amtrak tickets price round trip

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The Best Ways To Book Cheap Amtrak Train Tickets [Advance Bookings, Rail Passes, and Promo Codes]

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Book Cheap Amtrak Tickets in Advance

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Train travel can be an enjoyable experience, kicking back and watching the scenery whiz past as you relax with a good book. Avoiding airport security queues and road congestion are just a couple more bonuses, but you still want to make sure you bag yourself a deal when riding the rail.

Getting your hands on cheap Amtrak tickets is not tricky — it just requires a bit of planning to know when and where to book. As well as booking direct, Amtrak tickets are only available on a select number of partner websites, but all have price parity. Sometimes, these websites provide handy calendar views to check when the cheapest time to travel is; others have filters to narrow your search criteria.

With Amtrak, the further in advance you can buy your ticket, the better . Fares are released 11 months before the departure date and work on 5 fare levels, with prices rising with demand. Amtrak has different thresholds for booked capacity that, once reached, will bump fare prices up to the next level.

Unfortunately, Amtrak doesn’t display how many tickets are left at a specific price , so the only way to ensure the cheapest rate is to book as early as possible.

Saver fares are available on some routes when booking coach at least 14 days before  your departure. These fares are non-refundable but can be canceled up to 24 hours before departure to receive travel credit. When searching for a train from New York to Boston, a Saver ticket was $39 compared to a Value ticket at $69. That’s quite a savings if you’re confident your journey will go as scheduled.

Joining Amtrak Guest Rewards won’t give you instant savings, but if you travel regularly, it’s worth signing up for long-term gains. Membership is free, and every time you travel, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent to redeem against free tickets for regular services, Auto Train, Acela, and sleeper services.

Frequent travelers can work their way up the membership tier statuses to receive further benefits, such as bonus point earnings, complimentary class upgrades, and companion coupons . Members can earn tier-qualifying points in a calendar year through Amtrak travel or using the Amtrak Guest Rewards ® Preferred Mastercard ® .

Amtrak Guest Rewards bonus points are also earned through business class and first class bookings on regular and Acela services.

Don’t wait until you get to the station to book your ticket, as Amtrak says the best rates can be found online. It’s also a good idea to avoid purchasing a ticket on board , as only the more expensive flexible fares are available. The best available rates can be booked at Amtrak.com or via the app , and you also can make changes to your reservation online, view your e-tickets, and avoid long queues at the station.

Register for promotional emails from Amtrak to hear about flash sales and exclusive Amtrak Guest Rewards offers. Amtrak will also occasionally send targeted emails to Guest Rewards members. For instance, the rail company recently sent an email to register for the Amtrak Select Tier Challenge , which will give those targeted Select status through February 2025 after completing qualifying trips.

You can also check the Deals tab on the Amtrak website for regular offers .

Amtrak’s new Night Owl program will reward travelers traveling at off-peak times with extraordinarily cheap tickets. 

Tickets can be as low as $5 each way , depending on your route. It’s only available for the  Northeast Corridor between New York’s Penn Station and Washington D.C.’s Union Station and for departures between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Get an Amtrak Rail Pass

Passengers looking to embark on an Amtrak adventure through the U.S. can purchase a rail pass that includes a set number of segments that must be completed during a set number of days. You still need to book your seats along the way, and the duration starts from the departure date of your first segment.

Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass is for 10 segments over 30 days. The pass is valid for 120 days after purchase (30 days after the first segment is traveled) and for coach travel only.

To see how much you could save with a rail pass, we priced an 8-segment journey with the California Zephyr from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay area and returning via the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Chicago.

With this particular route, a rail pass saved over $100 compared to purchasing separate Saver fares for each segment. If you were booking within 14 days of the departure, Saver fares wouldn’t be available, and the lowest ticket would be a Value fare with savings of over $240 .

We searched for travel dates 3 months in advance, so bear in mind that the closer to the departure date, the greater your savings would be using a rail pass , as ticket prices increase for individually purchased fares.

If you’re only looking to explore California, there’s a dedicated rail pass that is valid on Capitol Corridor , San Joaquins , Pacific Surfliner corridor trains, and Coast Starlight between Los Angeles and Dunsmuir. The pass is also valid on most connecting Thruway bus services that operate along these routes.

The pass costs $159 for adults and $79.50 for children. It allows travel on any 7 days during a consecutive 21-day period.

Not sure where Amtrak can take you? Check out our detailed guide to all Amtrak routes , including regional and long-distance options.

