What Happens If You Fall Asleep On An Amtrak Train And Miss Your Destination?

A long train ride can be one of the most magical and unique ways to travel across the U.S., and it offers plenty of perks to boot. Often, traveling by Amtrak train can be more affordable than flying, and it's also better for the environment than traveling by plane or car. However, trains aren't the speediest way to get around, which is why you might find yourself needing to catch up on some sleep during your journey.

Sleeping on an Amtrak train is far from unusual. There are even sleeper cars designed for long-haul passengers who plan to snooze during their trip. However, unlike in a plane, where you'll surely be woken up during landing (or, if you're an especially deep sleeper, jostled awake by a flight attendant), there's always a risk of oversleeping and missing your stop.

Thankfully, Amtrak attendants have a way of preventing this from happening. Usually, an attendant will put a paper ticket on the top of your seat after you board the train. This indicates that the seat is occupied and notes the stop at which you should be getting off. If you're sleeping and an attendant notices your stop is approaching, they'll wake you up before you have a chance to miss your destination.

Sometimes, attendants aren't available to wake up sleeping passengers. In these instances, travelers are treated as a "carry-by" and are often given a ticket in the opposite direction so they can still reach their intended destination. If this isn't possible or if the distance between each stop is too far to make a transfer, the passenger will likely be instructed to get off at the next stop, and an Amtrak conductor may help them arrange alternative transportation, such as a taxi or rental vehicle, so they aren't stranded in the wrong place.

Missing your stop is usually more of an inconvenience than anything else, but it can have catastrophic consequences. In 2024, a college student made headlines after she fell asleep on an Amtrak train and missed her stop. However, she didn't realize what had happened until after she woke up — and discovered the entire train was empty. It turned out that the train had been parked at the rail yard with the student trapped inside alone. Thankfully, this was just an unusual accident, and Amtrak passengers can typically expect to be woken up long before a similar mishap could occur.

To avoid oversleeping and missing your stop, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, one of the best steps is to familiarize yourself with the train route before you travel. This way, you'll have an idea of when it's safe to snooze and when you should be preparing to disembark. You can also set an alarm on your phone to sound before you reach your destination. Depending on your device and alarm app, you can choose between setting a timed alert or one that will go off once you reach a specific GPS point.

If you plan to nap on the train, be careful not to get too comfy. Just as there are some common tricks to avoid when sleeping on planes, some sleep aids might only lead to trouble on the train. Skip the sleeping pills and supplements, and avoid wearing noise-canceling headphones, which make it difficult to hear stop announcements.

Finally, be sure to communicate with your Amtrak attendant and let them know if you think you might fall asleep. They can make a note to wake you before the end of your journey. Also, never switch seats without bringing the previously mentioned paper ticket on your seat with you. That way, the attendant has an accurate idea of who needs to get off where and can assist as needed.