I traveled over 8,000 miles on Amtrak last year. These are the 10 items I never board the train without.

Whether I’m traveling for a quick work trip or for a week away, I never leave the house without a bag that holds all my essentials.

In my opinion, the best travel bags have lots of pockets, a built-in spot for a laptop, and a suitcase sleeve. For these reasons, the Baggu small cloud carry-on bag is my go-to for train trips.

By the end of the year, the zipper on my cheap suitcase was busted and the wheels were rickety — a testament to just how many trips I’d taken. So, I decided to invest in luggage I could count on and use for years to come.

I opted for the chic Away carry-on bag, which is both spacious and compact. Best of all, it has a limited lifetime warranty.

As a freelance writer, a long train ride simply means I have time to get work done.

When I invested in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones, my remote working experience improved dramatically. I could put my headphones on, turn on my favorite playlist, and lock in regardless of what was happening around me.

I opt for a pair with a built-in compact case, making it easy to throw in a bag on my way out the door.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for total peace and quiet, ask the conductor to point you toward the train’s quiet car. Here, the lights are dimmed, and phone calls or conversations are not permitted.

Most Amtrak trains have outlets on board, so I keep a small bag of all the cords I need when I’m traveling.

I always carry chargers for my phone, laptop, and headphones, as well as anything else I need to keep my tech running.

When choosing what kind of shoes to wear during my journey, I make sure they’re comfortable, versatile, and can get me where I need to go.

I love wearing comfortable shoes that support a powerful speed walk — and the occasional sprint between connecting trains.

Sometimes, I need to freshen up in a train station bathroom. So, I always carry a mini toiletry kit full of essentials.

My bag includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, a compact hairbrush, moisturizer that doubles as sunscreen, a cream blush that can be applied as a lipstick, concealer, and any products that bring a natural glow back to my skin.

It’s tough to stick to routines when traveling, but I find that carrying a compact case helps me keep up with my daily supplements.

I like having a place to quickly write down thoughts, so I always make sure to have a handful of pens and my favorite notebooks with me.

I also bring a planner, highlighters, and miscellaneous stationery supplies I might need when away from my desk.

Sometimes, I’m running late and don’t have time to grab a bite at the station before boarding the train. That’s why I always keep a few snacks in my bag.

I prioritize high-protein snacks, fruits, and vegetables that won’t go bad during the journey.

During my travels, I’ve noticed that sometimes the café car’s credit-card reader goes down. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s nice to have cash on hand.

This story was originally published on August 8, 2025, and most recently updated on October 17, 2025.