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I am taking the Pacific route from Seattle arriving in Los Angeles at 9:00 pm on a Sunday. Next leg of trip is leaving Los Angeles the following day (Monday) at 6:10 pm for Flagstaff. Will my luggage automatically be taken off Amtrak in Los Angles and stored overnight until the next leg of the trip the following day? I would rather not have to get my bag and carry it with me to the hotel overnight. Nor do I want to take the time to personally take it to the "keeping" area where it can be check in. Will they automatically check it in? I will have ID to retrieve it Monday.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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I believe Amtrak will transfer baggage from train to train. I would check with the Amtrak station in Seattle, but I think you can check the baggage all the way to Flagstaff, even though the SW Chief leaves the next day. Make sure that there is baggage service at your destination station. Flagstaff does have baggage service.
There are baggage racks, as well, on board. When I travel in a sleeper, I like to travel with one large suitcase for the baggage rack and then take a smaller bag to the room.
Richard
Netta Member # 166341
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So if Flagstaff does not have baggage service, does that mean I can't check my bag?
I had plans to use the baggage rack, but then I heard people take things that don't belong to them when owners get up and move around to the eating car, restroom, etc. At that point, I just decided to just go ahead and check the baggage for all the way to Flagstaff. The Amtrak person I spoke to on the telephone last time told me I could just tell them in Seattle to transfer it on to Flagstaff, but maybe the person didn't know what he was talking about if I can't get it off in Flagstaff. Back to square one.
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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Flagstaff DOES have checked baggage service, so you may check your bag. On the timetable next to the station arrival time, the tiny picture of a suitcase means checked baggage is handled there. Always. Flagstaff is a small efficiently run depot and you will spend very little time waiting to retrieve your checked baggage. At Seattle, you need to check your bag at least 45 minutes prior to departure.
Both your trains will be bi-level Superliners. Most seating and all movement between cars is on the upper level. For back packs and smaller bags there are fairly large overhead storage shelves above your seat, but carrying a large bag up the narrow stairs is difficult. One option up there would be to use a cable lock using your luggage handles and the shelf supports.
The lower level has a baggage storing area for larger bags, restrooms, and a few more seats. No one travels between cars there; just in and out of the train at stations.
If you are in a sleeper, the rooms do not lock but theft is extremely unlikely. Only fellow sleeper passengers are allowed in your car. You can also cable small valuables inside the tiny closet.
In my many dozens of trips on western long distance trains, I have almost never heard of theft being a problem. A couple of times I heard announcements of a missing laptop or ipad, but after the conductor threatening to search the train, it usually reappeared.
Just use common sense and carry small valuables with you. You are likely to become acquainted with nearby passengers who you might trust to keep an eye on your stuff when you are away from your seat.
If you carry on your bags, but don't want to carry them all to your hotel, Los Angeles can keep them safely overnight and issue you a baggage check card for a few bucks. But that is two more lines to stand in.
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