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Short answer: Standard tickets on the Florida intercity rail operator include up to two carry-on items plus one personal item at no extra charge; checked and oversized pieces are assessed additional fees and storage space is limited.
Concrete packing guidance: target a maximum carry-on size of 22 x 14 x 9 inches and keep checked pieces under 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Soft-sided bags compress better into overhead racks; backpacks worn as the personal item reduce the chance of a checked-piece requirement.
Booking tips: add checked-item allowance during online checkout to lock in lower rates; station or gate purchases commonly incur higher charges and may be accepted only subject to capacity. During peak travel days (weekends, federal holidays) reserve checked space early.
At-station protocol: arrive at least 30 minutes before departure when a checked option is included or requested; agents will tag checked pieces and issue a receipt. Oversized or irregular items may require curbside handling, an additional handling fee, or denial of carriage if space is unavailable.
Actionable reminder: consult the operator’s official baggage policy and fare terms online within 72 hours of scheduled departure to confirm current allowances, size limits, and fees.
Carry-on policy and charges on the service
Carry one personal item plus one carry-on at no extra charge with most ticket types; oversized or checked items trigger fees and require advance reservation.
Select a compact pack such as best mens mini backpack as an under-seat personal item; aim for dimensions under 18 x 14 x 8 inches to ensure stowage beneath seat space.
Carry-on wheel suitcases should stay within typical cabin limits – roughly 22 x 14 x 9 inches – to avoid gate checks; keep single-bag weight below 20–25 lbs when possible to simplify handling.
Checked pieces and special items
Checked consignments often incur a fixed fee; specialty gear such as bicycles, skis, or surfboards require advance coordination and may need dedicated booking with additional charges and packaging rules.
Practical tips
Label every bag with contact details, secure fragile contents, use compression cubes to reduce volume, and arrive at the station early to resolve size disputes at the ticket desk rather than at boarding.
Which personal items and carry-on bags are allowed free of charge on board
Recommendation: one personal item plus one standard carry-on per guest, both permitted aboard at no extra charge.
Carry-on specifications: maximum external dimensions 22″ × 14″ × 9″ (56 × 35 × 23 cm). Weight guideline 25 lb (11 kg); items larger than these dimensions will be treated as oversized and moved to checked service with applicable fees.
Personal item details: must fit beneath a seat or bench; suggested maximum 17″ × 10″ × 9″ (43 × 25 × 23 cm). Typical examples include purse, briefcase, laptop sleeve, small backpack, compact diaper bag.
- Allowed electronics: laptop, tablet, phone – carry in a padded sleeve or dedicated compartment.
- Medical supplies: prescription medications, insulin, mobility aids; keep documentation handy.
- Small musical instruments that meet carry-on dimensions; larger instruments require advance arrangements or checked handling.
- Outerwear, umbrellas, small duty-free or retail purchases that fit within the two-item allowance.
Prohibited onboard items: explosives, flammable liquids, compressed gas cylinders, corrosive materials, loose wet batteries. Sporting gear that exceeds carry-on size must be checked and will incur fees.
Practical packing tips
- Place liquids in containers ≤3.4 oz (100 mL) inside a clear quart-size bag when passing through security screening.
- Keep passports, tickets, prescription medications, and small electronics in the personal item for easy access.
- Label medical equipment and retain documentation at hand at the ticket counter.
- Avoid checking heavy tools; consider compact cordless alternatives such as a best battery power pressure washer when transport of bulky gear is not practical.
Exact size and weight limits for carry-on allowance
Use a carry-on no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) plus one personal item no larger than 16 x 12 x 8 inches (40 x 30 x 20 cm).
Measurement specifics
Carry-on maximum external dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), measured including wheels and handles.
Personal item maximum external dimensions: 16 x 12 x 8 inches (40 x 30 x 20 cm); personal item must fit beneath the seat area.
Published weight limit: none; practical guideline suggests keeping each bag under 22 lb (10 kg) to allow lifting into the overhead compartment without assistance.
Oversize threshold: items greater than 28 x 22 x 14 inches (71 x 56 x 36 cm) will be classified as checked and may incur additional charges.
Packing recommendations
Measure packed bags prior to travel, accounting for external pockets and protruding handles. Prefer soft-sided carry-ons when extra millimetres are needed. Distribute heavy items low and centered; keep valuables and electronics in the personal item, keeping them accessible. Choose a durable, low-visibility shade when selecting a bag; see best backpack color.
When fees apply: oversized, overweight and checked baggage rules
Purchase checked-bag allowance online ahead of departure whenever an item exceeds carry-on limits or requires special handling.
