Rider Amenities & Policies

Baggage & Carry-On Policy

The San Joaquins asks that all passengers observe Amtrak’s guidelines for carry-on baggage.

Quantity Limits

Each passenger may bring onboard two pieces of carry-on luggage (this includes bicycles), plus two personal items, including small bags, backpacks, laptops, and purses. Please speak to the conductor if you have questions about any other items.

Weight and Size Limits

Each carry-on bag may not exceed 50 lbs. and 28 x 22 x 14 inches. Personal items may not exceed 25 lbs. and 14 x 11 x 7 inches.

One Ticket, One Seat

As a courtesy to other passengers, please store baggage and personal belongings in designated storage areas, in the overhead racks, or under your seat, rather than on the seat next to you, so that seats are available for other riders. Also, please keep the aisles clear of any items that might restrict access for passengers.

Excess Baggage Fee

A $20 excess baggage fee will be charged for any carry-on or personal items that exceed the quantity, weight, or size limits.

Visible Tag Required

Each carry-on bag must be visibly tagged with the name and address of the passenger. Passengers may use their own personal identification tags, those available at station ticket offices, or those provided by a member of the crew onboard the train.

Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited onboard the train: non-service animals, firearms and ammunition, hover boards, corrosive or dangerous chemicals and materials, incendiaries, martial arts and self-defense items, archery equipment, devices containing propellants, sharp objects, and similar items. For a complete and detailed list of prohibited items, visit the Amtrak website.

Bringing Your Bike Onboard

Part of the joy of a journey by train is the ability to explore the stops along the way, and what better way to do that than by bike? More and more people are discovering how well bicycle and train travel go together, whether it’s for commuting to work, enjoying a weekend ride, or participating in a bike tour. Each San Joaquins train has bike storage. Look for a conductor on the platform for help loading your bike into the secured storage area. Bicycle storage is limited on thruway routes. If you desire to bring your bike on a thruway bus most buses require storing the bicycle in the baggage storage compartment underneath the bus.

Your Train WiFi

San Joaquins offers complimentary onboard entertainment and free Wi-Fi to keep you connected during your ride. To get your live train info and to enjoy Audiobooks, local magazines or surf the web is simple, just follow the steps below:

Enjoy the Content

We’ve added several new features to the San Joaquins Wi-Fi landing page:

• Let loved ones know when the train will be arriving with the “Share my Train” feature,
• The latest audiobooks and podcasts from Audible,
• An interactive train tracking tool that provides riders real-time train status information,
• The latest station and weather information,
• Featured reading selections from local newspapers and magazines, including Sactown and Silicon Valley magazines
• Information on our partners and latest promotional offers, and
• Great photos from our riders and much more

What kind of Internet speed can I expect?

Our onboard WiFi network relies on bandwidth provided by cellular carriers who have towers along our routes. The bandwidth available from these towers is limited and our speed may not match what you are used to receiving from stationary WiFi networks such as your home or office. Engaging in web activities that use large amounts of bandwidth will negatively affect the online experience of other passengers. When using our network, keep this in mind and be respectful of your fellow passengers.

Are there any restrictions?

The explosion of the Internet and the use of WiFi have created incredible demands for connectivity. To maximize the amount of onboard bandwidth available to all passengers, access to streaming media and large files sizes will be limited. To prepare for this restriction, we recommend passengers download any necessary large files prior to boarding the train. In addition, this network restricts access to web sites with objectionable content. If you think a web site has been incorrectly blocked, or have general comments about the service, please notify an onboard staff member.

How secure is your network?

San Joaquins WiFi is a public WiFi network which utilizes wireless technologies and does not require any secure pass code or login. Similar to networks found at coffee shops and public libraries, it is not inherently secure and communications can be intercepted. Passengers are solely responsible for providing security measures that are suited for their intended use, including protecting their data and equipment from viruses, spyware and other harmful components. Passengers are also solely responsible for any security breach or accidental disclosure of their personal information in their use of San Joaquins WiFi.

Seats

San Joaquins coach cars offer spacious seating and “social” seating areas with tables on both levels. Footrests and tray tables are available at many seats. There are convenient storage areas for carry-on luggage either above the seats or at the end of each car. To maximize availability of seats for everyone, please place your belongings in the overhead storage bin or rack. Please reserve tables for groups of three or more. Seating on the lower level is reserved for our mobility-impaired guests.

No Middle Seat

There is no middle seat on the San Joaquins making your ride more relaxing and spacious - sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Electrical Outlets

Electrical outlets are available at each seat on both levels of the train. Computers and other personal electronic devices can be safely plugged into these surge-protected outlets.

One Ticket, One Seat

As a courtesy to other passengers, please store baggage and personal belongings in designated storage areas, in the overhead racks, or under your seat, rather than on the seat next to you, so that seats are available for other riders. Also, please keep the aisles clear of any items that might restrict access for passengers.

Restrooms

On all coach cars, the lower level offers large restrooms that are wheelchair accessible to passengers. Some coach cars also offer an upstairs restroom. Restrooms are not available in Café Cars.

Passenger Identification

Amtrak has undertaken heightened security measures for the benefit of our customers.

Valid Photo ID Required

Amtrak customers 18 years of age and older must produce valid photo identification when:

• Exchanging, refunding or reprinting Amtrak travel documents
• Purchasing documents with a stored eVoucher or Transportation Credit
• Traveling as a Pass Rider (active or retired)
• Storing baggage at stations
• Checking baggage (including firearms)
• Sending Amtrak Express shipments
• Asked onboard trains by train crew members, other Amtrak or operating railroad employees
• Asked any time by Amtrak police or any law enforcement officer
• Traveling into Canada
• Guardian purchasing an unaccompanied minor travel documents or signing the release form

What is a Valid ID?

To be valid, your identification must be current and in-force. The following forms of identification are acceptable for persons 18 and older:

• One piece of photo identification issued by a government authority, or
• Two pieces of identification, at least one of which is issued by a government authority

Examples of acceptable forms of ID include:

• State or provincial driver’s license
• Passport
• Official government-issued identification (federal, state, city or county government or foreign government)
• Canadian provincial health card ID card with photo
• Military photo ID
• Student identification (university, college or high school photo ID)
• Job Corps photo ID

Random Ticket/ID Checks

Following federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines, we regularly conduct random ticket verification checks onboard trains to ensure that passengers are properly ticketed. Please be prepared to show valid photo identification to a member of the onboard crew upon request.

Purchasing Tickets

Passengers purchasing tickets onboard trains from conductors must provide photo identification and be at least 16 years old. Tickets purchased onboard include a service fee built into the fare. This fee cannot be waived.

Baggage Restrictions

All baggage should contain an ID tag. Free tags are available at our stations. For the safety and comfort of our passengers we strictly enforce certain baggage restrictions. Learn more about our baggage policies.

Booking Tickets for Unaccompanied Minors

To make reservations for unaccompanied minors you must call us at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245). You may not book reservations for unaccompanied minors online.

Children age 12 and under may not travel unaccompanied. They must travel with another person who is at least 18 years old (see *exception below).

Children 13, 14 and 15 years old may travel unaccompanied in accordance with the Amtrak Unaccompanied Minor Policy, which includes the following conditions:

• Travel is permitted only on Amtrak trains.
• Travel is not permitted on Thruway motorcoach service, or on any other connecting services.
• Both boarding and arrival stations must be staffed. (Please note that even certain staffed stations do not allow for unaccompanied minors.)
• All travel must take place on the same day with the scheduled departure time no earlier than 5:30 am and the scheduled arrival time no later than 9:30 pm.
• Overnight travel is not allowed.
• No transfers of any kind are permitted.
• All travel must be within the United States.
• Unaccompanied minors may not cross the US-Canadian border.
• For each unaccompanied minor traveling alone, the adult (at least 18 years old) bringing the child to the departure station must complete and sign a release form.
• Both the adult and the minor must be at the boarding station at least 30 minutes before the train’s departure time.
• The child must be interviewed by station personnel to determine if the child is capable of traveling alone.
• The child must wear an Amtrak issued wristband for the duration of travel.
• The adult must remain at the station until the train has departed.
• At the arrival station, the adult picking up the child must check-in with station personnel prior to the train’s expected arrival time.
• The adult must display valid current identification meeting the Amtrak ID policies.
• Children traveling alone are not entitled to a children’s discount; full adult fares are charged and no additional discounts are permitted.
• Tickets for unaccompanied children may not be purchased online.

