Amtrak Codes

[sheronep]

Most Amtrak codes available right now last only until Dec. 13, 2007. But we've got a bunch of codes that will work in 2008.

 

In the east, you'll love train travel in New York State and Canada by using code V464 for 20% off your tickets -- but only over the phone, not online. V464 appears to work with any of the Empire Service trains within New York State, the trains to Montreal and Toronto, and even the Lake Shore Limited train to Chicago. It's good all the way through September 2008.

 

If you're headed north from Boston to New Hampshire or Maine on the Downeaster train, several discounts can apply through the end of June 2008. Anyone can use V453, which takes 25% off daytrips where you take the 12:50 through 3pm trains down from Portland, ME (or anywhere south of that) and the 11:10pm train back from Boston. On Sundays, kids under 15 can ride free on any Downeaster train (up to two kids per adult) by using V486. And between Tuesdays and Thursdays, anyone 62 or over gets a whopping 50% off by using V481.

 

Further south, codes V640 and V644 get you 15% off any of the Silver Service trains from New York City all the way down the east coast to Miami. That's train numbers 91, 92, 97, and 98. Thank the convention bureaus from Kissimmee and Miami, FL for this one, but the codes also work to all other destinations on these trains through April 30, 2008.

 

The Orlando Magicard (www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard) offer has been extended to May 31, 2008. You can use it to book yourself a ticket over the phone (not online) with V542. That will get you 20% off tickets on the Auto Train and Silver Service to the Orlando area, so this code is cheaper than V640/644, but applies to fewer stations within Florida.

 

In the country's midsection, AAA members get an additional 10% off, on top of their existing AAA discount, on the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. This applies to trains running between January 7 and March 13, 2008; use code H743 and bring your AAA membership card onto the train with you.

 

Non-AAA members traveling the Texas Eagle between Chicago and San Antonio, and any points between, can use V788 to get 50% off a companion ticket. That's like 25% off each of two tickets, because there need to be two people traveling to get this fare. This code will work through the end of February 2008.

 

On the West Coast, you can get a free companion ticket on the Cascades route between Eugene, OR and Vancouver, BC from now through next May 23, by using code H750. That code comes courtesy of the city of Portland, Oregon, and it's a lovely place: stop by.

 

Active military and reservists get 20% off the fare on the San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner trains within California through May 22. Use code V834 and bring your military ID with you when you board the train.

 

Codes 'Til the End of '07

 

Brought to you by the fine folks at American Girl Place, the nationwide V185 10% discount is still in effect. It works on any train in the US except the Acela Express and trains to Canada. Just book online, and you'll save a few bucks any time between now and December 13.

 

Within the Northeast Corridor, you can find an even better discount. Code V688 (now only by phone, not online) should still get you a 20% discount off any ticket on a standard reserved Regional train (no Acelas) on routes from Massachusetts as far south as Washington, DC. This code also works for travel through Dec. 13.

 

In America's heartland, riders on the Heartland Flyer from Dallas to Oklahoma (and any points in between) get 20% off by using code V851. That one lasts through December 7.

 

Finally, on the West Coast, H636 is the code for the Pacific Surfliner trains from San Diego to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Paso Robles and for the San Joaquin trains in central California. You'll get 20% off the regular fare through Dec. 13 with this code, which is sponsored by the Santa Barbara Car Free project.

 

Companion Codes for Friends and Family

 

A bunch of codes running through December can lower prices for pairs or groups traveling together.

 

There's a slew of codes all of which promise 50% off a companion ticket (that's 25% off each of two tickets) in the Northeast Corridor, which stretches from Portland, ME down to Newport News, Virginia, with branches out to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Albany, NY. V372, V383, V679, V714 and V761 all supposedly work for travel until December 13, so if one doesn't work, try a different one of the bunch.

 

Texans and Oklahomans can have a little more fun with H711, which gives you a free companion ticket on the Heartland Flyer train from the Dallas metroplex up into Oklahoma through Dec. 13. That beats the above V851 code on savings.

 

In the Midwest, V539 will give you and a friend half-off the second ticket on trains #311, 313, 314 and 316 entirely within Missouri, through Dec. 13. Missourians, your tax dollars are going to pay for these trains, so we're showing you the discounts.

[bmwmommykids]

Thank you. Always looking for travel deals from VA to visit family througout the Northest (Maine to NJ).

[jerseygirl]

Thank you. Always looking for travel deals from VA to visit family througout the Northest (Maine to NJ).

Do have "good" experiences on Amtrak NorthEast routes? Only did it once NJ to NC & OMG......

[onecutemoocow]

I took amtrak from denver to pittsburgh to get home one time and I loved it and I was only 15. I am a travel agent now and hardly sell any amtrak, people want to get to their destination faster than what amtrak can get you there. But I did love it. And I also went from Pittsburgh to wisconsin! I would do it again.

[Sue-Z-Q]

Strange this comes up today, the Amtrak closest to me crashed yesterday!

[Merryg]

Anyone know of any that can be used with travel from TX to AZ? Traveling in Jan - Feb. Thanks!

[sbsahm]

Strange this comes up today, the Amtrak closest to me crashed yesterday!

That's what I was going to say, one crashed in Chicago Friday. It ran up on the back of a freight train.

[jerseygirl]

I took amtrak from denver to pittsburgh to get home one time and I loved it and I was only 15. I am a travel agent now and hardly sell any amtrak, people want to get to their destination faster than what amtrak can get you there. But I did love it. And I also went from Pittsburgh to wisconsin! I would do it again.

I can drive fr:NJ to NC in 8hrs and the train took 11.5hrs each way w/2 kids by myself!! It was published as 9.5hrs but had delays. The more people I spoke w/on the train I found out very late is the norm on that route.

[gsballance]

I've never traveled Amtrak. Between Xmas and New years I want to go from NYC to Albany to Syracuse to Rochester which seems to be the "Empire Service."

Has anyone heard of any great deals and does anyone know if these routes tend to be on-time/late?

Would really appreciate any advice! Thanks

[samisma]

Do have "good" experiences on Amtrak NorthEast routes? Only did it once NJ to NC & OMG......

 

for 2 years i took this route Newport News Va to Philadelphia, PA at least once a month (and vice versa) as I shuttled between college(va) and home(nj). It took on average 7.5 hours. Once we exited Va the trip seemed to fly by. There is (was?) a 1 hour stop at DC every time though.

 

to compare it to driving, i could make the trip via car in 6-8 hours depending on traffic. But that area around DC (manassas etc) is absolutely brutal and I would much rather nap on a comfy train then sit in traffic in that area.

 

If you do drive instead of taking the train, a nice alternative to the highways is US RT 13. It basically runs parallel to the train route, but you are closer to the coast, it's more scenic, less conjested, and there are a lot of great small restaurants on the way.

[jerseygirl]

 

If you do drive instead of taking the train, a nice alternative to the highways is US RT 13. It basically runs parallel to the train route, but you are closer to the coast, it's more scenic, less conjested, and there are a lot of great small restaurants on the way.

LOL! You sound like my Dad. He takes that route between NJ & NC - Mom hits an outlet there. But just last month he got a speeding ticket on Rt 13. Takes him just over 10hrs that way.

 

We took the train this Summer. It was over 100 degrees outside & the train was overbooked inside. The toilets stank up the whole train car & it was nasty! So for 11.5 hrs we were hot & stinky & felt like cattle WITH my 2 kids- DD7 DS5. I love to drive, I just thought this *might* be an alternate to flying.

[lorelei]

Anyone know of discount codes running right now?

[samisma]

LOL! You sound like my Dad. He takes that route between NJ & NC - Mom hits an outlet there. But just last month he got a speeding ticket on Rt 13. Takes him just over 10hrs that way.

