Amtrak

Amazing customer service! I purchased a train ticket for 6:00 at night a couple days prior to my trip home. On the day I was scheduled to leave, I printed my ticket and realized that I accidentally purchased a ticket for 7:00am and my train already left. I called the general Amtrak and was helped wonderfully! The gentleman I spoke with on the phone, Chris, was able to call and have my ticket lifted and rescheduled for the 6:00 train that I originally planned on taking (even though they were not selling tickets for this train any longer). I was just told to go to the front desk to get a new ticket printed. When I arrived, the lady at the desk searched for my ticket and was able to help me find my information. She realized that something went wrong with lifting my ticket and it would not allow it to be printed properly. She met me at the platform and explained my situation to the conductor and proved I bought a valid ticket and could not be printed. The conductor asked me a few questions once I was on the train, but I was finally able to breathe and relax once I made it onboard. My only advice is to make sure you check your tickets more clearly and ahead of time :) Overall, I am thankful for all the help I received with Amtrak!

Everyone is always so accomodating and helpful to my unaccompanied minor children. I couldn’t ask for better service.

So I’ve had a couple of experiences now with the train on my way south to see the fam for the holidays. All in all for the price, you can’t beat it. If you have ANY more comfortable means to get where you’re going I would suggest doing so.
Positive’s:
No headache of driving, and you can drink while you are headed to your destination! Not to many other forms of transportation can do that, without heading through long security lines etc. That brings up another positive which is the ease in which you just board the train, and are on your way. No «Be here 2 hours early for security», just grab your ticket and get on.
Negative’s:
The food car is all microwavable sandwiches, and expensive drinks. There are a couple saving graces like yogurt parfaits etc that create some options for decent snacks. Also the seats are really uncomfortable, and I can’t imagine riding for too long a distance which could be an issue on trips out of state.
WI-​FI? Sometimes. Train down didn’t; one back did.
Also rando stops will occur. Whether it be an issue with a broken track, passing train, or cargo pick up, you are at the mercy of the rail. So don’t expect everything to be exactly on time. I’d let me ride go ahead and know that at your destination point.
Will I continue to ride the Amtrak; Yes. Although I will be bringing my own snacks, booze, and if I were going really far pillow. So get prepared to sit, and enjoy the not so scenic views of each small town railway area you pass through on the way.

I take Amtak to Bloomington-​Normal once a month or so. If you book far enough out, you can get fares as low as $ 28 RT which is cheaper than driving and much more relaxing. I used to battle the Stevenson traffic out of Chicago in the evening and back in on Monday morning and it was a hassle, especially when it rained or snowed. The train to B-​N is usually close to on time but coming into Chicago it averages at least ½ hour late. Cheapest prices are M-​Th & Sat but even on F & Su you can travel roundtrip for as low as $ 34 if you book ahead.

I often work within walking distance of Union Station in Chicago, and I live within walking distance of the Bloomington-​Normal Amtrak station. Over the past two years, I’ve taken the train between Chicago and Normal at least 85 times.
When the train is running on time, it’s an unbeatible way to travel– it takes roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes, one can nap or work, and with a 10-​ride ticket it costs much less than the price of gasoline. But when the train is late or delayed– which is unfortunately pretty often– it’s a frustrating trip that can take as long as 4 hours.
In my dozens of trips over two years riding TO Chicago, the train has been on time (within 10 – 15 minutes of the target arrival time) only about 30−40% of the time. On the southbound trip, the on-​time performance is closer to 80% or so. Yet even with frustrating delays somewhat common, the train is often crowded. The Bloomington-​Normal Amtrak parking lot is now often filled to capacity.
UPDATE: The on time reliability of Amtrak has greatly improved over the past several months. I have heard some people say that because of the downturn in the economy, there are many fewer freight trains these days to throw Amtrak trains off schedule. The last four trains I’ve taken have either been on time or arrived at their destination a few minutes early.