Riding Amtrak from NY to Cali

[Noora]

I have about 4 suitcases so I plan on just shipping it over by mail since I could never carrying all that in a million years lol. Thanks for the advance for the jacket! I would have gone in a t-shirt. I completely forgot about the whole temperature thing lol.

You might want to re-think this. Quoting from the back of the national timetable:

The free checked baggage allowance is three pieces per passenger. The maximum weight is 50 pounds (23 kg) and the maximum size is 36"x36"x36" (900x900x900 mm). Three additional bags will be accepted at $10.00 per bag. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to train departure to check your luggage.

I would go for a good bit more than 30 minutes at Penn Station. How are you getting to Penn Station? That might be the problem with your luggage. The other problem might be on the LA end depending upon how you are gettion from the station to where you are going, but I seen none on the train.

I would also check some of the bags. Amtrak has a baggage car on both your trains and it's free to check your bags, so you might as well take advantage. Some not-so-important things can and, IMO, should be checked. I've checked some big and hefty bags on Amtrak and I had no problem.

You could also ask for Red Cap service. This service is officialy free but we usually tip them $3. They will come around in motorized carts with seats in front. You can put your bags in the cart and ride it straight to the platform. Some stations don't have carts, but Red Caps can still carry bags for you. If they do this please tip $5.

BTW, I've found shipping stuff over the mail to be a big hassle, so I avoid it as much as possible.

Thanks for the heads up! Thank god for this Red Cap service. I'd hate to have to carry so much by myself if shipping by mail is a big of a hassle as you say.

 

[Noora]

I have about 4 suitcases so I plan on just shipping it over by mail since I could never carrying all that in a million years lol. Thanks for the advance for the jacket! I would have gone in a t-shirt. I completely forgot about the whole temperature thing lol.

You might want to re-think this. Quoting from the back of the national timetable:

The free checked baggage allowance is three pieces per passenger. The maximum weight is 50 pounds (23 kg) and the maximum size is 36"x36"x36" (900x900x900 mm). Three additional bags will be accepted at $10.00 per bag. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to train departure to check your luggage.

I would go for a good bit more than 30 minutes at Penn Station. How are you getting to Penn Station? That might be the problem with your luggage. The other problem might be on the LA end depending upon how you are gettion from the station to where you are going, but I seen none on the train.

The free checked baggage allowance sounds good, my only issue is that I'll be traveling allow and the 4 suitcases are pretty big. These aren't include my one carry on. Getting them on the train would be a huge hassle. I'm 5ft tall and 103 pounds. If I even attempt at carrying those I might die in the process lol.

As for how I'll be getting there, I'll be taking a cab there since I live in queens and lugging around a guitar and a carry on suitcase in the subway by myself would totally suck.

A guitar and four huge bags?! What are you going to California for?

School lol. I got accepted to The UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television so my life's turned upside down trying to move everything across country. It's pretty much all my stuff so what you really think about it, it's not that much

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I have about 4 suitcases so I plan on just shipping it over by mail since I could never carrying all that in a million years lol. Thanks for the advance for the jacket! I would have gone in a t-shirt. I completely forgot about the whole temperature thing lol.

You might want to re-think this. Quoting from the back of the national timetable:

The free checked baggage allowance is three pieces per passenger. The maximum weight is 50 pounds (23 kg) and the maximum size is 36"x36"x36" (900x900x900 mm). Three additional bags will be accepted at $10.00 per bag. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to train departure to check your luggage.

I would go for a good bit more than 30 minutes at Penn Station. How are you getting to Penn Station? That might be the problem with your luggage. The other problem might be on the LA end depending upon how you are gettion from the station to where you are going, but I seen none on the train.

The free checked baggage allowance sounds good, my only issue is that I'll be traveling allow and the 4 suitcases are pretty big. These aren't include my one carry on. Getting them on the train would be a huge hassle. I'm 5ft tall and 103 pounds. If I even attempt at carrying those I might die in the process lol.

As for how I'll be getting there, I'll be taking a cab there since I live in queens and lugging around a guitar and a carry on suitcase in the subway by myself would totally suck.

A guitar and four huge bags?! What are you going to California for?

School lol. I got accepted to The UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television so my life's turned upside down trying to move everything across country. It's pretty much all my stuff so what you really think about it, it's not that much

Moving transcon by train? Then yeah, Red Caps and checked baggage are the way to go! If you can afford a Roomette it would be even better, but I guess you can't.

Remember that you can use Amsnag to check for cheaper fares, I know you want to save as much money as possible.

 

[Dovecote]

As for how I'll be getting there, I'll be taking a cab there since I live in queens and lugging around a guitar and a carry on suitcase in the subway by myself would totally suck.

It has been a number of years since I had a relative drive me to New York Penn Station (NYP). There was and I assume still is a Red Cap stand at street level outside the station. If not I stand corrected. If that stand still exists make sure your cab driver takes you to that location. A Red Cap will load your luggage on a hand truck carrier and escort you to the luggage area within the station.

I do not know the specific location of the Red Cap stand at street level but one of our AU members who frequent NYP should. Stay tuned and I am sure we will get a response.

 

[Noora]

Moving transcon by train? Then yeah, Red Caps and checked baggage are the way to go! If you can afford a Roomette it would be even better, but I guess you can't.

Remember that you can use Amsnag to check for cheaper fares, I know you want to save as much money as possible.

Unfortunately yeah. Since the next four years I'll pretty much be spending everything I make on school loans and textbooks I'm looking to save as much as possible.

 

[johnny.menhennet]

Moving transcon by train? Then yeah, Red Caps and checked baggage are the way to go! If you can afford a Roomette it would be even better, but I guess you can't.

Remember that you can use Amsnag to check for cheaper fares, I know you want to save as much money as possible.

Unfortunately yeah. Since the next four years I'll pretty much be spending everything I make on school loans and textbooks I'm looking to save as much as possible.

That's a great idea. You'll survive, don't worry.

Hey I live in SoCal and no the in and outs of the region in general. If you have any more specific questions about California and/or student life here, feel free to send me a personal message at any time, by clicking the message beneath my name on this post. Have a great trip.

Johnny

 

[AlanB]

1. There are power outlets on some seats. Meaning probably 2. They have those so when cleaning the train they can plug in vacuum cleaners. Or you could charge the lap top in the bathroom :giggle: (I know some one who did that).

NOooooooooo!

Amtrak has retro-fitted most of its cars at this point. Save maybe an odd car here or there, all cars now have 2 power outlets at each seat. Gone are the days of hunting for one of those cleaning outlets.