A train ticket is a little like a vacation ticket, but with a bit more of a twist: If you want to get on an outdoor train, you have to book it in advance.
Here are the rules, and how to get the most bang for your buck.
1.
When you’re in the U.S., you can buy train tickets in advance through online booking sites like Booking.com.
If you’re traveling on an international flight, you can book the train from the terminal.
2.
On the back of every train ticket, you’ll find a little sticker that says “Overnight Ticket.”
This sticker says you can get on the train the night of the reservation if you’re a U.K. or Canadian tourist.
If so, you’re all set.
3.
If a train ticket isn’t available, you must ask for a refund at the ticket office, where the tickets will be checked and given to the ticket agent.
(See below for more information.)
4.
You can get a refund of the price of the ticket you purchased on Ticketmaster.com, but if you need a refund on a train from a country where the fare is less, you may need to pay extra to get your refund.
5.
If your train ticket doesn’t show up on the website, you will need to contact the train station where you bought it.
There are no refunds or replacements for tickets purchased on the web.
If the station is too far away from your hotel, you should ask the station to give you a refund.
6.
If there is no train station, you probably can’t get a train back to the hotel if you didn’t book it online.
7.
When it comes to finding a hotel that is open, it’s important to be aware that train station announcements can be deceiving.
If someone tells you they are open, they may be. 8.
You’ll probably have to check in with the station at the front gate of the train.
If it’s late, you might have to wait for another train.
9.
You may have to pay for your hotel room first, which can cost up to $100 or more.
10.
If that isn’t an option, you are encouraged to try the online reservation system of Ticketmaster or BookingNow.
If they don’t have the service you need, you could ask your hotel to send you a reminder to get a ticket the next time you arrive.
11.
If, on the other hand, you don’t want to pay any more than what you paid, you also have options.
You could ask for an upgrade, or ask for one at the next train station.
12.
For those who want to try a new service, like getting a hotel room in advance, you need to be sure you have enough room for your stay.
Some places may have limited rooms or you’ll need to book in advance with their advance booking system.
13.
The train station will have a sign at the entrance that says the train is on its way, but you’ll have to be willing to pay more to get there.
You won’t be able to see it from the front of the car, so you’ll want to ask the conductor to give the sign a thumbs-up and say you are OK. 14.
The ticket agent will usually give you the ticket number, so when you’re getting on the car to leave, you won’t know which number you’re going to get.
You will need the ticket when you arrive at the train car.
15.
Once you’ve booked the train, the next step is to go inside the train and look around.
You should be able at least one person in each carriage at the time.
When the train comes to a stop, you shouldn’t be the only one in the carriage.
16.
You have until the last train leaves the station, which usually is about 7:30 a.m. 17.
At the next stop, the train will pass through the station again.
You don’t need to go through the gates again, but once the train leaves, you do have to go back to your hotel.
18.
You need to give a receipt at the door to get onto the train for your trip.
You also need to wear a seatbelt.
19.
When boarding, you generally have to hand over your ticket to the attendant, but the attendant will give you your ticket.
20.
After you’re on the ride, you get to eat and take a shower before the next ride.
21.
If any of these are still unclear to you, contact the National Transportation Safety Board, the federal agency responsible for inspecting and enforcing safety regulations on trains.
(If you have any questions, contact toll-free at 1-800-424-9401.)
For more information on how to avoid getting stuck on a crowded train, check out our guide to train etiquette.