More than 30 train lines crisscross the entire country on some 21,000 miles of tracks. Amtrak’s routes roll across the US from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Mexican border to stops in Canadian cities. If you change your mind, you can cancel and rebook any time before the scheduled departure of the train, a super-flexible option.Īmtrak routes snake out all over the United States, including along the Pacific Coast in California © Trevor Fairbank / Shutterstock Where can I go on Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass? It’s possible that some trains will be unavailable unfortunately, the number of eligible seats isn’t shown when searching the schedules. You have to reserve seats in advance, and it’s best to book your journeys as soon as you know where you want to go, even if you haven’t nailed down all the details. Though the USA Rail Pass doesn’t have any blackout dates, only a limited number of seats are saved for pass holders on each service – which means advance reservations are highly advisable. If you’re looking to commute between cities or visit friends or family in the same place, opt for a Multi-Ride Pass instead, which doesn’t have this restriction. Riders can travel between the same two stations only twice (two round-trip journeys), so the pass is best for travelers looking to explore a larger region, or the entire country. However, these regions are still accessible to pass holders on other (slower) routes. Passengers using the USA Rail Pass cannot ride the Auto Train (between Virginia and Florida), Acela trains (high-speed trains in the Northeast) or Canadian routes that Amtrak operates with VIA Rail Canada. While Amtrak’s reclining seats are far superior to those of any airline’s economy class (39 inches of legroom compared with 28 inches when flying), they can be a challenge to sleep in overnight. Business class and sleeper cabins (which are soon to be upgraded) are not an option, unless you want to pay for them outside of the pass at the going rate. With the pass, you must travel in coach class. And at this promotional price, each segment costs less than $30, regardless of length. How much does the USA Rail Pass cost?Īmtrak sells the USA Rail Pass for $499 at full price – but it’s been on sale for as low as $299 a couple times in the last few years. After the first segment is traveled, the clock starts ticking, and you have 30 days to take the other nine segments. Once you purchase the pass, you have to use it within 120 days (about four months). Instead of regional restrictions, the entire country is now fair game, and the pass is valid for a set 30 days, and only 30 days – travelers no longer have the option of choosing longer or shorter durations. Launched in 1976, the USA Rail Pass in its current form differs significantly from the Eurail Pass, and even from previous versions of itself. A one-way journey between Seattle and Denver, for example, consists of two segments because you have to change trains. A segment isn’t always the same thing as a one-way journey – any time you get off the train is the end of a segment. The USA Rail Pass allows riders to go on 10 Amtrak “segments” within a 30-day period for a set price. Here’s a quick dive into the nitty-gritty of the Amtrak pass and some of the questions I was most commonly asked about my trip. In 2021, I took to the rails on a loop from Kansas City, going through St Louis, San Antonio, New Orleans, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. I’ve just bought my second USA Rail Pass, and I’m starting to pack my bags for my next Amtrak sojourn. Make your travel budget go a little farther with insider tips from our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. The US might have the world’s largest road network, sure – but taking a car-free “road trip” across the country is a ticket to an unforgettable adventure, and may be the most European-style journey you can have on this side of the pond. But the experience can be just as varied, intriguing and eye-opening as its European counterpart. Modeled on the Eurail Pass, which allows travel around 33 European countries, Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass might get you across only one international border. Lauren Keith: Hopping off and on trains, waking up to a new city in the morning, carrying your suitcase through elegant train stations, meeting new friends from across hostel bunk beds: taking an extended train trip in this fashion actually is possible in the United States. Is there anything like this in the United States? Question: My trip around Europe with the Eurail Pass was one of the best I’ve ever taken. When an Amtrak question came across the transom, we turned to Lonely Planet contributor (and major train) fan Lauren Keith. In this series, Lonely Planet’s team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provides tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |