What a beautiful little train station. It reminded me of a teeny tiny version of Grand Central Station. Teeny teeny teeny tiny version.
I was feeling anxious about parking because I dropped off my 85 year old Dad and 78 year old mom. Both needed special assistance, which we made sure to request on the ticket when purchased.
For those with disabilities, I had a hard time finding any information on what to expect when coming to Kings Station so I hope this review is helpful.
The drop off area does not have anyone there to help with baggage. However, we were lucky and found street parking right across the street. But, there is a parking garage right across the street so if you are able, you can be dropped off and the person dropping you off could help you after they park.
(Update: there is 1 Handicapped parking right out front)
When you walk in we had a kind person who works here, tell us where we can check bags and then check in. My parents are in a sleeper car and wanted to take their bags with them. They had 1 full sized suitcase and a carry-on suitcase. They didnât have any issues with bringing their luggage on.
There is a big sign that says âThis area for passengers with special assistanceâ.
A conductor came and brought people 4 by 4, on a little car, to their car. I wasnât allowed on the track so I said goodbye at the door. I was able to help my parents on the golf cart they were getting on.
My Dad walks with a Walker and saw them get on the train car just fine.
The bathrooms were clean (but this was in the morning time so take this with a grain of salt.
Was not crowded at all.
I gave this station 3 stars for the following: If you are disabled and traveling by yourself, this would be very challenging, as there is no one able to help you get from the curb to the ticket station.
My mom had a rude interaction with the check in person. They just donât seem to get paid much and were not very friendly. My mom has a TBI and so she is extra anxious during travel. There doesnât seem to be a whole lot of patience for this.
I think my parents would have had a hard time navigating where to go if I were not here. However, because the train station is tiny, they would have had plenty of time to find out where to go.
There was no line in place for disabled passangers so 5 people cut in front of my parents and the cart is only able to hold 3-4 at a time. However, my parents only had to wait about 10 more minutes.
There is no place to grab food,coffee,nothing. So bring food.
Itâs right by the football đ stadium so if you leave at the wrong time it coukd take some time to get here.
Hope this...
   Read moreI am not sure how to rate my recent experience travelling from Shelby, Montana to Seattle. The first negative experience was the train was delayed by 6 hours, just about 30 minutes from the station, due to problems from a freight train, that had brake issues, etc. The station could not keep us informed other than it was delayed. Two large freight trains continued east where there the problems had occurred, so now created more congestion. The Amtrac from Chicago sat stranded on side line for those hours must have been very disturbing for those passengers. We, a four- some, boarded 6 hours late and left at around midnite, and thought we would arrive late by 6 hours. Our hotel ready and waiting for 10 am. We awoke at around 5am in a mountain valley, and appeared stranded for some time, until a porter, asked for a conductor to come and announce the problem. He announced that the crew had reached their time limit of operations, and could not go further. He further announced we were in a no cell zone, so had no contact. The end. That information was very vague, and left us in limbo. So we would have to wait for a crew, somewhere, apparently coming from Spokane which was the next major stop. It took 4 hours before we moved, and were served a child's portion breakfast at full cost. Unbelievable. NOT the crew's fault. The porters were absolutely incredible during this time. Congratulations to them. We did receive a lovely chicken supper later, and a beef stew at no cost. We arrived 10 hours late, 8pm in Seattle, and missed our day of tours, and only had one day to witness the beauty of the city, and attend the Mariner Baseball game on Wednesday night. We left on Thursday afternoon, but were ever so sad to have been delayed on our trip . My biggest anger is being left on a side line track, somewhere without service and made us feel totally abandoned. Surely there are better ways to communicate with the passengers. Our first trip to Minot, North Dakota was super, but after this one, I would be ever so cautious to think about rebooking, knowing that freight is priority and passengers are of less significance. Thanks to the porters, who were incredible, and the food, later served was great. I am thinking that the charge for the breakfast...
   Read moreMy wife and I recently took an Amtrak vacation (the Northern Rail Experience) arriving in Seattle on October 30, departing the next day. Before arriving in Seattle, someone mentioned that the view from the Coast Starlight was best from the ocean side of the sleeper car. The configuration of the sleeper cars was the same between the Empire Builder and the Coast Starlight, so I knew that I was not on the coast side of the train as my cabin number was the same on both sections of the journey. Upon arrival in Seattle, I went to the ticket counter to see if I could switch to the coast side. After reviewing the cabins available, the agent told me that there was a cabin available on the coast side, but that it was on the lower level and there was a cost difference due to ticket price changes between when I had booked and now. The difference was slight, $39.16, so we agreed to this change.
Upon boarding the train the next day, we were disappointed to learn that the new cabin was on the same side as our previously booked cabin â facing inland, not the coast. I have requested a refund for the amount paid for changing rooms, as Amtrak did not deliver what was requested and promised. Now donât think I am being cheap, I am just requesting what I feel is justified. I paid over $3,600 for this trip and while there were other issues with the trip, I am not requesting refunds for these missteps by Amtrak, just this small amount where a specific promise was made and not fulfilled.
I am very disappointed in Amtrak and if this is an example of their customer service I believe they are doomed. Effectively there response has been, we have your money and we are not giving it up.
This small problem has soured me on Amtrak.
If I could vote 0...
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