Train to Montreal

[Flyingfish]

This will be a first cruise for us with Oceania. We're looking at Regatta out of Montreal to NYC in the fall 2014. Problem: we don't want to fly, and in checking with Amtrak on line, they don't seem to have a baggage handling system. Has anyone done this trip via train? How so? Appreciate any info.

[DOJO466]

This will be a first cruise for us with Oceania. We're looking at Regatta out of Montreal to NYC in the fall 2014. Problem: we don't want to fly, and in checking with Amtrak on line, they don't seem to have a baggage handling system. Has anyone done this trip via train? How so? Appreciate any info.

I too looked at Amtrak from Boston to NYC and was so surprised no baggage system. Only carry ons that will fit in overhead , a shall overhead. We have decided to pay a friend to drive us . It is a 5 hour ride from NH to NYC.

[pacheco18]

I too looked at Amtrak from Boston to NYC and was so surprised no baggage system. Only carry ons that will fit in overhead , a shall overhead. We have decided to pay a friend to drive us . It is a 5 hour ride from NH to NYC.

 

Really not the case

 

We have gone on Amtrak with major luggage as part of a trip -- most recently New York to North Carolina.

There are places (large bins) at the end of every car where you can stow your luggage.

 

They also have checked baggage service, depending upon your point of origin and your final destination

http://www.amtrak.com/checked-baggage

 

Both NYC and Montreal offer checked baggage services

Edited November 27, 2013 by pacheco18

[DOJO466]

Really not the case

 

We have gone on Amtrak with major luggage as part of a trip -- most recently New York to North Carolina.

There are places (large bins) at the end of every car where you can stow your luggage.

 

They also have checked baggage service, depending upon your point of origin and your final destination

http://www.amtrak.com/checked-baggage

 

Both NYC and Montreal offer checked baggage services

I stand corrected on my Boston route. Only one train has checked baggage. It arrives at Penn at 2:30 AM.....not where we want to be at that time.

[pacheco18]

I stand corrected on my Boston route. Only one train has checked baggage. It arrives at Penn at 2:30 AM.....not where we want to be at that time.

 

But you can still take your baggage on the train and put it in the bins.

[GeezerCouple]

For Acela trains (and maybe any train - not sure), at Penn Station and at Boston, there are porters who will not only carry your luggage from a special waiting area, but they will escort you onboard before the regular boarding call. That means you get first shot at the seats.

 

In our opinion, this is one of the better-kept travel secrets.

It's especially useful at Penn Station, given the general crowding and sometimes seeming chaos there. Plus the train just stops in NYC for a relatively short time.

In Boston, the train originates there, so there is less of a general rush.

There is no charge other that whatever tip you choose to give the porter.

(We tip generously, as this is a terrific service.)

 

If you want assistance at the destination (we have NO idea about Montreal), that's a bit trickier. The departing porter might call ahead, but there might be several people jockeying for position for a porter, or none at all. Our experience is that if a porter notices you, he'll pile your luggage along with the others. If there's no room, he'll come back or send someone else. They work for tips, after all, and this seems to be one place where the system actually works.

You'd probably need to get your bags off the train yourself, but that's not usually a problem for most people.

(Ask the conductor when he/she collects the tickets if you'd need special help at your destination.)

 

GeezerCouple

[canuck.qc]

Our family travel regularly by train out of Montreal. There is assistance with luggage, wheelchairs etc..and taxis are readily available for the short 5min ride to the dock.

Edited November 27, 2013 by canuck.qc

[DOJO466]

For Acela trains (and maybe any train - not sure), at Penn Station and at Boston, there are porters who will not only carry your luggage from a special waiting area, but they will escort you onboard before the regular boarding call. That means you get first shot at the seats.

 

In our opinion, this is one of the better-kept travel secrets.

It's especially useful at Penn Station, given the general crowding and sometimes seeming chaos there. Plus the train just stops in NYC for a relatively short time.

In Boston, the train originates there, so there is less of a general rush.

There is no charge other that whatever tip you choose to give the porter.

(We tip generously, as this is a terrific service.)

 

If you want assistance at the destination (we have NO idea about Montreal), that's a bit trickier. The departing porter might call ahead, but there might be several people jockeying for position for a porter, or none at all. Our experience is that if a porter notices you, he'll pile your luggage along with the others. If there's no room, he'll come back or send someone else. They work for tips, after all, and this seems to be one place where the system actually works.

You'd probably need to get your bags off the train yourself, but that's not usually a problem for most people.

(Ask the conductor when he/she collects the tickets if you'd need special help at your destination.)

 

GeezerCouple

Thank you so much for this info. When I inquired before that info is not public.

[GeezerCouple]

Thank you so much for this info. When I inquired before that info is not public.

 

The waiting area at Penn Station might be labeled for Acela or business class or something. I don't quite remember. There is a place to show your ticket, but they don't enforce that most of the time.

 

Again - I do NOT know if non-Acela trains are included in the porter service, but if not, you'd probably be able to bargain with a porter there to take you to *your* train when it gets in. Worth asking!

(Just wait until one leaves that waiting area if necessary.)

 

Anyway, you'll note the "redcaps" with wheeled carts.

They have an amazing way of remembering which passengers need to get to which train, but we still make a point of reminding them that we are "here", and what our train is ;-)

 

They have keys that can reverse the escalators down to the tracks, so they can take "their" trailing ducklings - I mean passengers - to their train without any crowds.

 

Sometimes we tip them partially in advance, and no one has ever failed to come back for us (and yes, for another tip).

 

GeezerCouple

[Flyingfish]

Thanks for all the good information. We'll probably end up with the bags in the bins.