Amtrak Reviews 

Traveled on Auto train on October 21, 2025 from Lorton VA. and experienced excellent service assistance from Vanesa Jordan. She assisted with getting our bags on board since I am handicapped. She checked on us several time4s during the trip, much appreciated.

I purchased a business class ticket on Amtrak, from Philadelphia to New London. It was my worst experience ever, for being my first time customer. I entered the train expecting someone to check my business class seat ticket and direct me to the proper section of the train. No one to ask, was in front section of the train, it looked like the wrong section, which eventually not the business class ticket. I asked and was told it was the last one.
The employee of the train, demonstrated as they care less. I was on my own. While the train moved on, I was wobbling myself through the last section of the train.
I finally found my seat, Sat and reclined the seat and almost crushed behind me. Was told I will get an another seat, for the meantime moved to the next seat also broken. Where is the lounge and snacks section, you need to walk back 3 sections of the train to benefit from it.
The staff of the train seem like they don’t want to work.
Is not worth purchasing a business class ticket. I would prefer to have a refund, please. I will never travel again with Amtrak train.

Is worse experience ever. It was my first time traveling with Amtrak Trains. I purchased a business class ticket. Anyone can get on this train. No one checked my ticket. I entered the Amtrak train with excitement because is my first time. Truly a deception. Was not directed to what section of the train was the business class seat section. I had to go through from the beginning of the train, which was about 6 sections while the train was running, to the last sections of the train. My seat was broken, no before hand notice, I almost crushed the gentleman behind this broken seat. I questioned to help me with this seat. Was acknowledged it was broken.
I asked what are the benefits, drinks and some snacks, but you have to walk 3 sections of the train to get it. Where is the lounge?
I want a refund, it was not worth the purchase. It was like a ghetto feeling.

took Amtrak empire builder train in a sleeper bedroom from Seattle to Chicago

Oct 18th Traveled the Cardinal from Indianapolis IN to Chicago IL the the Zephyr to Grand Junction CO and back to the same trains back to Indianapolis IN on Oct 21

Used coach for first part of the trip and the roomette on return - roomettes are small but privacy is nice - enjoyed the viewing car and food was good in dining for roomette customers - on the way there they had electrical issues so food was limited but they gave everyone free food for the inconvenience- staff were friendly both directions and we really appreciated the coach and roomette staff and those assigned to our train - very customer oriented - shout out to Ricardo, Connie and Mario

We went for the adventure as we love trains and wanted to views without driving to our final destinations of Utah and where we rented a car to go site seeing

Overall even with the issues it was a great time and our trains were all on time which we read isn’t always the case - but we went knowing they could be delayed so we’re happy with the outcome

I was scheduled to catch the seller train 2166 from Baltimore Penn to New York Penn at 1:25 PM on October 17. When I arrived at the station viewed on the big board that my ACELAtrain was canceled. I spoke to the ticket agent at Penn Station, who didn’t have a name tag on, so I can’t tell you who he was. He offered for me to catch a slow northeastern regional train for the same money I paid for the ACELA. he’s justification for the price was that I’m buying the ticket for the Northeast regional today. The price is Higher but he gave it to me at the price I paid for the ACELA. I asked why the train was canceled. The agent informed me that they didn’t have enough equipment. This sounds like poor preparation to me and my first experience on riding Amtrak and it will be a cold day in hell before I think about why I don’t Amtrak after this experience.

Denver to Glenwood Springs was an hour and a half late leaving because one of our engines had to be switched out before we could even move. GWS back to Denver they gave us a boarding pass without a seat assignment and we were told to find two empty seats. That was a fiasco because people boarding behind us took our seats 3 different times (their assigned seats) BS. Not Happy. Would not recommend.

Caught the Cardinal Train from New York to Chicago. Broke down 49 miles from Chicago. Waited two and a half hours for us to move again. We ended up 6 1/2 hours late, as staff could not work over time and we had to wait for other trains and eventually a platform in Chicago. Never again. Food was awful out of a microwave and staff looked like they really didn't want to be there.
Catch the bus or fly instead.

Bought my first-ever US train ticket. First went through the diluted process via Amtrak's site. Kept on clicking through, got msg that there was a problem with the system, and to start again. Speedier via the app? Not so fast. Entered the same information all over again. Tried logging in. Given choice of guest # or email. Tried my guest #. The system tells me to enter the email, dummy. Caved in, entered the email, and the password. System failure. Told to try all over again. I'm spent. PS: the system would not even let me pick a seat. So why did I just waste my time with all this?

Hello,
On septembre 16 I had a ticket, bought at Amtrak for a train from Richmond to Merced, arriving at 10h35 and a connecting bus to Yosemite Village leaving at 11h15.
Only that bus from 11h15 did not seem to exist. I had to take a bus at 17h. So my camping Permit at Yosemite was expired. Not only I had to buy a new one for the day after, which cost me again 20 dollar and was it not the one for my first choice, I also had to pay for an extra night in a bunkhouse, which cost me also over 100 dollar extra. The worst part is that I was not even notified in advance so I could take the necessary measurements, like coming to Merced in the evening before so I could take the morning bus or taking a later train to Merced instead of wasting my time for 6 hours in the middle of nowhere.
On my return on septembre 20, the train did not stop in Richmond, again I was not notified in advance. The idiot on the train suggested to get off in Martinez, while Oakland was a better solution since my final destination was San Francisco.
Basically, they don't have a clue what you are doing. They should better lay down their business, because they suck at it

Timeline of Discrimination and Retaliation

Employment History
   •  Jul 3, 1986, Began working at Amtrak Worked continuously for 37 years.

Discrimination in Personnel File
   •   Last year 2024 – Discovered or became aware that my personnel file contained false and racist statements that harmed my reputation and career opportunities.

Wrongful Terminations
   • Last year – First wrongful termination from Amtrak Circumstances were unfair, discriminatory, and unrelated to job performance.
   •   Thus, the year Terminated again under similar unfair and discriminatory circumstances.

Workplace Injury & Medical Benefits
   •   [Date of incident] – Attacked on the job and injured.
   •   After the incident – Requested medical coverage and benefits. My medical benefits were denied despite the injury while performing my job duties.

Union Involvement
   •   Last year – Contacted the union by email and other methods multiple times to request assistance.
   •   Response – The union ignored my requests and failed to represent me fairly. I believe this was due to racial discrimination.

Attempts to Resolve
   •    – Tried multiple times to resolve these issues directly with the company and union. My concerns were ignored.

⸻

Summary of Harm
   
   •   Loss of medical benefits after workplace injury.
   •   Career harm due to false and racist information in the personnel file.
   •   Union refused to represent me fairly.
   •   Emotional, financial, and physical hardship.

We just took our third trip and it was by far just as bad as the first 2 and it will be our last.
They don't have good communication and when they have a situation with the train delay they don't announce it and they won't even offer you a meal.
If your smart you'll steer clear of Amtrack.
The train facilities are filthy,& filed with stench.
Food is very expensive for what you get, sandwiches are mostly bread and the cookies are just a hard as a hockey puck, they wont let you use the Microwave unless you purchased from them.
So travel at your own risk!!!

Denise on the Northeast corridor train is the worst Amtrak staff person I've ever experienced. She screams and threatens and is abusive.

The only thing I can say is the outside windows were so dirty it was hard to see the country side.
PLEASE WASH THE OUTSIDE WINDOWS

Where do I start. First, when I tried booking the trip that occurred 9/12 - 9/15, 2025 Amtrak's website froze just as I was about to make payment. When I resumed later that morning to try and book, the price was over $200 more and despite me having a screen shot of the former fare, date, time and error message on their website Amtrak would not honor the initial fare for the very same booking. To add to that, the train we departed on to Chicago was raggedy, I'm talking 1960 raggedy, no USB, or USB-C ports, outdated everything. It was very small and very dirty, I mean very, very scary dirty, but this was sold to me as the largest/nicest sleeper available. Oh, and the food was just down right comical. I paid in excess of $1500 for microwave crap. The food was so bad that I wasn't even in a hurry to board going home despite being hungry, it was just awful and on the return trip the person Amtrak hired to heat up the meals didn't even bother to take the plastic off. LOL At least the first staff person took the plastic off and tried to pretend it was hot and freshly prepared. LOL And the ride was so bumpy and bad I probably would have done better if I jumped on an empty box car. The so called sleeper car gave me little sleep and a crook in my neck with no turn around room on the top bunk and lower back pain as I slid out of the clearly broken seat at the window. Most people take train rides for the view, but I didn't have that ... not comfortably anyway. Sure, I could have just sat on my mother's bed and tried to look out the window, but what fun is that? Oh, I didn't mention the headache from the loud rattling of the loose paneling and or mirror in my grand sleeper car, did I mention that it was raggedy? We had a toilet and a shower but if you didn't weigh 98 lbs and was anorexic, you were not going to make it in those accommodations. The attendants on the train were young and polite. They were nice, but the attendant button they tell you to ring if you need help ... does not work. LOL I had my elderly mother with me and when it was time to get off the train, they left her to fend for herself, despite noting on the ticket she need assistance. With a cane she was left to carry her bags, and her cane and just get off as best she could. It was a nightmare and though this sounds comical, it's very serious. I want to cry. I paid a lot of money to be thrown around like a rag doll, subjected to loose equipment and noise and rattling, to filthy accommodations, to sit in broken chairs, eat microwaved dinners and pre-wrapped, pre-cooked food. I honestly can't believe they can get away with this. Not only have they gotten rid of the chef, they obviously got rid of the janitorial service as well. As long as I live, I will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER ride on Amtrak again. I wouldn't ride on it if it was free. Not that route for sure. Maybe there are others that are actually new and nice, but the trains that transported me to and from Chicago need to be put out of service. And for those who think I ripped Amtrak, it was not my choice. I tried to handle the situation but every staff person I spoke clearly hate their job and I was told that the supervisor will not call me back about my matter. You can spend your money, but know you've been warned.

