Slickdeals is community-supported.  We may get paid by brands for deals, including promoted items.
Heads up, this deal has expired. Want to create a deal alert for this item?
expiredserra | Staff posted Jun 08, 2021 02:36 PM
expiredserra | Staff posted Jun 08, 2021 02:36 PM

Amtrak USA Rail Pass: Travel 10 Segments within 30-Days

$299

$499

40% off
Amtrak
175 Comments 106,454 Views
Visit Amtrak
Good Deal
Save
Share
Deal Details
Amtrak is offering an introductory fare for its Amtrak USA Rail Pass where you can travel 10 Segments within 30-Days for $299.

Thanks to Deal Hunter serra for finding this deal.

Note, book this offer from June 8 - 22

About the USA Rail Pass:
  • The USA Rail Pass allows you to take a multi-segment journey on Amtrak for one low, fixed price. After you purchase your pass, you will be able to start booking each segment of your trip directly from your purchase confirmation, by going to 'Modify Trip' on Amtrak.com, or by looking up your reservation on the Amtrak mobile app.
  • A travel segment occurs any time you board and disembark a train (or other scheduled services). If your trip involves making one connection, you will use two segments of your USA Rail Pass.
  • The pass validity period is 120 days following the date of your purchase. Once you travel on your first segment, you will have 30 days before your pass expires.
  • The USA Rail Pass is not a ticket and is not valid for travel; it is used to obtain all tickets for travel. You must have a ticket and a reservation for each train you board.
  • Travel in regular Coach class seats which feature wide, reclining seats with a big picture window, ample legroom, and no middle seat.
  • Hop on/off the train across 500 destinations

Editor's Notes

Written by qwikwit | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This offer is $200 lower (40% savings) than the regular price of $499.
    • The USA Rail Pass is valid for travel on all Amtrak trains except Auto Train, Acela, Thruway bus connections (7000-7999 series), and the Canadian portion of trains operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.
    • Travel is restricted to four one-way trips between two cities, and to all cities in between, over the same route.
    • Review the complete terms and conditions here. -qwikwit

Original Post

Written by serra | Staff
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Amtrak is offering an introductory fare for its Amtrak USA Rail Pass where you can travel 10 Segments within 30-Days for $299.

Thanks to Deal Hunter serra for finding this deal.

Note, book this offer from June 8 - 22

About the USA Rail Pass:
  • The USA Rail Pass allows you to take a multi-segment journey on Amtrak for one low, fixed price. After you purchase your pass, you will be able to start booking each segment of your trip directly from your purchase confirmation, by going to 'Modify Trip' on Amtrak.com, or by looking up your reservation on the Amtrak mobile app.
  • A travel segment occurs any time you board and disembark a train (or other scheduled services). If your trip involves making one connection, you will use two segments of your USA Rail Pass.
  • The pass validity period is 120 days following the date of your purchase. Once you travel on your first segment, you will have 30 days before your pass expires.
  • The USA Rail Pass is not a ticket and is not valid for travel; it is used to obtain all tickets for travel. You must have a ticket and a reservation for each train you board.
  • Travel in regular Coach class seats which feature wide, reclining seats with a big picture window, ample legroom, and no middle seat.
  • Hop on/off the train across 500 destinations

Editor's Notes

Written by qwikwit | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This offer is $200 lower (40% savings) than the regular price of $499.
    • The USA Rail Pass is valid for travel on all Amtrak trains except Auto Train, Acela, Thruway bus connections (7000-7999 series), and the Canadian portion of trains operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.
    • Travel is restricted to four one-way trips between two cities, and to all cities in between, over the same route.
    • Review the complete terms and conditions here. -qwikwit

Original Post

Written by serra | Staff

Community Voting

Deal Score
+62
Good Deal
Visit Amtrak

Leave a Comment

Unregistered (You)

Top Comments

murxam
2 Posts
10 Reputation
You have to use all 10 rides within 30 days from your first ride. But the first ride has to be made within 120 days of the pass purchase.
irrationalconsumer
1602 Posts
160 Reputation
How do you work on the train? The amtrak wifi is garbage based on my experience
IlluminatusCU
4566 Posts
124 Reputation
Not just the distance between cities but the layout. In most cities you're gonna need to rent a car over and over to get around within town, and if you're doing that - just rent the car and drive the distance.

