I used Amtrak's USA Rail Pass to travel to 11 states in 30 days. Here are 6 things I wish I knew before buying it.

I bought the Amtrak USA Rail Pass, and there are a few things I wish I had known beforehand.

Malia Yoshioka

I took my first long train ride when I was 18, heading upstate from New York City. I can still remember the view of the gold, rust, and deep-red leaves out the window.I grew up in Hawaii, where there are no trains or fall foliage, so the experience felt completely new to me. That trip stayed with me, and now, I try to travel by train whenever possible.Last year, I traveled through the East Coast and Midwest by rail, and by the time I reached Chicago, I finally decided to give Amtrak's $499 USA Rail Pass a try.With 10 rides to use within 30 days, I traveled through 11 states in a single month. Here are eight things I wish I knew before buying the pass.Long trips provide the best value

When using the USA Rail Pass, I like to book long trips to get the most value for my money.

Malia Yoshioka