Booking a multi-ride ticket can save you money if you know you’ll need to travel the same route over a specific duration. Students may book a 6-ride pass valid within 365 days , and all passengers may book a 10-ride pass valid for 45 or 90 days, depending on the route.

We checked out the price of a 10-ride ticket between Los Angeles and San Francisco and compared the cost of purchasing 10 separate tickets.

Purchasing a 10-ride ticket would save $58 (almost the price of 1 ticket) compared to buying these tickets separately, so a multi-pass would save you money if you are confident you’ll make the journey enough times within the required duration.

There are restricted trains that multi-ride tickets can’t be used on, so check out this list to confirm before you purchase your pass.

Consider whether you’re eligible for any of Amtrak’s everyday discounts:

• Children : Infants under 2 ride free, and children 2 to 12 years old receive 50% off
• Seniors : Passengers 65 and over receive 10% off most rail fares
• Military Personnel : Active-duty service members and their dependents save 10% on most rail fares
• Military Veterans : U.S. veterans save 10% on the lowest available fares
• Passengers With Disabilities : Disability savings are 10% to 50% depending on the route
• Rail Passengers Association : Members are eligible to receive 10% off the lowest available fares

Amtrak releases monthly promo and coupon codes to third-party websites that you will rarely find on the Amtrak website. Promo codes consist of 4 digits that typically offer 10% to 50% savings . Railserve.com updates its page monthly to reflect new and ongoing promo codes valid for different regions within Amtrak’s route network.

If traveling long distances or overnight, you might want to upgrade to a bed to get some shut-eye along the way. If you’re traveling with another person, booking a sleeper car would be much more cost-effective than traveling alone. Meals are also included when booking a sleeper car.

If you book a Roomette, passengers can enjoy the views from the 2 sweeping picture windows next to both beds.

Omio is an official partner of Amtrak that sells tickets without the need to go directly to the Amtrak website. Omio displays the same rates you would find on Amtrak.com , but Omio doesn’t permit passengers to purchase sleeper cabins.

When searching, you can filter whether you want only to see direct services or with a maximum number of stops. You can also filter by price or journey time.

Wanderu is another partner of Amtrak and provides a valuable platform for passengers to search for cheap travel, including Amtrak tickets and other train and bus providers.

Although the pricing will be the same as booking directly with Amtrak, Wanderu allows visitors to filter by particular train providers and then by price to view the cheapest rates. For some popular routes, the calendar will display the cheapest ticket for each date of the month , so if you’re flexible, you can choose to travel at the most affordable time.

There’s also the option to switch on Include nearby locations , where cheaper rates might be available to stations not too far from your original choice.

With over 500 stations on the continental U.S., Amtrak is an excellent option for getting from A to B for business or pleasure or for embarking on a train adventure across the country. Although traveling by Amtrak is often cheaper than flying, it can take considerably longer, so get the best deal to justify this additional time.

The key to booking cheap Amtrak tickets is planning ahead, as the best fares are released 11 months before departure . Check Amtrak’s Deals page to see if any offers apply to your route, or check out current promo codes found on external sites.

The information regarding the Amtrak Guest Rewards ®  Preferred Mastercard ®  was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i get cheap amtrak tickets.

Getting your hands on cheap Amtrak tickets is not difficult — it just requires a bit of planning to know when and where to book. Book online in advance, use a promo code, or sign up for email offers to find the cheapest deals.

How much does it cost for an Amtrak ticket?

Amtrak tickets vary in price depending on the route, how far in advance the ticket is booked, and whether you book a standard seat or sleeper cabin. Search on the Amtrak website for fare quotes without any commitment to book.

Is it cheaper to buy Amtrak tickets online or at the station?

Amtrak says its cheapest rates can be found by booking directly on the Amtrak website. You’ll also get to avoid long queues at the ticket counters.

Is it cheaper to buy roundtrip or one way on Amtrak?

Round-trip Amtrak tickets don’t offer a discount. You’ll pay the same amount whether you book 2 one-way tickets or a round-trip ticket.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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How to Get Cheap Amtrak Tickets

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If you're thinking of an alternative to flying to your summer vacation spot, consider Amtrak. The railroad passenger company operates more than 300 trains daily to hundreds of destinations in the U.S. and Canada. There's a good chance an Amtrak station is located where you're headed.

If you're ready to climb aboard, here's what you need to know to get Amtrak tickets at a discount.

» Learn more: Review of the Amtrak Guest Rewards World Mastercard

Tips to get cheap Amtrak tickets

Some tried and true budget travel strategies — such as booking tickets on during lower travel periods — can help you snag cheap Amtrak tickets.

1. Earn travel rewards and get rewarded

Before you ride, join Amtrak Guest Rewards . Joining is free, and you'll get 500 bonus points when you take a trip within the first 90 days your account is open. You'll also earn 2 points for every dollar spent on Amtrak travel. If you prefer to travel business or first class on high-speed Acela trains, which operate in the Northeast, you'll get a 25% point bonus on the former and a 50% bonus on the latter.

» Learn more: Baffled by points and miles? Let the 80/20 rule guide you

2. Snag bonus points through partners

You can also rack up Amtrak Guest Reward when you spend money at hotels, car rental companies and other retailers Amtrak has partnered with. A few examples:

Book a stay at one of Choice Hotel's more than 6,800 locations and you'll earn 250 Amtrak points.

Rent a car through Budget and you'll earn 50 Amtrak Guest Rewards points for every qualifying rental day.

Send your loved one some flowers using Teleflora and you'll add 750 Amtrak Guest Rewards points to your account.

3. Redeem points for trips

Once you have plenty of Amtrak Guest Rewards points stockpiled, get the most out of them by redeeming for Amtrak trips. Redemption rates vary by route, date and time, but you can save a ton if you combine your points with special promotions.

Parents, take note of Amtrak’s child discount , which allows infants under 2 to travel for free and additional children under 12 to travel for a 50% discount.

4. Travel when it's not as busy

You can often score a discount by planning your trips on less busy days. For example, Amtrak recently held a sale in which — as long as you traveled on Saturday — you could buy one ticket and get the next one free. A two-passenger Saturday ticket from New York to Boston was a mere $83.

5. Bring a friend — or three

Amtrak wants you to bring some friends along for your summer vacation. Its Share Fare deal gets you a discount for every plus-one. Here's the breakdown:

Passenger 1: Full price.

Passenger 2: 15% off full price.

Passenger 3: 60% off full price.

Passenger 4: 70% off full price.

That's a lot of potential savings. Pick up the phone and call some people who not only appreciate the scenic appeal of Amtrak, but also love a good deal.

6. If you're taking Acela, book early

Acela trains, which operate between Washington, D.C., and Boston, offer large leather seats, fast Wi-Fi and luggage storage for up to four bags. While Acela travel typically costs more than other trains, you can score a discount if you simply plan your trip in advance. Book a ticket on the Acela a minimum of 7 to 21 days prior to your trip, and you'll get a 25% discount.

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How to save money when booking Amtrak tickets, according to a travel expert

• Booking Amtrak tickets can get expensive, but there are some tricks to saving money when booking.
• Martin Soto, a travel blogger and frequent Amtrak user, said you should always buy tickets online.
• You should also check Amtrak's deals page and consider signing up for its Guest Rewards program. 

Traveling can get expensive fast, and often, transportation is one of the most costly expenses. 

When it comes to Amtrak, ticket prices can cost anywhere from around $20 to $1,000, depending on the train line, the distance, and the class you choose. Insider spoke with Martin Soto, a blogger who runs Travel Explorator and frequently takes Amtrak trains, to find out how passengers can save money when booking their next journey.

Here are five easy ways to get the best deals with Amtrak.

Buy your tickets on Amtrak's website

There are several ways to purchase an Amtrak ticket: You can do it online or via Amtrak's app, you can buy tickets at the station, or you can order them over the phone. But Soto says there's only one way to go.

"You will find better deals if you buy your ticket online instead of at the train station," Soto said.

Try to buy your tickets as early as possible

Amtrak releases its train schedules 11 months in advance, giving you ample time to plan a trip. Soto said to get the best deals, you should avoid purchasing last-minute. 

Related stories

"You'll tend to find the cheapest fares if you book ahead of time rather than waiting for a deal to pop up," Soto said. "Amtrak increases ticket prices as the demand rises, so if you can buy before others start to buy up the tickets, you'll find a better deal. "

You should check out Amtrak's designated deals page

Amtrak's deals page is the go-to place to save money on tickets. The company updates the page regularly with limited-time offers.

"While you might have trouble finding a deal if you plan on taking a train to a small city close to you, you might find a really good deal on well-known trains like the Pacific Surfliner," Soto said.

For example, you can save 50% on a midweek trip on the Pacific Surfliner right now until March 2022.

