My #1 Amtrak secret: you can take advantage of state subsidies for some routes, when traveling within a state, by splitting your ticket. For example, don't buy a ticket directly from Harrisburg to NYC. Instead buy two tickets: Harrisburg to Philly, and then Philly to NYC, on the same train. Your first segment will be subsidized by the State of Pennsylvania and you will save some serious cash!

I'd like to add one more secret that I almost never see anyone taking advantage of whenever I ride long distance trains: the rear window! It's especially useful in scenic areas when the sightseer lounge car is full, you can almost always find a spot at the back window of the train and you'll get great views in both directions.

A thought with the rail pass . Try to use your segment for say 8 to 12 hours then hop off and stay over for a few days and repeat with the 30 day window in mind . That makes coach a lot easier . Don't worry about working your way back home with your segments. Just keep going. So now you have used up your segments and want to go home. Take a one way flight home ! You will get a better rate if you book way early as well as fly during less busy days. This plan is nice because one doesn't have to lock in to a trip that takes you all the way back home. Pick your place to fly home that has good air fares. Usually larger cities to larger cities are cheaper because of more completion between the airlines.

Ive always said if I win the lottery, I'm buying a private train car and hitching it to all my favorite routes across the country!

Daytime roomette from San Antonio to New Orleans on the Sunset Limited was an amazing trip, 15 hours including breakfast lunch and dinner! Totally worth it.

I'm good friends with a private car owner. Before we all moved away, he sponsored an annual trip for our model railroad club members from Oakland to Reno and back. It is, indeed, expensive to attach the car to an Amtrak train, and during one past Amtrak president's service costs skyrocketed (I believe he was one who was trying to undermine Amtrak in the first place, although not the one who publicly stated that was specifically what he was hired to do). Besides the mileage fees, there's a terminal fee for switching the car onto or off of the train, in addition to the cost of getting the car from its storage point to the station to begin with. The ride, though, is quite the experience! Most private car owners charter them out throughout the year, so they're equipped for better than what first class service used to be. The cars have their own kitchens and sleeping rooms, as well as dining areas, and quite luxurious. My friend's car used to belong to the president of the railroad, so you can be sure they didn't cut any corners. It was fun to ride the entire trip, Reno to Oakland, standing on the open back platform (hint: don't wear a white shirt if you do this; by the time you get through all the snow sheds it will be grey).

I just booked three trips (for myself and two adult children) to CA for a wedding. Your tips helped me save $250 so far. I bought the rail pass for each of us and saved $49 each, and I applied for the credit card and was approved, which saved me another $100. My son applied for the card as well, so we will probably save another $100! I love your channel and have been watching since my first Amtrak trip last August. Happy travels, and thanks for all the great info!

We got stuck one night in Arkansas whith the AC out on the eagle and also pretty much got a full voucher refund so I can vouch for that fact as well. 😂

25 years ago for one Christmas Party we got to ride in two private rail cars from Anaheim to downtown San Diego. One of the cars was the set aside as the quiet car the other had a free full bar and was the loud car. Once we got to San Diego we walked to a restaurant called the "B Street Restaurant". The cars were arranged by a rail engineer who shared office space with the civil engineering firm I worked for at the time. Not required to attend but some of us dressed in 1930's period clothing to fit the period of the older Pullman cars. The evening was a lot of fun, and I don't know how much that Christmas Party was, but it was the first and last time we had ever done that,

The “secret menu” that’s available for delays is not just for first class passengers. I was delayed seven hours and they dished up the stew for all the coach passengers, no charge. I was even able to get seconds. If they had been scheduled to arrive in the early morning, complimentary breakfast items are made available.

Your post is a couple hours old as I'm viewing it, so someone may have already posted this : Rail Pass is on sale for $50 off till Jan. 25

So you can take the California Zephyr to whatever the half point is. Get off, spend a night in a hotel, get a good meal, take a shower, then get on the Zephyr the next day and complete your trip, and that would only be 2 segments. Not bad

Thank you for the glimpses of the ADA room and the secrets! I won’t worry about going to my conferences on the East Coast any longer knowing about this option.

Good timing for the video - Amtrak is now offering a discounted $449 USA Rail Pass, offer ends January 25. If you've ever wanted to visit every single state, you can make a lot of progress with the USA Rail Pass.

