Amtrak

Just started riding the train RT between STL and CHI and have found it to be my new favorite way to travel. I love that I don't have to go thru TSA, ticket lines, etc. Make plans online plus they have an APP, short term and long term parking nearby, and walk to terminal in under 2 minutes. I have rarely had to share a seat and have ridden 6 times in the past 30 days. There are 2 outlets in every row making it convenient to plug in phone or laptop and WIFI worked every time all the time. Lots of rm for luggage overhead and easily accessible all the time. Big bathrooms, dining cafe (eat beforehand as its just not healthy food), or I bring my own food aboard which is no problem. The seats are spacious and roomy, plenty of leg and elbow room, big windows for plenty of natural lighting. One time we were late 30 minutes arriving, otherwise, it's been on time or early.

Amtrak is a safe and budget friendly mode of transportation that has been around for many years. I wish they would upgrade the inside of the trains however that would increase the rates making it less accessible to some people.

St Louis Station

Parking
Long-term parking is the most uncomfortable experience ever. It's located two blocks from the station in a secluded area. You don't feel safe and I'm always terrified walking to and from this location. The lot is fenced and secure it's the walk that's horrifying. To enter the parking lot you swipe a credit card. You will not receive a ticket. Before you leave the parking lot you must grab a ticket by the exit. That ticket includes a code for you to get back into the parking lot. When you return from your trip, use the code to unlock the gate to the parking lot. At the exit, swipe the same credit card you used to get in. Your fare will show on the screen. Press a button to approve payment.

I chose a business class seat on the train but my experience was partly ruined by the employee at the Amtrak counter. This lady has a horrible attitude. There's a lounge for business class guests and it requires a code to unlock the door. I asked will sometime come get us from the lounge. She said there's a speaker in there and you will hear the announcement. I said I'm asking because last time I was here the speaker wasn't working and they forgot about us. She gave me the code and said you know where it is. I said I don't. She said I thought you've been here before in a rude tone. I said that was years ago. She said, "Well it hasn't moved!" real sarcastically. I had to say again that was a long time ago. As I walked away I said ma'am you need to adjust your attitude. This experience was horrible. I never found the lounge and did not feel comfortable interacting with her again.

The business class seats on the train are nice and roomy and they recline. There's a bathroom in this section and business class seats are very close to the cafe. You get one complimentary drink that never happened departing St Louis. There's a row of single seats which is awesome for solo riders.

Chicago
Beautiful, modern station. Huge lounge for business class that includes free snacks and drinks, tvs and comfortable seating. No code needed to enter. There's a security guard in the room. There also a room to store your luggage. When we got seated on the train the young lady from the cafe announced we get a free complimentary beverage. She came to each row and took our order.

St Louis, do better.

*Amtrak Service, no particular station:
TL; DR at end:

1. Stretch out, there is enough leg room for Shaq. Walk around. Watch wildlife on grassy plains, snowfall on glacier topped mountains, fish jumping in clear, beautiful rivers. Can't enjoy those luxuries on an airplane.

2. Hungry? Wander over to the Dining car for a hot meal. Munchies? There's a snack bar with quick solutions: hot or cold sandwiches, sodas, coffee, cheese 'n crackers, candy. You can enjoy your food there or at your seat.

3. Family trip? You can have seats together or in a room. Also: Sleeper cars, for a little more privacy.

4. Bathrooms? Several in each car, including nursing or diaper change areas. Each bathroom is very well maintained.

5. Seating? Business class and coach have identical seats that recline *without intruding on others. Foot rests and leg rests on every seat. Where coach has 2 and 2 arrangement, business has 2 and 1.

6. Personnel: THIS IS AMTRAK'S STRENGTH. Every porter, engineer, service agent, ticket agent, security guard, red cap, and office worker is there to make your ride comfortable and safe.

SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM for helping me get solutions to very late arrival (my train stopped to help another train). They define and demonstrate the actual value of customer care. BRAVO ZULU. Well done.

7. Delays? You will not be abandoned. Not all stations are open 24/7 and some are in sketchy locations (pointing at you, STL), but any Amtrak employee will help reassure you and get you to your destination safely. You may be set up in hotel, put on bus or other conveyance, or scheduled on another train.

Remember: Do your research. Your safety is *your 1st priority.

TL;DR: Panoramic views, lots of personal space, good food, great people. Train rides are fun.

*My trip lasted 4 days.
*Always handicap accessible.

Horrible Amtrak station. Super dirty and no signs on when trains are leaving. The station was also not safe. No security or police anywhere to be found.

I was not a passenger on the Amtrak (Amtrak is your government passenger rail service). When I look at the train stations in Japan and look at ours it is rather embarrassing. I took pictures so people in other countries that read my reviews can get an understanding of our rail system vs theirs. One of the huge differences is scale. Our country is just so darn big and it would take me 3 days to travel from ST. Louis to California. Or fly for 4 hours. So you can see why rail is not popular.

