Amtrak Reviews 

Yes, I’m on the Amtrak. I’m not gonna lie. This is my first time and the conductor or security just walked by and I was playing a video game on my phone. The phone is not that loud. I have a quiet phone and they told me that I had to put my headphones on I can’t play the game like I was causing a disturbance. It’s a joke. I’m not gonna lie this Amtrak bright line 100% the line don’t take it.

Today's Red Cap experience was spectacular! Anthony Simmons and Deanna Campbell were incredibly helpful, fun and engaging! We had a delightful conversation with Anthony on our way to board our train to Albany. And, we wish their son a very Happy Birthday this Friday. Together, Deanna and Anthony made the start to our day memorable and enjoyable! Thank you Amtrak, and thank you Deanna & Anthony!!

Traveled March 30 from Lincoln service Train 300 absolutely amazing the attendant was so polite, and accommodating, train arrived on time. Coming home on train 307 out of Chicago absolutely horrible experience. Both attendants were extremely rude, started the ride off with threats stating if you didn’t do as they say, they would have you thrown off by police at the next stop. I was in business class where they chose to fill seats with those who were coach. It was the principal that I paid more because I was told it was the last available when I could have paid way less to get the same accommodations. I asked multiple times to the lady attendant on which door I would be exiting upon my arrival, but she chose to ignore my questions, then proceeded to say over the intercom if you go to the wrong door you will be stuck until the next drop off. This left me very nervous not knowing ahead where I needed to go. I am also disabled currently so the stress was overwhelming since I cannot move quickly. I feel these attendants need training on how to deal with the public on a level where we are informed, not threatened. Absolutely horrible experience everyone was on edge around me complaining, and very upset. The lady attendant was very upset she had to work, and made it miserable for everyone traveling. Train 307@7:10 departure from Chicago to Lincoln

Amtrak is consistently subpar. This time, we booked our trip from Seattle to Portland a month in advance. The week prior to our trip we received multiple calls and emails saying our train home was canceled but they were putting us on buses. Not ok but what else can we do? Then the day of our trip, I received notice that the bus was oversold and I’d have to find an alternate way home. Genuinely - they were ok to leave me stranded. Unacceptable! This is the second time in two years that Amtrak has derailed vacation plans due to their policies or incompetence. No matter how convenient it feels to take the train, Amtrak will get zero of my business moving forward and I’ll be sure to warn everyone I know about this experience and recommend they do their research before booking with them.

We had traveled using Amtrak for round-trip travel from Des Moines, IA to Winter Park, CO.

On our return trip, we had one of the most, if not our worst and most disappointing trips of our life.

We were scheduled to leave CO Tuesday evening, and return to IA by 7:30 AM on Wednesday. Unfortunately, we were caught in a storm and unable to complete the trip. While I understand weather is not the fault of Amtrak, faulty equipment and disappointing service is.

We were stuck in the same spot in Nebraska for 16-18 hours. During this time we were rarely informed of issues, and it was blamed on weather. At around 10-11PM (15-17 hours now in the same spot), we were informed that the train had to be tugged all the way back to Denver for engine repairs. This was the first we heard of faulty equipment being the issue.

With this, we were pulled backwards and allowed to get off the train in Hastings, NE to stay in a hotel. We made the decision to find a rental car and drive back to Iowa, as the alternative was to wait for the train to get repaired and then hop back on when it finally made its way back through NE. This change on travel resulted in over $500 of expenses to get home, along with an additional $100-150 spent to get water and food on the train for meals that we would not have had on the train if we had gotten home on time, or pulled to a stop to get off the train prior to midnight.

With renting the car, getting to the rental, and gas, we spent approximately double the cost of the train tickets to get home, and we returned home 33 hours after our scheduled time. Had we waited for the train, we would have returned over 48 hours after we were scheduled to return.

