booking in advance on Amtrak
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
booking in advance on Amtrak
I plan to travel to Washington by Amtrak from New york 5 days after arriving in New York.
Is it advisablet to book this trip from Sydney before I arrive? I have been told that the tickets are cheaper if booked ahead.
Thanks
Is it advisablet to book this trip from Sydney before I arrive? I have been told that the tickets are cheaper if booked ahead.
Thanks
#2
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That has been my experience, yes.
www.amtrak.com
NYP = New York Penn Station
WAS = Washington Union Station
www.amtrak.com
NYP = New York Penn Station
WAS = Washington Union Station
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, you'll get a better rate if you book 14 days in advance or more.
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...=1241267321301
You should also check weekly specials and I think traveling certain days of the week may be cheaper.
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...=1241267321301
You should also check weekly specials and I think traveling certain days of the week may be cheaper.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi stimps,
I wanted to add, that while (as stated above) it is a good bit cheaper with advance purchase, if you can't purchase in advance, you shouldn't have a problem finding an available train NYC-DC even at the last minute. (There are MANY trains daily on that route.) However, five days in advance would be cheaper than buying the day of travel.
I mention this since the Amtrak website for awhile wouldn't let me purchase a ticket by VISA with a Canadian postal code, so there may be similar difficulties with an Australian address.
Best wishes, Daniel
I wanted to add, that while (as stated above) it is a good bit cheaper with advance purchase, if you can't purchase in advance, you shouldn't have a problem finding an available train NYC-DC even at the last minute. (There are MANY trains daily on that route.) However, five days in advance would be cheaper than buying the day of travel.
I mention this since the Amtrak website for awhile wouldn't let me purchase a ticket by VISA with a Canadian postal code, so there may be similar difficulties with an Australian address.
Best wishes, Daniel
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's a good compendium of all current Amtrak discounts, which vary by region on how far in advance you are purchasing.
http://www.railserve.com/amtrak_coupons.html
http://www.railserve.com/amtrak_coupons.html
#8
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are also discounts for buying even several days in advance versus walk up. (I just paid only $81 to Boston booking several days in advance and $126 back - since I didn;t know what time I would be ready to leave and had to just reserve on the way to the station.)