The Royal Oak Amtrak location is a bit odd if I do say so myself! It's nothing like the Ann Arbor Amtrak location, which was the only other location I was familiar with in Michigan, so I pulled up to the Royal Oak stop expecting the same. What we got instead was minimal infrastructure. The parking lot at the Amtrak here is similarly metered, so look for street parking spots in the residential neighborhoods of Royal Oak away from downtown, which the Amtrak station is on the border of, not too far away from this station (~5 minute walk depending on what you can find). Be careful to read the street signs too because some residential streets either require permits or paid parking as well still. But once you get to the Amtrak station, it's pretty unclear of where to go. There's no central Amtrak building the way that Ann Arbor has, just a platform that you walk up to and wait at and that's literally it. We weren't even sure which direction the train was going to come in, whether we were at the right platform. Granted, when I caught the train from here it was like 6 am in the morning. So that could've contributed to the fact that there was very little activity around. But you basically had to keep an eye out for any signs you might see and navigate yourself to the platform and that was it. The platform was very understated as well. Just a small ramp leading to a patch of elevated concrete, no railings, no nothing, and that was it! Writing this review in the hopes that anyone reading it will be better prepared and have managed expectations on what you'll find once you get here. It's a very small space compared to Ann Arbor and I would assume Detroit as well. Our trained arrived a little bit after the scheduled time, probably because they take a bit longer to stop at those bigger stations, and since there were only a handful of us getting on at this point, we were on and GOING within a matter of 2-3 minutes. So get here early and be ready for a quick onboard! read more

This is a great way to travel if you have a destination fairly close. I wouldn't suggest it for three or four day trip although I hear people that do it all the time. We were going to Chicago from the Detroit area and since the driving time is approximately the same as the train time we thought we would take the train. Besides the fact that it's very expensive to park in Chicago if you can even figure out how to get around in the heavy duty traffic. So we actually caught the train at Troy Michigan -- it's a fairly new transit center and it's got plenty of free parking and very easy access to the train tracks. The train ride is approximately six hours and you are able to bring on unlimited luggage from what I could tell. The nice thing is you can walk around, you can use restrooms, and you can go get a bite to eat from their little cafeteria. On the trains we were on there were plugs at every seat so you can keep your cell phone or iPad or computer charged!! The train staff was very helpful and answered any questions that we had. read more

Amtrak - Transportation Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

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This review is for Amtrak in general. I'm actually writing this on my way home from Chicago. Last year I took Amtrak from the Troy station to Chicago and had no issues. Yesterday, we took it from Troy to Chicago and literally every issue popped up. A car was stuck on the tracks, so they had to remove it and then inspect it. Today, we've already had to stop multiple times either to let other trains pass or for random other occurrences. We are near Battle Creek now and there are people waiting to get off the train, but again we are stuck for some reason. Yesterday we got in about 1.5 hours late and my friend and I almost missed our restaurant reservation, too. That being said, the seats are very comfortable and you have a lot of leg room. WiFi is hit or miss but there are two plugs for every two seats. There is also a cafe car with hot food. All of these amenities bump it up from 2 stars to 3 stars. read more

The downside of the RO station is it's just the outside station. No actual inside station at all. There is no shelter or protection at this location. Not fun when it's raining. I have been lucky every time I take a train to Chicago from here, it's been nice weather and usually warmer, even when I go during the fall. It's super convenient to take the train and avoid the headache of traffic and driving. The plus is it's right in the heart of downtown and easy to get to, an easy walk during the warm weather or a cheap Uber or Lyft ride away. The departure is usually right within minutes of time. It's great when it's not raining or cold. read more

This is one of the worst Amtrak stations as it doesn't have a waiting area right by the tracks. There is a closed space waiting area but it is across the parking lot so you would have to run fast if you wait until the train comes. There are usually not that many people boarding at this stop which is a plus so you can usually still get a good seat. read more

Amtrak - View from the train - Transportation Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

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If I'd known I had to ride backwards all the way from Chicago to Detroit I wouldn't have taken Amtrak. That's just ridiculous.

