Using Amtrak and Via Rail
Tips for booking and finding the best fares

Here you find hints for booking Amtrak and Via Rail trains in Canada and the U.S.

You'll also learn some low fare tips.

However, in general, you should not think of North American trains as a way to save money. Often Greyhound and budget airline fares are cheaper.

Instead, Amtrak and Via Rail Canada offer a great way to see lots of beautiful scenery in considerable comfort in a friendly and relaxing environment.

We'll just help you pay as little as possible.

Book early

With Amtrak and Via Rail Canada, your main concern is not the fare. It is getting a reservation.

You absolutely must book the most popular trains early.

Amtrak and Via Rail do not have nearly enough equipment to meet the demand.

Booking tips

Even if you plan to use a travel counsellor who is knowledgeable about rail travel, research your choices and alternatives before beginning the booking process.

Both Amtrak and Via Rail Canada provide helpful Internet sites.

For example, on the Amtrak site, you can download actual timetables that show you what you will see during the day and what you will miss at night.

In some cases, the direction you travel a route may make a big difference.

Also, consider what a three or hour hour delay will do to your scenery.

As an example, it's better to travel between Chicago and Sacramento westbound rather than eastbound on the California Zephyr, especially during the winter.

You'll find this type of information on our scenic routes page.

When planning your trip, do NOT book same day connections between long-distance trains. If you must, allow many hours—more than three or four—between trains.

The freight railroads on which Amtrak and Via Rail travel most of the time are just too congested to foster on-time travel.

You can book connections from long-distance trains to regional services, where there are lots of alternative connections if you miss yours.

Expect to travel by coach (economy chair) class, unless you are flush with cash.

Private room sleeping accommodation on both Via Rail and Amtrak is horrifyingly expensive, with the budget group sleeping options available in Europe not found in North America.

Via Rail, though, does offer less expensive "berth" ("uppers" and "lowers") sleeping accommodation on some trains.

Both Amtrak and Via Rail economy seats on long-distance trains are quite comfortable—similar to first class seats on some airlines before airlines added sleeper seats.

On Via Rail, book the ones with leg rests. On Amtrak, all seats on long-distance trains have leg rests.

You should plan to break journey on long trips to stay rested. Travelling from Orlando to Los Angeles without stopping is a really bad idea.

All trains have large windows, washrooms, and at least some snack service.

Most long-distance trains—all in the west—have full-service dining cars with regional specialties.

Order vegetarian meals at least 72 hours ahead of train departure time to be sure, although you usually find lacto-vegetarian meals on major trains without advance booking. Amtrak also offers a vegan burger.

Amtrak and Via Rail North American Rail Pass

Three bargains really stand out.

First, the combination Amtrak and Via Rail "North American Rail Pass" gives you an incredible deal.

This pass offers unlimited travel on Amtrak and Via Rail trains—plus unlimited stopovers—during a 30-day period. You may also use it on most Amtrak bus routes.

Restrictions are few.

You can't use Amtrak's auto train between the Washington, DC area and Florida. You wont get a refund for a lost or stolen pass. You can't travel the same route more than four times, etc.

The North American Rail Pass is a fantastic way to explore Canada and the U.S.

Planning your trip is fun, too!

Amtrak Internet specials

Especially during the off season, Amtrak offers one-way Internet specials that are so cheap that they are nearly unbelievable.

Interestingly, the same prices usually apply to intermediate points on a route.

For example, if the Chicago to Los Angeles fare is $59, then the Kansas City to Flagstaff price is also $59.

Stopovers are usually not permitted.

Amtrak and Via Rail regional passes

Third, check out the Amtrak and Via Rail sites for regional passes.

These allow you to travel in a specific area, such as California, at a special price.

If doing the California pass, also check out Amtrak California bus route maps and timetables for access to many additional towns.

Student and senior fares

Both the Amtrak and Via Rail offer discounts to students.

The passes mentioned above may be better deals.

Amtrak national passes

What about regular Amtrak passes with unlimited stops that are not in combination with Via Rail or valid in just one part of the country?

Believe it or not, there are none. At least not for American or Canadian residents.

However, Amtrak has something called an "Explore America" fare, which charges by zones travelled.

Think of the U.S. as the following zones:

• Everything west of El Paso, Albuquerque, Denver, and a point near the Montana/North Dakota border
• Everything eastward from the above points to Detroit, Toledo, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and the Florida border.
• Florida and Savannah, Georgia.
• Everything east of Detroit, Toledo, Cincinnati, and Atlanta, excluding Savannah and Florida.
  

Points on the dividing line of these zones are included in either zone.

For example, you don't pay for two zones if travelling from Seattle to Denver.

The good news about the Explore America fare? You have up to 45 days to complete your trip.

The bad news? You're only allowed two stopovers, plus your destination.

Don't worry, though. You'll learn how to "cheat" below.

Create "misconnects" to add stops

A big loophole in the limited stopovers permitted rule results from the lack of daily service along several Amtrak routes.

Let's suppose you want to leave Seattle for Tucson on Saturday.

You'll get to Los Angeles by Sunday evening, but the next available train to Tucson won't leave until Wednesday afternoon.

As a result, you've created a "misconnect" in Los Angeles, which does not count as a stopover. Similar opportunities currently exist in New Orleans and Orlando.

A friendly Amtrak agent or travel counsellor will help you set these up.

If someone says no, find someone else to serve you.

You have the right to depart on the train you wish. It's not your fault that an immediate connection is not available.

By the way, the eastbound Sunset Limited currently stops in New Orleans for six and one-half hours (if on time) during its journey from Los Angeles to Orlando.

This saves you from creating a misconnect if you want to enjoy New Orleans one evening.

Amtrak passes for international visitors

If you have a passport issued outside of Canada and the United States or if you can prove that you are a permanent resident of a U.S. territory, such as Guam, Amtrak's USA Rail Pass is a super deal.

It comes with a variety of time period, seasonal, and route options.

Subject to change, high or peak season runs from 1 June through Labour Day, the first Monday in September. The reminder of the year is off-peak.

If your travel overlaps the peak season dates, you pay the high season fare.

Numerous regional options may exist at the time you want to travel.

You can break journey whenever you wish for as long as you wish within the use period of your pass.

As always, you should compare the cost of your pass to a one-way/single journey ticket that allows stopovers.

As of this writing, you can obtain Amtrak rail passes without advance booking even after arrival in North America.

However, as you've already read, the most popular trains may already be sold out once you reach Canada or the U.S.

A warning

Please be aware that Via Rail and especially Amtrak are political pawns.

Certain U.S. politicians hold an almost pathological belief that Amtrak should be self-supporting, while airports, air traffic control, and highways are subsidized to the max.

As a result, trains may be discontinued.

As of this writing, certain proposals may lead to the elimination of most, or perhaps all, Amtrak service by sometime during 2006.

These proposals are NOT expected to impact 2005 travel.

Go to >> Amtrak & Via Rail - Travelling the most scenic routes

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