Moynihan train hall is by far my one of my favorite stations. I frequently ride the on the empire service. The metropolitan lounge is well worth visiting using guest points or cash access! I usually depart from Utica's Union Station. Although there is no lounge it is beautiful and historic.

Best part of the Metropolitan Lounge at the Moynihan Train Hall is the balcony that overlooks the hall. Great people watching! Also, if I owned a private train car, I probably wouldn't be worried about the cost.

I've done the roomette trick from La to San Jose. It's great!

Thanks folks, btw the Sapphire Reserve link is returning a page unavailable response.

I was scheduled to take the Lakeshore Limited for part of its route and was notified of a 2 hour delay before boarding. When informed the delay would extend to more than 3 hours, I called and explained that I would miss much of the event I was attending. I expected a hassle, but they gave a full refund via my credit card even though it was now past scheduled departure and I had never boarded.

Good to know about group booking. Glad to know about daytime roomette are a lot cheaper. Reimbursement policies sound god as well. Accessible room discount qualifications would make travel more feasible Learning about secret menu for delays is good to know about

You guys are awesome, love your content! Safe travels!

Amtrak has a $50 off pass deal now! p.s. Empire Builder, which goes through our town daily, has been canceled most of the past week, no announcement yet if it'll run tomorrow.

My favorite view from Amtrak is crossing Sandusky Bay at night! Also descending into Denver from the west after dark.

Thanks for the tips!! We've ridden from Miami to Winter Park FL on the Silver Star, the longer time on the train was great, in a roomette and had lunch and dinner and the cost was considerably less because we didn't sleep overnight!

Question - have you ever heard noises from an adjoining roomette, like snoring or other uncomfortable noises that have kept you awake? Thank you for all the great tips!

The base offer on the rewards card is 20K points but they occasionally offer more. Have you seen any pattern on when those higher offers are available? Silly me missed the most recent 30K point offer at the end of last year and was hoping it might return.

Thank you Allie and Rob! I'm looking forward to several long distance rail trips this year! Are you still overseas?

Most Amtrak deals I've seen are 2-for-1. This is great for couples, or folks with pals who travel with them, but it means solo travelers never get a break. Are there any sale specials that come around that are not only for 2 tickets at a time?

Only 50 dollar off this January last year was 299

Do you know why they removed the capacity percentage when booking a trip online or on the app?

This is wonderful information. Thanks.

Question? Is it hard for the elderly to walk while the train is in motion?

When I lived in the East, I used to travel by train all the time. I miss it. Now I live in Phoenix and we don't even have an Amtrak station, plus train travel has become so expensive. Kind of a bummer.

On our trip on the Capital Limited for Dc to Chicago there was a private coached at the rear thus summer

You two have me hooked, I have three trips planned this year, love your tips!

Free Showers at the Metropolitan Lounge in the Union Station (if available) for Business Class & up. For example, Lake Shore Limited (both NYP or Boston) ticket can be splitted into 2 segments and get the Business Class and get a free shower!!! Both Chi - NYP or Chi - Bos One-Way ticket offers only Coach Class tickets and unable to get free shower at the Union Station (if it is available). Back in 2018, had a ticket from LAX - Chi - ALB - NYP. From Albany, you can take different trains (Lake Shore Limited, Adirondack, Maple Leaf, Empire Service) to NYP and hang out for couple hours such as eat your meals at much lower prices. Try it.

I knew about the ability to buy points if you’re a bit short on making your threshold, along with the benefits and perks of the preferred MasterCard. I have been a card holder since November 2023. I was unaware of the “secret menu” when the trains hit major delays, and the enjoyment of being on a train for so long. I have a 3-train long distance grand loop tour scheduled for May. It will go from Saturday the 18th through Saturday the 25th. I am in a roomette from Sacramento to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight. After staying one night in Los Angeles, I am in a Texas Eagle Roomette from Los Angeles to Chicago on a Sunday, arriving on a Wednesday. I stay a night in Chicago. On Thursday the 23rd, I board the California Zephyr and return to Sacramento. All transfers between trains have a 1-night stay so as to not have a scheduled tight connection built into the itinerary. How does this trip sound to you both?

Thanks for this video! I didn’t realize people could use roomettes if they weren’t planning to stay the night! I am also going to look into the rail pass because we want to go out west on Amtrak but we want to be able to stop and look around also.

I really appreciate your channel! Does Amtrak allow a passenger to stow a bike?

