amtrak coach seats?????

[njcarita]

we may be traveling on amtrak to disney from nj.

how are the seats on the train configured- we will be 2 adults and 3 kids- arer they 2in a row or 3 in a row- i'm trying to figure out seating arrangements

thanks

 

[js]

My son and I took Amtrak two years ago while my husband and dd flew (my ds had ear trouble).
Anyway, the seats are 2 and 2 separated by an isle. When are you leaving. Amtrak is not like buying an air ticket.
Cheaper seats sell first and the closer you get the more expensive it gets for the same seats.

 

[GaryWT]

We have the same thing, 5 of us on the train. We hope to sit 4 across and have one of us in the row in front or behind, the only thing we are not sure is if the single should try to get the window or not. Most like not so it is easier to move around.

 

[ducklite]

Keep in mind that with coach seats you might not all get seats together if you don't have guaranteed reserved seats with seat assignments. Reserved only means there is a seat for you. If you don't have a seat assignment, you could end up finding seats all in different cars!

That route is almost always very full, so be prepared for this possibility. Sometimes people will switch, but not always, especially if they got on earlier in the route and have settled in.

I'd also suggest bringing a softsided cooler with sandwiches and beverages, I've been on more than one train that the food ran out hours before we pulled into the station.

Anne

 

[njcarita]

my tickets are reserved coach-
how do i get assigned seats- my children are ages 2-8 so they need to stay with us.

we will be taking train 97.
i think that starts out at penn station ny- we are the second stop along the way newark- so i don't think the train should be crowded by then- any one have any thoughts.

the cooler is a great idea- i'll pack it with lots of juice boxes

 

[DC7800]

Originally posted by njcarita
my tickets are reserved coach-
how do i get assigned seats- my children are ages 2-8 so they need to stay with us.

Coach seats "are not specifically assigned" on reserved Amtrak trains. Hence, there is no way to get a seat assignment prior to boarding, but neither is there any reason to. Your entire party will be seated together by the car attendant. You might be placed in five seats on one or both sides of the aisle, and if there is a single traveler (or maybe a party of three, etc.) your "fifth person" might have someone in the seat next to them, but there is no way you will be in seperate cars. Besides, if there were any problems with your accomodations, you can always ask to be moved.

You are correct that the train will not be too crowded at the point your are boarding. Also, you can move around as much as you would like, or perhaps switch seats among yourselves.

Have a great trip.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

i just posted on another question about the train. we bring a rolling suit case, the small one, with snacks. i bring like wheat thins,crackers,granola bars,cookies,raisins. our first trip my dds bought a pack of choc chip cookies, 4 cookies was $1.75 i couldnt believe it. i do buy diet pepsi,tea and coffee on the train. it would be to much to carry tonic with us. also dont forget , it gets very CHILLY from tha AC on the train. we usually wear jersey, long pants-like jersey, etc. and also bring sweat shirs and or jackets, even in the summer it gets really cold. i also make sure i bring wet wipes and anti.bac. hand wash soap to make sure . we also bring a light blanket, one time we bought a blanket on the train it was only $10.00 and it was warm. when the girls were younger we brought color.books,crayons, etc. now that she and her friends are older they bring their cds,headphones, books just to keep busy. Usually they have to read a few books for the begin. of school so they will buy the book and read it on the train. works out great. have a fun trip, let us know how it went when you get back.

 

[disneycrazed139]

If you get on after Penn Station, you should have no problem finding seats together. By Philadelphia, you are in trouble though. We have taken train 97 down twice, and both times (once in June and once at the end of September) the train was full. However, we didn't have any trouble finding seats together, as we got on before Philadelphia.

Some tips...

With kids...get a seat in a car as far away from the lounge/eatery as possible...the farther away you are, the less traffic--especially at night when the kids are trying to sleep. The lounge car can get downright rowdy from about 10 p.m.-2.a.m. If you are far away from the center of it all, there will be less traffic and less door opening of people going back and forth.

Also, if you are sitting in coach, plan to eat in the main dining car a couple of times. It really breaks up the trip and makes it much more enjoyable. The prices are pretty reasonable, and the food is pretty good, although typical fare.

Additionally, I would take ear plugs, Benadryl for sleep for you (and the kids probably, too,) and a favorite blanket and/or pillow, plus lots of snacks, games, and if you have one, a portable DVD player. We also brought a mini-TV, although station reception was spotty.

If you can afford, spring for the sleeper car. It is well worth the money. The first time we went down we went coach but decided on the sleeper for the next time. It was a much better night's sleep.

 

[jewelray]

Can anyone tell me where can you catch the train before Philly? I too am from NJ and we are supposed to be taking the 97 train out of Philadelphia. There will be 4 of us and we also wish to sit together. Thanks.

 

[njcarita]

trenton or newark nj

and penn station ny

 

[Dznypal]

before my DH got his "wings" we did all our trips on trip (went from WI to CA one year the kids were 5 and 7) that was sort of long though!!)

THe first trip to WDW DD was only 15 months old so we got a sleeper which was nice.

WHen they older we just took coach they have the train sort of didvided by destation and they have people by the doors asking were yoou're going and will tell you what car to get into. What we would do is get a cart and DD would sit in it along with all the luggage and I would take DS and as soon as they started letting people on hin and me would take off and get seats across from each other and DH and DD would eventally catch up with us.

THey used to let people with young kids board first which was nice.

ALso I think but Im not for sure if you get a redcap to take your luggage they get you on early.

have a great trip!!!