Amtrak Nightmare: 7 Mistakes I Made on a 16-Hour NYC Train Trip

I recently took a 16-hour round-trip Amtrak journey from NYC to Rochester, and let me tell you, I learned a few things the hard way. Here are seven mistakes I won't repeat:

1. Arriving Too Early (and Dealing with Delays)

Amtrak recommends arriving 30 minutes early, but I arrived an hour early. My train was delayed over an hour, making the extra wait agonizing. Next time, I'll aim for 20 minutes early.

2. Choosing the Wrong Side of the Train

Unassigned seating meant I ended up on the side with a view of other trains, not the scenic Hudson River. Lesson learned: strategize your seating for the best views!

3. Underestimating Spotty WiFi

The WiFi was spotty at best, making it tough to work or stream. Next time, I'm downloading entertainment beforehand.

4. Sitting at the Back of the Business Class Car

The back of the business class car was significantly bumpier than coach, making it nearly impossible to sleep. Business class wasn't worth the discomfort on this route.

5. Forgetting Snacks

The café car closed for an hour during the journey, leaving me hangry. Packing snacks is essential for long trips, even with a café car available.

6. Booking a Train with a Long Stop

My return trip included an hour and a half unscheduled stop in Albany. While I made the most of it, carefully checking journey length before booking is crucial.

7. Getting Too Comfortable (and Bumping My Head)

My clumsiness led to multiple head bumps on the luggage racks. Moving more carefully on a moving train is essential to avoid injuries!