![The Best Ways To Book Cheap Amtrak Train Tickets [Advance Bookings, Rail Passes, and Promo Codes]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Amtrak.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
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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 ® .
Hot Tip:
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.
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.
SCROLL FOR MORERoute Segments
Saver Fare
Value Fare
