Originally Posted by
Tansy
Heya folks. I'm just wrapping up part one of my ongoing tour, and I'm wanting to take a train down the coast instead of riding it. I can always ride it later, when the weather isn't absolutely lousy. Why spoil the experience?
My question is, will I have an issue with a big burley nomad trailer? Will it just be a matter of an extra fee? Will I have to take the whole thing apart, or just pop off the wheels and arm? Does anyone have any experience in this?
If anyone can help me out, that would be great. I'll be calling the station and asking, as well, but I've head that what they say and what they do doesn't always match up, and I'd rather bet on personal experience. Thanks!
I've had extremely good luck with taking bikes on Amtrak. You simply cannot beat the prices - $5 to ship the bike, and another $10.00 if you buy the box from them.
Their bike boxes are HUGE. Easily twice as large as the boxes my bike came in. I would recommend getting a box beforehand and making sure you can tear your trailer down into the appropriate size. It will need to go in a second box - not the one your bike is in.
You will make to make sure that the stations you depart/arrive from have checked baggage service. Even though the train stops at a particular station, it does NOT mean that they have checked baggage. Additionally, not all trains have checked baggage service either. In one case, I ended up taking a mid-day train without baggage service but shipping on another train that had service, but was running at midnight, for the same $5 bike fee. I just had to go back to the station the next day to get the bike.