174 Comments

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Jun 09, 2021 04:18 PM
7,454 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
KManJun 09, 2021 04:18 PM
7,454 Posts
Quote from avitron142 :
I've wanted to go on vacation (solo) but the increase in car rental prices have made it problematic. Is this a good alternative for someone who wants to plan out a trip through the US, around cities/areas that have public transportation and doesn't need a car?

And you'd still need to find a place to sleep for each of the destinations, right? Any thoughts from those who've done this before? I've never been on vacation (the fam doesn't approve of young me driving alone) and so hoping someone who's a veteran can speak up!
If your family doesn't want you driving far from home alone let alone for an extended road trip, then a solo train trip in the US might not be such a good idea. And how would you get around once you got off the train if you won't rent a car? Buses and local transit in unfamiliar locations might be sketchy for a young person who's never been far away from home for long. But putting aside your specific situation, yes, seeing the country by train is a great alternative to driving. I've done both and each has its pros and cons. Driving means flexibility, while trains allow you to rest and enjoy the view and meet new people. But, again, in your situation I'd put safety and security above any of this.
1
Jun 09, 2021 04:22 PM
329 Posts
Joined Apr 2010
joeybearJun 09, 2021 04:22 PM
329 Posts
Quote from KMan :
Who says you have to use big city stations? There are plenty of stops in small towns and touristy places like Glacier NP MT, Grand Junction CO, New River Gorge WV, etc. You get off, rent a car, sightsee for a few days and stay in local motels, then get back on the train till the next destination. The idea is to rest during those long stretches between destinations and not have to drive and deal with restless kids, so you arrive rested and ready to enjoy them. You or at least the kids might also enjoy the train since there's room to stretch out, walk around, get a hot meal, etc. If you can splurge and get a room all the more fun. They even have a special family bedroom in every car. And you can shower!
It says a regular seat but there are family bedrooms?
Jun 09, 2021 04:24 PM
17 Posts
Joined Apr 2015
CassandraB1242Jun 09, 2021 04:24 PM
17 Posts
Quote from DrVanNostrum :
No comparison between the two. My wife and I rode the train all through Italy and loved it. I wouldn't set foot on Amtrax if you give me a ticket.
Why not?
Jun 09, 2021 04:30 PM
1,223 Posts
Joined Jul 2014
PoppinPenelliJun 09, 2021 04:30 PM
1,223 Posts
how much baggage can you carry on a train ride? Overages?
Jun 09, 2021 04:31 PM
481 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
avitron142Jun 09, 2021 04:31 PM
481 Posts
Quote from KMan :
If your family doesn't want you driving far from home alone let alone for an extended road trip, then a solo train trip in the US might not be such a good idea. And how would you get around once you got off the train if you won't rent a car? Buses and local transit in unfamiliar locations might be sketchy for a young person who's never been far away from home for long. But putting aside your specific situation, yes, seeing the country by train is a great alternative to driving. I've done both and each has its pros and cons. Driving means flexibility, while trains allow you to rest and enjoy the view and meet new people. But, again, in your situation I'd put safety and security above any of this.
Fair point, I'm just not the best driver, they luckily trust my decisions otherwise. I was thinking about perhaps bringing a foldable bike. Any cities you would highly recommend here?
Last edited by avitron142 June 9, 2021 at 10:37 AM.
Jun 09, 2021 04:33 PM
1,560 Posts
Joined Nov 2009
baracludeJun 09, 2021 04:33 PM
1,560 Posts
Rail is the future. We simply can't keep expanding highways.
2
Jun 09, 2021 04:35 PM
24 Posts
Joined Dec 2018
nemtracJun 09, 2021 04:35 PM
24 Posts
Quote from baraclude :
Rail is the future. We simply can't keep expanding highways.
We can build highways up Smilie

