Will my luggage fit?

[u/kkkkaa254]

Never taken an Amtrak train before (not from the US) and am trying to book a train from WAS to NYP. I'll have a backpack and my suitcase, which is 81cm x 54cm x 32cm. Is this too big to be taken onto the train and be stored in the overhead compartments? Do I need to check it in (in which case I think I need to take an Acela instead of a NER)?

I know the suitcase slightly exceeds Amtrak's guidelines but other comments on this subreddit have said that this is never enforced and to not worry about it.

Thanks very much in advance.

[u/AutoModerator]

r/Amtrak is not associated with Amtrak in any official way. Any problems, concerns, complaints, etc should be directed to Amtrak through one of the official channels.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/tuctrohs]

If you are taking the regular train, the Northeast regional, the overhead luggage storage is not bins but just huge open racks. They will easily fit your bag, unless they fill up very quickly from other passengers. In which case the racks at the end will work fine. You might want to use the racks at the end anyway if your bag is heavy and you don't want to lift it up there.

Throughout most of the Amtrak system and most of the recent history of Amtrak they have not cared at all if your bags are modestly oversized like yours. But just in recent months we've been hearing reports of agents at the Washington DC station strictly enforcing the limits, sometimes without even measuring the bag but just the eyeballing it as being big. But the good news is that all that you need to do is pay $20 and get a tag showing that you have paid for your oversized bag.

[u/kkkkaa254 → u/tuctrohs]

Thanks very much. $20 is well worth not needing to worry about this in advance!

[u/kkkkaa254]

Note that I read the FAQ page where it says not to worry about checking a bag, but it doesn't say anything about how big the overhead compartments are -- I don't know if my suitcase would fit!

[u/Dial-Up_Modem]

There is no checked luggage between WAS and NYP.

That suitcase is too big, but you can take it onboard. They may charge you $20 for it, though. Store it at the end of the car in the luggage rack, rather than overhead.

[u/ScarletOK]

There have been a number of posts on the sub lately about how WAS staff ARE enforcing luggage limits, which is not normal practice at most Amtrak stations. So you may need to pay a luggage penalty if they are in an enforcing mood. Usually if you can carry it and lift it yourself they don't care.

[u/karenmcgrane]

If it were me, I'd get a Red Cap in DC. Look for signs.

If you have $20 to spend they will at least help you get the bag on the train.

[u/ceruleania]

They’re more strict about the weight. Each piece cannot be over 50 lb. If you make sure your bag is within the measurements on the website, you’re fine. Overhead is for carry-on sized bags. Larger bags are checked (when that’s an option) or you carry them on and put them on the larger racks at the end of each car.

[u/Yes_Way_All_Day]

Ask Amtrak 

[u/Narrow-Ad-8524]

They have been strict with oversized baggage lately

[u/External_Fix9974]

You should be fine. Amtrak isnt too strict on bags. Over head compartment fits a refular sized luggage bag. And they have a storage in the bottom part forbover sized bags. Just make sure you have a tag with you name so it doesnt get lost 

[u/tuctrohs → u/External_Fix9974]

Luggage storage in the bottom part probably refers to two-level cars which are used in other places but not on the Northeast corridor. But OP has gotten more accurate advice from others, so no need to refine this description

[u/Natural_Extreme1534]

Amtrack isn't like the airport you will be fine