Amtrak is a national railroad company that offers riders affordable train tickets and exciting itineraries across the country.
As one of the largest railways in America, Amtrak has service routes from coast to coast with affordable ticket prices and special deals for frequent riders.
If you live in the Texas area, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a train route just for you called The Texas Eagle.
This popular train route runs trains between Chicago and Los Angeles with various stops along the way including Houston, Dallas, Austin, and more!
In this blog post, we will explore everything you need to know about getting cheap Amtrak tickets on The Texas Eagle.
There’s nothing quite like the train to help you get in touch with your roots.
It’s not just a great way to see the sights (and not get in a car at the same time) but is an affordable way to do it, too.
Thanks to Amtrak, you can take the train coast-to-coast for as little as $50 one way if you book in advance and know how to get cheap tickets on Amtrak Texas Eagle.
Keep reading for our insider tips on how to save money traveling by train.
Read on for everything you need to get cheap tickets on Amtrak Texas Eagle and other trains across America…
Planning a Trip? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Amtrak Texas Eagle, Discounts, Train Routes, Train Ticket Prices, and How to Buy Tickets
Which Amtrak Train from Texas Should You Take?
Several different Amtrak trains travel from Texas to other states.
However, before you decide which one you want to take, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary information.
You should know the train’s departure and arrival times, the prices for both one-way and round-trip tickets, and which stations you can board and exit at.
Here are some of the most popular trains that travel from Texas to other states:
– The Texas Eagle: This is one of the most popular trains that travel from Texas to other states.
It travels between Chicago, Illinois, and San Antonio, Texas. From there, it continues to Los Angeles, California, with a few stops in between.
– The Sunset Limited: On the Sunset Limited, you’ll start your journey in Los Angeles, California.
From there, you’ll go to New Orleans, Louisiana, and then end your trip to Houston, Texas.
– The Texas Zephyr: The Texas Zephyr starts in Denver, Colorado, and travels to Salt Lake City, Utah. From there, it continues to California, where it ends its journey in Emeryville, California.
– The Southwest Chief: On the Southwest Chief, you’ll start your journey in Los Angeles, California. From there, you’ll travel to Kansas City, Missouri, and end your trip in Chicago, Illinois.
How to Buy an Amtrak Train Ticket in Texas
When you’ve chosen the train you want to take, you’ll want to buy your ticket as soon as possible.
This will ensure that you get the best price and don’t risk not finding tickets if you wait too long.
As with any kind of travel, it’s always best to book your trip as early as possible.
There are two ways to buy your ticket. You can either do it online or over the phone. Whichever way you prefer, you can still purchase the same ticket.
The only difference is the method you use to do so.
If you plan on buying your ticket online, you’ll want to make sure you have your departure and arrival locations and times already written down.
You’ll also want to make sure you have your desired train’s schedule handy so you know what days/times it travels on.
Important Details About the Texas Eagle Train
There are a few facts about the Texas Eagle that you should keep in mind before deciding whether or not this is the right train for you.
It’s important to note that this particular train is non-smoking.
You’ll also want to keep in mind that while pets are allowed on the train, they must be in a carrier.
You also can’t take them out once the train has started moving.
The Texas Eagle is a “through train”.
This means that it goes straight through to its final destination without stopping anywhere in between.
While this is a great thing for people who don’t have time to stop along the way, it also means you’ll have fewer opportunities to plan your trip. Y
you won’t be able to choose to get off at a certain city, take a tour of the area, and then continue with the train.
This train is meant for those who want to get from Texas to California as quickly as possible.
Determining Your Train Route
Depending on which train you take, your route will be a bit different. However, the general route that these trains take is the same.
If you take Sunset Limited, you’ll start in Los Angeles, California, and end your journey in Houston, Texas.
The Southwest Chief, on the other hand, travels from Los Angeles, California, to Kansas City, Missouri.
The Texas Zephyr, on the other hand, travels between Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
If you take the Texas Eagle, your route will be slightly different.
You’ll start in San Antonio, Texas, and end your journey in either Emeryville, California, or Chicago, Illinois.