Its hard to rate the experience of riding Amtrak because every trip can be so different. The station itself isn't a station at all - its more like a bus shelter. Royal Oak used to have an actual train station but its been gone for over 20 years now. Don't expect much from the station as some people have decided to spray paint graffiti all over there at night. The Royal Oak Police and Railroad Police patrol around the station so your cars are okay in the lot. Parking - I usually don't park here because you need to get an Amtrak parking permit from city hall ($5.00 per day) to avoid getting tickets, and the city does enforce that lot quite frequently The long term spots for Amtrak parking are in the back of the lot towards 11 Mile Road. Tickets - The self service ticket machine is located in the Smart bus station across the street. You can also purchase and print your tickets from home and the conductor will scan those with the smart phones they have been provided by Amtrak. Business class costs a few dollars extra and is located in the end of the cafe car at the far end of the train. (It will depend on what way the train is going to or from Chicago). Overall experience on the train - The train crews are friendly and will provide assistance if you have questions, but the main thing is to expect to arrive behind schedule, particularity heading to Michigan from Chicago. The railroad is usually a congested mess between Chicago and Porter, Indiana and Amtrak doesn't own the tracks or dispatch trains in that section. Also expect a few minutes here or there waiting for meets with other Amtrak trains near Kalamazoo or Ann Arbor. Also be on time arriving for the train - I have seen many people running towards the train waving at the engineer to wait for them, but its too late by then. Be on the platform where the conductor sees you and be ready to go. The train starts in Pontiac and they are generally right on time getting to Royal Oak. I ride Amtrak for pleasure when visiting friends in Chicago, so I don't mind if we are running an hour or so later than normal. read more

I thought taking Amtrak from Royal Oak to Chicago was going to be great. I was so wrong. My round trip on The Wolverine run will be a once in a lifetime experience. Both trains (going to Chicago and returning to Royal Oak) were delayed. Amtrak announcements made it seem like this is "normal." Why were the trains late? And how late were they? Well, the outbound train was only about an hour late, the return was closer to two hours late. Both trains left right on time. But we were delayed when it was announced that since the train was delivering a rear attached engine, that we had to wait while they disconnected it. We also stopped many times on a sideline track while we waited for freight trains to pass us. Having taken excellent passenger trains in Europe and Japan, I just never expected this kind of sloppiness and complete disregard for paying customers. "Of course we are late, we are always late." The train often ran so slow, it felt as if one could beat it in a foot race. Besides being late, we waited on long lines to pay for grossly overpriced beverages and snacks. There was no dining car on the Wolverine run. We just had a snack car. The snacks were expensive too. The staff onboard were polite and good to the travelers. It was not their fault that Amtrak was late or that they felt it OK to treat customers like they were captives. The round trip ticket was inexpensive, but still not worth it. read more

I just don't understand a set up in a state that can get crazy snow, to have the shelter for train passengers that's 40ft from the actual station?! I was there Monday evening and me and a few other passengers waited outside in open ended shelters in the freezing snow for over an hour. My thing isn't that we waited for late train. That happens. But why is the train track so far from the station? Why not move the station closer to the track and put the parking lot behind that? It just sucked and we were afraid to wait inside in case the train showed we wouldn't have the time to get up to the track. Good thing we stuck it out. Once the train arrived we were on our way in less than 5mins so if I had gone inside I would have surely missed the train! Gah, at least put heat elements or lights inside the shelters for winter travelers. At least! read more

What is with this place?!?! Not only is it not clearly marked it was trashed. Cans were full garbage on the ground. My husband and I could not figure out what spots were long term parking because of some sort of construction and they were not clearly marked. Thanks goodness for the sweet man working in the bus depot for helping me. Aside from a crappy location and no real place to go aside from a glass box full of trash my Amtrak train expierence to Chicago was just ok. I mean they ran out of water and beer and various other snacks and beverages. I think next time I will opt for the Detroit or Dearborn stop. You would think Royal Oak would be the better of the choices. NOT!! Oh well. Live and learn! Thank goodness we were traveling in the summer and not in the winter. C'mon Amtrak Royal Oak let's step it up a tad! read more