While Amtrak reimbursed the tickets ($200ish total), they are unwilling to reimburse us for the accomodations we had to take to return home at a semi reasonable time to get back for pets and work. While I understand if weather was the only issue, I would not expect reimbursements. However, with the fact it was an issue with the engine, forcing it to return to Denver instead of docking in NE overnight and then going to IA, I would expect any additional travel expenses to be covered by Amtrak.

As a result, we will not be traveling with Amtrak ever again, and I would recommend travelers find alternative solutions to travel that are more dependable and accommodating, rather than a company who is unwilling to take accountability.

Amtrak is by far one of the worst public transportations for long distance travel in the United States. They are constantly met by long delays (can range from anywhere 1-2 hours or longer) and have been known to have employees that are condescending and disrespectful. When it comes to traveling, don't use Amtrak, you're better off using busses to get from point A to point B then you are using their trains.

On the Savanna to Charleston Amtrak writing this. I am in business class and the fuel smell is so bad I tried to go to coach. The employee said it was all the way through the train. We were told on the overhead speaker that the cafe car would be open all, 30 minutes later I walked in the cafe car and 4 employees were sitting on their phones. I asked if it was open and one guy looked at a woman and asked her. The smell is much better in the cafe car so I am sitting here so I can breath. I will never take this train again.

This is the 2nd time within a year that I have had significant delays, 1-1/2-2 hours, because of engine trouble on the route from Albany to Penn Station.
The 1st time we had just left Albany & had to bad up to get a new engine installed. Last night we were 7 minutes from Albany (on the way back from Penn) and the engine died. We sat on the train waiting for the next train from Hudson to arrive & then had to transfer onto that train.
Aren't there mechanical checks before these trains leave??? Don't seem to be.
This makes a 2-1/2 hour trip into a 4-1/2 hour trip, not pleasant!

Our family rode Amtrak from NYC to Montreal for a family trip. Our ride north was comfortable, on time and we probably over indulged in the cafe car. We discovered on our ride home that we had been scammed and our tickets were very effective frauds. To further complicate matters our train was hit by a motorist before we left Canada. Amtrak supervisors and the conductor made certain that all passengers were well informed, provided safe, comfortable alternative travel and helped us as a family with our ticket troubles. We learned that there are very sophisticated scammers out there and to make certain only to use a genuine Amtrak website for bookings and purchases. Many thanks to all the Amtrak personnel who made certain that what could have been a disastrous trip was actually a pleasant one.

Amtrak used to be a great way to go from RI to NY. Now, they doubled their price which I am ok with but now you cannot get customer service. Don't double the price and reduce your quality of service. I was on the phone for 40 minutes to resolve an issue and at 8:00 sharp it hung up while waiting on the line for my 3rd agent and it said they were closed. Then I found out they are mostly owned by the government, it all makes sense now! Total incompetence in leadership and culture.

I usually have a great experience with Amtrack, but now I am very frustrated. In February I had to cancel and change my trip due to weather. I called their customer service to ask about a cancellation, refund, and reschedule. The lady on the phone was very nice, and she offered to cancel and rebook my train for me on the phone. It was within the 24 hour cancellation time, and she said I would be getting my refund in 5-7 business days. I forgot about my refund until a few weeks later, and I didn't see the money in my bank account. I just called customer service to ask where my refund is. They told me that I had never actually cancelled my reservation and the ticket became a "fall-through" and I wasn't getting a refund. I had no paper trail of my refund because apparently the lady who supposedly cancelled my reservation never actually cancelled it. Amtrack customer service says they will cancel your reservation so you get a refund, and then they actually don't do that. Now I have to pay for two expensive tickets because of their mistake. Thanks a lot.