Fees are assessed when an item is presented as checked at the station or during boarding and exceeds the carrier’s stated carry-on or checked thresholds. Station agents measure and weigh pieces; surcharges are applied on the spot and may be higher than pre-booked rates.
Triggers that prompt a surcharge
Oversize: any piece whose combined dimensions surpass the carrier’s linear limits will incur an oversized charge and may require special stowage or handling. Overweight: pieces exceeding the permitted weight limit attract an overweight surcharge or may be refused if manual handling would risk injury or damage. Checked designation: voluntarily checking an item also triggers the checked-piece fee structure instead of free carry-on allowance.
Special-item rules and handling
Bicycles, surfboards, skis, golf clubs and large musical instruments are treated as special items; advance reservation often is required, protective cases must be used, and elevated surcharges typically apply. Unannounced presentation of bulky equipment risks denial at the gate or requirement to repackage before boarding.
Measurement protocols include wheels, handles and external pockets; station staff use scales and measuring frames. If an item qualifies as oversized or overweight, manual handling fees or special-stowage fees may be added per piece. Pre-booking online or contacting customer service prior to travel generally yields lower charges than same-day station transactions.
Practical steps to avoid surcharges: weigh and measure bags at home, redistribute contents into multiple compliant pieces, use soft-sided bags that compress, remove or stow detachable accessories, and pack sport gear in dedicated protective cases with any required disassembly completed ahead of arrival.
Fees and booking steps – bikes, surfboards, golf bags, musical instruments
Reserve a special-item reservation at least 24 hours prior to departure; same-day requests frequently refused.
Booking steps: check item dimensions and weight against carrier limits, add a special-item reservation during online ticket checkout or contact customer service to add an add-on, obtain a confirmation code, present the item at the station ticket counter or dedicated oversized-item desk at least 45 minutes prior to departure, and retain the receipt shown at boarding.
Packing and handling recommendations: place musical instruments in hard cases with internal suspension, secure surfboards with fin covers and a padded bag, remove pedals and secure handlebars on bicycles, place golf clubs in a rigid or padded bag and wrap clubheads. Mark items with a printed name and mobile number and attach fragile labels when applicable.
Arrival and staging: riders with special-item reservations should use the designated check-in lane; staff will inspect dimensions, tag items, and assign carriage space or hold area. If an item exceeds the operator’s maximum handled size or weight, staff will offer alternative transport options or refuse carriage.
| Item | Booking lead time | Typical charge (USD) | Common restrictions | Practical notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bicycle | ≥24 hours prior to departure | $25–$50 (varies by route) | Disassembled or boxed recommended; length often limited | Remove pedals, partially deflate tires, use bike box or padded bag |
| Surfboard | ≥24 hours prior to departure | $30–$60 | Max length limits; fin protection required | Use padded board bag with fin covers; stagger multiple boards |
| Golf bag | Same-day possible but advance advised | $20–$35 | Soft bags accepted with limits on protrusions | Secure clubheads; consider a hard case for checked handling |
| Musical instrument (oversized) | ≥24 hours prior to departure | $15–$50 depending on size and fragility | Case required; certain fragile instruments may require seat reservation | Hard case strongly recommended; request on-board stowage when needed |
Arrive at station at least 45 minutes before scheduled departure; present ticket and government ID at bag-drop
Check-in procedure
Bag-drop counters open 60 minutes prior to departure and close 15 minutes prior. At the counter, staff will weigh items, attach an adhesive tag and issue a claim stub with tag number and train number – retain the stub until arrival at destination. Oversized or irregular items require drop-off no later than 30 minutes before departure and are routed to a dedicated handling queue. Gate access begins 10 minutes prior to departure; boarding denied after train departure time.
Self-service kiosk option available at most stations: scan mobile ticket, confirm passenger name, print tag label when required. Name-on-ticket must match government ID; mismatches trigger additional verification and possible delayed acceptance.
Handling, lost-item reporting and fee policies
Tagged items stored in a monitored cargo hold equipped with CCTV and tamper-evident seals. Chain-of-custody records include tag number, staff initials, train number and timestamp. Lost-item reports accepted up to 14 days after travel; located articles retained 30 days from recovery date. Retrieval processing fee: $25; shipping billed at actual postage plus a $10 handling charge. Storage fee: $3 per calendar day beginning on day 8 after recovery. High-value articles (declared value over $500) require a written declaration at check-in and incur an additional secure-handling surcharge of $15.
Claim submission requires claim stub, boarding pass, government ID and a detailed description of contents; incomplete documentation delays release up to 21 business days. Refunds of retrieval or surcharge charges issued to the original payment method within 10 business days after claim approval. On-site lost-and-found desks operate Monday–Saturday 09:00–18:00; after-hours reports accepted via the operator’s online form or dedicated phone line with case number issued upon submission.
