How to Get Cheap Amtrak Tickets

If you're looking for an alternative to flying or driving on your next trip, Amtrak is worth a serious look. The national rail service runs more than 300 trains a day to over 500 destinations across 46 states, Washington, D.C., and three Canadian provinces.

Fares can swing wildly depending on when you book, when you travel, and who's riding with you. But a little planning can save you a lot of money. Here are the best ways to get a cheap Amtrak ticket.

Book early

Amtrak prices its tickets a lot like an airline. Fares typically start lower and increase as the train fills, so the earlier you book, the better your odds of catching a good price.

There's no ironclad rule on the cheapest booking window, but Amtrak does open reservations 11 months in advance for most routes, and last-minute fares are usually the priciest. If your travel dates are locked in, lock in the ticket too.

If you want the flexibility to change plans without penalty, splurge on a Flex fare — it's fully refundable with no fees if you cancel before departure. If you book cheaper Value and Sale fares you forfeit 30% and 50% of the ticket price, respectively, if you cancel before departure. Weigh the price difference against the odds that you'll need to change plans.

Travel during off-peak times

If your schedule has any flexibility, use it. In particular, shoulder-season travel (early spring and early fall) tends to be cheaper than holidays and summer weekends.

Regardless of when you're traveling, run a few searches with different departure dates side by side. Even shifting your trip by a single day can knock a significant chunk off the fare on busy routes.

Take advantage of Night Owl Fares

If you're traveling on the Northeast Corridor and don't mind a late-night ride, Night Owl Fares are one of the best deals Amtrak offers. The discount applies to select coach trains scheduled to depart between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Here are a handful of sample one-way coach fares that Amtrak provides:

• Philadelphia to Baltimore/BWI: $10.

• New York to Newark, New Jersey: $10.

• Boston to Providence, Rhode Island: $10.

• New York to Philadelphia: $15.

• Washington, D.C., to Wilmington, Delaware: $15.

• Boston to New York: $25.

• New York to Washington, D.C.: $25.

Bring friends with Share Fares

If you're traveling with a group, Amtrak's Share Fares program gives you a deeper discount with each additional passenger on the same reservation, up to 60% off all tickets. Here's the breakdown straight from Amtrak:

• 3 passengers: 15% off all tickets.

• 4 passengers: 25% off all tickets.

• 5 passengers: 37% off all tickets.

• 6 passengers: 47% off all tickets.

• 7 passengers: 54% off all tickets.

• 8 passengers: 60% off all tickets.

The discount is automatic when you book qualifying travel through the Share Fares page, or you can enter promo code V291 in the Amtrak app. You'll need to book at least two days before departure, and the deal is valid on coach seats across most routes (it also works in Acela Business class).

Use everyday discounts

Amtrak offers several standing fare discounts that anyone eligible can stack into a booking:

• Kids ages 2 to 12: Half price every day; infants under 2 ride free.

• Older people: If you're 65 or older, you can get 10% off most routes.

• Students: Students ages 17 to 24 get 15% off to top destinations.

• Veterans and active-duty military, spouses, and dependents: Eligible members of the military community get 10% off.

• Passengers with disabilities: You may qualify for a discount ranging from 10% to 50%, as well as 10% off for one travel companion.

• Rail Passengers Association members: If you're a member, you'll receive 10% off.

Each discount has different requirements and limitations. For example, if you're a Rail Passengers Association member, you'll need to purchase your ticket at least three days in advance and present your membership card. In addition, the military discount isn't available on sleeping accommodation charges. Be sure to review the terms before you book.

Join Amtrak Guest Rewards

Amtrak Guest Rewards is the company's free loyalty program, and signing up before your first trip is a no-brainer. Members earn 2 points per dollar spent on Amtrak travel, with a 25% point bonus for Business class fares and a 50% bonus for Acela First class.

You can also rack up points outside of Amtrak itself by shopping with a handful of partners. Amtrak doesn't publish a fixed award chart, but points are worth roughly 2.6 cents each. But redeeming for train travel is generally where you'll get the most mileage out of your points.

If you ride Amtrak more than once or twice a year, the points add up quickly enough to cover a future ticket outright.

Consider an Amtrak co-branded credit card

Amtrak offers two co-branded credit cards through First National Bank of Omaha, and either can speed up your point earning if you ride regularly. Here's how they work:

• Amtrak Guest Rewards® Mastercard®: The card has no annual fee and offers 2 points per dollar spent on Amtrak travel and dining, plus 1 point per dollar on everything else. Cardholders also get a 10% rebate on onboard food and beverage purchases as a statement credit, and a 5% point rebate when redeeming points for Amtrak travel.

• Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard®: The card 3 points per dollar spent on Amtrak travel, 2 points per dollar spent on dining, travel, transit, and rideshare, and 1 point per dollar elsewhere. Annual perks include a round-trip companion coupon, a one-class upgrade, a station lounge pass, a 20% onboard food and beverage rebate, and the same 5% point rebate on redemptions. However, it charges a $99 annual fee.

Both cards come with no foreign transaction fees, and points don't expire as long as your account stays open. Because the Preferred card carries an annual fee, it makes the most sense if you'll actually use the companion coupon and lounge pass. Sign-up bonus offers vary, so check the current promotion before applying.

» Learn more: 5 things to know about the Amtrak credit card

Watch for sales and limited-time promotions

Amtrak runs flash sales and seasonal promotions throughout the year, ranging from regional fare cuts to bonus offers. The deals page on Amtrak's website is the official spot to check, and Guest Rewards members get email notifications when new promotions start, giving you another reason to sign up even if you don't ride often.

Multiride passes can also be a way to save if you take the same route repeatedly, like a weekly commute or a regular weekend trip home from college. Amtrak sells six-ride and 10-ride passes for select corridors, plus monthly options on certain commuter-style routes.

The bottom line

Cheap Amtrak tickets are the result of stacking the right combination of timing, discounts, and points. Book early when you can, travel off-peak when your schedule allows, and enroll in Guest Rewards before your next trip.

If you ride often enough, an Amtrak co-branded card can stretch your spending further. But if you're more of an occasional rail traveler, other top travel credit cards may give you more flexibility for the rest of your trips, too. Put these tactics together and you can turn a full-price fare into a bargain.