The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, widely known as Amtrak, is well known as an easy and convenient way to travel across the U.S. Amtrak serves the continental states except for Wyoming, South Dakota, and the island state of Hawaii. However, what is not as well known is that there’s a secret perk that most train travelers often overlook when riding Amtrak — a hidden service that even seasoned travelers might sometimes fail to notice amidst the chaos of the crowds of Amtrak’s busiest stations.
While Amtrak takes you to the most amazing corners of America and parts of Canada, the Red Cap Service transforms chaotic travel into a calm and reassuring experience. Amtrak services more than 500 stations, and some of the busiest ones have the Red Cap Service, or the Red Cap Baggage Assistance, helping you whisk away your luggage and greeting you at the platform, making your travel feel less like a scramble and more like a VIP.
If you see these uniformed guardians in red, they will steer you past the rush of crowds and will take you to your seat — all without the burden of carrying your luggage by yourself. Here’s what to know about Amtrak’s hidden amenity that will change your train travel into an easy journey.
Discover Amtrak’s Hidden Perk For Easier Train Travel
In Amtrak’s busiest stations, you can find the Red Cap Service, willing to assist you with your luggage to and from your train with effortless courtesy. The Red Cap uses motorized vehicles to carry your baggage and even provides general assistance in case you need anything in the station. There are self-service handcarts at the Amtrak stations, but if you need an extra hand (or two), the Red Caps are found right at the front of the station or in the Red Cap area in the main station concourse, waiting to assist you. These Red Cap agents wear uniformed red shirts and caps, so you can spot them easily at the station. Your luggage handled by agents is also safe and protected by a claim check.
But the Red Cap doesn’t just handle bags or help you with directions; the agents of the service can also help with ensuring wheelchair lifts are in place for those who need them, as well as any other accessibility needs. What makes it even more amazing is that the Red Cap Service is free to all Amtrak ticket holders. Take note of these Amtrak stations below, where the Red Cap Service is available. These are some of the major stations or the busiest Amtrak stations in the United States.
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Boston, Massachusetts (South Station)
- Chicago, Illinois
- Los Angeles, California
- New Haven, Connecticut
- New York, New York
- Newark, New Jersey
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Portland, Oregon
- Seattle, Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- Wilmington, Delaware
Many of these stations are America’s most beautiful Amtrak stations (in 2025), and give you more reason to explore these stations and use the Red Cap Service.
How Amtrak’s Red Cap Service Works
As a traveler, it’s important to watch over your belongings, which can sometimes prove to be tricky, especially if you have more than two bags to deal with. But if you’re traveling by Amtrak through one of the busiest stations, where the Red Cap Service is offered, convenience is its utmost priority. The agents will handle your luggage, complete with a claim check for safety purposes, and will take you to your chosen seat on the train. But that’s only one scenario.
Temporary Bag Storage
Exploring with lots of luggage can be a struggle. However, those who are vacationing by Amtrak can take advantage of the Red Cap Service. The service offers free assistance with storing your luggage at the stations’ temporary bag storage. The Parcel Check service, when available, can temporarily store your luggage for at least 24 hours for $10 if you’re an Amtrak ticket holder. Non-ticket holders are charged $20 for 24 hours.
Easier Boarding
Navigating, disembarking, or boarding is a lot of work when traveling, but with Amtrak’s Red Cap Service, it can be a lot less hectic. Red Caps will usually know which platform your train will arrive at ahead of time, so you can beat the rush before the platform is announced, giving you the best chance at grabbing great seats. A Red Cap agent can even take you to the platform, taking away the stress of navigating some of Amtrak’s craziest stations.
While ticket holders for sleeper cars typically get priority boarding assistance, as sleeper car tickets have this offer as a complimentary benefit, Red Caps can help any other Amtrak passenger using the service to board early, helping you get settled into your seat quickly and ready for the journey ahead.
Special Assistance
Not only does the Red Cap Service offer free baggage handling, but it also provides special assistance to seniors, large groups, and passengers with disabilities. These agents are travel superheroes — pushing a wheelchair, helping with luggage, and navigating the station to help passengers get to their trains, lounge areas, waiting rooms, and other key areas at the station.
Important Things To Remember When Using The Red Cap Service
Lugging bags through the station, navigating through the crush of the crowds, and hoping to snag a nice seat, where you can see all the stunning views along the way, can be tiresome. But Amtrak’s Red Cap Service will scoop up your luggage and help relieve the usual travel stress of weaving through crowds and long lines. There are, however, important things to remember before using the Red Cap Service.
- Arrive early. The Red Cap agents also serve other passengers, which can take some time. But if you can get to the station earlier, you’ll enjoy the full benefits of the Red Cap Service without elbowing your way through the long lines.
- Ask for assistance only from the Red Cap agents. For safety reasons, Amtrak reiterated to ask for help from the Red Cap agents. They are uniformed in red, so it’s easy to spot them.
- The Red Caps can’t assist passengers in the garage (designated parking lots). The service usually starts at the station’s entrance, designated Red Cap station, or at the baggage check area.
- The Red Cap Service is free. It’s free of charge for all Amtrak passengers, but tips are customary to express gratitude to the agent.
- Not all stations have the Red Cap Service. It’s mostly available in major stations or the busiest ones, and not at every stop.
- The agents handle more than just luggage. If you’re traveling with mobility needs, you can trust the Red Caps to support and help you with navigating key areas in the station and boarding, which is one great perk if you use the service.
Think of the Red Cap Service agents as your shortcut when traveling by Amtrak, especially in big stations, where everyone scrambles to find the areas they need to go to. This hidden Amtrak amenity isn’t just about convenience, but it also changes the rhythm of your train travel on America’s most dominant passenger rail.
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