I spent 16 hours on a round-trip Amtrak ride. Here are 7 mistakes I won't make again.

I recently experienced a longer Amtrak journey from New York City to Rochester, New York, and back, spending a total of 16 hours on the train. While the train ride offered a unique experience and novelty, I realized I made several mistakes that I plan to avoid in the future. Upon booking my tickets, I unknowingly chose a route with an extended stop, causing significant delays and frustration.

To avoid this issue, I learned that arriving at the station early is crucial, as Amtrak recommends passengers be present 30 minutes prior to departure. My return trip revealed that being overly early can also be problematic, as I arrived at the station by 1 p.m., 40 minutes after my scheduled departure of 1:27 p.m. Additionally, I discovered that sitting on the wrong side of the train can drastically impact the view during the journey.

In hindsight, I should have opted for a seat that offered a better view of both the destination and return routes. Furthermore, I faced connectivity issues with the onboard WiFi, which was spotty and unreliable, making it difficult to work or stream content during the trip. For future travels, I plan to download entertainment ahead of time as a backup option.

Lastly, my experience in the business-class car for my return trip left much to be desired. The car was cramped, and the seating was uncomfortable, causing a bumpy and jittery ride. I regret spending extra for the luxury of business class and would advise against it for upstate train rides. Instead, I suggest opting for the more affordable coach car, as it proved more comfortable for my journey.

Overall, while the Amtrak experience was enjoyable, I learned valuable lessons on how to better prepare for future train journeys.