How to Get Cheap Train Fares
- 1). Direct your browser to Amtrak (see Reference 1).
- 2). Enter your departure and arrival location, choosing the date of departure from the pull-down menu.
- 3). Filter the search results by price. This option is available from the pull-down menu just above the search results. Choose the cheapest ticket that fits your schedule.
- 4). Enter your discount information. Note that Amtrak provides discounts to children, students, seniors, AAA members, military personnel, veterans and members of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP).
- 5). If your travel schedule is flexible, search again for tickets using dates farther into the future. If possible, buy tickets at least six weeks in advance. Most of the best prices are for advance ticket purchases. For example, an advance ticket on the New York to Washington route costs $98, while a last-minute purchase can cost around $200, as of November 2010.
- 6). Search again for tickets using dates in the off season. Holiday travel is considerably more expensive than off-season travel. On the New York to Washington route, round-trip tickets for the end of December 2010 can cost $250.
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