Baggage Information & Services

Take a moment to see all the ways Railtrak can help you bring aboard the items you want and need en route and at your destination. By following these policies, you’ll have everything you need to make your trip as enjoyable as possible.

The carry-on and checked baggage policies on Railtrak Thruway Services of the 7000 and 8000 number series are determined by the operating carrier and may vary from those of Railtrak.

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 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.

Checked Baggage

Checked baggage service is available at a number of our stations and on many trains and Thruway 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 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 train 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/bus in your itinerary, it may be accepted on another train/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.

Baggage on the Auto Train

Bring your automobile, van, SUV, truck or motorcycles 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 am.
  • Motorcycles and special vehicles must be checked in by 2 pm.
  • All other vehicles must be checked in by 2:30 pm. 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 pm.

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 are 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 in your vehicle’s maximum height requirements.

Bicycle racks attached to the back of the vehicle only. Bicycles cannot be brought onboard. 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.

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, 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, taser guns

General Sporting Equipment
Balls, bats, cleats, fishing poles, helmets, pads, rackets, roller blades, skate boards, sticks (hockey/lacrosse). Allowance varies 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, boots.