Never again!
On June 27, 2026, I purchased two Amtrak tickets for a trip from NYC to Washington, D.C. on July 12, 2026, along with two return tickets for July 19, through Rail Ninja. I paid a huge amount—$1,186 (!). As it turned out, the price I paid was inflated by several hundred percent (at least four times the regular rate), and the travel conditions in both directions were appalling—not even worth 10% of the price.
The train was filthy (photos attached). Seats were unreserved, leading to a scramble for spots in the carriages. I was traveling with suitcases I had intended to check, but at the station, I was told I had to keep my luggage with me. There was no room for the suitcases, and very rude conductors shouted at me to move them from in front of my feet (even though I hadn't placed them in the aisle), yet there was nowhere else to put them. On the return trip, a conductor forced my daughter and me out of our seats, shouting that they were reserved for passengers with disabilities (even though no such passengers were in the carriage—an elderly lady only boarded at the next stop, at which point we gave up the seats).
When I asked the conductor to find us a seat, he told me to find one myself. After hauling our very heavy suitcases through several cars with no available seats, we reached the business class car, only for the conductor to shout that we couldn't enter because it was business class. We finally found seats—though, naturally, my daughter and I didn't sit together; we were at opposite ends of the carriage—and our suitcases were tossed into a corner.
It was the worst train journey of my life.
It was my first time in the USA, and everything was great—except for that Amtrak trip. I paid $1,186, so I assumed that price would guarantee a decent journey. I have never felt so cheated or discriminated against. I will not let this matter go without compensation; I will take the case to court if necessary.
I strongly advise against:
1) buying tickets through Rail Ninja – ticket prices are inflated by several hundred percent and you will be ripped off,
2) traveling with Amtrak – filth, arrogant conductors, appalling travel conditions, and no seat assignments.
Never again will I use the services of Rail Ninja or Amtrak!