10 Things You Must Have On Your Amtrak Trip

Today we share the 10 must have items for your next Amtrak trip. We will show each one and explain how it makes our trip better. We hope these help your next trip be a much better experience. We use these items in coach, business class and in sleeper cars on our Amtrak vacations. There are some items you will want to pick up no matter if you are in a bedroom, roomette or riding in coach.

MUST HAVE ITEMS WHEN RIDING AMTRAK (affiliate links):

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I’m going on Amtrack in October 2025, I’m so excited!

[amandaregis]

Great ideas for sure. Hubby and I are taking our first Amtrak trip, the Maple Leaf from Niagara Falls Ontario, to New York for an MSC Meraviglia cruise. In fact, we're only a week away from beginning it. I've been on CN/Via Rail since I was 8 (in a time when an 8 year old could travel on her own, and her mom and grandparents knew she could be trusted to follow directions to the letter), as well as in Germany, The Netherlands and the UK while hubby was posted to Germany with the Canadian Armed Forces. We have some prepackaged snack foods and fruit cups, and hopefully, we can keep some sandwiches (unless boarder agents feel the need to throw them out). We have most of what you mentioned in the post from our first cruise experience last summer, so I think it should be an enjoyable trip.

[johnwick]

I plan a Amtrak trip in the next year. I have watched many of your videos for tips and tricks and thanks to you I kinda feel like I have already taken the trip! You both have given me some great info and I thank you for that. I don't expect luxury but I do wish to see the country. Thanks again.

[briangood-ht]

I use my toiletry hanging bag all the time. I got the tip from you guys. When we took the zephyr it worked out great. thanks for the tip.

[barbaralienhard]

I always wear leggings or capri leggings on the train. The last thing I want is for the hem of my pants or shorts to be touching the floor while I use the toilet. I do usually wear Crocs because they are easy to slip on and off but they are big to pack when not wearing and I may consider your idea this summer. Great tips, I'll check out these products.

[shelbigesch]

Highly recommend the new Loop Dream earplugs. I upgraded from the ones you showed in the video (the "quiet" model), and they're a significant upgrade. More comfortable, a bit smaller in the ear, and even better noise reduction.

[fw]

I have the Bose earbuds you recommended before. I absolutely love them but I am going to buy the Loop Dream earplugs as a back up. You are the travel experts. Thanks!

[josephconner]

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year's

[lorettacommander]

I really like following you. What a great job to have. We love train travel

[KyleDurocher]

Thanks so much - I’ve added several of your ideas to my prep list (taking the Canadian next month). Safe travels and all the best in 2025

[margaretturner]

Thank you for info hope one day me and my husband will go travel on the train.happy holidays to you both had a blessed day.❤😊🙏🙏🎄🎄❤️🐦

[exitthisway]

Thank You for the Inspiration and Your Classes! 🌍✨
Hi Rob and Allie,
We hope this message finds you well! We wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for the incredible content you share on Grounded Life Travel. Your adventures and insights have truly inspired us to start our own travel journey and launch a YouTube channel! 🌟
We also wanted to thank you for your informative classes on how to start a YouTube channel. They have been invaluable in guiding us as we embark on this new adventure together as an ex-husband and wife team. Your expertise and encouragement have made a significant impact on our journey.
Thank you for being such a positive influence in the travel community! We can’t wait to follow your adventures and hopefully connect with you in the future.

Warm regards,
Lisa & Jim

[elaineskurski]

Live your channel! Do you have the link to the cardigan? I did not see it with the other links. Thank you

[markakira]

You forgot to include life size folding lcardboard cutout of your tree in undergrad. Rob has A+ taste in choosing shirts. I'd buy that one too if there were 25 different kinds to choose from.

[judyryan]

I have a couple of suggestions, Often the windows on the inside of the cars are not that clean, so some window wipes might be helpful. Also the food in the dining car is very good, but like most restaurant food, it can be a bit bland, If you have a favorite salt or herbal taste, bring a small amount to add to you meal.

[LisaMarli]

If I'm in a roomette for 2 or more nights, I bring 2 extra hangers, 2 is never enough. They are small hanging ones and I can hang my day clothes or pajamas up and keep them out of the way.
I also make sure to download any movies I want to watch and books I want to read onto my tablet, since the Internet can be spotty.
And don't forget to download the map of where you will be traveling through. I've found Google maps can usually figure out where you are, but won't have enough signal to download a good map. If it has the map, it can easily show you where you are and what's around you. Be sure to set your map to walking. Yes you'll be walking at 70 mph 😂 but it won't snap to the nearest street because a car can't go on a train track, go figure.

[marilynsue]

Take everything you need, because shopping is quite limited on an Amtrak trip.

[doh]

Thank you for saying the items are 'inexpensive' instead of 'affordable'. Affordability is subjective. Dependent on the income/outgo

[ck]

Things to pack: patience, cash if the credit card reader breaks in the café car, extra water, snacks, things to do that don’t require electricity, a reading light, headphones, portable charger, a sense of humor, faith in mankind— most of all don’t necessarily plan to get where you’re going in anywhere near a timely manner!

[SgtsTanTaco]

Do you guys have a patch or stickers with your logo? I want one!