Amtrak, the national rail service, is an affordable way to travel long distances.
- Check for Discounts Before You Buy
- Other Ways to Save on Amtrak Tickets
- Take Advantage of Rewards Programs. Become an Amtrak Member
- Check Out Train Events and Conferences
- Take Advantage of Train Exclusives
- Check the Amtrak app
- Check With an Agent
- Or Just Buy a Steeped-in-History Train Ticket
A one-way trip from New York to Boston costs about $71.
And the price goes even lower when riders take advantage of limited-time deals, promotions, and other ways to save money on Amtrak tickets.
Whether you’re traveling from New York City to Toledo or from Pittsburgh to Chicago, you can get cheap train tickets with Amtrak Capitol Limited.
It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling alone or as part of a group; the tips below can help anyone who wants to ride the rails affordably.
The Amtrak Capitol Limited is a beautiful train that travels between New York and Boston.
It’s an old-fashioned luxury train with panoramic views, lounges, and dining services.
However, the price of this service is not very affordable.
Today, train travel can be an expensive proposition.
According to a recent report, the average cost of a one-way ticket on Amtrak—America’s primary intercity passenger rail service—is $51.
That’s more than double the price tag on the same trip 10 years ago.
If you are on a budget but want to take advantage of the amenities on the Capitol Limited, here are nine ways you can get cheap tickets with Amtrak:
Check for Discounts Before You Buy
Before you buy your train tickets, check out Amtrak’s special offers and deals.
There are times each year when the service is running a special promotion.
You might get free upgrades or free stops, or pay a reduced price for a longer trip.
Amtrak also has seasonal deals regularly. During certain months, it has a “save up to 40 percent off” promotion.
You can also check the “hot deals” section of the Amtrak website to see if there’s anything special going on.
Amtrak also has a rewards program.
If you’re a member of the program, you’ll get access to special deals and discounts.
Your Amtrak rewards points can also help you get cheap train tickets.
All you have to do is link your loyalty account to your Amtrak reservation and points will be applied to your ticket.
Train tickets are often cheaper when bought well in advance.
Before you buy your tickets for a particular trip, check the site for discounts.
Some Amtrak trains have a discounted rate for passengers who book more than 21 days before their trip.
There are also discounts for passengers who book seven to 21 days in advance.
You can also check for group discounts. Group rates are typically available for 10 or more people traveling together.
Other Ways to Save on Amtrak Tickets
If you’re booking a trip in advance, you’re already on the right track to saving money on Amtrak tickets.
Booking is the best way to get a reduced price on tickets, as most of Amtrak’s promotional offers are only available when you book in advance.
Booking is also the only way to take advantage of student discounts.
If you’re a student, you can get 10 percent off Amtrak tickets if you’re traveling with a valid student ID.
If you’re a senior citizen, you can get 50 percent off Amtrak’s senior rate. This discount is available if you’re 65 or older.
You can also look into Amtrak’s special deals for military personnel and traveling nurses. If you’re part of a large group, you can also get discounted rates.
Groups of 10 or more people can get 15 percent off Amtrak’s group rates.
Take Advantage of Rewards Programs. Become an Amtrak Member
If you travel with Amtrak enough, you can earn rewards and special benefits that can help you get cheap train tickets.
Amtrak has a rewards program, and becoming a member is free.
Benefits include access to free Wi-Fi, priority boarding, and 10 percent off food and beverage purchases.
As you travel with Amtrak, you’ll earn points that you can use to get special rewards like free tickets or seat upgrades.
You can also earn points if you use Amtrak credit cards.
To become an Amtrak member, you must provide an email address and create a user ID and password.
After that, you can sign in to your account and start earning points.
Amtrak membership also comes with added travel insurance benefits.
If you get sick or injured while traveling on Amtrak, the company will pay for treatment.
Many commuters travel on Amtrak to get rewards such as airline miles and hotel points.
The Amtrak Guest Rewards program is free, easy to use, and offers a variety of benefits.
You can earn points by traveling on Amtrak, booking Amtrak tickets, or staying at a hotel affiliated with the program.
Train riders can also get a one-time 50% bonus when they sign up for Amtrak Guest Rewards.
The points can be used for a wide range of rewards, including gift cards, merchandise, flights, and hotel stays.
One of the most popular ways to get cheap train tickets with Amtrak Capitol Limited is by taking advantage of rewards programs.
Many companies offer Amtrak rewards, including Amazon, Marriott, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
And you can earn points by booking an Amtrak ticket through a rewards website.
Ride During Off-Peak Hours
If you’re trying to get cheap train tickets, one way to save is to schedule your trip during off-peak hours.
Amtrak offers cheaper tickets during off-peak hours.
During off-peak hours, trains usually run every two hours or less.
You can also get cheaper tickets if you travel at a special promotional rate.
Amtrak often offers special discounts to groups.
If your company or organization is holding a conference or meeting, Amtrak might offer discounted rates for travel to and from the event.
Check Out Train Events and Conferences
Train events and conferences can be a great way to get cheap train tickets.
Amtrak offers special discounts to passengers who attend events.
One example is the annual National Train Show, held in Union Station in Washington, DC. Passengers who attend this event get a reduced price.
Amtrak also offers special discounts to passengers who attend conferences and other events in the rail industry.
If you’re in the rail industry, ask your organization if it’s holding a conference or event.
If it is, find out if it has partnered with Amtrak to get discounted rates for passengers.
Take Advantage of Train Exclusives
Train travel is a very specific form of transportation, but there are benefits to booking specific routes.
Amtrak offers a few routes that are exclusively for rail travel.
These routes tend to be less popular, which can save you money.
For example, the Vermonter route travels from Vermont to Massachusetts.
This route isn’t as popular as other Amtrak routes, so passengers don’t have to compete for seats.
If you’re trying to get cheap train tickets, look for trains that aren’t as popular.
Check the Amtrak app
The first thing you should do is use the Amtrak app. It’s free and you can use it to buy train tickets.
The app has many of the same features as Amtrak.com, including access to schedules and seat availability.
The app has a “Special Offers” section where you can find limited-time discounts and deals.
You can also sign up for Amtrak Rewards to get points that can be redeemed for free tickets and other Amtrak rewards.
Check With an Agent
If you don’t see any special offers on the Amtrak app, one good idea is to check with an Amtrak agent at a train station.
Amtrak employees can help riders find discounts, find the best route, and book tickets.
And they will often know about deals that aren’t on the Amtrak website.
You can also check with your travel agent to see if they have access to any Amtrak deals.
Or Just Buy a Steeped-in-History Train Ticket
Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020.
This year also marks the 150th anniversary of the first transcontinental railway.
To celebrate these milestones, Amtrak is selling tickets on a special train called the Amtrak Capitol Limited.
The Amtrak Capitol Limited will run once per month between Washington, D.C., and Chicago.
It’s modeled after the first transcontinental train, the Pacific Limited, and will feature vintage rail cars and retro uniforms.
The retro train is not only a fun way to celebrate the history, but it’s also a cheap way to travel.
Amtrak Capitol Limited tickets start at $69 when you book far enough in advance.
Conclusion
The national rail service, Amtrak, is an affordable way to travel long distances.
Amtrak is the best way to travel long distances. It’s reliable, affordable, and a great way to meet new people.
A one-way trip from New York to Boston costs about $71.
And the price goes even lower when riders take advantage of limited-time deals, promotions, and other ways to save money on Amtrak tickets.
You can get cheap train tickets with Amtrak Capitol Limited by checking the app, booking early, or buying a retro ticket on a special retro train.
Before you buy your tickets, check out Amtrak’s special offers and deals.
There are times each year when the service is running a special promotion.
You might get free upgrades or free stops, or pay a reduced price for a longer trip. You can also look into train events and conferences.
Train conferences are a great way to get cheap train tickets.
Train travel is a specific form of transportation, but there are benefits to booking specific routes.
If you’re trying to get cheap train tickets, look for trains that aren’t as popular.
If you want to experience the best that America has to offer, the Capitol Limited is the train you should take.
It travels across the most spectacular landscapes in the country.
Goes from the canyons of the Colorado Rockies to the soaring heights of the Alleghenies.
Across the vast expanse of the Great Plains, and through the incredible limestone cliffs of the Mississippi River.
If you want to experience the best that America has to offer, the Capitol Limited is the train you should take.
It travels across the most spectacular landscapes in the country.
Goes from the canyons of the Colorado Rockies to the soaring heights of the Alleghenies, across the vast expanse of the Great Plains, and through the incredible limestone cliffs of the Mississippi River.
