Can one board a train after their ticketed origin station?

I know you can disembark prior to you ticketed destination, but is the opposite true as well or will the ticket be cancelled? I was looking to fill a gap I have without train travel by going on a day round-trip from Tampa to Sebring and back. However, the connection time between 91 and 92 is only 46 minutes, whereas Winter Haven allows for 2 hours, 13 minutes. I would simply cancel the trip if 91 was 1.5 hours or more late, but could I transfer between trains at Winter Haven instead if 91 is running for example an hour late?

If you do not board, have ticket scanned, your trip will be cancelled automatically by the system. If you don't want it cancelled call an agent to modify your ticket before the departure time.

In such a case, how would the ticket be modified? I expect an agent will, unless prodded, cancel the original ticket, issue a voucher, and book the changed itinerary. This could cost considerably more.

Is there a mechanism to change the boarding station without reissuing the ticket at current rates?

I think they can just make a comment. I don't know that it would result in additional fare if properly modified rather than cancel/rebooked.

willem said:

In such a case, how would the ticket be modified? I expect an agent will, unless prodded, cancel the original ticket, issue a voucher, and book the changed itinerary. This could cost considerably more.

Is there a mechanism to change the boarding station without reissuing the ticket at current rates?

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Here's what I'd do if the ticket was bought online. First, try the method outlined by Julie when you enter "change boarding station". If you can't change the boarding station online, then call an agent.

But regardless of what anyone here says, the only one that really matters is Amtrak.

If you bought it online you can always try to modify it.

I've dealt with a completely different situation with "unreserved" routes. I don't need to worry about my ticket being cancelled as a no-show, and my routes generally aren't very long anyways. In your case I think you have to worry about being declared a no-show and your ticket cancelled as a result.

I've bought 10-ride tickets that extend past my usually endpoints. I pay a little bit more, but that gives me flexibility to use those endpoints or any travel in between. I've specifically had conductors ask me where I planned to get off, even when it was before my destination station. I've gotten seat checks that stated a station earlier than on my ticket. My understanding is that a monthly ticket will allow for unlimited travel between any two stations at or in between the stations on the ticket.

If you're talking about a station maybe 10 minutes down the line (like between Emeryville and Oakland-Jack London on the Coast Starlight) I guess there is a possibility that the attendant just declares someone a no-show immediately, but I don't think it usually happens.

First, I'd save your money and just book to Winter Haven and back. This calendar year, 91 has a 48% mis-connect rate with 92 at Sebring. The mis-connect rate at Winter Haven is only 9%. (Thanks ASMAD!)

That said, if you do book to Sebring and get off at Winter Haven or even Lakeland, you don't need to change the return ticket. It will lift just fine. The process to cancel no-show reservations takes a little longer to run than just between Sebring and WTH or even LKL.

BCL said:

If you're talking about a station maybe 10 minutes down the line (like between Emeryville and Oakland-Jack London on the Coast Starlight) I guess there is a possibility that the attendant just declares someone a no-show immediately, but I don't think it usually happens.

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It happned to us once on the SWC leaving Chicago that we waited and waited for the conductor but she didn't show up. I can't now remember whether we just forgot that we were supposed to wait or whether we just risked it, but we were starving so went to the cafteria.

It was while we were sitting there that the conductor approached us and said she'd been looking for us, and said next time to wait in our assigned rooms.

So we apologozed and said we would.

But it just goes to show they don't just declare you a no-show lightly without double checking.