Amtrak and bikes?
04-30-14 | 12:37 PM
#1
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Amtrak and bikes?
I am looking at doing a combo train/bike trip coming up. There is a big station I have to get to before I can catch the train out west. There is a local route that goes close to home that would get me to the main station but they show "no checked luggage" on their ticketing site.
What experience and knowledge can you share for navigating the train system? Ive never been on a train but the route to get to the main station is on an interstate track network so there have to be long-distance trains going through.
Thoughts? Ideas?
What experience and knowledge can you share for navigating the train system? Ive never been on a train but the route to get to the main station is on an interstate track network so there have to be long-distance trains going through.
Thoughts? Ideas?
04-30-14 | 12:49 PM
#2
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Given: its come up before, and the past threads are saved, did you learn anything reading some of the other Amtrak related threads?
just curious..
Amtrak Emeryville California , to Eugene Oregon it was OK, it took 24 hours , one afternoon to the next.
I had to Buy their box, and To fit in the Box , take off my pedals and turn the handlebars .
you may have to start from a station that has the services you require , not all do, ... as you say ..
just curious..
Amtrak Emeryville California , to Eugene Oregon it was OK, it took 24 hours , one afternoon to the next.
I had to Buy their box, and To fit in the Box , take off my pedals and turn the handlebars .
you may have to start from a station that has the services you require , not all do, ... as you say ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-30-14 at 03:12 PM.
04-30-14 | 12:53 PM
#3
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
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04-30-14 | 03:00 PM
#4
bicycle tourist
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 464
From: Austin, Texas, USA
Bikes: Trek 520, Lightfoot Ranger, Trek 4500
Here is what I do:
1. Go to Amtrak.com and look at the overall route network. This tells me the likely train routes that come close to where I want to go.
2. Look up the particular route and download the link to the schedule. Look for the little suitcase icons. Those are stations that have baggage service along that route.
Once I figure out that I have a starting/ending stations with baggage service that make sense - I go back to the main Amtrak site and ask for a route schedule between those two stations. Look carefully however - since it will sometime suggest bus for some segments depending on timing (so I modify my times to make sure I stay on trains).
As far as Amtrak travel itself goes, I've ridden ~5 different Amtrak routes and they are somewhat different. Some of them like the Cascades has a separate bike car (and hence possible to get on/off w/o boxing the bike and also at non-baggage stations). However, most of them I've shown up at the train station somewhat in advance and then asked for a bike box. They've had them almost all the time though once I did end up with a recycled box. Amtrak boxes are big and hence removing pedals and turning handlebars (and for my large bike removing seat) are all that is needed. Check in the bike at baggage and it will get transferred as long as your tickets also connect you.
Otherwise, easy and relaxing way to travel. On-time reliability varies between routes and I found it to be less on-time if you are at end of a route and delays have accumulated. I also noticed that sometime when it is late - it can be very late (e.g. 8 hours once on Starlight in Pacific Coast since train ran into a huge tree stump at middle of the night in narrow canyon near Lake Shasta - and ~7 hours once in East Coast when storms knocked out the signaling system). However, approach the train travel as part of the overall adventure and it has usually worked out fine with that attitude.
1. Go to Amtrak.com and look at the overall route network. This tells me the likely train routes that come close to where I want to go.
2. Look up the particular route and download the link to the schedule. Look for the little suitcase icons. Those are stations that have baggage service along that route.
Once I figure out that I have a starting/ending stations with baggage service that make sense - I go back to the main Amtrak site and ask for a route schedule between those two stations. Look carefully however - since it will sometime suggest bus for some segments depending on timing (so I modify my times to make sure I stay on trains).
As far as Amtrak travel itself goes, I've ridden ~5 different Amtrak routes and they are somewhat different. Some of them like the Cascades has a separate bike car (and hence possible to get on/off w/o boxing the bike and also at non-baggage stations). However, most of them I've shown up at the train station somewhat in advance and then asked for a bike box. They've had them almost all the time though once I did end up with a recycled box. Amtrak boxes are big and hence removing pedals and turning handlebars (and for my large bike removing seat) are all that is needed. Check in the bike at baggage and it will get transferred as long as your tickets also connect you.
Otherwise, easy and relaxing way to travel. On-time reliability varies between routes and I found it to be less on-time if you are at end of a route and delays have accumulated. I also noticed that sometime when it is late - it can be very late (e.g. 8 hours once on Starlight in Pacific Coast since train ran into a huge tree stump at middle of the night in narrow canyon near Lake Shasta - and ~7 hours once in East Coast when storms knocked out the signaling system). However, approach the train travel as part of the overall adventure and it has usually worked out fine with that attitude.
04-30-14 | 09:25 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 159
From: Portland, Oregon
I am looking at doing a combo train/bike trip coming up. There is a big station I have to get to before I can catch the train out west. There is a local route that goes close to home that would get me to the main station but they show "no checked luggage" on their ticketing site. What experience and knowledge can you share for navigating the train system?