Which train would be best from NOLA to Chicago? I'm taking a Mississippi River Cruise to NOLA and was wondering about taking the train back north to Chicago and tourist there before heading back to St Louis

Hey there! Do you get lounge access with the Amtrak credit card that has no fee?

I did not know about the perks that come with the Amtrak credit card. I am planning a lengthy Rail Pass tour across country so even though I am in coach it would definitely be worth the money to have access to Metro lounges in the several major cities I will travel through. AND it would be nice to have access to a shower that some of these lounges have. One question...as a coach passenger with access to Metro lounge will I still get priority boarding like room passengers get? Thanks for replies and hope to see yuo and other Amtrak friends along the way! Ken

How do you find those daytime only routes, is there a trick or do you have to go through each schedule to find them? Also, traveling with someone with mobility concerns, how can you find which trains have accessible rooms? I am having trouble as many stations don't seem to accomodate?

Question: I need to reschedule a roomette empire builder with companion trip that cost about $600 for late January for family reasons, my schedule won’t allow me to travel again till April or May. If I reschedule to similar cost trip 4-6 weeks from now would I then be able to then reschedule it again? Hoping to find a similar priced ticket when my schedule allows me to travel.

If you get a voucher for a refund does it have an expiration date?

I have heard they are updating the train system does that mean they are updating the sleeper cars too?? I heard it will be as fast in the USA like it is in Europe

Hi from Biloxi, Mississippi. When you said $200 for day roomette for 2, is that the total cost for the couple? Would I pay the same cost for just myself?

What financial deals do you know of for Amtrak solo travelers. (I'm a solo train traveler.) I see there are good deals for people who travel with a partner, groups, etc. (For example, BOGO offers).

What size luggage to you take on board with you per person?

I am too claustrophobic. On my first Amtrak trip i chose to sleep where everyone sits and looks out the window on the chairs. I put the chairs in a reclining position and that how i slept. I was young at the time. Do Amtrak still let you do this????

lol. who owns a train car??? that sounds cool though

I remember that one time we were delayed, and the train staff brought on KFC for dinner one evening while we were waiting to proceed.

Once those $499. Is paid do you have to continue paying for a future trip that one does?

The dinty moore cans of beef stew can expire over time. Also they serve this to coach also

Good to know! I wonder if the airlines or Greyhound have any well kept secrets.

Those "accesible" rooms for people with limited mobility are horrible. We were placed there because our roommate had too many things broken. That room is on the first floor in the back of the last wagon of the train. You hear the squeel of the wheels and other bad noises. There is a bathroom in the room. It stinks of the cleaning chemical. The odor is very strong. The room shakes terribly. I would not want to stay there if they paid me. Just terrible.

Day routes in a sleeper roomette are going to be cheaper than night routes, but still WAY more expensive than just booking a coach seat for the day. If you aren't going to sleep, is the difference in price really justified to get one or two free meals? They have a perfectly adequate snack bar for your meals during the day. Otherwise, there is nothing special about traveling in a roomette during the day.

How much do points cost to buy?

1:50 False information about about the USA Rail Pass - it was only discounted by $200 the first year coming out of the pandemic (2021). Since then, they have had more modest sales. Right now (and through 1/25/24), the pass is available at the special price of $449, which is (only) $50 off of the regular cost.

The Amtrak secret we found out on our recent trip? The trains are FILTHY. Beyond just "dirty." We went from CA to WA, and there were lawn & leaf-sized bags of trash in the bathrooms, which were disgusting. People kept going to the restrooms, opening doors, peeking in, flinching, and trying to find the least-terrible bathroom. The ADA bathroom was taken up by a huge bag of trash, which was open. I had to wait until I finally encountered a train staffer to ask that they remove the bag so I could use the restroom. They did -- and it sat in the entry way. There were many, many stops for that train, yet the garbage stayed put until we reached Seattle. On the return trip, it wasn't as bad, but things were still gross. The upside: the staff, when we met any, were generally pleasant and helpful. Also, if you're disabled and need to be on the first floor, it isn't enough to specify that on your tickets. We were put on the top floor of the train, meaning i had to maneuver down that narrow, twisting stairway to use that disgusting restroom, and clamber back up to my seat. After looking forward to that train trip, thinking this would be a good test as we were thinking about taking a longer train trip, we decided that Amtrak is just not as good as advertised.

Who has the money to buy a train car?

The private cars maybe pricey, but they get a lot of attention from the Railfan community!