 

We took the train this Summer. It was over 100 degrees outside & the train was overbooked inside. The toilets stank up the whole train car & it was nasty! So for 11.5 hrs we were hot & stinky & felt like cattle WITH my 2 kids- DD7 DS5. I love to drive, I just thought this *might* be an alternate to flying.

From where in NJ to where in NC?!! Jeez that seems like a long time. I used to drive from Gloucester County, NJ to Newport News, Va. Occasionally from NJ to Nags Head, NC - only hit 10 hours once because there was a fire in the Delmar area (by the casino).

 

 

Anyone know of discount codes running right now?

Oh, and FYI I don't know if they still do this, but if www.collegeclub.com is still around you get a 10% off discount in addition to any other discounts you can find. Just need to give them your membership # when ordering.

And yeah.. speeding tickets on rt 13 are no joke. I got one on the chesapeake bay bridge (10mile bridge). Only ticket in my life actually.

 

(sorry. not trying to jack the thread)

[jerseygirl]

From Newark, NJ to Raleigh NC. And picking up the train in Newark was quite the adventure as well......... me alone w/2 little ones, arriving into Newark Penn Station @ 11pm. One crackhead came up to ask me for $$$ so he could go see his babies & I YELLED at him infront of my kids. He backed off but then had to explain to my daughter why I wouldn't give the man $$$ to see his kids. I can laugh at it now, but not then.

[samisma]

wow. i never had any issues at all like that. i'm so sorry. i never picked up the train up north though and have never been to either of those towns.

 

i'm a train person... i hate planes and will only take them when there's no other option. for example, i can't find a train that goes from az to nj. so i fly back. and then i need a stiff drink when i get on solid ground again. lol

[jerseygirl]

wow. i never had any issues at all like that. i'm so sorry. i never picked up the train up north though and have never been to either of those towns.

 

i'm a train person... i hate planes and will only take them when there's no other option. for example, i can't find a train that goes from az to nj. so i fly back. and then i need a stiff drink when i get on solid ground again. lol

The 'quoted' travel time on amtrak from Newark, NJ to Raleigh, NC was 9.5hrs. But from what I heard from the regulars on the train, late is the norm! One woman said it to 15hrs from Raleigh to Newark the weekend before we went. I'd die.............

 

sorry mods - we got wayyyyy OT here

[gsballance]

New York to Rochester anyone?

[apurpleocean]

i just purchased 3 tickets leaving dec 29 and coming back after new years traveling from southern california to southern oregon, and payed around $1800, including bedrooms both ways. and was wondering if there was a code for this route and if i can still apply it after i already purchased the tickets?

 

in my experiences i've never arrived on time using amtrak one time even arriving 12 hours late. due to the conductor not knowing how to drive over the mountains. they had to stop the train and wait for another conductor to drive up the mountains and take over. and another passenger having heart problems and having to be removed by ambulance. At least we got there safe and sound. :)

[pampam]

Check out http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/WeeklySpecials before purchasing tickets.

 

Apurpleocean, a couple of years ago I booked a ticket in a sleeping car to and from New Orleans and couldn't find discounts anywhere. They all seemed to only be available for traveling coach.

[cstreasure]

 

in my experiences i've never arrived on time using amtrak one time even arriving 12 hours late. due to the conductor not knowing how to drive over the mountains. they had to stop the train and wait for another conductor to drive up the mountains and take over. and another passenger having heart problems and having to be removed by ambulance. At least we got there safe and sound. :)

I really hope it was an engineer and they were new. I would be really freaked out if the conductor was driving they are not trained.

[salundquis]

We took the auto train a few years ago and had a great experience. Would do it again in a sec. Thanks for the codes, I will have to check them out.

[apurpleocean]

I really hope it was an engineer and they were new. I would be really freaked out if the conductor was driving they are not trained.

i think it was the conductor, may have been the engineer . my part of the train was stopped right over a bridge, and when i looked out all i could see was a raging river and rocks below. other people were stuck in the tunnel. pretty scary.

 

Thanks pampam for the link