Amtrak: luggage?

Question

Hello,

I have never ridden Amtrak and the website confuses of Amtrak me a little bit.

How does it work, when you arrive at a bigger station e.g. Reno,NV? Do I have to check-in my luggage the same way I would do it at the airport?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Check in for baggage works almost like airports. The major exception is that you don't claim your luggage from a baggage carousel. Especially in smaller stations, the luggage is unloaded onto a truck, then the truck is driven to the baggage unloading area. That's usually between the tracks and the station. They take it off the truck, you walk up and grab your bag.

If you can, keep your packing down to what you can get into a backpack. You don't have to check it, and when the train gets to your destination, just grab your bag and go! (There are cabs at the station when the train arrives. People claiming bags usually have to call a taxi company because those who already have their bags jump in the cabs and leave!)

Answer 2

You can check it through to your final destination or you may carry it on board. There is a storage area on the lower level for the larger bags.