International Travel Question

[CynBeth]

We will hopefully be going on a Med cruise this summer that we have postponed a few times since 2020 due to Covid. We just found out for the flight home United changed our time leaving Rome so now we will be arriving at Newark at 2:30 pm EST. We were originally supposed to land at 1:30 pm so booked our Amtrak for 5:30 pm to give time to get through customs and baggage claim. Should we change the train to 6:30 pm or do you think we will be ok keeping it at 5:30 pm? Thanks!

 

[mjkacmom]

We will hopefully be going on a Med cruise this summer that we have postponed a few times since 2020 due to Covid. We just found out for the flight home United changed our time leaving Rome so now we will be arriving at Newark at 2:30 pm EST. We were originally supposed to land at 1:30 pm so booked our Amtrak for 5:30 pm to give time to get through customs and baggage claim. Should we change the train to 6:30 pm or do you think we will be ok keeping it at 5:30 pm? Thanks!

You should be fine, but if there is another train an hour later it seems like it’s a popular route, so if you’re late you can take another train.

 

[Ellie008]

From the time the plane is at the gate until I have my luggage and am ready to leave the airport it has taken me anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours. I haven't found any pattern. Sometimes it just takes forever.

 

[CynBeth]

You should be fine, but if there is another train an hour later it seems like it’s a popular route, so if you’re late you can take another train.

Is it easy to switch if we miss the one?

 

[RedAngie]

How far are you traveling by train from Newark?

The Northeast Corridor has about 20 trains every day in each direction. It shouldn’t be a problem to switch if you miss the original one.

But not all trains stop at all stations.

 

[CynBeth]

How far are you traveling by train from Newark?

The Northeast Corridor has about 20 trains every day in each direction. It shouldn’t be a problem to switch if you miss the original one.

But not all trains stop at all stations.

We will be going from the Amtrak station at Newark Airport to Baltimore about a 2 - 3 hour ride. The 6:30 pm is the last train of the day the one we currently have booked at 5:30 pm is the next to last.

 

[SirDuff]

Where is your train leaving from?

 

[_19disnA]

Returning from international travel, you also have to allow time to go through customs at your first USA destination. Times I have gone through customs, you just never know how long that will take or how big the line might be if other international flights arrive around that same time.

 

[mjkacmom]

Is it easy to switch if we miss the one?

If should be as long as there are seats, my daughter goes to school in Boston and has taken earlier trains home to NJ if a class gets canceled, there are many each day. ETA, you could book the 6:30 and get on an earlier train if there is room.

 

[CynBeth]

I realized the 6:30 pm is the last train of the day going to Baltimore. I am concerned if I switch what if a bunch of international flights arrive around the same time and customs takes a while. Is there some type of website to check how many other international flights might arrive at Newark Airport around the same time?

 

[KristaZ]

I always fly in and out of Newark for international trips. It's never taken me more than an hour from plane landing to getting out of the airport, including baggage claim and customs. We also usually use the mobile passport app for re-entry, which in theory speeds things up as long as they have line open - but last time we flew into Newark in September they did not.

 

[_19disnA]

Is there some type of website to check how many other international flights might arrive at Newark Airport around the same time?

https://flightaware.com/

This is one I have used in the past, I assume there are others. You can search arrivals @ Newark to get an idea of other planes that will be landing. Every flight doesn't take place every day, but is one place to see in general what might be arriving around the same date/time as your flight.

 

[CynBeth]

Thanks everyone! We decided to move our train to the 6:30 pm one and hope all is good.

 

[princesscinderella]

Be prepared for the flight time to get adjusted again too before the summer. We just had our international flight changed for our Europe cruise, the agent that changed it to a flight that’s works for us, said it could change again. So frustrating but if you look at the rates for the flights now they are crazy so I’m glad I booked awhile ago and will deal with the changes. Global entry would also help speed you through customs if you want to apply, it’s a 6 months process so start now for summer travel.

