Amtrak Illinois FAQ
New to Amtrak? We might have some answers to your questions.
How do I Purchase Tickets?
You may order tickets
by phone at 1-800-USA-Rail
(1- 800-872-7245),
where you will be greeted
by “Julie”, Amtrak's
state of the art voice
recognition system. . After
a prompt that lower
fares maybe available
online, you then have
the option of making
your reservation with
Amtrak's automated
system or saying “agent” or
pressing “0” to talk
to a live operator.
Also, you can book
24 hours a day online
at Amtrak.com . Amtrak.com
offers the most up-to-date
pricing. The lowest
fares are listed under
the Hot Deals section. When
you get there have
your basic travel information
ready and fill in fare
finder.
With
a credit card and sufficient
lead time you can receive
your tickets by mail
to directly by Fed
Ex for a fee, or you
may pick them at up
a staffed Amtrak station
with cash, credit,
or debit cards. The
following stations
have ticket agents
or a Quik-Trak self-service
ticketing kiosk: Alton
, Bloomington-Normal,
Carbondale , Champaign
, Chicago , Galesburg
, Glenview, Homewood
, Joliet , Naperville
, Springfield
, Macomb and St. Louis
, MO. You may
also obtain tickets
through your , local
travel agent. For
more information on
booking your trip click
here.
What do I
do at an unstaffed
Amtrak station?
Everyone needs
a reservation to travel
on Amtrak. Make
your reservations with
a travel agent, 1-800-USA-Rail,
or Amtrak.com. If you
pay with a credit card
you well in advance
your tickets may be
mailed to you directly
by Fed Ex for a fee. Some
stations offer Advance
Purchase with Conductor
Delivery on the train. Be
sure to let the “agent” know
that you will be purchasing
the tickets on the
train , then board
the train at your unstaffed
station. . Amtrak
will not accept personal
checks. ,
then board the train
at your unstaffed station. If
you have received tickets
by mail or from your
travel agent, present
them to the conductor
along with your identification. To
purchase tickets on
board the train, provide
your reservation number,
ID and fare amount
to the conductor using
cash or credit card.
How can I
check the status
of my train?
Call 1-800-USA RAIL
and use the automated
voice system or go
to Amtrak.com.
What do I
need to get on the
train?
In order to board
the train you will
need a ticket (or reservation
number) and an official
form of identification,
such as a state issued
ID or driver's license,
passport, government
agency ID.
Can I eat
and drink on the
trains?
Yes. All trains
have a snack car and
long-distance trains
have a dining car with
a substantial menu. Most
trains offer alcoholic
beverages. You
can also bring your
own snacks on the train
and consume them at
your own seat. Bringing
your own alcoholic
beverages and consuming
them in public is prohibited.
Can I smoke
on the trains?
Trains, Thruway
motor coaches, and stations
are entirely non-smoking. Passengers
maybe able to smoke
on station platforms
at longer stops announced
by train crews, but
must remain next to
the track and ready
to re board immediately. Smoking
stops maybe cut short
or eliminated if the
train is running late.
What is Thruway
Bus Service?
Thruway bus
service is a convenient
way to reach many cities
not served by rail. Thruway
provides transportation
to the Amtrak station. Purchasing
Thruway tickets is
simple; it is done
the same way and at
the same time as you
book your train ticket. Thruway
Bus service in Illinois
includes: South Beloit/Rockford
to Chicago , ; Davenport
, Moline , Peoria Airport
and Danville to Galesburg
, Bloomington-Normal,
Champaign and Indianapolis
, ; and Carbondale
to St. Louis .
What about
my luggage?
Most Illinois
trains offer carry-on
luggage/baggage. For
carry-on luggage there
is a two piece limit. Nothing
may weight over 50
lbs. Not included
in this limit are personal
items like briefcases,
purses, laptops and
infant paraphernalia. Items
like golf clubs and
bicycles have to be
handled as checked
baggage. Long-distance
trains offer checked
baggage with a limit
of three pieces at
no charge, $10.00 per
piece over three. Baggage
must be checked in
at least 30 minutes
prior to departure. Nothing
may weigh over 50 lbs
and it must be in a
suitable container.
Can I bring
my bike with me?
Passengers may
bring their bikes on
certain trains - the
Illini, Saluki, Lincoln
Service, Illinois Zephyr
and Carl Sandberg - for
$10 per bike. Space
is limited and reservations
are required. Owners
must loosen handlebars
and turn them sideways
to fit bikes into overhead
luggage racks. The
bicycle must be handled
by the owner and saddle
bags must be removed.
What do I
do if someone I am
traveling with has
special needs?
Customer with disabilities,
senior citizens and
others needing special
seating or assistance,
such as wheelchair,
special food service
(72 hours advance notice
needed) or baggage
assistance should call
Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL
as far in advance of
travel as possible.
Why are the
trains late?
There
are numerous reasons
for train delays. Amtrak
operates over track
owned by private freight
railroad companies,
which control train
movements and dictate
the use of the track. Sometimes
Amtrak has to follow
or allow the freight
trains to pass; sometimes
meeting another Amtrak
train causes delays
and other times track
conditions or construction
will slow Amtrak down.
What can I
do in Illinois Amtrak
Cities?
Where can
I find maps of Chicago
?
Take
Amtrak to the Heart
of Chicago has
routes where commuter
trains run and
also has points
of interest and
hotels labeled.
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