What to Pack for a Long-Distance Amtrak Trip in Coach

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Packing for a long-distance Amtrak trip is easier when the things you need most are easy to reach. After using the USA Rail Pass three times while working toward traveling by train to all 46 states served by Amtrak, I’ve learned to pack for comfort, not perfection.

My system is simple: bags within bags. Keep snacks, comfort items, toiletries and valuables in smaller bags near your seat, while your larger suitcase or backpack stays in the luggage area or overhead rack.

My Bags-Within-Bags System

Instead of digging through one large suitcase every time you need something, organize your train essentials into smaller bags:

• Snack bag
• Comfort/sleep bag
• Toiletry bag
• Crossbody bag for valuables

Your larger suitcase or backpack can stay in the luggage area or overhead rack. Keep the things you’ll use most often close to your seat.

Keep at Your Seat

• Refillable water bottle
• Snacks
• Phone and charger or power bank
• Headphones or earplugs
• Eye mask
• Small pillow
• Blanket or warm layer
• Kindle, book, journal or offline entertainment
• Toiletry bag
• Crossbody bag with valuables

Food and Drinks

• Nuts or trail mix
• Dried fruit
• Granola or protein bars
• Chocolate or peanut butter cups
• Crackers
• Cheese
• Fruit or cut veggies
• Fresh meal to eat early in the trip
• Instant items like oatmeal or miso soup
• Cup noodles or instant soup
• Tea or coffee

Pro tip: I like bringing something local from the city I’m leaving, like a sandwich, takeout or regional snack. For example, I picked up a muffaletta in New Orleans the day before my trip.

Consider a collapsible cooler if you need to keep things chilled. For longer train rides, you’ll want mostly non-perishable items or plan to supplement with food from the cafe car.

Reusable Eating Supplies

• Water bottle
• Reusable utensils
• Cloth napkin
• Collapsible food container
• Collapsible cooler with ice pack, if needed
• Travel mug
• Wet wipes for cleaning your tray table
• Portable electric kettle  *Note: appliances are not normally allowed on the train but this one is so small and quiet that I’ve used it at my seat without problems

Utensils are available in the cafe car, but it’s simple to bring your own utensil set and save on single-use items.

Most of the time, you can refill a water bottle from a spout near the bathrooms or in the Sightseer Lounge. Look for the sink toward the middle.

Sleep and Comfort

• Eye mask
• Earplugs and/or headphones
• Small pillow or inflatable pillow
• Blanket
• Sweater, shawl or warm layer
• Compression socks
• Portable fan
• Comfortable clothes

Pro tip: Naps can be your best friend on a long train ride. Sometimes it’s easier to get rest during the day, so I accept that I’m probably not getting uninterrupted sleep at night. Setting expectations beforehand, and having a hotel waiting on the other side, can help a lot.

Toiletries and Freshening Up

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Wet wipes or baby wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Face wipes
• Moisturizer
• Lip balm
• Hairbrush or comb
• Medications
• Menstrual products, if needed
• Fresh underwear
• Fresh socks
• Clean T-shirt

Reminder: Do not flush wipes, even if the package says they are flushable.

Valuables and Safety

Keep these with you in a crossbody bag or small personal bag:

• Phone
• Wallet
• ID
• Keys
• Train ticket, usually in the Amtrak app
• Laptop or tablet
• Medication
• Motion sickness medication, if you are extra sensitive
• Passport, if needed
• Power bank (this is what I use currently)
• Anything you cannot afford to lose

Optional:

• Luggage lock
• Small cable to connect bags
• Consider Airtags if you will be leaving a bag in the luggage rack rather than above your seat
• Personal safety alarm, such as She’s Birdie
• Safety whistle

Technology

• Phone charger
• Laptop charger
• Kindle charger
• Power bank (this is what I use currently)
• Headphones
• Small extension cord
• Downloaded movies, podcasts or music
• Offline maps (consider making a Google Map list so you can take note of sights)
• Hotel and travel details saved offline

Pro Tip: Do not rely on Amtrak Wi-Fi, especially on long-distance routes. You can sometimes use your phone as a hot spot, but in very remote areas (like in the mountains) this might not work.

Offline Activities

• Book or Kindle
• Journal
• Postcards and stamps
• Pens
• Sketchbook
• Crossword or Sudoku
• Playing cards
• Crafts like knitting or crochet
• Camera

Train travel is a great excuse to unplug. Look out the window, write a postcard, take a nap and let the journey be part of the trip.

Don’t Pack

• More than you can carry yourself
• Strong-smelling food
• Messy food without containers
• Too many valuables
• Anything that requires reliable Wi-Fi
• Personal alcohol (for coach travel)
• Bulky items you probably won’t use

My Best Packing Advice

✨ You don’t need to bring everything. ✨

You just need enough to stay fed, comfortable, entertained and reasonably fresh until you reach your next stop.

The goal is simple: keep what you need close, keep your valuables with you and enjoy the scenic route.