So this is an Amtrak station. Not that most people will need to know this, but if you're taking a 2 a.m. train, you'll probably want to know more about the station. First off, Amtrak doesn't know whether or not this station is staffed on the weekends. Amtrak said no one would be present. But someone opens and closes the station. On the Saturday we left, no one was present during the hour we were there. When we came in two weeks later, there was a person present. I think he was mostly there to lock up, but Amtrak had said there would be no one there. The station is in the downtown and felt moderately safe. We cruised around a bit before parking. Never saw a police car. Once inside the station, there were a lot of other people, so we felt safer. (Amtrak has two trains go through this station within 60 minutes of each other, so people are waiting for both trains.) There is a restroom and vending machines. It isn't modern...the lights are darker and the bench seating uncomfortable. I wouldn't want to be there for more than an hour or so. At least the cell phones got service. read more

This was our first Amtrak experience and this station was very dirty. There was also a large puddle of water on the floor around one of the vending machines. Neither my wife, nor I, thought it looked acceptable. When we got back on the return trip, my wife didn't even want (and did not) even go back into the train station. read more

If you're not able to get on the airplane due to not having correct ID then this is the way it's travel. Much cheaper then driving my car.

Amtrak is conveniently located in downtown Newton with plenty of parking. This train goes from LA to Chicago. The seats recline significantly more than an airplane with lower leg recliner support as well! The gentle sitting across the aisle was 6'5" and had no problems fitting comfortably! Both crews from Newton to Chicago showed the highest level of hospitality and a provided excellent accommodations. I can't say enough great things about this experience. Here is a sample of their cafe menu but there are also more formal meal options in the restaurant! read more

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Worst experience for travel especially going to Chicago with kids. From the moment you get to Newton main station because their is no direction or what to do. Inside it stinks with no air flow. I was scared to lay my head in the chairs and felt uncomfortable for 12 hours. Let me not even mention the toilets. It's nasty and dirty. The food is pricey and nasty. I wanted to try a different experience for travel but this the one I regretted. I wish I had researched and read comments. No wonder it was cheaper. I would rather pay pricey aero plane ticket and be there quick. read more

From the outside the Newton Train Station looks like an old world gem, something from a black a white movie that may boast lounges where newspaper men smoke cigarettes and women wear furs while waiting for the train. Instead, it is a florescent-lit linoleum waiting room. I arrived here at 2:00 AM for my train and it is confusing. there is no clear entrance, one could easily just drive onto the tracks, and it is poorly lit. The parking lot is behind the Cash Advance store across the street to the west. Inside you will find some seats, a ticket counter, and a ticket-guy who looks like Steven King. If you have a coach seat, ask Steven King if he can upgrade you into a Roomette...he will call the conductor and negotiate a deal for you if one is available - for us it cost an extra $12. It is what it is...a waiting room. The Steven King guys is very nice but it is 2:00 AM so everyone is just weird. My advice? Get there the hour early (as instructed) to get your tickets, then head north on Main to McDonalds and get breakfast, then come back and park, wait in your car, and head into the waiting room when you hear the train...which you will...you can't miss it...its a train. Though I have given 2 stars, I would ABSOLUTELY book a train ride through here again! The Southwest Chief is a blast. read more

For a train that arrives and departs in the wee hours, the Newton Kansas Amtrak station has a very personable young lady operating the station. She is confident and friendly, knows her job. Nice to know that someone is running the show at the station. I'm told that the locals provide taxi service 24 hours a day but I'd call ahead to arrange for this. I saw no taxis or even stray cats at 4 AM. Bus shuttle service lands you in Oklahoma City by 7:30 AM. Long night! read more

Thought it'd be fun to take an Amtrak train from KS to Chicago, but it was a NIGHTMARE trying to get there - multiple delays of 8 hours and no effort from anyone at Amtrak to make the experience better (they still made us pay for a meal! I paid $10 for a microwave packet of mac n cheese in an amtrak bowl when I should have already been dropped off at my desitnation). Booked an expensive one way flight last minute to make sure I could get home in time because Amtrak can't seem to answer any of my 5 (this makes 6) attempts to contact customer service since Thursday (8/23), first to try to remedy the situation and salvage my return trip, then to cancel my return trip. If you're thinking about it, DO NOT take an Amtrak train for your next trip. It's a HUGE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY. read more

Newton, Kansas is a crossroads. Always has been. Getting off/on the train there was a necessity for me, not an option. Can't give enough praise to the weekday station manager that works from midnight to 8:AM. Not only is she juggling two trains, the OK City bus, and dozens of groggy passengers, these are also the hours people come to buy tickets and get information. There are no other station hours. Along with that she does the bookkeeping and cleaning. Wow. The station itself is lovely by day, a little dreary by night, no surprise. Clean, quite safe, with vending and nice bathrooms. Hertz is across the tracks and will leave you a car at the station. The Breadbasket restaurant is only two blocks away and opens at 6:30AM. Amazing breakfast buffet. Drubers Donuts is still open at 1:AM. Yum The inconvenience of a 3:AM train is definitely made easier. And yes, there is a different manager on the weekends. read more