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  • I've spent hundreds of hours on long-haul Amtrak rides. Here are my 10 best tips for first-time riders.

I've spent hundreds of hours on long-haul Amtrak rides. Here are my 10 best tips for first-time riders.

Jill DuttonJan 10, 2023, 22:51 IST

The writer has been on over 25 long-haul rides.Jill Dutton

  • As a frequent train traveler, I've found ways to make my time in coach more enjoyable.
  • I always pack a cooler with delicious, high-quality foods so I don't have to rely on the café car.
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I'm a travel writer who's found ways to make long-haul train rides more enjoyable and comfortable.

I've spent hundreds of hours on long-haul trains.Jill Dutton

You don't always get to choose where you sit in coach, so be prepared for all possibilities.

I prefer to travel in coach on Amtrak trains.Jill Dutton
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Keep your essential items in a bag that's easily accessible from your seat.

The view from my coach seat on the Southwest Chief.Jill Dutton

Bring a portable charger so you don't have to rely on the train's outlets.

I like being able to charge my devices without bothering the person next to me.Laser1987/Getty Images
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Pack pillows, blankets, and slippers that don't take up too much space.

Make sure you bring enough layers to stay warm during your train ride.Mario Tama/Getty Images

Settle in for the ride and make sure you take in the passing views.

The trains often pass by stunning landscapes.Jill Dutton
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Bring a cooler and stock it with plenty of food that you actually enjoy eating.

Having more food than you need will keep you satisfied during a long train ride.Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Pick up fresh snacks and meals for your cooler when you make extended stops on the train.

I pick up fresh foods, like cheeses and fruits, when I stop in cities along the way.Renate Wefers / EyeEm via Getty Images
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Spend as much time as possible in the observation car.

I prefer to spend the majority of my trip in the observation car.Jill Dutton

Sleeping well in coach may be challenging, but it's not impossible.

I always bring an eye mask on long train rides to help me sleep.iStock / Getty Images Plus
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Freshen up and change into new clothes in the train's dressing room.

I find the restrooms small on Amtrak trains, but I have more space to change my clothes in the trains' dressing rooms.Richard Thornton/Shutterstock
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