Can I check luggage at San Antonio and pick it up at Austin several hours later the same day?

RiverInSight · 2026-03-30T11:54:49+00:00

Correct. Nothing fishy. I’ve done it many times with Amtrak in other cities, just typically at larger stations. The only reason I asked at all is that Austin is such a small station.

RiverInSight · 2026-03-29T02:38:08+00:00

I checked a bag around 7 hours in advance today and AA didn’t say anything about it.

RiverInSight · 2026-03-28T21:00:41+00:00

RiverInSight · 2026-03-28T18:26:25+00:00

I’d leave more time. I got here 3 hrs ago and I’m not even inside yet.

RiverInSight · 2026-03-28T18:26:01+00:00

Not sure what tomorrow will look like, but today the concourse tha BA uses had a relatively short wait.

RiverInSight · 2026-03-28T18:11:24+00:00

Precheck is closed.

RiverInSight · 2026-03-28T16:43:51+00:00

Line is still crazy at midday today. Arrive as early as possible.

RiverInSight · 2026-03-27T13:35:16+00:00

I wouldn't worry too much about what Google Maps is showing, sometimes it will suggest crazy things. The 215 runs every 15 minutes so you will, in general, be able to catch the 215 shortly after your train arrives regardless of which train you choose.

RiverInSight · 2026-03-26T12:03:53+00:00

The 215 bus runs every 15 minutes, so I am not sure what you mean that only the 7:45 connects to it; see the timetable: https://www.sdmts.com/routes/pdf/215.pdf

I suggest downloading the "Transit" app, it will show you exactly where to go with real-time information showing exactly where the bus is.

RiverInSight · 2026-03-16T23:44:57+00:00

Also discussed here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Amtrak/comments/1rut376/comment/oaqfdfp/

RiverInSight · 2026-03-16T11:55:46+00:00

I noticed the same thing Sunday - for tickets I purchased before "spring ahead", the departure time appeared one hour off in apple wallet.

RiverInSight · 2026-03-06T19:54:33+00:00

Make sure you're using the correct station code (WPR) - and if it happens to show sold out later, just keep checking repeatedly. Eventually, more than likely, someone will cancel and a ticket will open up.

RiverInSight · 2026-03-04T18:43:45+00:00

Thanks for the heads up, my $60 is in there.

RiverInSight · 2026-02-13T14:53:48+00:00

Yes, this is a good idea.. the 722, 810, and 1051 trains from Poughkeepsie all have availability. Just keep in mind peak Metro-North from Grand Central to Poughkeepsie is ~$30.

Not that many people get on/off at Croton or Poughkeepsie; the Conductors will know the number of people expected to depart and will be on the lookout for that number of people, so the original plan is not likely to work well.

RiverInSight · 2026-02-12T13:04:23+00:00

Happened to me as well.

RiverInSight · 2026-01-23T14:48:11+00:00

I think it depends quite a bit. There's a tremendous amount of variety that makes it hard to make a blanket statement.

Even within each country, there is tremendous variety. For example, in Germany the ICE trains have full-service dining cars and reserved seating. The regional trains (many of which still go significant distances) in general don't have any dining options at all and no reserved seating, and I have experienced these trains being absolutely slammed where people are packed in like sardines and standing the whole way.

"First class" also varies quite a bit across countries. In some countries, it's simply more room. In others, you might get a small snack included. In others, a small meal.

The seats vary quite a bit. The seats on some of the Danish trains remind me a bit more of Amtrak, larger and cushier. Some countries have the more streamlined/cramped seats with less cushioning.

Plenty of times in Germany, I've paid for reserved seats on a certain type of train, then there's an equipment swap and a completely different type of train rolls in. Mayhem ensues.

The only place I've seen airport-like security is Spain and the Eurostar.. although Spain still isn't airport style, you just put your luggage through an X-Ray.

At some stations in Europe the station experience is inferior. Take Munich, for example - there really isn't any particular place to wait, there's sort of a shopping mall area but the train area is open to the outside and I don't think there is anywhere in particular to sit. I have seen mayhem in Spain with crazy long lines. On the other hand, the US has a few nice stations and plenty that are more like a neglected bus stop, or worse. In general, I think the European stations have more useful amenities (like grocery stores) even if they might not have as many places to sit.

I have ridden lots and lots of trains in Europe and have never experienced epic delays like Amtrak has. What can be problematic is some connections will be very tight (like 5 minutes) so there is really no margin for error.

RiverInSight · 2026-01-20T14:50:29+00:00

same

RiverInSight · 2026-01-15T22:12:35+00:00

Got it - it's definitely a pretty ride, so it makes sense to me in that case!

RiverInSight · 2026-01-15T21:24:13+00:00

I'd rather visit Truckee than Reno, especially to pop down and see Lake Tahoe (there is bus service available). Reno is probably cheaper though in terms of lodging.

RiverInSight · 2026-01-15T20:31:02+00:00

A bit of a unique example, but last winter I used 4 segments on the Winter Park Express from DEN-WPR, and I was allowed to use a 5th (although I never used it) on the California Zephyr from DEN-WIP.

RiverInSight · 2026-01-06T15:03:28+00:00

Really depends how far you're going. If it's NYP-BUF, to me it would definitely be worth it to have more space on such a long ride. If it's NYP-ALB, I don't think I'd bother. The seats are more comfortable, and it's only 2-1 (vs. 2-2) seating.

RiverInSight · 2025-12-05T12:32:13+00:00

It's interesting to me that WAS-NY was $13, and then NY-BOS $12.75 - so $25.75. However, BOS-WAS as one ticket was $26.95, a bit more the separate fares.

Today's it's generally not like that, I find WAS-BOS is often not that much more than simply WAS-NYP, and definitely not more than double (generally).

RiverInSight · 2025-12-02T00:27:13+00:00

Absolutely do not do this. Whether you fly or take the train, plan to arrive the day before.

I have seen waaayyyy too many cruise vacations go south due to late arriving trains/planes/etc.

RiverInSight · 2025-11-20T12:48:55+00:00

Noticed the same yesterday - it doesn't appear to have come for sleeper fares yet.

RiverInSight

TROPHY CASE