I booked a Birthday Day Trip on 1.25.25 it was 52 people that paid for a trip we spent almost $1800 on tickets. First the train was delayed by 4 hours so naturally people start getting upset. And the reps really could careless at the windows. One lady did get customer relations on the line so I could speak with them! We were traveling to Winter Park Fl from Jacksonville FL. Day Trip. 26 people that had other plans for that evening could not wait for the train to arrive 4 plus hours late. So it ended up being 26 people who stayed and went on the train ride. The Customer Relations team promised full refunds for anyone who was not able to travel. Well as of today I'm still fighting to get my money back almost $500 that is still owed to me! My emails are being ignored, and they will not return my phone calls. I'm talking to an attorney now to see how to move forward. They will not steal my money that I people paid. Everything was paid for on my card and I want the money so I can give the rest of the pleople their money. I will never do this again! This was my 1st and last time traveling on Amtrak Train! And I will take to Social Media after this, FaceBook, IG, Twitter etc. AMTRAK RUIN MY 56TH BIRTHDAY!

The best thing I can say is you have plenty of legroom , we travelled from New Orleans to Memphis due to the delays it took longer than it does to get from London to New Orleans, they did have a buffet car which was at the rear of the train we were in one of the front carriages, I think it was around 7 carriages from the buffet car, this was fine going to the buffet car but having purchased 2 drinks and some food it becomes a challenge to get back to your seat particularly where each carriage joins to the next carriage. The area which was used as a buffet car smelt like a toilet with discarded boxes left all over the seating .The lady serving at the small buffet area was doing best, after all the train was apparently full she had 7 carriages of people and she was on her own ,well done to her .They had an observation car where you could sit and look at the senary, I passed it on the way to the buffet car unfortunately there was a bloke playing his own music so loud that you wouldn't want to sit there, all the seats were taken and there seemed no system for any other people to have a opertunity to get a seat unless they stood and waited .It wasn't a good experience and I wouldn't want to do it again

My bf and I were really excited to be traveling by train as our first time and big move from Seattle to Chicago. There were an account of MULTIPLE negative events that have led me to write this review. Ps the only reason we chose this way over flight, which is cheaper is because they allow more luggage. This is my 1st & only time riding on an Amtrak train, hopefully they listen to their reviewers a little more so they stop losing them.

1. We called to change our boarding station from Seattle to Edmonds, not only did they fail to inform of us arriving 30 mins prior for luggage check in but we ended up not being able to board because of it! Not to mention the insurance we bought recommended by Amtrak from a 3rd party refused to cover us due to a technicality. We ended up buying brand new tickets for the next day. (There goes our money). Mind you we arrived at a reasonable time, 5:08 for a 5:27 departure.

2) The worst part of Amtrak are the staff they are awful! They don't care about customer service at all. They have a stinky attitude every time you try talking to any of the black ladies that work here. If you ask them to repeat themselves they yell @ you & anything you say at them is a huge bother. These are the kind of employees that hate their life, & should be fired. Nothing justifies being rude to a customer that has done nothing to you & is simply asking a question.

3. I am the kind of person to say please/thank you for everything. This is the 1st time I felt the need to go against that because how can I thank someone that degraded me and served me horribly? The black lady that was working the cafe told me to go back in line when I was close to look at the menu even though I am 110 petite and hardly take up any space, ok I respected only 2 people can order at a time. I went back. Once 1 of the customer's left she yelled at me to "get off my phone and pay attention!" Because she had to go on a her lunch break. Excuse me?? You're serving me. I swear if this wasn't the only food option @ this time I would walk away. Tip? Absolutely NO THANK YOU. I don't understand how a worker can wrap it in their head to speak to customers in this way. They act like they are the owner of the goddamn train or like theyre doing you a favor! We arent a charity cause we are paying for our food!!! Homeless people getting served at a charity home probably get treated better. Shame on them!

But don't worry, it doesn't stop there, that's because they weren't just rude to me but to everyone. At the dining side of the train where you pay $25-50/person for a full course meal, a man walked inside thinking he can order a cocktail. Instead of the worker explaining to him how the service works, bc it was clearly his first time, she says "you can't sit here!" Answers all of his questions with attitude & doesn't explain the service whatsoever. I get this job can be tiring but why take out your frustration on the customers?! That's not going to make your job any better, hate to break it to ya.