Children 16 and over may travel without restriction.

*Exception: A minor who is 16 or 17, who is a parent to children of any age, may bring those children without restriction. The 16- or 17-year-old must bring proof that he or she is the parent of the children.

If a group of children are traveling, and some are 16-17, some are 13-15, and some are under 13:

• The 16-17 year olds may travel without restriction.
• The 13-15 year olds must travel as unaccompanied minors because no one is 18 or over. The Unaccompanied Minor Policy applies.
• The children under 13 may not travel because no one is 18 or over. The Unaccompanied Minor Policy applies.

Take Precautions for Allergies

Because Amtrak is unable to guarantee a peanut-free or allergen-free trip, we strongly encourage unaccompanied minor passengers to take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Parents/guardians must ensure that the unaccompanied minor travel with all necessary medications for food allergies (including epinephrine auto-injectors) and is properly trained to self-administer these medications.

What else should I do before buying tickets for unaccompanied minors?

It is extremely important to make sure that every segment of the unaccompanied child’s trip can be accommodated before completing travel plans, purchasing a ticket, and arriving at the station. Additional restrictions may apply. Please call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) for further details.

Rail Safety & Security 

Train Safety Tips

It is essential to be extra careful around train tracks, whether waiting at a station, or in a car or on foot approaching a rail crossing. Trains can come from either direction at any time, so remember to stay alert and heed all warning signs and signals. Here are some quick tips for staying safe at the station and around the tracks.

At the station

• Avoid running around the station and near the platform.
• Always wait behind the yellow line on the station platform. Never sit on the edge of a station platform.
• Stay at least three feet from the train while it is arriving at or departing from the station.
• Do not cross the yellow line to board your train until it has come to a complete stop. Never board or exit a moving train.
• When boarding, watch your step. There may be a gap between the train and the platform.

Around railroad tracks

• Follow directional signs and warning signals when crossing tracks. Do not cross the tracks until you know it is safe to do so.
• Whether in a car, on a bike, or on foot, never try to beat or go under a crossing bar, even if it is not all the way down.
• Cross the tracks only at designated crossing areas. Doing so anywhere else is not only dangerous, but also illegal.
• Use caution when using cellphones and remove headphones when nearby or crossing the tracks. Be aware of your surroundings, and make sure you can still see and hear signals and warning signs.
• Never stop your car on railroad tracks. If you cannot move your car due to traffic congestion or mechanical issues, get out of the car and off of the tracks.

For more information on rail safety, visit Operation Lifesaver.

Other Important Safety Reminders

Valuables, personal belongings, and children

• When parked at a station, do not leave valuables in your car, as this could invite break-ins.
• Do not leave valuables or personal items unattended on your seat while on board the train.
• Do not leave small children unattended on the train or on the platform. Please accompany them if they need to take a trip to the restroom or Café Car.
• If you have your bicycle on board, be sure to secure it in a designated bike storage area or bike rack. Do not leave bikes in the aisles. See our Bikes on Board page for tips on securing your bike.

See something, say something

• We appreciate your help in keeping our stations and trains safe and secure for all riders.
• If you notice a suspicious package or bag, do not touch or attempt to move it.
• If you notice a suspicious individual, do not question or confront them.
• Report any out of the ordinary activities or unattended items to a station agent, conductor, or other Amtrak or Capitol Corridor personnel.
• If Capitol Corridor or Amtrak personnel are not available at a station or on board the train, call Amtrak Police at 1-800-331-0008. If you are not able to contact Amtrak Police, call 911.