Baggage Information & Services

Section 1 — Carry-On Baggage

Each passenger may bring two personal items, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches each, and two carry-on items, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each, onboard. Make sure you have a tag with your name and address on the outside of all your bags.

Overweight Bags

Overweight bags must be repacked so they are under 50 lbs. Boxes may be purchased at staffed stations to aid in repacking.

Excess Bags

A $20 excess baggage fee will be charged for each carry-on and personal item above the quantity and size limits. A maximum of two excess bags are permitted per passenger. Fees will be collected at the station or onboard the train if the station is unstaffed. If checked baggage is available, you can check two bags through to your final destination free of charge.

Infant Items

Passengers traveling with infants under the age of two may bring an additional infant item onboard (stroller, diaper bag, etc.), which does not count toward the carry-on baggage or personal item limit.

Storing Items

Carry-on and personal items must be kept with you, stored in overhead racks, under seats, or in designated baggage areas. Most buses have baggage storage bins under the bus floor, and the bus driver will assist you. Do not store items in empty seats, aisles, vestibules, or other areas where they may cause annoyance to other passengers or present a safety hazard.

Section 2 — Checked Baggage

Checked baggage service is available at a number of our stations and on many trains and subway services. Not all trains or locations are equipped to handle checked baggage. Before you travel, make sure to check and see if your train and your origin and destination stations accept checked baggage.

Make sure you have a tag with your name and address on the outside of all your bags. Free ID tags are available at all of our stations.

Before you arrive at the station, make sure your baggage is packed appropriately in suitable containers.

• Luggage must be checked at least 45 minutes prior to your train's scheduled departure.
• If you will be transferring between stations en route, plan for at least two hours of scheduled layover time to ensure your luggage is transferred to your new train.
• If checked baggage is not offered on a train or bus in your itinerary, it may be accepted on another train or bus bound for the same destination (excluding firearms).
• Advance check-in is recommended.

If you don't need to check a bag, get all the details about the carry-on items you can bring onboard and any fees that may apply.

*Linear inches: length + width + height

Trainside Checked Baggage Service

Self-serve trainside checked baggage service is available to and from the following stations only:

• Charleston, WV
• Cincinnati, OH
• Columbus, WI
• Crawfordsville, IN
• Dyer, IN
• Hammond, LA
• Lafayette, IN
• Meridian, MS
• Mount Pleasant, IA
• Rensselaer, IN
• Texarkana, AR
• Tuscaloosa, AL
• Winona, MN

Section 3 — Baggage on the Auto Train

Bring your automobile, van, SUV, truck, or motorcycle nonstop between Lorton, VA, and Sanford, FL. You must reserve space and check in each vehicle you bring.

Check-In Times

On the day of your departure:

• Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m.
• Motorcycles and special vehicles must be checked in by 2 p.m.
• All other vehicles must be checked in by 2:30 p.m. No exceptions will be provided.

Special Vehicles

Each auto train departure includes a limited number of spaces to carry specialized vehicles.

• Check-in for special vehicles closes at 2:00 p.m.
• Small trailers, limousines, jet-skis, trikes, and choppers may be accepted.
• Can-Am motorcycles, Rewaco trikes, and Polaris Slingshots are not permitted.
• An additional fee may apply for special vehicles.

For vehicle specifications and to book a trip with a special vehicle, call 1-877-SKIP-I-95 (1-877-754-7495).

Rack Information

Does your vehicle include a rack on the roof or at the rear?

• Roof-mounted racks: Permitted if they are factory-installed roof racks and remain empty during the trip. Temporary luggage racks or bicycle racks attached to the roof are not permitted. Roof-mounted racks will count toward your vehicle's maximum height requirements.
• Bicycle racks: Attached to the back of the vehicle only. Bicycles cannot be brought on board. You must sign a loss or damage waiver for bicycles transported on the back of the vehicle. Bicycles and their racks will count towards your vehicle's maximum length and width requirements.
• Luggage racks: Must be removed from the top of your vehicle and stored inside the vehicle prior to check-in.

Section 4 — Special Items in Baggage

The following items will be accepted as carry-on and/or checked baggage in lieu of a piece of baggage. Special item fees may apply.

Archery Equipment

Bows of any type, arrows, and archery supplies

Baby Items

Booster seats, car seats, folding strollers

Firearms and Ammunition

Rifles, shotguns, handguns, starter pistols, BB guns, compressed air guns (including paintball markers), ammunition, and taser guns

General Sporting Equipment

Balls, bats, cleats, fishing poles, helmets, pads, rackets, roller blades, skate boards, and sticks (hockey or lacrosse). Allowances vary by sport.

Musical Instruments

• Small musical instruments (flutes, small trumpets, and harmonicas)
• Medium-sized musical instruments (guitars, trumpets, and small saxophones)
• Oversized musical instruments (cellos, bass violins, bass saxophones, and tubas)

Skis and Snowboards

Snow skis, water skis, snowboards, poles, and boots

Contact Information

If you have questions about our baggage policies or need assistance with your travel, please contact us through our Contact Us page.

National Railroad Passenger Corporation
d/b/a trainsntickets
1 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
USA