Note: my bf later spoke with her & said her name 3x & she went from witchy attitude to nice & offered him a perk. We always treat ppl with respect & kindness but even to someone who is only respectful, the workers should be held to the standard of being respectful back, a customer shouldn't have to sweet talk and employee so they can be nice to them!

All I can say is I can't wait to get off this train full of entitled workers who treat Amtrak customers like scum. Pathetic. I would be embarrassed to operate this business.

I haven't ridden on the train although I would love to. I need to get from Roanoke VA to d.c. every time I try to call I hear someone on the line but they say they don't hear me so call the 1 800 number. When I tried to use their website it gave me a time to leave to get there but no schedule for my return. Crazy crazy. I don't want to drive but since you can't speak to a person to get information driving may be the only option

I will never use Amrak ever again. They stopped my train for over 3 hours without giving us any estimates onto when we would get going again. No water was passed out during this time so I had to go purchase my own beverage from the cafe car. I ended up at my destination over 4 hours late which left me alone in New York City and the station was closed so I couldn't even wait inside for my uber because I was kicked out by security. They refused to refund me claiming "you got to your desination" and therefore I got what I paid for. Horribly rude customer service people. I will fly, take a bus, or take a commuter rail from now on. Would not recommend.

Absolutely pathetic company! I’m missing a wedding because of a “service availability issue”. I bought a ticket and they shrug off any responsibility. Ludicrous and they obviously don’t give any care for their customers.

We are currently riding on California Zephyr. It needs to be DOGED!! In a room which is NOT cheap from Roseville to Denver. Needs to be thoroughly cleaned… fixed…and FORGET kindness from most servers in dining car!!! Which food is included in our room!! We can do waaaaay better with than this!!!!! We were considering traveling to Chicago from Cali. Will fly INSTEAD…let’s bring Elon On to the trains and MAKE them GREAT again

If the goal of Amtrak is to permanently shutdown then they’re doing a good job. We booked a trip, then it was canceled for our return the day of. The train is garbage. Unclean and badly worn. It’s a joke. If there was an option for zero star I would and they would have an overall rating of 2.5. Then, they couldn't help us get a bus ride for the same day, only the next day. I decided to call the bus company myself and was able to get a ride for same day. Customer service was garbage also. Thanks for nothing amtrac

I recently purchased and used the Amtrak Multi-Ride Rail Pass. It was on sale for $300 and I was going to be traveling multiple legs on the East Coast. Ultimately it was worth the money, but Amtrak's unpredictability brings a lot of stress.

A few pros and cons:
Cons:
- The comfort of your ride - at least if you're riding overnight in coach - is massively up to chance. Sometimes I've had a seat open next to me and when I do it's possible to get some light sleep. Sometimes you are assigned a seat next to someone else and when that happens it's very difficult to sleep. The noise and politeness of your fellow travelers can also make a huge impact on the comfort of your ride.
- Delayed and even canceled trains happen last minute. Understandable, but it can wildly throw off your plans. My scheduled train from Raleigh to Newark was delayed by about five hours. It's a long route and the delayed train would have gotten me to Newark past midnight - and past the time that public transit runs. I ended up rescheduling for the next day causing inconvenient ripple effects throughout my travel plans.

Pros:
- The multi-ride pass made it possible to cancel and reschedule my rides at the last minute. That might not have been the case with regular tickets.
- Trains really are a lovely way to travel when they're working well. The pace is relaxing, the seats and leg room are much more than on a plane, and some routes have some really great views.
- If you're on a route that has an observation car, that can be a game changer for the overall pleasant-ness of your ride.

Tips:
- Use Amtrak only if your plans can take some massive delays without catastrophe.
- If you're riding overnight - bring a neck pillow and something to cover your eyes. They don't turn off all the lights. A blanket or at least enough layers to keep you warm is also a good idea.
- Take advantage of the observation car if your train has one.