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While onboard any Amtrak train please note the following for a safer and more enjoyable trip: While in any Amtrak station please note the following for a safer more enjoyable trip: Whether onboard the train or at the station, if you see something, say something. May 24, 2021. Coronavirus and Travel: What You Should Know, Many restrictions ease with lower COVID-19 case numbers, What to Do if Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed, How to keep your trip on track with bad weather and staff shortages disrupting travel, The Latest TSA Security Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Youll need a mask, and patience, when passing through airport screenings this winter. A fare difference may apply to your new itinerary. Wear shoes at all times and use caution when wearing shoes without rubber soles. Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. Riding Amtrak for the first time? / : ; < = > ? This left a total of five dining tables open (all of which must be reserved for a specific time in advance). Review restriction information by looking up your destinations local government websites. Tickets Charge your electronic devices and get them ready to show your eTicket to the conductor or station personnel. Not only are those places riskier for both visitors and locals, Moyse says, they are also likely to have more restrictions. Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. Pack a face mask and a backup. Everything you need to know about vaccine passports. Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. Amtrak customers 18 years of age and older must produce valid photo identification when: To be valid, your identification must be current and in-force. Upon reaching out to Amtrak, a spokesperson for the company said, "The health and safety of our riders and crew continues to be our number one priority. Please enter a valid station, city, or address. While the ruling is being reviewed, the Biden administration confirmed on Monday night that the TSA will not enforce mask-wearing. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Passengers who want quiet choose the quiet car. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. That time, I had bought a business class ticket, an upgrade that came with two free bottles of water, an onboard food credit, and even a free early evening wine tasting. Review the policy for unaccompanied minors. Read More: I flew Delta for the first time since it stopped blocking middle seats and found cracks showing in its mask enforcement here's what it was like, Read More: I rode Amtrak up and down the Northeast Corridor during the pandemic and found it surprisingly clean, cheap, and stress-free here's what it was like, Read More: Amtrak relaunches USA Rail Pass, a ticket that lets you travel the country for 30 days for $299, Read More: New York just debuted a $1.6 billion train hall to upgrade its notorious Penn Station, complete with skylight ceilings and a premium lounge see inside, I flew Delta for the first time since it stopped blocking middle seats and found cracks showing in its mask enforcement here's what it was like, I rode Amtrak up and down the Northeast Corridor during the pandemic and found it surprisingly clean, cheap, and stress-free here's what it was like, Amtrak relaunches USA Rail Pass, a ticket that lets you travel the country for 30 days for $299, New York just debuted a $1.6 billion train hall to upgrade its notorious Penn Station, complete with skylight ceilings and a premium lounge see inside. Presidents gain too much power when emergencies like covid hit, The Checkup With Dr. Wen: Three important studies shed light on long covid, We are not overcounting covid deaths in the United States, China, speeding through phases of covid, gets on with living with virus, FDA advisers favor retiring original covid shot and using newer version. Face Coverings While Amtrak passengers and employees are no longer required to wear masks while on board trains or in stations, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19. Oct. 26, 2020 6:30 AM PT. If youre taking a substantial trip, you will want to protect yourself with travel insurance even if you have never been inclined to before. I took a few last glimpses outside the window and wondered what views Id miss as we passed by in the darkness. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Sometimes, doing all this extra work makes me feel paranoid, and I almost didnt do it this time. Due to COVID relief funding, Amtrak will sustain and restore operations and recall the more than 1,200 furloughed employees through the remainder of FY21 and into FY22. The journey was smooth, . Passwords are case sensitive. When searching for travel, the percentage of seats sold displays next to each trip option and adjusts as more reservations are made, which gives customers the opportunity to book a train that is less crowded. Amtrak restores service on routes following COVID cutbacks. Amtrak is ending daily service to hundreds of stations. Depending on where youre traveling, you may still need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test result even when vaccinated. Passwords are case sensitive, should be at least 10 characters long and should include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. Your password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least 1 alpha character, and include at least 1 number or special character (- ? The curtain of my cabin was closed, and not wanting me to miss the view, Linda hopped on our cars intercom to make an announcement. The company updated its policy in reaction to the TSA no longer enforcing the mask mandate. The railroad said in an email to . For the most part, it seemed the protocols were being adhered to, but when staff seemed more lax about sanitizing and enforcing mask policy, passengers used that opportunity to be less safe themselves.. GET THE APP Amtrak RideReserve for Multi-Ride Passes Customers can make reservations for set mealtimes in the dining car, or they can chose complimentary room service in their private cabin. Bad weather and employee COVID-19 cases led Amtrak to reduce its trains' schedule between New Year's Eve and Jan. 6. . Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. Your password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least 1 alpha character, and include at least 1 number or special character (- ? We have useful tips and information for travelers like you to make your first rail journey as enjoyable as it could be. Weve also focused on making the experience touch free, including contactless boarding, scanning tickets directly from the Amtrak app and the installation of new Amtrak kiosks throughout the country. Amtrak encourages boarding with eTickets, which conductors scan from the Amtrak app. Get flash sales, Amtrak Guest Rewards promotions and account updates sent directly to your inbox. However, on the routes where the boarding announcements didnt sound as intense about COVID policies, passengers seemed less inclined to follow the rules. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. Since then, ridership crept partway back to its. The policy change comes a day after Tampa's U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Kimball. Get flash sales, Amtrak Guest Rewards promotions and account updates sent directly to your inbox. We will send password reset instructions. As a result, you will be allowed access to foreign countries, cruise ships, flights and more. It was our very first time on any Amtrak train. Seats are auto assigned on trains with the reserved seating option; however, they can be changed using an interactive diagram on Amtrak.com or the Amtrak app. Fee waivers: Amtrak is waiving all change fees for any changes made by December 31, 2023 on fares that have change fees. Free online workshop! | Layovers, Road trips: Tips | Rental cars | Best snacks | Long-haul trains | Rest stops | Cross-country drive, Destinations: Hawaii | Private islands | Australia | Mexico | Alaska | Puerto Rico. Let's try a different question. Passwords are case sensitive. It comes at a time when COVID-19 numbers are on the rise again and mask-wearing has been encouraged and even enforced again, with cities like Philadelphia reinstating its indoor mask mandate on Monday. That answer wasnt correct either. (For a low-key getaway nearby when there is less money on the line, travel insurance might not be warranted.). Check where you can go and what you can do there Before you lock in a plane. National Railroad Passenger Corporation, https://www.amtrak.com/content/amtrak/en-us/about-amtrak/50th-anniversary/covid-adaptations. CDC Notice on Facility Access. Photo Disclaimer: Some imagery shown throughout our website does not represent current operational and safety guidelines. The change fee waiver does not apply to a previously purchased fare rebooked for the same train, date and origin/destination at a lower fare. By signing in to your account you acknowledge you have read and agree to the updated terms and conditions, including the binding arbitration agreement. Jen Moyse, senior director of product at TripIt, says that as travelers choose destinations to visit, they may still want to avoid places with increasing or high levels of infection. Amtrak will run more train service in Pennsylvania beginning on June 1 in coordination with PennDOT. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. And at any given meal time, I found that only three out of five tables were ever occupied. Instead of eating in the dining car, I took advantage of Amtraks new room service option and had all my meals delivered right to my room at a time of my choosing. Watch your step when boarding and leaving the train. This tool was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use by CDC. COVID-19 Prevention Actions. terms and conditions Vaccine questions, answered. When we venture out again, travel will not look the same as it did in 2019. In short: people want different options for travel, and Amtrak threads the needle, accommodating varying needs. SEATTLE (AP) In another hopeful sign that the travel industry is bouncing back in Washington state after pandemic-induced lows last year, Amtrak says it will restore daily service on 12 long distance routes across the country, including two that run through Seattle. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. Amtrak has required its customers and workers to wear masks since May of 2020. Watch your step moving from car to car while the train is in motion, as the vestibules can be slippery. Amtrak will reduce its service between Friday and Jan. 6 as it grapples with a rising number of COVID-19 cases among workers and poor weather conditions, according to The Washington Post.Among the affected routes include four trains between Washington and Springfield, Mass., overnight trains between Newport News, Va. and Boston and several trains between New York and New Orleans, among others . That answer wasnt correct either. Amtrak says the reductions should have minimal impact because ridership remains down by 25 percent, and the schedule changes coincide with a slower travel season. For the foreseeable future, we will still be following coronavirus precautions and restrictions. March 15, 20213:28 PM. Brown also says vaccine requirements to travel are nothing new. www.fda.gov 1 May 21, 2020 Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments . Passwords are case sensitive. Do I need another booster? We were off. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. It turned out to be a rough night, full of rattles and rumbles. This means you won't have to travel this . Get flash sales, Amtrak Guest Rewards promotions and account updates sent directly to your inbox. As with airlines, federal regulations require all Amtrak passengers to wear masks at all times aboard trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status and state and local laws. Before you lock in a plane ticket or hotel reservation, make sure the destination you would like to visit is open to Americans. I felt pretty confident that Amtrak was on top of their pandemic protocols, a collection of new and enhanced cleaning and health safety measures that they developed with their full-time medical and health safety team who has experience on the frontlines of COVID-19. Seating Accommodations Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: + Officials are still not recommending travel for everyone due to the rising number of cases in the United States and globally. Passwords are case sensitive. Over the past few months, Ive taken four trains over three Amtrak routes, Wunderman told me. As the sun set on my first day, I was ready to call it a night. "I enjoyed the privacy and comfort of the Viewliner Roomette sleeper car and felt Amtrak delivered on promises for strong COVID-19 policies. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this same approach could be taken in relation to masking. I also realized that absolutely none of the windows on the train were open, and frequent reminders over the intercom made it clear that passengers were not to attempt to open them. Weve been working diligently to enhance our safety protocols, including partnering with Lysol to reinforce disinfection protocols, utilizing EPA-registered cleaning products and enhancing cleaning on commonly used surfaces. To find out if train travel is safe right now, we talked to experts and an Amtrak representative to find out risks to know when boarding during COVID. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try Stand back from the edge of the platform. Amtrak customers 18 years of age and older must produce valid photo identification when: Exchanging, refunding or reprinting Amtrak travel documents Purchasing documents with a stored eVoucher or Transportation Credit Traveling as a Pass Rider (active or retired) Storing baggage at stations Checking baggage (including firearms) We have made upgrades to the Amtrak app, where customers can book, get boarding information, and check train status from a mobile device and receive real-time information before boarding. Amtrak's unique travel experience for families, individuals and groups, Tickets & fares, accessible travel service, security & ID requirements, Boarding information, station lounges, baggage & station services, Seating & sleeping, baggage info, train amenities, food & dining, Amtrak travel deals, promotions and other partner offers, Savings for Kids, Seniors, Military, Groups and More, Train vacation packages throughout North America, USA Rail passes, monthly passes and multi-ride tickets, Earn points toward Amtrak reward travel, upgrades and more, Discover member benefits, ways to earn or redeem points and more, Explore ways to earn points that can quickly add up to great rewards, Get even more benefits with an Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card. As soon as I stepped into the boarding line at Portlands Union Station, I noticed signs of the times: masks and markers on the floor, instructing people where to stand. Wear shoes at all times and use caution when wearing shoes without rubber soles. Amtrak began selling all seats on its trains in May after limiting capacity at half for most of the pandemic. Refusing to wear a mask may lead to fines, denied boarding, being removed from the train and being barred from future travel. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. As I set my things down, the train rolled into motion. That answer wasnt correct either. (Amtrak declined to answer my inquiries on whether or not this violated their mask policy, but they did say that refusing to wear a mask in a public space will result in prompt removal from the train.). Amtrak is no longer limiting capacity. Amtrak offers buy-one, get-one promotion on its sleeper trains amid COVID-19 with a catch. Please be prepared to show valid photo identification to a member of the onboard crew upon request. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. It has also temporarily suspended operation of the Silver Meteor train, which runs between New York and Miami. We reached my room and I was immediately impressed. "Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so.". Get flash sales, Amtrak Guest Rewards promotions and account updates sent directly to your inbox. The railroad entity told. A fare difference may apply for itinerary changes. The details come ahead of the holiday travel season, with many. To keep station crowds to a minimum, Amtrak is also urging passengers not to arrive too far in advance. Amtrak's unique travel experience for families, individuals and groups, Tickets & fares, accessible travel service, security & ID requirements, Boarding information, station lounges, baggage & station services, Seating & sleeping, baggage info, train amenities, food & dining, Amtrak travel deals, promotions and other partner offers, Savings for Kids, Seniors, Military, Groups and More, Train vacation packages throughout North America, USA Rail passes, monthly passes and multi-ride tickets, Earn points toward Amtrak reward travel, upgrades and more, Discover member benefits, ways to earn or redeem points and more, Explore ways to earn points that can quickly add up to great rewards, Get even more benefits with an Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card. For someone like me with immune issues that put them in a higher-risk category for COVID-19, having this option offered an off-load of anxiety. Masks covering your nose and mouth are required by Amtrak in all stations, as is keeping proper social distance from others. Please enter a valid station, city, or address. Id spent the day watching the outside world flicker by like a silent film, a few minutes at a time. ! " ), Nine other long-distance trains are reduced to operating five days a week, instead of daily. Amtrak has new COVID-19 safety protocols for the holidays. Detours with locals. Be sure to step over the gap between the train and platform. About 1.5% of Amtrak's trains are being reduced until Thursday, with . Amtrak is suspending its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees and now doesn't anticipate needing to slash service next year, the transit agency announced Tuesday. Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. Help children when boarding and leaving the train. However, this was not the case on my train. Customers can book, board, check train status and access information from the convenience and safety of a mobile device. Anyone who has a trip canceled due to the service cuts will be notified and offered alternative travel plans. After taking Amtrak's Coast Starlight train from Portland to Los Angeles during the pandemic, one traveler shares her experience of the 30-hour journey. "Try to travel in a car with . Please enable JavaScript on your browser and try again. # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . terms and conditions Download the Amtrak app to check train status, get gate and track information at select stations, travel with contact-free eTicket scanning and access helpful information at your fingertips. Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term -43% off the standard annual rate, Access exclusive discounts, programs, & services, Double down with a FREE second membership. But be warned: Travel insurance doesnt cover everything. Update: Amtrak in the Age of COVID-19. Congressman Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, introduced a new piece of legislation on Thursday that if passed would require proof of COVID-19 vaccine . The Best Train Trips to Take Across America . In a crowded place, a face mask or respirator keeps the virus away, The investigation into covids origins must continue, Your questions about covid-19, answered by Dr. Leana Wen, Lab leak report energizes Republicans covid probes, We are asking the wrong question about the origins of covid, Doctors who touted ivermectin as covid fix now pushing it for flu, RSV, First combination home test for flu and covid cleared by the FDA. Passwords should be at least 10 characters long and include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. and Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Pack your vaccine card with your passport , then check if you need an actual vaccine passport, too, 4. Virginia native Larry Bleiberg is president of the Society of American Travel Writers, a frequent contributor to BBC Travel and the creator of CivilRightsTravel.com. This will give customers the opportunity to book a train that is less crowded. So far on the journey, Id soaked in the wooded landscape of the Pacific Northwest, gluing myself to the window as we snaked through trees already painted with golden yellows, bright oranges, and fiery reds. First up:facial coverings. If you want to change your reservation, Amtrakis waiving all change fees for bookings made by April 30, 2022. / : ; < = > ? . CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels provide information about the amount of severe illness in the community where you are located to help you decide when to take action to protect yourself and . AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. It remains to be seen how important vaccine passports will be in your day-to-day life, but we do know they will be important for travel. Watch your step on station stairs, escalators and train platforms. Listen to article. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. At certain stations you might also see clear plastic barriers at the customer counter. 2 . Please enter a password. Passwords are case sensitive. Heres more on Amtraks latest policies and practices. We will send password reset instructions. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. During the 2019 fiscal year, Amtrak carried a record 32.5 million passengers; however, an Amtrak internal analysis in April showed a 95 percent drop in ridership because of the coronavirus. Please enter a password. That answer wasnt correct either. Suddenly, taking an overnight train from Portland to Los Angeles felt like an adventure. Ive made a habit of giving every hotel room or Airbnb Ive stayed in during the pandemic a solid wipe down for my own sanity and security. One such innovation is the expansion of reserved seating on Acela trains. # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . In fact, I had taken my inaugural journey on the bucket-list route back in early February, riding south from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo and then, a few days later, catching the train down again to the end of the line in Los Angeles. And thats when I got to work. To prepare for your post-vaccination travels, we compiled this checklist to help you get squared away before you go. Pack or ship your luggage according to our baggage guidelines and make the most of our service. Thanksgiving travelers who plan to ride the train between Nov. 23 and Nov. 30 need to reserve . Since my journey seemed to vary from what I had read about other pandemic Amtrak experiences, I decided to reach out to travel writer Ali Wunderman, who had journeyed overnight on Amtraks Empire Builder train, which runs from Chicago to Portland, Oregon. Let's try a different question. It is worth noting that masks are not mandatory in the dining car when seated for meals, nor are passengers required to wear masks elsewhere while they are eating or drinking. Should there be an annual coronavirus booster? It's been updated to reflect recent Amtrak procedures. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. But if youre returning to the United States from an international trip, you have to provide a negative test result or documentation of recovery regardless of your vaccination or antibody status. Pre-Departure Checklist Review this handy guide and make your trip as trouble-free as possible Baggage Policy & Service Pack or ship your luggage according to our baggage guidelines and make the most of our service. We will send password reset instructions. Amtrak began selling all seats on its trains in May after limiting capacity at half for most of the pandemic. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. COVID-19, and more than 1,600 of those workers have died. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. www.roadsbridges.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. All baggage should contain an ID tag. Ridership is still down leaving inter-city trains with scores of open seats from which to choose. You asked: Can I get a refund if the airline changed my flight time? AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. The number adjusts as additional seats are sold, which gives passengers the chance to switch to a train that is less crowded without a fee, although a fare difference may apply. As with airlines, federal regulations require all Amtrak passengers to wear masks at all times aboard trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status and state and local laws. Vaccine passports are on the way, but developing them wont be easy. Amtrak also requires its employees to either be vaccinated or take a COVID-19 test on a weekly basis. Youre in car 31 thats my car! You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The affected routes include some trains in the Northeast Corridor and a New Orleans route. Please enter a password. Vaccine passports may be as essential as a photo ID. Sept 21 (Reuters) - U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak said on Tuesday it will require nearly all of its 18,000 employees be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Nov. 22. Most passengers were respectful of the rules, though there was the occasional person who used this rule as a way to get around wearing a mask for an extended period of time in other sections, like the observation car. Heres your pre-trip checklist. For passengers in private cabins, formal traditional dining with chef-prepared meals has returned to most long-distance trains. And if it is, make sure youre familiar with any restrictions in place. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? / : ; < = > ? With that funding, Amtrak which is publicly funded and privately operated said Wednesday that it would be able to execute on many of those goals, including improving Northeast Corridor trip. Her pieces on science, art and culture have appeared inThe Atlantic, where she was previously an editorial fellow,Californiamagazine and elsewhere. Amtrak says it has taken additional steps to ensure cleanliness and safety for those traveling during the coronavirus pandemic. FDA is providing a food safety re-opening checklist . One such innovation is the expansion of reserved seating on Acela trains. _ @ " $ # ,). The real problem occurred when we were boarding the train. The sudden dropping of mask regulations on public transportation comes just weeks before the current mandate was set to expire on May 3. Depending on where you are going (and what the status of vaccine passports are when you go), you may need to show the vaccine card before you board a plane, or before you pass customs and immigration, among other entry points. Call or Email the COVID-19 HR Response Team at 413-687-2283 or COVID19HR@umass.edu. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Passwords are case sensitive. Brown says even if a test is not required for your trip, its always good to know your health status before you venture out and interact with others. I noticed signage stating that passengers and staff must wear masks at all times unless in the privacy of their own rooms had replaced Amtrak promotional posters on the walls. Tickets purchased onboard include a service fee built into the fare. privacy policy. National Railroad Passenger Corporation, https://www.amtrak.com/content/amtrak/en-us/planning-booking/planning-booking-tips/riding-on-amtrak-train-for-the-first-time. Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Dont forget to read the fine print to make sure you are protected for exactly what you need. Topline. By combining our safety efforts with the guidance of our medical director and partnership with George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, we want our customers to have a renewed sense of confidence. 1. While the view itself wasnt breathtaking, I found myself holding my breath. These 4 basic steps will help you prep for COVID-19, plus feel informed, forearmed, and less anxious. Youre vaccinated and ready to travel. This process is automatic. @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak told a U.S. House of Representatives panel on Thursday it expects to be forced to temporarily cut some service in January because of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Please enter a valid station, city, or address. Don't forget to share your train travel experience with us after your trip. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. With its medical director, public health and safety team and partnership with the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, we have studied, analyzed and made improvements to the Amtrak travel experience - from beginning to end - for the safety and health of our .