 

[travelguideideas]

We will hopefully be going on a Med cruise this summer that we have postponed a few times since 2020 due to Covid. We just found out for the flight home United changed our time leaving Rome so now we will be arriving at Newark at 2:30 pm EST. We were originally supposed to land at 1:30 pm so booked our Amtrak for 5:30 pm to give time to get through customs and baggage claim. Should we change the train to 6:30 pm or do you think we will be ok keeping it at 5:30 pm? Thanks!

It's difficult to say for certain, but given the possibility of longer wait times at customs and baggage claim due to Covid-19 protocols, it might be a good idea to change your Amtrak train to 6:30 pm to give yourself some extra time.

It's always better to be on the safe side and allow extra time to get through the airport and to your next destination, especially when traveling during the pandemic. Factors such as flight delays, longer wait times, and changes in airport procedures can all contribute to added stress and uncertainty.

Additionally, it's important to keep in mind that Amtrak trains are usually crowded, especially during peak travel times, so it's a good idea to book your ticket in advance to ensure a seat.

In conclusion, it's recommended to change your Amtrak train to 6:30 pm to give yourself some extra time and to ensure a stress-free and safe travel experience.

 

[sam_gordon]

It's difficult to say for certain, but given the possibility of longer wait times at customs and baggage claim due to Covid-19 protocols, it might be a good idea to change your Amtrak train to 6:30 pm to give yourself some extra time.

It's always better to be on the safe side and allow extra time to get through the airport and to your next destination, especially when traveling during the pandemic. Factors such as flight delays, longer wait times, and changes in airport procedures can all contribute to added stress and uncertainty.

Additionally, it's important to keep in mind that Amtrak trains are usually crowded, especially during peak travel times, so it's a good idea to book your ticket in advance to ensure a seat.

In conclusion, it's recommended to change your Amtrak train to 6:30 pm to give yourself some extra time and to ensure a stress-free and safe travel experience.

Read post #13. They did.

 

[hrhdhd]

Post 6: from the Amtrak station at Newark Airport to Baltimore

But the trip has occurred. OP from 1/23.

 

[bcla]

Yeah - I get that this is a zombie topic, but I have a fair deal of experience with Amtrak.

All Amtrak trains now other than Capitol Corridor and the Pacific Surfliner (which has another exception for peak periods) are considered "reserved" service. If a passenger misses an assigned train, theoretically the reservation will be cancelled and the fare forfeited if the passenger isn't scanned within 2 hours of scheduled departure time. It may be possible to cancel and/or modify a ticket to a different train, but that can get tricky. When I missed a train, I've tried calling Amtrak (before my ticket was automatically cancelled) and was put on hold for a while and just gave up. Changing/cancelling my ticket on the Amtrak app and/or rebooking was easier.

That being said, I've found that Amtrak has been rather accommodating when bad things happen. I've missed my stop and a conductor wrote me a note asking that I be allowed on another train back to my initial destination. If you miss your train and have a ticket, while it's theoretically cancelled by a certain time, the conductors may have a certain amount of leeway to let people ride anyways. It wasn't like that before. If someone missed a train, the ticket was still available for at least a refund, although it could be a pain because those were "live" bearer-instrument tickets that had to be mailed in to Amtrak for a refund that was cut with a check.

If Amtrak connections are missed because of Amtrak's issues, they will help. I've had friends who rode and their connections were late, where an Amtrak employee was right there to help rebook.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Since the thread is old, I'll just say that if anyone is travelling internationally, cough up $USD100 and get Global Entry. It's good for 5 years, includes TSA Pre-Check and breezes the process through customs when re-entering the States. I now will not travel without it. I also signed up for clear which whisks you to the front of TSA pre-check lines as well as other security lines at stadiums, and some credit cards give you a credit for it (I used the AMEX Biz Plat). Many travel cards also give global entry credit.

 

[easyas123]

I'll just say that if anyone is travelling internationally, cough up $USD100 and get Global Entry.

Agreed!