Amtrak's Low Fares - Seven Tips to Receive Discounted Fares on Amtrak Train Trips

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation wasorganization for train and rail transit passengers. NARP
created by Congress in 1970 to take over themembers are eligible to receive a 10% discount on
passenger rail services previously required to bethe lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains.
operated by private freight railroad companies in theYou must present your NARP membership ID card
United States. Those companies reported they hadwhen you pick up your ticket, and you must carry
operated the services without profit for over ayour card with you on-board the train. The NARP
decade. The vast majority of passenger rail routes indiscount is valid only on the American portion of
existence at that time were shut down to focus theservices operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA
service on the most heavily used lines. The popularRail Canada.
nickname "Amtrak" was created as a blend of theFive: The Veterans AdvantageTM is a discount card
words "America" and "track."program for veterans. Veterans holding a valid
Amtrak provides a number of discount fare programsVeterans Advantage Members Card are eligible to
to entice prospective passengers and their families onreceive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail
their trains. Each of the seven deals listed below arefare on most Amtrak trains. You must enroll with
subject to the following rules:Veterans Advantage and receive a 10-digit travel
1. They must be purchased at least three days indiscount code that can be used immediately to book
advanceyour Amtrak travel. The Veterans Advantage is valid
2. Discounted fares cannot be combined on oneonly on the American portion of services operated
ticketjointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.
3. These fares are not valid for weekday AcelaSix: The Student Advantage Card is the nation's
Express travellargest student discount program. Students are eligible
4. They are not valid on some Amtrak Thruway busto receive a 15% discount on the best available adult
servicesrail fare on most Amtrak trains all year long. You
5. Passengers traveling in Business class, First class ormust present both a valid Student Advantage Card
sleeping accommodation are not eligible for theseand a valid photo ID at time of ticket purchase and
discounts.on-board trains to receive the discount. Each of
One: Up to two children under the age of 16 arethese items must be valid for the current school
eligible to receive a 50% discount on the lowestterm. For Auto Train service, Student Advantage
available adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains withcardholders receive a 15% discount off adult rail fare
each fare-paying adult. Also, one infant under the agebut no discount on their vehicles. The Student
of two may ride free with each adult ticketAdvantage Card is valid only on the American portion
purchased. Infants are not entitled to a seat. Onlyof services operated jointly between Amtrak and
children traveling with an adult are entitled to aVIA Rail Canada. The Student Advantage discount is
children's discount.not valid for any Rail Passes or Multi-Ride tickets.
Two: Travelers over the age of 61 are eligible toSeven: More than 5 million students around the world
receive a 15% discount on the lowest available railwill purchase an International Student Identity Card
fare on most Amtrak trains. On cross-border services(ISIC) this year. To qualify for your ISIC, you must
operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, abe age 12 or older and currently enrolled as a degree
10% Senior discount is applicable to travelers overseeking student at an accredited institution. Students
the age of 59. You cannot use the senior discount onholding a valid ISIC are eligible to receive a 15%
the Auto Train.discount on the best available adult rail fare on most
Three: Active-duty US military personnel, theirAmtrak trains all year long. You must present both a
spouses and their dependents are eligible to receive avalid ISIC and a valid photo ID at time of ticket
10% discount on the lowest available rail fare onpurchase and on-board trains to receive the discount.
most Amtrak trains. This discount is also valid on theEach of these items must be valid for the current
Auto Train. You must present a valid active-dutyschool term. For Auto Train service, ISIC cardholders
United States Armed Forces identification card toreceive a 15% discount off adult rail fare but no
receive the discount. The military discount is valid onlydiscount on their vehicles. The ISIC is valid only on
on the American portion of services operated jointlythe American portion of services operated jointly
between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada. The ISIC
Four: The National Association of Railroad Passengersdiscount is not valid for any Rail Passes or Multi-Ride
(NARP) is the largest national membership advocacytickets.