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Road Warrior
Traveling on Amtrak trains
It is no longer true that Amtrak is more relaxed about baggage than the airlines. Although train security isn’t as formal as at the airport, it is increasing. And Amtrak does have regulations covering the amount of baggage you can check or carry on. The conductors don’t always know them or enforce them, but the regs exist.
Amtrak accepts only $500 liability per passenger for loss or damage to baggage. For a fee, it will insure up to $2,500 per bag. However, another section of the rail rules prohibits “fragile or valuable” items (specifically including electronics) from both carry-on and checked baggage. In other words, get your own insurance and don’t bother Amtrak about it.
Carry on bags
In addition to “personal items” such as briefcases, purses and laptop computers, you may carry on two pieces of baggage, each weighing less than 50 pounds. Each carry-on bag may not exceed 28 x 22 x 14 inches in size. (This is slightly bigger than an airline’s guideline for checked baggage.)
Checked bags
Northeast corridor. On the Boston-Washington line, there is no checked baggage. Most trains are full for at least part of the trip, so conductors don’t like to see a lot of carry-on baggage either.
Trains to other destinations that “tie on” to a Boston-Washington engine for part of the distance (e.g., the Vermonter) do allow checked bags.
Cross country trains. You may check up to three pieces of luggage at no charge. You may also check up to three additional pieces upon payment of $10 per piece. Each checked bag may weigh no more than 50 lbs and may not exceed 36 x 36 x 36 inches in size.
