Each Amtrak passenger can bring one personal item of up to 25 lbs. and 14 x 11 x 7 inches, plus two carry-on bags of up to 50 lbs. and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each. Where a train has checked baggage, two bags of up to 50 lbs. and 75 linear inches go free.
| Bag | Limit | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item (1) | 25 lbs. (12 kg), 14 x 11 x 7 in | Free |
| Carry-on bags (2) | 50 lbs. (23 kg), 28 x 22 x 14 in each | Free |
| Carry-on bags, Pacific Surfliner | 28 x 22 x 11 in each | Free |
| Extra carry-on or personal item | Up to 2 more | A fee each |
| Checked bags (2) | 50 lbs., 75 linear inches | Free |
| Checked bags 3 and 4 | 2 more | A fee each |
| Oversized checked bag | 76 to 100 linear inches | A fee each |
Linear inches are length + width + height.
Carry-on rules
You need to be able to lift each carry-on over your head onto the luggage shelf, and bags must fit the sizer at the station. A bag over 50 lbs. has to be repacked, and staffed stations sell boxes for it.
Checked bags
Not every train or station handles checked baggage, so check your train and both stations before you travel. To add up a bag’s linear inches, see the linear inches calculator.
Strollers and car seats
With an infant under 2, you can bring one extra infant item on board, such as a stroller or diaper bag, that doesn’t count toward the carry-on or personal item limits. Amtrak also takes car seats, booster seats and folding strollers in place of a piece of baggage, with no fees: up to 50 lbs. as carry-on, or 50 lbs. and 100 linear inches checked. Carriages and active, all-terrain or multi-child strollers may have to be checked.
What Amtrak won’t carry
Dumbbells and hand weights aren’t allowed in either kind of bag, and neither are hoverboards. Scissors, nail clippers, corkscrews and razors are fine in a carry-on. Amtrak’s list isn’t complete, and its staff can turn away similar items.