If you’re planning on traveling by train this winter, Amtrak has a flash sale that you won’t want to miss. From now until November 15, Amtrak is offering discounted fares across all its routes for travel from December through mid-March. Whether you’re looking to explore the Northeast Corridor, the Midwest, or the West Coast, there are affordable options available for everyone.
The sale is advertised as being across the entire Amtrak network, but the cheapest one-way coach fares, starting at just $4, are for travel along the Northeast Corridor. If you’re looking to travel in the Midwest, fares start at $34, and if you’re planning a trip to the West Coast, fares can be found as low as $22.
To take advantage of this deal, you can book directly through Amtrak or via the Amtrak app. The travel dates for this sale are from December 4, 2023, to March 15, 2024. However, keep in mind that the fares listed in the sale are subject to availability, so it’s best to book early to secure your preferred travel dates.
Here are some sample fares that were priced at the time of publication:
– Washington, D.C.’s Union Station (WAS) to Baltimore’s Penn Station (BAL): starting at $4 for coach and $14 for business class
– Providence’s Amtrak/MBTA Station (PVD) to Boston’s South Station (BOS): starting at $4 for coach and $15 for business class
– Philadelphia’s William H. Gray III 30th Street Station (PHL) to BAL: starting at $4 for coach and $33 for business class
– WAS to PHL: starting at $8 for coach and $41 for business class
– New York’s Moynihan Train Hall (NYP) to BAL: starting at $12 for coach and $55 for business class
– PHL to NYP: starting at $16 for coach and $38 for business class
– WAS to NYP: starting at $17 for coach and $59 for business class
– Portland, Oregon’s Union Station (PDX) to Seattle’s King Street Station (SEA): starting at $22 for coach
– NYP to BOS: starting at $25 for coach and $48 for business class
– BOS to BAL: starting at $28 for coach and $62 for business class
– WAS to BOS: starting at $29 for coach and $62 for business class
– Chicago’s Union Station (CHI) to St. Paul-Minneapolis’ Union Depot (MSP): starting at $34 for coach
– CHI to Denver’s Union Station (DEN): starting at $58 for coach
– MSP to SEA: starting at $83 for coach
– Dallas’ Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station (DAL) to Los Angeles’ Union Station (LAX): starting at $136 for coach
It’s important to note that seating is limited and may not be available on all trains at all times. Additionally, the fares listed in the sale are one-way fares, but you may be able to find two discounted one-ways to create a round-trip journey. For example, during a test search, a one-way from NYP to BOS was found for $16 (even lower than advertised), and a $25 fare was found for the return trip, resulting in a round-trip total of $41.
As part of Amtrak’s simplified fare structure, sale fares incur a 50% cancellation fee if canceled before departure and cannot be modified. Value fares, which are slightly more expensive than sale fares, offer a 75% refund if canceled before a trip but are non-changeable. Flex fares, on the other hand, are fully refundable and changeable for free if canceled before departure. It’s worth noting that Amtrak has waived change fees until December 31.
If you’re an Amtrak Guest Rewards member, you can also book this sale using your points. For example, the above route can be booked for as low as 1,426 points round trip, but it requires returning on the 7:55 p.m. train.
To maximize your purchase, be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on travel, such as the American Express Green, Amtrak Guest Rewards, or Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred cards.
In conclusion, if you’re planning to travel by train this winter, take advantage of Amtrak’s flash sale. With fares starting as low as $4, you can explore various destinations across the Amtrak network at a discounted price. Remember to book early and secure your preferred travel dates. Happy travels!