We started thinking about the cost of fuel and tolls – as well as the consequences of seizures, frequent bathroom breaks for a preschooler, and intermittent traffic. Then we discovered Amtrak half price tickets for passengers aged 2 to 12, and one free ride (on an adult's lap) for a child under 2. We ended up booking three round trip tickets for a total of $255, barely more than I paid. a trip just for me.
Take a lenient baggage allowance, helpful help at the station, nearby restrooms, and the chance for mini-adventures in transit (coffee car, anyone?), and my husband and I agreed : It felt like we were on vacation the moment we got on the train. Arriving in less time than it takes to drive – less than three and a half hours to New York and a little longer to get home – was another plus.
Some Amtrak regulars might grimace at the thought of sharing train space with a 3-year-old and 9-month-old, so I'll just say this now: We avoided the quiet car.
Here's what we learned about riding on rails with little passengers.
Benefit from the Bonnet Rouge service
I read that families with children are allowed to pre-board, but I wasn't sure how that would work. All my previous experiences with Amtrak involved watching the gate appear on a screen, then heading straight to the position with hundreds of other passengers.
But using the Red Cap service was hands down the best advice we received.
The employees are describe as “dedicated Amtrak staff you can count on for free baggage handling assistance.” They also help disabled passengers, older travelers, large groups and, of course, families with young children. Amtrak says customers can tip if they want; I'm here to tell you that this service is priceless for a family and you should definitely tip.
We arrived at Union Station in Washington about 30 minutes before departure, eyes glued to the red. Near the gates we spotted a sign and someone wearing the same red hat (and polo shirt) and asked for help boarding. He wheeled our park on his cart and took us and another group with a small child to the track, then helped both groups find designated seats for groups of three or more . We were on board at 9:19 a.m., more than 15 minutes before departure.
This was a first for me, the train was completely empty when we boarded.
On the way back to Washington DC, we asked the Penn Station police for directions to Red Cap Station. Once there, someone checked our ticket and again, got us on the train a few minutes before everyone else. Both times, we were able to locate ourselves without disturbing anyone.
People who want to use the Red Cap service must arrive 45 minutes early, an Amtrak representative told me later. The service is available only at major stations, including Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Newark, N.Y., Wilmington, Del., New Haven, Conn., and Boston’s South Station on the East Coast. Elsewhere, find it in Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, Ore., and Seattle.
According to Amtrak, priority boarding is also available for families with young children at some stations; Travelers should ask a customer service representative at the station to find out.
Book early for deals, but read the fine print
I often take Amtrak to New York, so I knew from experience that great prices can be found by searching well in advance, being flexible on dates, and looking for less convenient times. By booking six weeks in advance from Thursday to Saturday, we found times and prices that were workable with children. (I've since been tempted by $175 round-trip family tickets.)
Our price was in the “value” category, which doesn't offer much flexibility: changes are not allowed and there is a 25% cancellation fee. The restrictions are clear when booking, but I must have ignored them as I was surprised when I tried and failed to change our return time.
Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods said the half-price discount for children ages 2 to 12 is “a daily discount we offer to encourage families to hop on board and experience a better way travel “.
Children must be accompanied by at least one adult, and the discount is not valid for business class on trains other than Acela, first class or private rooms. A child under 2 years old is allowed on board free of charge with an accompanying adult, provided they are seated on the lap.
You are entitled to more free baggage than on a plane
My packing strategy for family trips is usually “better safe than sorry,” which leaves us with a bunch of bags. This probably would have been acceptable under Amtrak's baggage rules for this route. Each passenger can bring two carry-on bags and one personal item at no additional cost. For those traveling with a child under 2 years old, one additional baby item, such as a stroller or diaper bag, is allowed free of charge.
I knew we had to manage every element on the crowded streets of New York and on public transportation, as well as on “the big train,” as we began to call Amtrak. With a stroller, a portable crib, a diaper bag, a purse, a small duffel bag, a small cooler bag, and two backpacks containing clothes for the four of us, we felt bulky, but we were still within the baggage limits.
I thought I could check a bag at the station, but I just found out that the train only allowed hand luggage. It turned out fine, but it was hard to know in advance if we would be able to check a bag.
The coffee car is your friend
Our seats on both legs of the trip were conveniently close to the bathroom and far enough away from the cafe car – a good arrangement for urgent restroom needs and time-wasting stays checking out food offerings.
from Amtrak noted website that changing rooms were available in the toilets of “most” of the carriages, but we never found one. A spokesperson later clarified that changing rooms were available on the Acela and some long-distance trains.
Being able to walk around was key; my daughter loved pressing the button to open the doors between cars. The seats were roomy and the view interesting enough to keep both kids entertained in fits and starts.
“Mom look, we’re going fast!” » my daughter said as we sped up. We flew over a sparkling expanse of water and she excitedly pointed out “the ocean!” » We will work on geography.
THE car-café menu had enough to satisfy a preschooler's palate, although some dishes like a soft, barely warm grilled cheese weren't a hit. A lemon-glazed pound cake was a hit, as were the pretzels and a tropical fruit salad that was as delicious as it was messy.
But it's still a confined space, so pack some entertainment
If you are also a parent, you know that children get bored and angry after more than three hours of work. This certainly applies in a confined space.
To pass the time, we packed toys for both kids and a tablet with headphones for our preschooler. She drew using an art app and watched some of her favorite movies and shows on Disney Plus in between walks, bathroom trips, and restaurant visits.
The baby nursed, squealed while tapping on the window and, at nap time, cried a little until we put him to sleep. Luckily, the tears were short-lived – and unfortunately, so were the naps.
My husband and I couldn't help but overhear someone else's tantrum: a loud, angry businessman swearing during a video meeting, prompting an employee to Amtrak suggested he go to the bathroom if he wanted to use that language.
Unlike my solo train trips, I didn't spend my time napping, reading, and scrolling through social media. But I loved going around with them and introducing them to a new travel experience.
We found Amtrak a refreshing alternative to driving and one we will choose in the future. But we were also lucky on several fronts: the trains were not delayed, which is it's not always obvious. Red Cap service was available at our station. We had a choice of seats when boarding. There was no diaper emergency.
If we had boarded somewhere without additional assistance, or when the train was already crowded, it might have been trickier. And the lack of a changing table might have necessitated some yogic maneuvering in the bathroom (next time I'll bring oversized changing mats). Preparing our own snacks and entertainment was crucial.
For us, the best part of the trip was eliminating the chore of the car ride and turning that time into an adventure where both parents could be present and engaged with our kids. We watched the skyline roll by until the New York skyline came into view and marveled at how much less stressful the train ride was than four or more hours on I-95.
“I love the train,” my husband said at one point.
“Me too,” the 3-year-old echoed.
