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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Amtrak vs KAYAK

Amtrak 4.7★ · Free to download 40
Winner KAYAK
KAYAK 4.8★ · Free to download 75

KAYAK is the better choice for general travel planning due to its broader search capabilities and generally positive user experience, while Amtrak's app is plagued by significant functionality issues.

Full reviews: Amtrak · KAYAK

KAYAK offers a comprehensive platform for finding flights, hotels, and car rentals with users praising its price comparisons and organizational tools. Amtrak, while appreciated for the train travel experience itself, receives widespread criticism for its app's unreliability, particularly with booking and payment functions.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: KAYAKR1R3R4R7
Amtrak Amtrak users frequently report that the app is clunky, has issues with booking tickets, and often gets stuck or crashes R1R3R4R10. Specific complaints include difficulty adding multiple coupon codes or saving passenger information R7, problems with two-factor authentication , and inability to modify trips . Some users also find it hard to use points or get receipts . However, some users find it easy to use for tracking and purchasing trips and appreciate the digital tickets .
KAYAK KAYAK is praised for its ability to search and compare prices across multiple airlines and hotels, and to organize trips . Users appreciate features like combining different airlines for better prices . However, many users report issues with links not working when trying to purchase tickets , filters being broken or missing R64, and inconsistent search results . Some also struggle with saving flights or changing search locations .
Reliability & Performance tieR1R9R10R13
Amtrak The Amtrak app is frequently criticized for being unreliable; users report it 'never works' R1, gets stuck R10, crashes R13, or fails to process payments R25R28. There are also complaints about reservation information not being accessible or accurate R54. Some users also note mechanical problems with trains leading to delays or cancellations R9.
KAYAK KAYAK's reliability is mixed. While many users find it effective for finding deals , there are significant complaints about price inaccuracies R61R76R85 and issues with booking confirmations not being received R78. Some users also report that flight times are often wrong and that the app can refer to fraudulent websites .
Ease of Use edge: KAYAKR3R4R7R13
Amtrak Amtrak's app is frequently described as 'clunky' R3 and 'not user friendly' R13. Users report difficulties with the login process , navigation R4, and specific tasks like applying coupon codes or managing reservations R7. Some users find it slow to load or difficult to use on older devices . Conversely, some users describe it as 'easy to use' and 'smooth' .
KAYAK KAYAK generally receives praise for being 'easy to use' and helpful for organizing trips . However, some users find the UI problematic, citing issues with filters R64, search layout , and difficulty in finding specific information or support . There are also complaints about the app not saving preferences and being annoying with notifications .
Customer Service & Support tieR6R25R44R54
Amtrak Amtrak users report 'horrible Customer Service' R6, long wait times , and difficulty getting in touch with anyone R44. When app issues arise, users often find no tech support R25 or are told that problems are known but not resolved R54.
KAYAK KAYAK users frequently express frustration with the lack of direct customer support, reporting that 'no one is answering the phone' R67, there's 'no phone number to call or support email' R78, and that customer support can be 'ghosting' them R79 or unreachable R106. This makes resolving issues like cancellations or booking problems very difficult R67R78R79R106.
Price & Value edge: KAYAKR2R8R11R20
Amtrak Amtrak users appreciate the comfort and safety of train travel R2R8R11, with some finding it the 'best way to travel' R8. However, there are complaints about 'price gouging' R20, dynamic pricing leading to extreme costs , and prices changing unexpectedly . Some also feel that the points system is not rewarding .
KAYAK KAYAK is widely praised for helping users find 'best prices' and for price comparisons . Users often find cheaper flights and hotels than on official websites . However, a significant number of reviews mention 'marketed price not accurate' R61, 'fake price' R76, and prices being 'incorrect' or higher when redirected to booking sites R85. Some also warn against booking directly through Kayak due to potential issues R106.
Pick Amtrak if

You primarily travel by Amtrak and need an app for basic trip tracking, and you are willing to tolerate significant app functionality issues for the convenience of having your train tickets digitally .

Pick KAYAK if

You are looking to compare prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals across various providers and want tools to help organize your travel plans, understanding that direct booking through the app might sometimes lead to price discrepancies or support challenges .

Evidence note: Amtrak's reviews are heavily skewed towards app functionality complaints, despite some positive comments about the train travel itself. KAYAK's reviews show a mix of strong praise for its price comparison utility and significant frustration with booking accuracy and customer support.

Frequently asked

Is the Amtrak app reliable for booking tickets?
No, many users report that the Amtrak app is unreliable for booking tickets, frequently encountering errors during the purchase process, getting stuck, or being unable to process payments R1R10R25R28.
Does KAYAK always show accurate prices?
While KAYAK is praised for finding good deals, many users report that the advertised prices are not always accurate and can increase when redirected to the booking site, or that initial fares do not include basic costs like luggage R61R64R76R85.
Is it easy to get customer support for issues with KAYAK?
No, many KAYAK users report significant difficulty reaching customer support, with complaints about unanswered calls, lack of contact information, and being 'ghosted' when trying to resolve booking or cancellation issues R67R78R79R106.

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. [R9] Amtrak 3/5 · US Mechanical problems, causing delays: I wish your trains were not having mechanical problems
  6. [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
  7. [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!!
  8. [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.
  9. [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.
  10. [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!!
  11. [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.
  12. [R2] Amtrak 5/5 · US Viaje: Fue súper confor para poder sacar a mi madre fuera de su ciudad de verdad ella lleva más de 20 años sin viajar por alguna s miedos y gracias a Antrak ella salió segura y sin ese mi do alas alturas que por años la inpocibilito viajar y ahora q logre convencerla de viajar en tren fue la mejor experiencia para ella y para mi
  13. [R8] Amtrak 5/5 · US Only way to travel: The only and best way to travel, bar none.
  14. [R11] Amtrak 5/5 · US Transportation and comfortability: I’ve been traveling with a track for a very long time, never fails to work the fastest and feel the safest.
  15. [R20] Amtrak 5/5 · US Great site…: However, do not appreciate price gouging
  16. [R28] Amtrak 1/5 · US Unable to Process my Request: Love to travel Amtrak but hate the app. I always hope the new update will fix something but it never does. App works fine until I actually need to book a ticket, then it’s “temporarily unable to process my request. Try again later,” only it never works. The website on mobile is horrid as well, making it so inconvenient to book from my phone (where my payment info is s
  17. [R61] KAYAK 2/5 · US Marketed price not accurate: Price aggregators without real prices offer no value
  18. [R64] KAYAK 1/5 · US Kayak can’t filter basic fares: App is pointless if it is always showing basic fare tickets. Why did Kayak remove the option to filter out Basic fares? Is this some sort of deal with the airlines to deceive people into thinking flights are cheaper than they are?
  19. [R76] KAYAK 1/5 · US It’s really bad and fake price price: They are a liar
  20. [R85] KAYAK 1/5 · US Annoying: I’ve experienced multiple instances where my flight reservation was canceled after booking due to a reported fare change. This has been frustrating and has made the booking process feel unreliable. If the advertised fare is not actually available, it should not be displayed as the booking price.
  21. [R67] KAYAK 1/5 · US Refund: They’ve took 36 dollars out my account. No one is answering the phone. How am I supposed to speak with someone when there’s an issue. It told me free cancellation but still put a hold on my money. Terrible service!
  22. [R78] KAYAK 3/5 · US It’s not like it used to be: Bought flight tickets and didn’t get any confirmation number or anything. I am not sure if they will charge me or anything. They don’t have any phone number to call or support email.
  23. [R79] KAYAK 2/5 · US Trips: I am having an issue with forwarding trips and the customer support is ghosting me. Terrible service. I have been using the app since it’s beginning and I’m very disappointed.
  24. [R106] KAYAK 1/5 · US Can’t cancel or handle negotiations: Tried to cancel, was unable to negotiate with anyone. Hotel said the broker needed to handle, broker said hotel was unreachable. I called the front desk and they said they couldn’t be called. Agent said they tried multiple times but couldn’t get through. Book directly or else you will be totally screwed if anything comes up. It isn’t worth saving a couple bucks

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