Please tell me that this is not true! I just looked at Amtrak fares from NYC to DC for a long weekend this month. I am seeing $98 to $146 one way!!! I have an AAA card, so can get a small discount but still..these fares seem sky high. Is there any way to get a better fare?

Thanks!

I think they have discount fares randomly if you check often. Everytime I've ever looked they were prices like you mention. Too expensive to me.

Crazy! I did see a few discounts but none were for this route... Since I have not been in DC in about 20 years, I just had not idea how high the fares are!!

Do NOT want to take one of those Chinatown buses, though..

If anyone has an idea on how I can get a discount for weekend Amtrak travel, please let me know..

Are you sure? I just picked a random date in april and am seeing $69 round trip, NYC to DC. Maybe you picked the Acela Express, and not a regional service?

here is a new bus line that runs from NY to DC

https://www.boltbus.com/Default.aspx

Sorry, its $69 one way, not round trip. But Acela is over $100 one way ...

You don't have to take Chinatown buses. There are regular, trustworthy bus lines like Greyhound that will also run that route; IIRC, Bolt is part of Greyhound.

Saturday mornings and Monday mornings are cheaper than Fridays and Sundays. You can often get a train for $69 one way, not including the AAA discount. It's all about the timing.

You might try the code V722. If it works on the internet site then it will give you 50% off companion fare.

And it should work!!

I have to look again at Amtrak. Earlier today I tried the Amtrak site for travel this coming Saturday morning with return on Monday afternoon, and got the fares I posted above....the higher one was for the Acela.

I can't use the companion ticket because I would be going alone..



I want to thank everyone for their help..let me know how I can get the $69 one way fare, please!! I really do not want to take the bus, so don't mind paying more for a train but really, those fares that I found are crazy!

Any other codes I could try, perhaps?

Many thanks, again, to all who responded.

Amtrak prices its seats based on demand. I found $69 rates on Saturday mornings later in April, but didn't see any Monday returns at that price. There is tremendous demand on the DC-NYC route and it fills up fast.

If you aren't willing to take the bus, Amtrak is still the cheapest option. Flights may be lower priced, but you can't fly between downtown NYC and downtown DC. Most people find Amtrak cheaper--and more convenient--than flying.

Use the anytime option (instead of a specific time) to see the cheaper alternatives.

Yes, I too have found that choosing a less popular time will get you a better price.

You should check out e-tickets on greyhound. The Greyhound e-tickets are pretty close in price to the chinatown buses. My daughter travels greyhound to and from Boston/NYC all the time and it's been fine. and honestlyit doesn't take much more time then the regular amtrak doing the same route.

I have firmed up my plans and will travel this Saturday morning.. I will probably bite the bullet for Amtrak and will look for the $69 fares...

Next question: So far, I am planning to return around mid-day on Monday..can I wait until Sunday to buy train tickets or do you think these will be sold out before then?? I could also return Sunday night if fares are much cheaper..

Many thanks, again.

Sorry to ask so many questions here..

BUT: Is there any appreciable difference between coach seats and business eats on the Regional trains?
The supplement is $35 for the business tickets..what would be the advantage of these?

The regional trains are nothing really fancy, and I don't think it is worth the extra money for business class on the regional. When I can get someone else to pay my expenses, I upgrade from regional to Acela but not from regional to regional/business.

The advantage of Business seats is that the riffraff such as students and families don't spring for them.

Last my daughter went business she said it was not worth it, there was supposed to be drink service, instead of you having to walk to the dining car, but that never happened -

she prefers to grab a seat on the quiet car - which might be something you want to consider - sometimes those seats fill fast - if you are leaving from NYC, you can decide if it is worth tipping a porter/red cap and asking him to take you down to the track before the announcement goes up on the board, or just be ready to get down as early as possible, and look for the quiet car if that interests you

to me, other than quiet car, agree only worth upgrading to acela first if having a meal and drink service is important to you versus going to the dining car - the dining car food is marginal, so you may want to grab something to bring with you and a few bottled waters or whatever to drink

Many thanks! I guess I will be jammed in with the riff raff as I booked the regular seat ($98. one way, mind you!!) on the Regional train!!

Is there a quiet car on these Regional trains? Is it actually labeled as such? I will look for a porter and ask him to take me there..I am so inexperienced with Amtrak that I assumed that I would have a reserved seat..it says "reserved coach" on the confirmation..

What do I give the porter if he finds me this "quiet" car or any good seat?? $5??

Thanks very much. I feel a little silly with all my questions about something so obvious to most people..