Can You Take Liquids on Amtrak?

Traveling on Amtrak provides a unique alternative to airplane or bus travel. The rail service serves 500 locations in the U.S. and Canada and roughly 300 Amtrak trains depart various stations per day. Train travel isn't as closely regulated as air travel, and if you prefer packing a lunch and a drink to buying refreshments on board, you won't have any issues.

With a few stipulations, you're allowed to board your Amtrak train with something to drink during your journey. Amtrak doesn't regulate the type of beverage you take on board, but does require you to drink it in your seat or in your private sleeping car. You must keep your drink with you, as Amtrak will not store it in its refrigerators. You can't take your own beverages into the train's dining and lounge cars. In these areas, you must buy drinks from Amtrak if you're thirsty.

Amtrak sells alcoholic beverages on its trains, but if you're particularly partial to a specific wine, beer or liquor, you're permitted to board with the drink and consume it during your trip. You can't, however, consume your own alcohol in public areas of the train. Instead, Amtrak requires travelers to consume their alcohol only in their own sleeping cars.

Although you're allowed to travel on Amtrak with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, the company has stricter rules about dangerous liquids. Chemical agents, such as liquid bleach, and flammable substances, such as gasoline, aren't allowed in your checked or carry-on baggage. If you wish to travel with a liquid but are unsure whether you'll be permitted to do so, contact Amtrak before your travel date.

Not all medications come in pill form, but if you need to carry liquid medication on your trip, you will be allowed to do so by Amtrak. The train line requests that you travel with the medication in your carry-on baggage, rather than place the bottle in your checked luggage. If you must keep your liquid medication cool, speak with an Amtrak employee and request a container of ice.