I would give zero if I could. Second time I was downgraded to a coach seat when traveling long distances no call to alert me just an email slipped in with a refund for the amount difference and NO explanation.

Amtrak 190 North east regional from Mew York to Stamford, CT, as I am about to get out in my stop at Stamford, the Amtrak agent, a black African American female with short hair, literally told me, “you can walk faster now, I need to open the doors”. Her attitude and way of talking was absolutely rude. I got ready to get out at my stop on time as the train was still moving. This agent has always had a bad attitude towards other passengers as well.

Worst experience ever! Never rode Amtrak NEVER AGAIN and I would advise everyone else the same. Was delayed 5 hours going to Chicago - Then returning the flight was 6 hours delayed so I missed my connecting train by 5 MINUTES had to be put up in a hotel overnight. Then the next day the amtrak train the train was delayed another 6 hours so I was to get home by 5 am and DID NOT until 11 am. I expect a refund - should be for the entire nightmare trip. DO NOT USE AMTRAK!! Absolutely the worst experience and it's a dirty train too.

For the past 18 months I have been going back and forth to New Orleans for surgery and medical treatment. I boarded the train once again towards home. Due to my surgical condition I cannot climb the stairs so I book my train ticket for the lower level. I was going to give a one star rating, but due to the fact I have had no issues up until this trip I decided that one bad apple (Kyle)should not depict my entire experience. I boarded the train in New Orleans at 2:30 pm and by 3:00 pm I was freezing. I bet it was 32 degrees in the lower level. I went to the lounge bathroom which was much warmer and stayed for half an hour. No attendant ever came downstairs to check on the passengers in the lower level for almost 2 hours. I literally had to climb one stair at a time to get to an attendant named Kyle, in which I asked him if they ever came downstairs to check on passengers in the lower level. In a nasty manner he stated “I do when we have a stop”. I told him that it was freezing in the lower level and he said he couldn’t control it and I mistakenly called him a conductor and he again with a nasty attitude said something to the contrary and had been for 26 years. If it was not for the Edward (the nice guy) I would have spent the whole trip in the lounge bathroom. But Edward came downstairs and he even said it was really cold and he brought me a blanket. I really appreciated Edward coming downstairs and bringing me a blanket. But Kyle, he needs to go back to training or learn how to do his job properly and tend to the needs of the people that pay him far more than he’s worth. $48 an hour??? I will be flying on my next trip.

After 16 years of frequent travel between Connecticut and Virginia, our most recent trip on the Northeast Regional 171 has convinced us we will consider no longer using Amtrak. The cars are rundown and filthy—stained carpet, scratched windows, weak AC, doors that don’t work, and useless Wi-Fi. Announcements are garbled, rushed, and unhelpful; conductors are rarely visible and give vague directions, leaving passengers confused about where to disembark.

The worst part was the one conductor between NYC and DC: she was openly hostile, rude, and aggressive to passengers, creating an atmosphere where people felt afraid to ask for help. In contrast, one conductor named David was excellent, but he was the exception. Tim in the Cafe car was extremely friendly & professional.

For the prices Amtrak charges, this level of service is unacceptable. Air travel is now cheaper, cleaner, and far more reliable. Sadly, after years of loyalty, we will no longer recommend Amtrak.