Amtrak is the national passenger rail network of the United States ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. It links big cities, small towns, and some of the most scenic landscapes in the country. Trains run on short commuter-style corridors and on ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ multi-day long-distance journeys, so the right ticket, schedule, and set of rules depends on the trip you want ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. This guide covers how to book, what fares and discounts exist ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, how schedules and routes work, and the policies on changes, baggage, and pets ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ.
How to Book Amtrak Train Tickets
You can book on the official Amtrak website ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, in the Amtrak app, by phone, at staffed stations, and at self-service kiosks. Tickets are usually delivered as e-tickets
๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, so you can show your phone at boarding without printing anything. Booking online or in the app also gives you live schedule data ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ and easy access to changes. Select your route, travel date, number ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ of passengers, and class of service, then compare the fares shown before you pay. Prices are lower when you book early ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, and busy travel days and last-minute bookings cost more ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ.
Amtrak Fare Types and Classes of Service
Amtrak sells coach seats on nearly every route ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. Business class, first class, and private sleeping rooms are available on selected trains. Business class ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ gives you extra legroom and a quieter car ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. First class on the Acela adds premium service, and long-distance routes offer rooms and bedrooms where you can ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ sleep overnight. Within each class, fares come ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ in three tiers: Sale, Value, and Flex. Sale and Value fares are the cheapest, but they carry stricter change and refund ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ rules. Flex fares cost more and give you the ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ most freedom if your plans might shift. Look at what each tier includes before you decide, because the cheapest ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ fare is not always the best value.
Amtrak Discounts
Several everyday discounts can lower your fare ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. Children aged 2 through 12 ride at half price, and infants under 2 ride free ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. The child discount requires an accompanying adult, and children traveling alone do not qualify. Travelers 65 ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ and older get 10% off most rail fares on most trains ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, and military personnel and veterans can also save 10% on the lowest available fare. Students may receive a ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ discount when they book in advance. Some ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ discounts do not apply to every fare type or train. For example, the senior discount is ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ not valid on Acela or the Auto Train. Always check the eligibility rules and ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ carry any ID that might be requested.
Amtrak Schedules
Schedules depend on the type of route. Corridor services ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ such as the Northeast Corridor run many trains every day ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, which makes same-day travel easy. State-supported routes, such as the Pacific Surfliner, run on timetables ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ set with state partners. Most long-distance trains run once ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ a day, so missing one can mean waiting 24 hours for the next. Check the ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ live schedule on the Amtrak site or app before you leave. It shows delays, platform changes, and estimated arrivals ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. Plan to reach the station early, especially if you ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒare checking bags or traveling with a pet.
Popular Amtrak Routes
Amtrak serves hundreds of ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ destinations across most U.S. states, plus several routes into Canada. The Acela and Northeast Regional connect Boston ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ Coast Starlight follows the Pacific coast, while the California Zephyr and Empire Builder cross mountains and plains ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. The Auto Train carries passengers and their ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ cars between Virginia and Florida, which is useful for snowbirds and families relocating for the season. Scenic long-distance ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ trains are popular with travelers who ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ want the ride itself to be the highlight, while regional routes suit weekend trips ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ and daily commutes.
Changing or Cancelling an Amtrak Ticket
Your options depend on your fare ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. Flex fares are the most generous, with fully refundable tickets and no change fees. With Value and Sale fares ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, you can usually change or cancel, but part of the fare ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ may be kept and the rest returned as an eVoucher for future travel instead of a refund to your card. Amtrak waives ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ its usual change and cancellation rules when you ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ must change plans because of illness and can present a doctorโs note. If you do not show up and have not cancelled ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, you may lose the entire fare, so cancel before ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ departure whenever you can. Most changes can be made online ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ or in the app, and customer service can step in if you need help. Refund amounts vary by fare and timing ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, so read the terms shown at checkout. amtrak
Amtrak Baggage Policy
Amtrakโs baggage rules are generous compared ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ with many other travel options. Each passenger may bring one ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ personal item of up to 25 pounds and 14 x 11 x 7 inches, plus two carry-on items of up to 50 pounds and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. You must be able to lift your own bags onto ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ the overhead rack, and each bag should carry a tag with your name and address. A $20 excess baggage ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ fee applies to each carry-on or personal item above ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ the limits, and overweight bags must be repacked to under 50 pounds. On trains that offer checked baggage ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, each traveler can check up to four bags, with two free ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ and two at $20 each. Checked baggage is not available at every station or on every train, and the Auto Train does ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ not offer it, although you can pack bags in the vehicle ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ you ship. Passengers traveling with an infant under two may bring one ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ additional infant item such as a stroller or diaper bag. Bikes, sports equipment, and other special items may ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ need extra packaging and fees, and certain items are prohibited ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ in both carry-on and checked bags. Carry-On Baggage +2
Amtrak Pet Policy
Amtrak allows small dogs and cats on many routes ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, with clear conditions. Pet owners must book a reservation and pay a fee each way, and pets can weigh up ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ to 20 pounds. The fee has been listed at ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ about $25 to $29 per segment, so confirm the current amount when you book. You provide the carrier, which ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ counts as one carry-on item, and it can be no larger ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ than 19 x 14 x 10.5 inches, with the pet and carrier together not exceeding 20 pounds. The carrier must stay ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ under your own seat for the whole trip. At staffed stations ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ, you must check in at the ticket office at least 30 minutes before departure to confirm eligibility and sign a release ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ agreement. Pet travel is limited to trips of up to seven ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ hours, and the number of pets per train is capped, so book early ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ. Not every route accepts pets, and Amtrak may remove a pet that is disruptive or unwell. Trained service animals are ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ welcome onboard at no extra charge.
Tips for a Smooth Amtrak Trip
Book early for better fares, and choose Flex if your ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ plans are uncertain. Check train status before you leave for the ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ station, and keep your ticket and ID handy. Pack within the carry-on limits to avoid excess fees, and review the rules ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ for your specific route, since policies can differ by ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ service. Join the free Amtrak Guest Rewards program to earn points on every ride. Because fares, fees, and ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ policies are updated from time to time, confirm the latest ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ details on the official Amtrak website before you buy ๐ญ.๐ด๐ฒ๐ฒโญ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฎโฅด๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฒ.