Last Minute Checklist

Tickets/Identification:

Before you leave, make sure you have your tickets or they won’t let you board. Also, make sure you have a photo id that is easily accessible. With the recent terrorism concerns trains are conducting more random ticket verification checks than ever. If you are stopped for this reason, don’t be nervous; simply show your id and you will be fine. These checks are conducted for your safety.

Money/Credit Cards

Make sure you have several credit cards with you as well as travelers' checks, and store your money in several places. This way, you will be protected if any of your bags are lost or stolen. It is important to have travelers’ checks or charge cards because if they are stolen recovery is much easier. Having a little cash is a good idea as well in case anything along the way is “cash only.” Copy the serial numbers of your travelers’ checks and the numbers of your credit cards and leave them at home so that if they are lost recovery will be easier and quicker. Once you have chosen which cards you are going to bring, clean out your wallet and leave all other cards (even library cards and so forth) at home. This gives you less to worry about and less to lose.

Verify the Schedule

As close to departure as possible go online or call the train station and make sure your train is on schedule and that the arrival/departure times and routes are still the same. If the train is behind or ahead of schedule you want to make sure you are ready to depart on time. Also, if you are traveling without a reservation you want to be sure the trip hasn’t been cancelled.

Valuables

Leave any important family valuables or expensive jewelry at home.