Low Amtrak Fares: Eight Tips to Receive Cheap Fares on Amtrak Train Trips

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation wasCanada.  AAA members traveling in Business class,
created by Congress in 1970 to take over theFirst class or sleeping accommodation are not eligible
passenger rail services previously required to befor a discount.
operated by private freight railroad companies in theFive:  The National Association of Railroad
United States. Those companies reported they hadPassengers (NARP) is the largest national membership
operated the services without profit for over aadvocacy organization for train and rail transit
decade.  The vast majority of passenger rail routes inpassengers.  NARP members are eligible to
existence at that time were shut down to focus thereceive a 10% discount on the lowest available rail
service on the most heavily used lines.  The popularfare on most Amtrak trains.  You must present your
nickname "Amtrak" was created as a blend of theNARP membership ID card when you pick up your
words "America" and "track."ticket, and you must carry your card with you onboard
Amtrak provides a number of cheap fare programsthe train.  The NARP discount is valid only on the
to entice prospective passengers and their families onAmerican portion of services operated jointly between
their trains.  Each of the eight deals listed below areAmtrak and VIA Rail Canada.
subject to the following rules:Six:  The Veterans AdvantageTM is a discount card
1. They must be purchased at least three days inprogram for veterans.  Veterans holding a valid
advanceVeterans Advantage Members Card are eligible to
2. Discounted fares cannot be combined on one ticketreceive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare
3. These fares are not valid for weekday Acelaon most Amtrak trains.  You must enroll with
Express travelVeterans Advantage and receive a 10-digit travel
4. They are not valid on some Amtrak Thruway busdiscount code that can be used immediately to book
servicesyour Amtrak travel.  The Veterans Advantage is
5. Passengers traveling in Business class, First class orvalid only on the American portion of services
sleeping accommodation are not eligible for theseoperated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail
discounts.Canada. 
One:  Up to two children under the age of 16 areSeven:  The Student Advantage Card is the nation's
eligible to receive a 50% discount on the lowestlargest student discount program.  Students are
available adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains witheligible to receive a 15% discount on the best available
each fare-paying adult.  Also, one infant under theadult rail fare on most Amtrak trains all year long. 
age of two may ride free with each adult ticketYou must present both a valid Student Advantage
purchased. Infants are not entitled to a seat.  OnlyCard and a valid photo ID at time of ticket purchase
children traveling with an adult are entitled to aand onboard trains to receive the discount. Each of
children's discount. these items must be valid for the current school
Two:  Travelers over the age of 61 are eligible toterm.  For Auto Train service, Student Advantage
receive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail farecardholders receive a 15% discount off adult rail fare
on most Amtrak trains. On cross-border servicesbut no discount on their vehicles.  The Student
operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, aAdvantage Card is valid only on the American portion
10% Senior discount is applicable to travelers over theof services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA
age of 59.  You cannot use the senior discount onRail Canada.  The Student Advantage discount is not
the Auto Train. valid for any Rail Passes or Multi-Ride tickets. 
Three:  Active-duty US military personnel, theirEight:  More than 5 million students around the world
spouses and their dependents are eligible to receive awill purchase an International Student Identity Card
10% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most(ISIC) this year.  To qualify for your ISIC, you must be
Amtrak trains.  This discount is also valid on the Autoage 12 or older and currently enrolled as a degree
Train.  You must present a valid active-duty Unitedseeking student at an accredited institution.  Students
States Armed Forces identification card to receive theholding a valid ISIC are eligible to receive a 15%
discount.   The military discount is valid only on thediscount on the best available adult rail fare on most
American portion of services operated jointly betweenAmtrak trains all year long.  You must present both a
Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada. valid ISIC and a valid photo ID at time of ticket
Four:  The American Automobile Association (AAA)purchase and onboard trains to receive the discount.
is the largest automobile association in the UnitedEach of these items must be valid for the current
States.  AAA members, their spouses and theirschool term.  For Auto Train service, ISIC cardholders
dependents are eligible to receive a 10% discount onreceive a 15% discount off adult rail fare but no
the lowest available adult rail fare for Amtrak travel.discount on their vehicles.  The ISIC is valid only
 You must present your AAA membership ID cardon the American portion of services operated jointly
when you pick up your ticket, and you must carry yourbetween Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.  The ISIC
card with you onboard the train.  The AAA discountdiscount is not valid for any Rail Passes or Multi-Ride
is valid only on the American portion of servicestickets.
operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail