a plane. There is space by your feet for a small personal bag too.

 

[bocaj1431]

We are planning on taking the train from NYC to Orlando for our next WDW trip. Can someone explain the boarding process for Amtrak at Penn Station? How does it compare to checking in at the airport? Where do we go to check in our luggage and how early do we have to check in? We will be traveling on coach seats, so where do we store our carry on bags? I will have 2 kids with me. Is there a waiting area that has seats? How will we know where our seats are? Will it be printed on the train tickets? Are we able to pick our seats?

Sorry for all the questions. It will be our first time taking Amtrak and I want to be as prepared as possible.

Thanks,
Michael

My son and I are also taking our first amtrack trip from NYC PENN station to Orlando. We have coach seats too. Can't wait.

There is an Amtrack thread on the DIS that we used for all our questions and everyone was very helpful. It probably will be on the 4th or 5th page because no one has asked any questions recently. I will bump the thread so that you do not have to search for it.

There is also alot of information on the amtrack cite. I was able to get two free magazines sent to me with alot of info. I found this on there cite. I think there may also have been something for kids too.

Another place you can check for some video of what the train will be like for the silver meteor and silver star is on you tube.

Hope you all have a nice trip.

 

[snoopy5386]

NY Penn station is a very busy station with not only Amtrak trains, but NJ Transit, Metro North and the NYC subway going in and out as well. How will you be getting to the station? It is a very large station with lots of food options as well as some shopping. It's not as nice, clean or safe as an airport though. There is a definite element of homeless folks who come and go through the station and the bathrooms are NOT clean. Definitely keep a very close eye on your belongings. There is an Amtrak waiting area. When the train comes in it comes up on the board and then there is a mad rush to get to the correct track escalators and get on board. If you are going to need an elevator, try to figure out where they are ahead of time.

 

[Dasha Hermosilla]

Get a skycap to help you board the train. NYPenn is a zoo. The sky caps are at the waiting area and they will take you and settle you on the train when it pulls in before the masses. Well worth the tip you will have to give him/her.

 

[emsip]

How will you be getting to the station?

My FIL is driving us to Penn Station. Do you know where would be the best place to get dropped off. I don't want to end up on wrong side and have to drag our luggage across Penn Station.