I also wanted to take pictures of what is inside our train stations vs what other countries have. As we have minimal facilities and no big shopping inside the station nor outside the station. Just a railyard as our trains haul cargo and not many passengers.

One note I was taking pictures inside for my review and a guard came up to me and told me to stop taking pictures. I complied because I was finished and St. Louis jail is not cool. LOL

As far as transportation goes it's pretty good. Nice seats with plenty of leg room. The only thing that I don't like about the Amtrak is the price; people who don't have cars are looking for an affordable alternative and the Amtrak is not that option in my opinion.

WhooWhoo, the free Exhibit Train museum is AWESOME.

Over ten cars long and on display Saturday & Sundays from 11:00am-3:30pm... this in-train museum is fUHreee! Yes, as free as Will Ferrell streaking in the quad.

Not only did the kidlets really enjoy seeing a train up close and going inside walking from car to car and moving all the conductor parts, wheels, and blowing the horns - but adults can enjoy learning the history of the railways and seeing all of the vintage posters (rad!).

I also learned of the Missouri River Runner train that goes from here to Kansas City in about 5 hours, and in Kansas City there's another children's train museum. So maybe, just maybe we'll take our first scenic train ride just for fun.

Parking is at the Union Station lot for a few bucks. WHOOWHOO!

As far as Amtrak Stations Go...this one seems to 'enjoy' inconveniencing customers.
They Form, and then hold lines, for a long time, before starting the checking of tickets, etc.
The station layout makes it awkward for "good byes," as they are standing 'right over there,' for about 30 minutes, then they check tickets, and the line needs "to keep moving. " So, you quickly wave, and are sucked into the Trainway...wierd.
{Of course Chicago assigns seats Willie-nilly, so this ISN'T AMTRAK's worst...just weirdly layed out and operated.}
*The services are contracted out, so the food joint varies in convenience, to them.
*The Actual Amtrak counter agents are not outright trying to be difficult, but their obvious disintrest, makes for a less than exciting experience.
They Sell, but do not Honor, Missori Lottery tickets. SO, if you win any significant amount, you have to Take a taxi to cash it in...if it is a cheap win...you have to Decide at which point, it becomes Not Worth, mailing in, and waiting...IF THEY TOLD YOU BEFORE BUYING, then, maybe you wouldn't.

For those of you who have traveled internationally, when you hear "train service," you may imagine swift and speedy service such as the Euro Rail or some rails in Asia. Some may imagine worse forms such as rails in poorer areas of the world.

Well, although Amtrak is in a first world country it is somewhere in the middle as far as overall experience. It's always packed, at least on my ride to and from Chicago from St. Louis, and media says that train ridership is up which should be providing funds to better the service. However, you'd never know it because it takes the same, long 5.5 hours to get from St Louis to Chicago (the same time to drive) as it has for years. They always have places where "special fast tracks" lie, but you would never know it. They have terrible communication, because last minute, the train will have to stop for some reason or another. Don't expect to arrive on time!! The cars are fairly old.

Honestly, in some ways, the buses are faster & I opt for those of weather permits-and you will more often have Wifi on buses, as not all trains have it. You won't have a cafe car on the bus, but honesty, the food is so $$ and processed on Amtrak that I bring mine anyway. I just hope they get with the 2K one day and invest money to better service for the many passengers who expect and deserve it.

I take the Amtrak from St. Louis to Chicago all the time. I take an Uber to get on the 4:35AM train and I am in downtown Chicago by 10AM. It's cheap and I can snooze, which I love. Everyone picks on Amtrak, and I'm not sure why because it's such a convenient and inexpensive option to get to Chicago - costs less than the gas, for sure. They've also upgraded their food and drink selection, which is nice. Plus, with a 10-ride ticket, you don't even have to worry about reservations - just get on the train. Cost per ride comes out cheaper that way, too. Not much to complain about, in my opinion. Also, I've have one delayed train in the last 20 trips or so I've taken. Track work is coming to an end and I think this problem will be a thing of the past. Pro tip: Drive to Alton and take the train from there for a better place to leave your car. The tracks between St. Louis and Alton are slow-going, too.

ZERO STARS!!!!
Worst customer service ever Chicago is bad but Saint Louis is horrible. Wouldn't help my handicap aunt bc we didn't specify her disability. Obviously she is an old woman with a cane...not to mention small and frail. RUDE RUDE RUDE will never ride Amtrak again and have been for 15 years. Not to mention the conductors on both trains must HATE their careers and need to retire. I asked Bishop for help picking my aunts bag up the stairs "not his duty" thanks sir your such a gentleman. What happened to chivalry!!!