Things to Know Before Taking the Texas Eagle
1. There are a few stops along the way.
Depending on the train you take, you may be stopping in places like Alpine, Texas; Las Vegas, New Mexico; and El Paso, Texas.
2. While you can bring a carry-on bag onboard the train, there are strict rules about luggage and other items.
For example, you can’t bring large suitcases, and you also can’t bring any kind of food or drink.
3. You should keep in mind that on some trains there will be no bathroom or kitchen on the train.
The only place you can go to use the bathroom is in the train’s lounge.
Looking to Save some money on the trip? This session is about How to Save on Amtrak Texas Eagle
Travel At Off-Hours Or During The Week
If you can avoid traveling during peak hours, you can save a lot of money on Amtrak Texas Eagle tickets.
Most cities have rush hours that last anywhere from two to four hours per day, so it’s a good idea to avoid booking travel during these times.
While traveling on the weekdays can be cheaper, it also depends on the time of year.
If you’re going on a long weekend, you should expect to pay a lot more for your Amtrak Texas Eagle ticket.
Check Out Commuter Trains
Commuter trains are not the same thing as Amtrak, but they are often cheaper and make stops in places that Amtrak doesn’t.
These trains are usually going to be significantly cheaper than Amtrak, but they will also take longer.
If you’re looking to get somewhere within a day or two, then you should most likely stick with Amtrak.
If you’re willing to take the extra time and money to save, commuter trains are a great option.
Check Out Group Travel Deals
You might not think of group travel deals as a way to save money, but they can be incredibly helpful when it comes to cutting costs.
Some companies specialize in group travel, and among their clients are students and organizations who are traveling together.
You can save money on your trip by booking a group travel deal that allows you to travel as a large group.
Don’t Forget The Amenities
This may seem obvious, but you should always check the amenities before you book Amtrak Texas Eagle tickets.
Some cars have blackout shades, and others don’t. Some trains have outlets, and others don’t.
You can save a lot of money by traveling on a cheap train, but you should always make sure it has the amenities you need.
Booking in advance is key to saving money
Amtrak usually releases tickets around 120 days before the date of travel.
You can book up to 10 days in advance if you’re taking a specific train, like the Texas Eagle, that you know only has a few tickets left.
If there are only a couple of tickets left, booking in advance might not be worth it.
You can get some of the best deals by booking in advance, so it’s worth keeping a close eye on Amtrak’s website.
Check benefit programs before you book
If you or your traveling companion has a disability, or you’re traveling with a small child, you can save money on your Amtrak Texas Eagle tickets.
Amtrak offers a Companion Pass, which lets one companion travel with you for free, as well as reduced-fare tickets for children and people with disabilities.
Use a rail pass
You can save even more money (and travel even more comfortably) by purchasing a rail pass.
A rail pass lets you travel on any train in the country as many times as you want.
Rail passes are incredibly useful if you’re planning on traveling a lot, but they do come with a hefty price tag.
If you can afford it, a rail pass is a great way to save money on Amtrak Texas Eagle tickets.
Take advantage of discount codes and promo codes
If you’re looking for ways to get cheap Amtrak Texas Eagle tickets, you can always check for discount codes and promo codes.
Many websites offer Amtrak discounts for certain people, like veterans or people traveling with children.
You can also check for Amtrak discount codes on websites like RetailMeNot.
Check For Cancellations
If a specific train is sold out, you might be able to get a refund.
You can check for cancellations on Amtrak’s website as well as third-party websites like SeatGuru.
You can also call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL to see if they have any cancellations left.
Cancellations can be helpful if you’re trying to get cheap tickets on Amtrak Texas Eagle, but remember that they are first come, first serve.
Final Words: Is The Train Worth It?
Traveling by train is not just a nostalgic way to travel, but also an affordable and environmentally friendly one.
With the right timing, you’re likely to find cheap tickets on Amtrak Texas Eagle, commuter trains, and even group travel deals.
Rail passes can also help you save money if you plan on traveling a lot.
With these tips, booking cheap tickets on Amtrak Texas Eagle should be a breeze.