How to Find a Rail-Savy Travel Agent to Book Your Amtrak Travel
I recently received an email from someone asking if I recommend using a travel agent to book rail travel.
Good question! My answer was (and is), “That depends.”
There’s really no reason why you can’t book it yourself, especially if your itinerary is a simple trip — Point A to Point B. The Amtrak web site is very well designed and all you have to do is plug in your starting point, where you’re getting off, and the date of travel. And, of course, you can always call Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL) and book through one of their reservations agents.
On the other hand, if your trip involves long-distance trains, connections or stop-overs, or if you would just feel more comfortable relying on an expert, by all means work with a travel agent.
But here’s the thing: not all travel agents are familiar with rail travel, especially long-distance trains, so it’s important that you find someone who is truly rail-savvy. He or she will know to do the little things that can make a big difference.
For instance, a really knowledgeable travel agent will know to put you in a sleeper that’s right next to the dining car, which means you’ll not have to make a long walk through several cars on a moving train three times a day.
A rail-savvy travel agent will have good advice about making specific connections because he or she will know which long-distance trains are likely to run late.
Sleeping car space often sells out well in advance, but a good experienced travel agent will have the in-house capability to put you on a wait-list for a specific train … something you can’t do for yourself.
Ahh … but since a lot of travel agents know very little about booking Amtrak, how, you ask, can I find one who really is rail-savvy? Well, just ask him or her a simple question: What’s the difference between a roomette in an Amtrak Superliner sleeping car and a roomette in a Viewliner?
A good rail-savvy travel agent will know that a Viewliner roomette has an en suite toilet and wash basin, while those facilities are “down the hall” in a Superliner. Also, the upper berth in the Viewliner has a window, but there’s no window for the upper berth in the Superliner roomette.
If the travel agent answers that question correctly, you’ve found someone you can trust to do the right kind of job in booking your long-distance train journey.
Jim,
Looking for an experienced Train Travel Agent.
We’re traveling this Summer by rail from Sacramento/SF to Chicago.
We want accommodations for3 adults and 3 children with Family Bedroom.
Can you help us?
The best…
George
I emailed my recommendation. If you didn’t get it, contact me again.
Hi Jim, I’m also looking and saw you responded recently. May I also get the name of a rail expert?
Thank you.
I’m thinking of going from Rochester ny to fry Myers by train how do I get started how to find good travel sgent
Contact Jessica Green at Gateway Travel
email: jessica@gatewaytrav.com
phone: 800-639-3706
If you want to become IRCTC authorized ticket booking agent gives you very good opportunity for becoming IRCTC agent with minimum rate offer. Now if you interested then contact us on given numbers- 9837153069, 9412761496
So very tempting, but I think not.
I had the best time ever at Myrtle Beach
?? I’m delighted for you. ??
I recently had to go from Michigan to Oregon. I hate flying so I chose to take the train. I used Train Travel Consulting at Accent on Travel USA to book my tickets. They were great and were not only able to recommend the best route with the least layover inconvenience out of the three possibilities available, but also were able to push my starting date back a day when I discovered the day before my reserved date that I would be unable to leave on that date.
I highly recommend googling Train Travel Consulting at Accent on Travel USA for anyone planning a train trip. Their website is http://www.traintravelconsulting.com
I couldn’t agree more.
They are the best! They have booked several trips for me, but when I tried to book with them recently, they sent an email saying there services were suspended do to extended illness. They are awesome! Do you have anyone else to recommend?
I’m sorry to hear that. Let me make some inquiries.