But you should still check out Amtrak's bike policy, straight from Amtrak.
Amtrak - Plan - Onboard - Bring Your Bicycle Onboard
05-01-14 | 05:20 AM
#7
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 18
From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Here is what I do:
1. Go to Amtrak.com and look at the overall route network. This tells me the likely train routes that come close to where I want to go.
2. Look up the particular route and download the link to the schedule. Look for the little suitcase icons. Those are stations that have baggage service along that route.
Once I figure out that I have a starting/ending stations with baggage service that make sense - I go back to the main Amtrak site and ask for a route schedule between those two stations. Look carefully however - since it will sometime suggest bus for some segments depending on timing (so I modify my times to make sure I stay on trains).
As far as Amtrak travel itself goes, I've ridden ~5 different Amtrak routes and they are somewhat different. Some of them like the Cascades has a separate bike car (and hence possible to get on/off w/o boxing the bike and also at non-baggage stations). However, most of them I've shown up at the train station somewhat in advance and then asked for a bike box. They've had them almost all the time though once I did end up with a recycled box. Amtrak boxes are big and hence removing pedals and turning handlebars (and for my large bike removing seat) are all that is needed. Check in the bike at baggage and it will get transferred as long as your tickets also connect you.
Otherwise, easy and relaxing way to travel. On-time reliability varies between routes and I found it to be less on-time if you are at end of a route and delays have accumulated. I also noticed that sometime when it is late - it can be very late (e.g. 8 hours once on Starlight in Pacific Coast since train ran into a huge tree stump at middle of the night in narrow canyon near Lake Shasta - and ~7 hours once in East Coast when storms knocked out the signaling system). However, approach the train travel as part of the overall adventure and it has usually worked out fine with that attitude.
1. Go to Amtrak.com and look at the overall route network. This tells me the likely train routes that come close to where I want to go.
2. Look up the particular route and download the link to the schedule. Look for the little suitcase icons. Those are stations that have baggage service along that route.
Once I figure out that I have a starting/ending stations with baggage service that make sense - I go back to the main Amtrak site and ask for a route schedule between those two stations. Look carefully however - since it will sometime suggest bus for some segments depending on timing (so I modify my times to make sure I stay on trains).
As far as Amtrak travel itself goes, I've ridden ~5 different Amtrak routes and they are somewhat different. Some of them like the Cascades has a separate bike car (and hence possible to get on/off w/o boxing the bike and also at non-baggage stations). However, most of them I've shown up at the train station somewhat in advance and then asked for a bike box. They've had them almost all the time though once I did end up with a recycled box. Amtrak boxes are big and hence removing pedals and turning handlebars (and for my large bike removing seat) are all that is needed. Check in the bike at baggage and it will get transferred as long as your tickets also connect you.
Otherwise, easy and relaxing way to travel. On-time reliability varies between routes and I found it to be less on-time if you are at end of a route and delays have accumulated. I also noticed that sometime when it is late - it can be very late (e.g. 8 hours once on Starlight in Pacific Coast since train ran into a huge tree stump at middle of the night in narrow canyon near Lake Shasta - and ~7 hours once in East Coast when storms knocked out the signaling system). However, approach the train travel as part of the overall adventure and it has usually worked out fine with that attitude.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
05-01-14 | 05:26 AM
#8
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 45,139
Likes: 23,329
05-01-14 | 05:49 AM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,718
Likes: 2,104
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Are there any bus companies in the area, if so will they take your bike? If so, does it have to be in a box - and how close is the bus stop to Amtrak station?
Later this month I expect to pay $70 for a taxi ride to an Amtrak station that handles luggage. The cab company that I called for a price quote has bike racks on their taxis - which is why I called that particular company.
I always suggest that someone going on Amtrak with a bike pull their pedals off the day before they leave, just in case your pedals are tighter than you expected. Also, it may be prudent to call the station a few days in advance to make sure that they will have bike boxes in stock.
Later this month I expect to pay $70 for a taxi ride to an Amtrak station that handles luggage. The cab company that I called for a price quote has bike racks on their taxis - which is why I called that particular company.
I always suggest that someone going on Amtrak with a bike pull their pedals off the day before they leave, just in case your pedals are tighter than you expected. Also, it may be prudent to call the station a few days in advance to make sure that they will have bike boxes in stock.
05-01-14 | 03:21 PM
#10
Full Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: Harlingen, TX Warmshowers Host
Bikes: Fuji, Specialized, Surly, BMC
I always suggest that someone going on Amtrak with a bike pull their pedals off the day before they leave, just in case your pedals are tighter than you expected. Also, it may be prudent to call the station a few days in advance to make sure that they will have bike boxes in stock.
Also you may have trouble getting anyone at the Amtrak station to answer the phone...unless you make sure you check the times when they are open (posted online), call during those hours. Some stations are open only limited hours. My one experience so far was very favorable for AMTRAK (San Antonio to El Paso). There is a link to my journal posted earlier in this thread....more details there.
I'll use Amtrak again when the opportunity arises.
