From New York to LA, there’s no dirtier way to travel than by train. With infrequent cleanings and unhygienic passengers, if you’re planning on traveling by train you may want to think again. Here are 8 filthy facts about train travel that may gross you out.
1. Trains Aren’t Cleaned Well Between Travelers
According to metrotransit.org, many trains are cleaned thoroughly every 6,000 miles. This can leave a lot to be desired as germs can linger in train interiors between stops. It may be best to bring wipes and hand sanitizer. You don’t want to be surprised by a sticky seat.
2. Toilets Smell
Many Amtrak customers complain about the toilets on longer train rides. Often the lavatories begin to smell and garbage piles up. In one instance, a woman documented her two-day train ride where toilets broke and were not repaired quickly. Her entire sleeper cabin began to smell.
3. Germs Are Everywhere
Mass transit like train travel can put you in contact with tons of germs. Surfaces on a train had 18 million CFUs. That’s seven times more than a toothbrush holder. At least on a toothbrush holder, those germs are your own. On a train, everyone’s germs are on commonly touched surfaces.
4. Trains Are Old
Most Amtrak trains are aging. Depending on what line you take your train could be 30 years old. In Massachusetts, the MBTA Red Line’s active fleet consists of cars built in 1969–70, 1987–89, and 1993–94. Due to aging trains, delays are common and train conditions are less than stellar.
5. Food is Gross
Most Amtrak dining cars microwave all of their food. The quality is not very delicious. Also, long lines and wait times are very common during inter-state travel. Because of this, you may want to bring your own food if you are traveling by train.
6. Polluted Air
Some train travelers complain that air conditioning and ventilation are inadequate. This can lead to stuffy train cars and less-than-desirable smells. In New York City this summer, riders said that the temperature on one subway car was 90 degrees. The MTA urged riders who board a “hot car” to make note of the train car number and report it via the MTA app or by calling 511.
7. Pest Problems
Crumbs and garbage can often attract rodents and other insects. Rats can carry bacteria and parasites that can cause numerous diseases in humans, including bubonic plague, typhus, and spotted fever. Exposure to rodent hair, droppings, and urine can also aggravate allergies and asthma. New York City is probably most notoriously known for its rat problem in subways. In 2023, the city implemented a new carbon monoxide treatment with hopes of “smoking” out the rodents.
8. Grimy Windows
One passenger in Italy wrote a review about his filthy train experience when he was traveling in Rome. He said that the windows were so grimy it was like you were traveling through a fog. Just like in Italy, many trains in the US have the same problem with grime. Trains are usually only deep cleaned once per month, so dirt and debris easily build up,
Rethinking Train Travel
Are you second-guessing your next train ride? These unpleasant facts might make you think twice. If you do choose to ride, be sure to bring antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer to protect yourself. The more informed you are, the better prepared you’ll be for filthy train conditions.