Need 2 r/t least expensive train tickets from NYC (Penn) to Baltimore (Penn) in early August for 2 college students who never travel by train to these cities before. How far advance do I need to purchase these tickets from Amtrak? Any discount codes that are available for this trip? Should they take the bus?

I checked the Amtrak fare schedule and the least expensive for one way is $64. I thought may be you can suggest a better deal.

Appreciate your help.

You might google Amtrack discounts or Amtrack Discount codes.

Amtrack was offering discounted tickets on the Northeast Corridor, of half off a companion ticket, so you might check, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to call Amtrack to see if they have any discounts for students as well.

You would save yourself a lot of time if you just call Amtrak. The people there are very nice and will help you book/price your trip. I know that the had a special for college kids with parents.

They could also do the Chinatown bus. I believe one of the NYC-DC bus lines stops in Baltimore. I haven't taken it but a friend does it often (DC-NYC) and it costs her around $20 bucks.

Thank you all. I found the web site for the China Town Bus Co., here it is:

http://www.chinatown-bus.com/index-1.htm

It's only $35 for r/t, much cheaper than Amtrak. Granted it takes 4 hours instead of 2:45 hours.

If you're willing to consider buses, don't overlook the "regular" buses ike Greyhound, which have beter records for timeliness and safety and often will match the Chinatown rates.