To accommodate the money-losing routes, Amtrak uses profits from its popular lines, such as the Northeast Corridor. Since this is one of the most popular routes, Amtrak can charge higher prices and send those profits to other, less profitable lines. Additionally, the USA is a very big country.
Your seat will be automatically designated when you complete your reservation. You may change your reserved seat and choose a different seat at any time after your booking is complete by viewing your reservation in the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. There is no fee to change your seat.
Are you traveling coach or sleeper car? You can get a USA Rail pass for the coach that lets you on and off at different locations on the route. amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241305460725 The one you would want is the 15 day/8 segment pass.
Showers For Roomette, Family, and Accessible PassengersPassengers with roomettes, family rooms, or accessible accommodations have access to the public shower with an attached dressing room located in each sleeper car. The dressing room has a place for your soiled towels and washcloths.
Amtrak is running a new promotion called 1-2-3 FREE where you'll get a free ride after taking several paid trips. You will need to take six qualifying one-way trips (three round-trips) on Acela or Northeast Regional from now until February 29, 2020.
Standard Amtrak Discounts (Students, Seniors, etc.)Seniors: Travelers 65+ receive a 10% discount (excludes Auto Train). There is no additional AARP discount. Military: 10% discount for military personnel plus their spouses and dependents.
The 3,000 mile journey across the United States by train is one of the world's greatest travel experiences. It's easy, comfortable, safe, and an affordable alternative to flying.
To ensure you stay connected while traveling, we offer free basic WiFi service in select trains and stations throughout the country. Stay productive, or simply sit back and have some fun while en route to your destination.
The U.S. may be the land of the car, but it also one of the greatest countries in the world to be explored by passenger train. Municipalities, or regional government entities, operate commuter trains. At present, Amtrak is the only operator of regularly scheduled long-distance intercity trains in the USA.
Purchase-Based DiscountsAdvance Purchase: Amtrak offers a variety of advance-purchase discounts of 20 to 25 percent. The most general is a 20 percent “Saver Fare” discount, nationwide, on its most popular long-distance trains. Purchase tickets seven to 14 days in advance, depending on route.
For a truly unique experience when traveling by train, Amtrak offers private room accommodations on many routes across the country. Located in the Sleeping Car, a private room is the perfect option for customers seeking privacy and space on a short trip and added comfort and amenities when traveling overnight.
Monthly tickets are valid for up to two trips a day (once in each direction) between the stations indicated on your ticket for an entire calendar month. Ten-ride tickets are valid for ten rides within a 45-day, 60-day or 180-day period depending on your selected stations.
Thus a 10-ride is 5 round-trips for most purposes.
Monthly Season Tickets offer great savings compared to buying four individual Seven Day season tickets. Season Tickets can also be purchased for any duration between one month and one year.
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects New York, New York to Los Angeles, California.
California Train RoutesAmtrak trains and connecting buses reach more than 150 destinations in the Golden State, including top cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Sacramento; national parks; wineries; deserts and beaches.
To travel across the United States by rail, you'll have to ride more than one Amtrak train. The shortest trip time without any delays is approximately 61 hours (between two and three days) , plus a four hour layover.
The US Amtrak system isn't perfect. There isn't service to every city in the US, and cross-country trains still remain slow and expensive when compared to flying. However, if you're hopping across a few states, it can be less expensive and sometimes faster than taking a flight. The cheapest flight available is $265.
Each bedroom has the capacity of two adults (with an option for a third), one to two suitcases and are 6'6” x 7'6”. Unlike roomettes, our bedrooms also have an in-room toilet, shower and a sofa that converts to a bed.
A Viewliner roomette has a picture window with two wide, reclining seats that face each other. In the middle of the seats is a pull-up table that unfolds. There's also an upper bunk with its own window and basket for reading glasses, etc. Right next to one of the seats is the “bathroom”.
The 6 Most Scenic Amtrak Train Routes
- Adirondack: New York City to Montreal.
- Sunset Limited: New Orleans to Los Angeles.
- Empire Builder: Chicago to Portland or Seattle.
- Coast Starlight: Seattle to Los Angeles.
- 5. California Zephyr: Chicago to San Francisco.
- Pacific Surfliner: San Luis Obispo to San Diego.
An Amtrak sleeper car is a train car that contains restrooms, shower rooms and sleeping accommodations (not coach seats). Only the overnight and long-distance trains have sleeper cars, which contain roomettes and bedrooms.
Here are the top 10:
- Amtrak's Coast Starlight. Route: Seattle - Portland - Los Angeles.
- Amtrak's Empire Builder. Route: Chicago - St.
- Amtrak's California Zephyr.
- Amtrak's Southwest Chief.
- Grand Canyon Railway.
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
- Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic.
The network is split into six regions: California, Midwest, South, Northeast, Northwest and West. And it connects over 500 destinations, including big cities like Boston, Chicago, Las Angeles, Miami, New York, Portland, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Washington, D.C. and more.
Here are seven luxury train routes in the U.S. to explore.
- Denali Star, from Anchorage to Denali National Park.
- Rails to Rim adventure on Southwest Chief.
- The Adirondack, NYC to Montreal.
- Great Lakes & Trains, Chicago to Detroit.
- Southern Comfort, Northbound from New Orleans to Fort Worth.
Before you start clicking links, make sure to check Amtrak's Weekly Specials, on sale between Tuesday and Friday each week. These are deeply discounted fares (often up to 80% off) that can be for any train in the country. It's a grab bag, but you might get lucky. Check them out here.
5 Tips for Cheap Amtrak Tickets
- Join Amtrak Guest Rewards. Every time you ride with us, you can earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points toward free trips.
- Book 14 Days in Advance. The early bird really does get the worm!
- Buy Your Tix Online or on Your Phone.
- Bring Your Kids!
- Follow @Amtrak on Social Media.
AAA members can enjoy savings of 10 percent off the best available Amtrak rail fare. AAA travel agents can also help members find the best accommodations, fun things to do, and save on local attractions and hotel costs.
You can use Pensioner Travel Vouchers for free travel on NSW TrainLink Regional services in Economy Class within regional NSW. If your trip takes you over the NSW border, you pay 50% of the relevant Economy or First Class fare for the interstate portion of your trip.
Explore Amtrak Destinations
- Acadia National Park.
- Arches National Park.
- Canyonlands National Park.
- Death Valley National Park.
- Everglades National Park , FL.
- Glacier National Park, MT.
- Grand Canyon National Park.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Veterans of the United States Military receive a 10% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains.
Visit Our Website. You can always visit Amtrak.com to learn the real-time status of a train. Click “Train Status” on the top bar of the homepage and enter a few key pieces of information to learn when a train will be arriving.
