How to Make Amtrak Reservations

Last Updated: February 5, 2021 References

With gas prices making car travel more expensive, and enhanced security measures and additional fees causing people to think twice about flying, train travel is an ideal option for many. Outside of local commuter routes, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, known as Amtrak, is the provider of railway travel in the United States.^{[1]
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USA.GOV
Official website for the United States federal government
Go to source} There are many ways to search for reservations and book tickets. Make Amtrak reservations online, on the phone, or at a station after you have researched routes and schedules.

Steps

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Research departure and arrival destinations. Before making a reservation on Amtrak, you will want to make sure they serve the city you are departing from, and the place you are traveling to. You can check the "Routes" section of their website, call their toll-free number (1-800-872-7245),^{[2]
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Research source}T Find out how long your trip will take, so you are able to choose departure times appropriately.
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Keep your travel dates and times flexible. The price of your Amtrak ticket will depend on when you are traveling because certain days and times are in more demand than others. If you are able to have several options for when you depart, you will have an easier time reserving a seat at a lower ticket price.^{[4]
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See if you are eligible for a discount. You may get a discount depending on your age or any groups you belong to. Kids between the ages of 2 and 12 get their tickets for half price, and infants under 2 ride for free. Discounts are also available for seniors, AAA members, military personnel, Student Advantage cardholders, and members of the National Association of Railroad Passengers. Those traveling in groups or for certain conventions may also qualify for a discount.^{[5]
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Reserve online. You can research your options and reserve your ticket online at Amtrak's website, www.amtrak.com. The website will ask you to input your contact information and details about your trip, and then calculate your price. You can pay with a credit or debit card online, and print a confirmation page, which will also be emailed to you (along with your e-ticket, see below).
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Make a reservation by phone. Call the Amtrak customer service center at 1-800-872-7245, and an agent will help you make a reservation.^{[6]
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Book a ticket in person. If you live close to an Amtrak station, you can go there in person to make a reservation. There are kiosks,^{[8]
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Use a travel agent. Many travel agencies will help you make a reservation on an Amtrak train. Choose an agent who has experience booking Amtrak travel.
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Effective July 30, 2012, Amtrak now uses all-electronic tickets for travel. The process is somewhat similar to purchasing e-tickets from an airline. Once your reservation is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email with an e-ticket attached as a PDF. You can print this out at home, pick up your e-ticket at the station, or of course, if you're that type of person, load it on your smartphone. ONE e-ticket will be issued per reservation, no matter how many people are traveling in your party. Lost your e-ticket? No problem. Just reprint it, or go to a ticket agent and they can reprint it for you. Of course, if you purchased (paper) tickets prior to July 30, 2012, these can still be redeemed for travel without a problem.^{[9]
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Community Q&A

Question

Can I pay for a one-way Amtrak ticket with a prepaid credit card?

Community Answer

Yes. The name on the prepaid card should match the name of the traveler going on the trip.
Question

I am trying to make a reservation of Acela. When I search for pricing on a business class seat there are two prices. Why is that ?

Community Answer

There are two types of fares you can purchase, and each has its own specifications, which are explained on the website.
Question

Can I purchase the ticket with PayPal?

Community Answer

Amtrak does not accept PayPal. I got around this by purchasing a prepaid Visa card with PayPal, then purchasing the Amtrak ticket with the card.

Warnings

Be sure to pay on time. If you make a reservation without paying for the ticket, Amtrak will cancel the reservation after a week. It is best to pay for the ticket at the time of reservation, if possible.

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