Don't forget to check to see if you qualify for extra discounts 

Amtrak has deals for certain passengers, like students, veterans, military families, and even children. In fact, you can save up to 50% on children's Amtrak tickets. 

Plus, people who work for the government or are part of the Rail Passengers Association also qualify for extra discounts. 

"Even if you don't think you meet the criteria based on your background or job, it's worth checking," Soto said.

The discounts are listed on Amtrak's "everyday deals" page .

Consider signing up for Amtrak's Guest Rewards

Amtrak's Guest Rewards works like a credit card in that every time you buy an Amtrak ticket, you earn points, which can then be redeemed for future Amtrak purchases, hotel bookings, and car rentals. 

"Even for those who don't use Amtrak a lot, by simply booking hotels through their portal or signing up for a car rental, you earn free points," Soto said. "You don't need to be an Amtrak enthusiast to benefit from them."

Watch: Amtrak has lost money every year since 1971 — here's why train tickets are so expensive

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Find train tickets to New York

Good to know, top tips for finding new york train tickets.

• There are two primary train stations in New York, which are known as Grand Central Station and Penn Station. Grand Central Station can be found in Midtown Manhattan and primarily operates regional trains throughout the New York metropolitan area. Penn Station is one of the busiest transportation facilities in North America and can also be found in Midtown. This station mainly offers intercity voyages throughout the Northeast Corridor, with some destinations being Boston and Washington, D.C.
• When you take a train to New York that arrives at Penn Station, you will have a few different services and amenities that you can take advantage of. For example, there are public restrooms, drinking fountains, shops that sell refreshments and travel essentials, take-away restaurants, and sitting areas where travelers can get some rest after their trip with Amtrak to New York has been completed. There is also the Metropolitan Lounge which is available for passengers to rest in and which has a variety of snacks and drinks. Free Amtrak Wi-Fi can be accessed anywhere in the station.
• Train tickets to New York allow passengers to bring a certain amount of luggage with them onboard. If you’ll be traveling with Amtrak, you can usually bring up to two carry-ons and two personal items. You can also check two bags for free and bring two additional bags if you pay a small fee. Other items like bicycles and strollers can be brought onboard, but you may need to pay for these. If you’re taking a regional train, the amount of luggage you can bring may vary, but you will usually be allowed a carry-on, personal item, and standard piece of luggage.
• It is often better to take a train to New York rather than a car or bus, as the region is known for having quite a lot of traffic. By taking a train to the city, you can avoid being caught in congestion, and can be certain that you will arrive at your destination at the scheduled time.
• Looking for cheap train tickets to New York? 25% of our users found round-trip tickets to New York for the following prices or less: From Newark $14, from Bridgeport $15, from New York $16
• New York's most searched train station on KAYAK is New York Penn Station. It is located 1 mile from the city center.
• You will generally catch the best train deals if you travel to New York in the evening.

FAQs when traveling to New York by train

What is the most popular train station in new york.

New York Penn Station and New York Grand Central Terminal are the most searched stations in New York by KAYAK users.

Which train companies travel to New York?

Amtrak is the only train company serving New York.

How long is the train journey to New York from the closest popular cities?

Bridgeport to New York - 1h 23m New Haven to New York - 1h 41m Philadelphia to New York - 1h 04m Wilmington to New York - 1h 48m

What are some options for day trips by train when visiting New York?

If you will be taking a train to New York, keep in mind that there are quite a few nearby cities that are perfect for day trips. Those that enjoy history may want to travel to either Boston or Philadelphia. If you want to learn more about the United States government, why not go to Washington, D.C.? Spend some time on the coast by paying a visit to Baltimore.

How can I travel from Penn Station to the city center of New York?

There are a few different ways to go from Penn Station to the city center, including driving, which will normally take you between 20 and 25min. You can also take public transportation, such as local bus lines M50 and M7, which will last you around 25 to 30min. A single bus ticket costs approximately $2.

What services or facilities does Grand Central Station offer for travelers with limited mobility?

Grand Central Station has many elevators and ramps that can be used by travelers that are unable to go up and down stairs. In addition to wheelchair accessibility, the station also has signs in Braille, as well as an Assisted Listening System in the main concourse.

What are the different types of trains that are typically used to travel to New York?

Those that will be traveling with Amtrak to New York will often be on either a standard train or a high-speed train, and you will typically arrive at Penn Station. If you will be traveling locally, you can plan on traveling on a smaller regional train instead, and you will most likely arrive at Grand Central Station.

Book train tickets to New York (round-trip)

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