I completely agree with the previous review. My ticket was for 6:25 a.m. in late December and the temperature was way below freezing. To get to the waiting area, you have to walk up hill in the snow/ice. The shelter is hardly that. Next time I take the train, I will drive to Dearborn and shave 45 minutes off the trip + have a better place to wait! read more

Like all the other reviews mentioned this is a terrible location to hop on the train during the cold winter months. There are only two shelter by the tracks that might only fit 10 people. The path leading up to the track's waiting area is narrow and i can see it would be difficult to walk when its covered with ice and snow. Tho I've not had a bad experience with Amtrak so far. The train to chicago has been on time and comfortable. It is a good alternative to Mega Bus if you are too lazy to make the 4 hr drive to chicago. read more

this is not a station. it's a stand. in the summer when not raining it may be okay, but in the cold, forger it. Also, there is no counter or personelle to help you with question. there MAY be an amtrak phone, but that's it. Also, this is just a few stops from the end of the line (Pontiac). So if you're going anywhere else you are going thru the Detroit rail yards that can add up to an hour to your trip. Your best bet is the Dearborn station which is a full service station and very nice. read more

This is not really a train station. It is like a city bus stop for interstate trains. Come on Royal Oak! Normally it is running late. Given that the Amtrak experience usually sucks, this just adds on to the happiness. Also, I got to the station exactly on time, after fighting viciously through traffic, only to watch the train rolling away. Thumbs down Amtrak! read more

If you are thinking about taking Amtrak, DON'T! You will walk to your destination faster then the train. If I could give them negative stars I would! We were on Train Wolverine 355 on July 25,2019 going to Chicago, IL from Royal Oak, MI with my family and a small baby when we experienced the worst service/experience in our life. The train is scheduled to leave Royal Oak, MI at 5:55pm and arrive in Chicago 10:55pm; however, our train did not come until 10:55pm in Royal Oak. We did not get to Chicago until July 26 at 7am. The train was not only delayed by 5 hours; but we stopped in the middle of nowhere for a quick crew change. We were fine with the crew change because we were told it should not take any longer then half hour to 45 minutes. Instead we were abandoned without information and crew in a hot, smelly, and most importantly what we felt was a unsafe environment for 2 and a half hours. What my family ended up suffering from this trip are the money we spent for the Amtrak tickets to take us to Chicago by 10:55PM, 1 night at the hotel that was worth $200, and most importantly emotional trauma from the sudden abandoning in the middle of nowhere for an extra 2 hours without crew and information. Their customer service is even worse. Ben from Customer Relations did not sound like he wanted to help at all. Ben was rude to me and hung up on me when I asked him how do you justify leaving hundreds of people in a abandoned train without a crew for 2 hours in the middle of nowhere. If you care about your family's safety and well-being; don't use this service. I will never take another amtrak train in my life after that experience. read more

No ticket counter, no kiosk, no employees at the station, nowhere to purchase a ticket, no train routes/ schedules posted. Lousy service from a dying company. Truly a waste of my time to show up there. If Amtrak cannot run their business properly, why even be in business at all?Amtrak should close their doors and let someone take over who actually knows how to run a business. read more

The location was nice, but the service is horrible, if the website says you will arrive at your destination at a certain time never trust it. The train was stand still for more than an HOUR. Unacceptable service. If you wanna go somewhere take a car or a train. 0/10 read more

This station is terrible in the winter, especially if it's snowing. Make sure you have a parking permit from the City Treasurer or the SMART bus station before parking and leaving your car. Otherwise, have the person dropping you off wait until about 5 mins before the train comes, because there is close to no shelter on the platform. read more

This station is a stand. There's no actual place to sit inside. Also have to pay for parking (5$ a day). Would recommend choosing another station nearby. However, if you have no other choice, I would recommend parking in the Center Street garage. (Safe and right next to station) also 5$. read more

This Amtrak stop is a joke a trashed up bus shelter along the tracks across from the smart bus terminal.Parking is $5 a day in unsafe lot.Save yourself the hassles drive 3 miles north to coolidge and 14 mile to the new Troy Amtrak station 110 free parking spaces in a safe police monitored station,clean restrooms and waiting area room.Plus krogers and Meijers are nearby so you can stock up on snacks and avoid buying expensive snacks on Amtrak before your trip. read more