Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Amtrak vs MTA TrainTime

Amtrak 4.7★ · Free to download 45
Winner MTA TrainTime
MTA TrainTime 4.9★ · Free to download 70

MTA TrainTime is generally preferred for its ease of use and comprehensive information, despite some user frustration with its surcharge policies, while Amtrak's app is plagued by frequent functionality issues.

Full reviews: Amtrak · MTA TrainTime

MTA TrainTime offers a user-friendly experience with detailed train information, though its ticketing policies regarding surcharges and activation draw criticism. Amtrak's app, despite its high lifetime rating, struggles with consistent functionality, making ticket purchases and trip management difficult for many users.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: MTA TrainTimeR1R3R4R7
Amtrak Amtrak users frequently report that the app 'never works' and is 'useless,' citing issues with purchasing tickets, processing payments, and managing reservations R1R4R16R25. Some find it 'clunky' and difficult to navigate, especially for tasks like adding multiple coupon codes or saving passenger information R3R7R10R18. There are also complaints about the app crashing when booking disability tickets and not supporting older devices R13.
MTA TrainTime MTA TrainTime is praised for being 'very helpful,' 'easy to use,' and 'full of relevant information,' including train layouts and full schedules R62R65R68R71. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and smooth operation . However, some users report recent issues with the app crashing unexpectedly and not displaying track numbers until after the train has departed .
Reliability & Performance edge: MTA TrainTimeR1R6R9R10
Amtrak Many Amtrak users experience significant reliability issues, with the app frequently failing to process requests, getting stuck in purchase mode, or not displaying booked trips R1R10R16R25. There are also reports of train cancellations and delays, leading to frustration and unreliable travel plans R6R9.
MTA TrainTime MTA TrainTime generally performs well, with users describing it as 'dependable' and running 'smoothly' R62R71. However, some users report the app crashing unexpectedly and issues with track information not being displayed promptly .
User Experience & Ease of Use edge: MTA TrainTimeR3R4R13R18
Amtrak While some Amtrak users find the app 'easy to use' and 'simple' , many others describe it as 'clunky,' 'not user friendly,' and causing 'confusion' R3R4R13R18. Specific pain points include difficulty with login, managing cancelled tickets, and a lack of FaceID .
MTA TrainTime MTA TrainTime is widely praised for being 'super easy to navigate,' 'intuitive,' and 'user friendly' R68. Users appreciate its clear layout and how easily they can find routes and purchase tickets R62R65R68. Some minor usability issues include the app not auto-selecting the closest station and difficulty finding round-trip ticket options .
Price & Value tieR20R21R30R35
Amtrak Amtrak users express frustration with 'price gouging' and 'predatory pricing,' noting that prices can change rapidly R20R30. There are also complaints about the difficulty of using reward points R21 and cancellation fees even with insurance R35.
MTA TrainTime MTA TrainTime users are highly critical of its 'bad surcharge' policies, often being charged an extra $8 for activating tickets too late or due to perceived policy violations, even when following instructions R64R67R69. Users feel these surcharges are 'greedy' and 'unjustified,' leading many to prefer buying paper tickets R64. There are also complaints about refund fees and restrictive reward programs R69.
Customer Support tieR6R25R44R54
Amtrak Amtrak users report 'horrible customer service' and difficulty getting in touch with anyone, with long wait times and disconnections R6R44. There's a perceived lack of tech support for app issues R25R54.
MTA TrainTime MTA TrainTime users find the in-app chat feature 'completely unhelpful' and describe customer care as 'not responsive and beyond useless' when dealing with surcharge disputes R67. However, some users did find customer service in chats 'punctual and helpful' for other inquiries .
Pick Amtrak if

You prioritize the comfort and experience of long-distance train travel itself, as many users praise the trains and staff .

Pick MTA TrainTime if

You need a transit app for daily commuting or frequent local travel that is generally easy to use and provides comprehensive real-time information, and you are willing to navigate its ticketing policies carefully R62R65R71.

Evidence note: Amtrak's lifetime rating is lower than MTA TrainTime's, and recent negative reviews for Amtrak heavily focus on app functionality issues, which aligns with the lower score in this comparison. MTA TrainTime's negative reviews are almost exclusively about its surcharge policies, not the app's core functionality or ease of use.

Frequently asked

Does the Amtrak app reliably allow ticket purchases?
No, many Amtrak users report significant issues with purchasing tickets through the app, frequently encountering errors, getting stuck in purchase mode, or being unable to process payments R1R10R16R25.
Are there surcharges when using the MTA TrainTime app?
Yes, many MTA TrainTime users report being charged an additional $8 surcharge, often for activating tickets too close to boarding or due to perceived policy violations, leading to widespread frustration R64R67R69R73.
Is the MTA TrainTime app easy to use for finding train information?
Yes, the MTA TrainTime app is widely praised for being 'super easy to navigate,' 'intuitive,' and 'full of relevant information,' including train layouts and full schedules, making it effective for guiding users along their trips R62R65R68R71.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Amtrak 1/5 · US Never works: Never works
  2. [R3] Amtrak 3/5 · US App is clunky: It randomly fills in some things while skipping basic things
  3. [R4] Amtrak 1/5 · US This app is useless: It’s hard to know where to start. I suggest you try to use it and you will see what I mean…….
  4. [R7] Amtrak 1/5 · US Make adding same passengers and multiple coupon codes easier: Needs ability to save passengers you frequently travel with and their membership numbers. Also possible to add multiple coupon codes to a reservation?
  5. [R6] Amtrak 3/5 · US Ms.: Horrible Customer Service took forever. My train was canceled. I couldn’t get on a new one. I had to spend three times the original price I got disconnected.
  6. [R9] Amtrak 3/5 · US Mechanical problems, causing delays: I wish your trains were not having mechanical problems
  7. [R10] Amtrak 2/5 · US Stuck?: Sometimes gets stuck in purchase mode and if you want to cancel your trapped. I want to check options but in so doing you get trapped as if you are trying to make a purchase and can’t get ou
  8. [R13] Amtrak 1/5 · US System is not user friendly!!: I try to book a disability ticket and the system crashes ever time. But I go in and take it off and it works. Not ok!!
  9. [R18] Amtrak 3/5 · US Slightly clunky: Slightly clunky to use in that, for example, when trying to check on the status of my reservation, even though I’m logged into the to put in my reservation number, as opposed to being able to select it from a list for the app to automatically detect that I only had one open reservation. It reminds me of the government TSP app. Good features, but a clunky user interface.
  10. [R20] Amtrak 5/5 · US Great site…: However, do not appreciate price gouging
  11. [R21] Amtrak 3/5 · US Needs to be simplified: You should be able to select the option to use your points when you are choosing your payment method. It tells you to login to the rewards app. Why this doesn’t make sense
  12. [R30] Amtrak 3/5 · US Ease up on dynamic pricing: It’s lovely to be able to pay $20 when you book in advance but the high prices on the other end seem a bit extreme.
  13. [R35] Amtrak 4/5 · US Pretty much user friendly. But: I need to cancel my trip and I’m sure why there is a fee for because I purchased insurance to allow such as this. If that is true, then the information provided is misleading. There should be a clear cut explanation !
  14. [R25] Amtrak 1/5 · US Doesn’t let you purchase tickets: The app is dysfunctional at a critical point, you get all the way through entering your trip details and selecting your trip but then can’t…actually…purchase. And there’s no tech support, of course.
  15. [R44] Amtrak 1/5 · US Sucks: Horrible site, no help screen and no way to get in touch with anyone. If I could put a ZERO I would!!
  16. [R54] Amtrak 1/5 · US Unable to access information: I keep receiving a notification that my reservation does not exist so I wait over an hour on the phone only to be told that the reservation is booked. When I ask what is wrong with the app I am told they are just having problems with it but nothing seems to be happening to resolve the issue.
  17. [R16] Amtrak 1/5 · US Amtrak app never works: This app is HORRIBLE! It never ever works! I booked my trips and it doesn’t show them I austro couldn’t book the trips through the app.
  18. [R64] MTA TrainTime 1/5 · US bad surcharge: do not use the app just buy the tickets in person
  19. [R67] MTA TrainTime 1/5 · US Almost as worthless the MTA: Activating a ticket and having it scanned by a conductor within 2 mins automatically flags you as trying to dodge the fare. Can’t contact customer support via the app either, only garbage AI and automated responses telling you to use the website. Almost as worthless as the MTA as a whole.
  20. [R69] MTA TrainTime 3/5 · US Partial refunds on tickets purchased within 24 hours.: App is okay … but a $10 refund fee on a ticket purchased within 24 hours of refund is ridiculous. My phone died because of the apps location tracking and I had to buy a physical ticket.
  21. [R73] MTA TrainTime 1/5 · US Surcharge Policies are a product of poor design: The new policies with surcharges and activating are silly and just a poor consumer experience. Already looking into greater steps but the “warnings” to activate before you board vs the concerns from consumers to do so in fear it won’t be checked on time or a glitch may occur are real. The MTA needs a better path forward that is better thought out.
  22. [R62] MTA TrainTime 5/5 · US Very helpful, no issues: This app is easy to use and has a pleasant appearance. Everything loads easily. Things like the day pass ticket are well explained. It is very helpful that you can see a layout of the train. It’s also helpful that the full schedules are linked in the settings
  23. [R65] MTA TrainTime 5/5 · US Great app: The team at MTA really knows what they are doing with software. Their apps are easy to use and full of relevant information. And the information is thoughtfully laid out with details like arrows indicating train directions or times of connecting trains.
  24. [R68] MTA TrainTime 5/5 · US Best app I’ve ever used: 66 years old. App is so easy to navigate and figure out, buy ticket easily. Love it
  25. [R71] MTA TrainTime 5/5 · US fantastic: truly the best transit app available. it literally has all the information you could ever need to guide you along your trip. been using train time app for years and it has only improved since i started using it. no other transit app comes close.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store