Online and Amtrak AppPurchase tickets at any time on Amtrak.com and the Amtrak app with: Valid credit card (American Express, Discover®, Mastercard®, VISA, Universal Air Travel Plan, Diners Club, JCB or China Union Pay)
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Credit and debit cards are accepted for the purchase of Amtrak tickets and services at all staffed stations.
Higher fares usually apply when purchasing tickets onboard the train. To secure the best available fare, passengers should purchase tickets prior to boarding the train.
Book train tickets in advanceWhile many of us plan and book flights well before our trip, train travel is often left until the last minute. Like planes, train tickets are released in price sections—the cheapest fares are first, and the most expensive ones can be purchased up to an hour before the train time.
Multiple ways to payYou can also buy one-way, return or all day rail tickets. Ticket machines accept cash and credit/debit cards such as Visa or MasterCard. Or buy a ticket on your phone with the Transit GO ticket app.
Ticket to Ride: The Card GamePlayers start with 1 locomotive card and 7 other random train cards in their hands. Players are also dealt 6 destination tickets of which they must keep at least 1. The destination tickets have 1 to 5 colored dots which match the colors of the train cards.
In conclusion, the best day to buy Amtrak tickets is Tuesday or Friday, and it's important to plan ahead and be flexible with your travel dates to get the best deals. Checking Amtrak's Deals page, joining Amtrak Guest Rewards, booking early, and traveling with a friend are other ways to save money on Amtrak tickets.
Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard: Best for Amtrak loyalists. If you frequently use Amtrak, you're going to want to consider the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard®*.
While you'll always need some cash, using a credit card for your spending needs can significantly simplify overseas travel. You won't really have to deal with converting currency and, armed with the right credit card, you won't pay unnecessary foreign transaction fees.
The Bottom LineAs long as you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, notify your credit card company of your travel plans, and only pay for purchases expressed in terms of the local currency, you should be able to avoid post-trip credit statement surprises.
While not nearly as expensive, taking an Amtrak train across the US is also largely the domain of rail enthusiasts as it takes multiple days and costs significantly more than flying. In countries like Japan, South Korea and much of Europe, the opposite is true as the train is simply a way to travel larger distances.
The earlier you book your tickets, the more likely you are to get the lowest fare available for the dates you want on the routes along your journey. You may book your travel up to 11 months in advance.
Nationwide Amtrak DiscountsBefore you start clicking links, make sure to check Amtrak's Weekly Specials, on sale between Tuesday and Friday each week. These are deeply discounted fares (often up to 80% off) that can be for any train in the country. It's a grab bag, but you might get lucky.