How to Use the Amtrak Rail Pass for Cross-Country Savings
Find out how the Amtrak Rail Pass saves you money on cross-country travel. Advice on planning routes, segments, booking travel and finding Amtrak deals.
How to Use Your Amtrak Rail Pass for Cross-Country Travel
Some beautiful places to visit are far for many of us, so you can still hop on the train and make it! From expansive mountaintop views to sweeping coastal stretches to bleakly beautiful wide-open landscapes, the routes offer scenery you simply can’t see through a plane window. If you want to explore more of the country on a budget, the Amtrak Rail Pass is one of the most flexible and affordable ways to do so.
In this guide, you’ll learn how the pass works, how to get the most out of it and how to save the most money while using it. Three useful key words have also been added: Amtrak deals, Amtrak routes, and Amtrak customer service.
What Is the Amtrak Rail Pass?
The Amtrak Rail Pass, for example, is ideal for anyone who wants to visit several locations without purchasing a ticket each time. That pass comes with 10 rides, which last for 30 days.
A “segment” is defined as one continuous trip on one train. If you hop on one train and ride it from Chicago to Denver, that’s one segment. If you change trains, that’s another one. This means that planning is particularly important if you want to stretch your pass over as many miles as possible.
The pass is good for most trains on the national network, and particularly so on long-distance lines. It’s enjoyed by students, backpackers, digital nomads, international visitors and travelers for a slow scenic flexible journey.
How to Plan Your Rail Pass Trip
1. Study the Main Amtrak Routes
To help you get the most out of your pass, begin by perusing the major Amtrak routes. The most picturesque segments of some of the long-distance lines are:
- California Zephyr – Chicago to the Bay Area
- Empire Builder- Chicago to Seattle
- Southwest Chief – Chicago Los Angeles
- Sunset Limited – New Orleans to Los Angeles
- Coast Starlight Between Seattle And Los Angeles
Combine those lines, and you can cross the entire country from coast to coast. Most travelers mash up the northern and southern routes for a loop itinerary.
2. Plan Segment Use Carefully
It’s no longer a monolith with unlimited flexibility, but the more you can avoid switching trains for convenience or laziness, the greater value you’ll get. A cross-country line level trip could span more than 1,500 miles and still be only one ride segment.
Below is a smart itinerary that requires only very few segments:
- Chicago → Denver (California Zephyr) - 1 leg
- Denver → Salt Lake City – No new segment again same train 0
- Salt Lake City → San Francisco – Same train, 0 new segments
- San Francisco → Los Angeles (Coast Starlight) – 1 segment
That’s just about 2,300 miles in two segments.
3. Maximize Savings With Amtrak Deals
Although the Rail Pass is discounted in and of itself, you should still search for current Amtrak deals. These can help with:
- Extra seat upgrades
- Cheaper single tickets if you’re going a few days before or staying a few days after your pass
- Discounted travel for family or friends
- Onboard service offers
Deals come and go, so simply spending a little time scrolling through what’s available will often yield savings greater than you think.
How to Purchase Train Tickets with Your Rail Pass
After you’ve bought your Rail Pass, booking each individual section is easy. You’ll sign into your Amtrak account, choose your train, pick a seat and confirm the segment use.
A few things to keep in mind:
1. Seats Can Sell Out
Long-distance trains get booked out relatively early, particularly in summer and during holiday periods. You have to choose “Rail Pass Rider” while checking out, when you pay for the pass. If a train is full for that category, you will have to select an alternative train or departure time.
2. Allow Buffer Days
The 30-day period begins on the day of your first trip. It’s a good idea to give yourself some breathing room between long chunks of time because delays do occur. This can help you avoid missing connections.
3. For Assistance, Call Amtrak Customer Service as Needed
If anything on your account doesn’t look correct, or if you can’t book a segment, contact Amtrak customer service. They can help with:
- Reservations
- Rail Pass segment issues
- Train availability
- Rescheduling guidance
Their support is typically super-fast and they are capable of dealing with most account-related issues.
Who Should Buy the Amtrak Rail Pass?
This pass is ideal if you:
- Are looking to visit more than one city on your trip
- Travel in picturesque fashion at a leisurely pace
- This is one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets
- Are traveling on a budget
- Looking for an extraordinary, cross-country trip
It is an excellent choice for solo travelers, gap-year students, backpackers or couples looking to have the trip of a lifetime.
Tips to Save Even More
Here are some simple strategies for making your savings last:
- Travel off-peak to avoid full trains.
- Select longer routes so you can get more miles per segment.
- Hop on overnight trains to cut hotel expenses.
- Pack snacks to save on costly onboard meals.
- Monitor train status before leaving to prevent missing connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long is the Amtrak Rail Pass good for?
The pass is available for 30 continuous days from date of first use. If you don’t use it right away, it sits in your account until you’re ready to start using the service.
2. Could I use my pass on any Amtrak service?
It is valid on most long-distance and regional routes, but some specialty trains are excluded. Be sure to look here before planning your segments.
3. Should I reserve seats ahead of time?
Yes. You still need a reservation for each trip, even with the Rail Pass. Some trains do fill up, so you may wish to reserve early.
4. It’s too late to upgrade to a roomette or sleeper car?
Passengers can upgrade to a class of service with better benefits on some trains by paying the difference in fare. Offer may vary depending on route, and season.
5. What if I need help with my reservation?
If you run into any issues, contact Amtrak customer service. They can help manage your Rail Pass trips, route questions, and booking changes.
Customer Review – I’ve purchased Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass 3 times. Most rides are slow and uncomfortable, but I can’t wait to buy it again…Read more.
