Amtrak help please?

Question

I need to a ticket to albany to islip on a train I want to see if can send my 16 yr old daughter on a train by herself and then have a little escort person help her out on getting to the next train. do they have escorts?

Answer 1

I would think a normal 16-year-old is perfectly capable of doing this herself.

Answer 2

no, escorts do not meet trains to help minors make transfers, especially to another railroad company.

(as a sidenote, minors 8yr-11yr must be met by amtrak staff, but there are additional restrictions, and transfers to any train, amtrak or otherwise, are strictly prohibited)

and right, amtrak doesnt go to islip either.  it is long island railroad territory.

at least in this case, amtrak and lirr share the same station in new york city - the penn station.  so that will make the transfer easier.  but your teenager will have to be able to get to the lirr ticket counter on her own to buy that ticket, and then they will direct her to where their trains are at.

this is an easy itinerary, please do not be worried about it.  this is not difficult, she doesnt have to go outside at all in new york city, and she should be able to travel quite easily on this trip.

for albany-new york penn, call amtrak at 1.800.usa.rail or go to www.amtrak.com to get schedules, fares, and reservations for the trains that need them.  some trains you can just show up, but most will need reservations.

for new york penn - islip, go to www.lirr.org/lirr to get maps, schedules, fares...but these trains do not take reservations, people just show up and go.

a 16yr old is old enough anyway, to follow your directions, ask for help from railroad staff, be able to read signage, etc.  if you feel your 16yr old is not mature enough, then you should travel with them.

especially, if this will become a regular trip (like visiting divorced parents, etc), it probably would be a good idea to go with for the first time or two, just so that you know the setup as well, and to help ensure that your daughter learns the geography of new york.  

and it will put your own mind at ease as to how easy this trip will be.

Answer 3

First of all, Amtrak doesn't go to Islip. Changing trains and railroads in NYC would be needed.

Amtrak to Penn Station and the Long Island Railroad (my guess) to the general Islip area.

Answer 4

Call 1-800-USA-RAIL to get the info you want.