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Jun 09, 2021 04:42 PM
7,454 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
KManJun 09, 2021 04:42 PM
7,454 Posts
Quote from avitron142 :
Fair point, I'm just not the best driver, they luckily trust my decisions otherwise. I was thinking about perhaps bringing a foldable bike. Any cities you would highly recommend here?
Depends on where you're based and how far you're willing and eager to travel, and of course your interests, personality, budget, etc. If you plan on getting around by foldable bike you'll only be able to carry a small pack of clothes and things, which is limiting. I'd suggest forgetting the bike and backpacking it like they do in Europe on Eurail. If you're more into cities than national parks and rural sights, then you can't go wrong with the big ones, NYC, LA, SF, Chicago, Seattle, KC, Denver, etc., which are all serviced by Amtrak. Don't try to overdo it though or you'll tire and the rest of the trip will feel more like work than pleasure. And spend more than a day or two in most places as there's so much to see and do. Food shouldn't cost much but safe and decent accommodation might be an issue unless you have a decent budget or don't mind hostels. Good luck and be safe!
Jun 09, 2021 04:45 PM
3,624 Posts
Joined Sep 2003
starcaptorJun 09, 2021 04:45 PM
3,624 Posts
Quote from nemtrac :
We can build highways up Smilie
Im a normie living in the burbs, and while I love the freedom of driving my car everywhere, I did not miss not having one for a moment when I lived in a major city. While I wouldnt totally chuck my car, I would only need one for my family, versus three right now.

Study after study after study has shown that the more accessible and capacious you make roads, the worse that traffic becomes. People psychologically will prefer driving, and id say 2:1 ratio, they will jump on anything with increased capacity just for them (think of the carpool lanes in CA as an example).

That being said, the best use I can picture using this pass would be going up and down the acela corridor to visit my friends between DC and Boston (different from the commuter pass as that only accounts for one terminus). Each of those segments alone can cost over $100. I probably wouldnt maximize the 10 trips, but id save quite a bit of bank.

Also, b/t any of the three big cities in the NE, driving is a nightmare.
Jun 09, 2021 04:47 PM
7,454 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
KManJun 09, 2021 04:47 PM
7,454 Posts
Quote from joeybear :
It says a regular seat but there are family bedrooms?
The way Amtrak has historically worked is you pay once for the actual train ride from A to B, then pay additionally for food and rooms (and rooms include all meals for free for everyone in the room, which effectively lowers the price of the room itself if you plan to eat their meals). So you'll pay the base cost for the trip whether it's in coach or a room, then pay extra if you want a room and it's available (they fill up fast in summer and I'm guessing that pent-up demand will fill everything up within a few weeks). Go to their web site and see if availability and costs work for you where you want to go. Also, even if everything's booked, sometimes there are last-minute cancellations and you can get a room at the station or even on-board if you ask. Trust me, once you get a train room there's no going back. It's SO much nicer than coach (although Amtrak's coach is pretty nice too).
Jun 09, 2021 04:50 PM
7,454 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
KManJun 09, 2021 04:50 PM
7,454 Posts
Quote from PoppinPenelli :
how much baggage can you carry on a train ride? Overages?
Way more than on planes, even in coach. I think you're allowed to check in 2-3 suitcases per person, included in the price, and if you book a room that's in addition to what you can fit in your room AND a decent-sized public storage space in the lower level of the sleeper car. So, in coach that's 2-3 per person, and in sleepers that's 4-5. Who travels with more unless they're moving?
Jun 09, 2021 04:53 PM
7,454 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
KManJun 09, 2021 04:53 PM
7,454 Posts
Quote from CassandraB1242 :
Why not?
Snob? I agree that Euro trains are way nicer than Amtrak for so many reasons, go to way more places, and run far more often, but Amtrak isn't THAT bad for what it is. Trains are usually pretty clean and in decent shape, seats are comfortable and have lots of room to stretch and recline quite a bit, the food's not gourmet but not too bad either. It's hardly a third world nightmare with people packed like sardines and even on the roof. I've been on much worse trains abroad.
Jun 09, 2021 04:54 PM
329 Posts
Joined Apr 2010
joeybearJun 09, 2021 04:54 PM
329 Posts
Quote from KMan :
The way Amtrak has historically worked is you pay once for the actual train ride from A to B, then pay additionally for food and rooms (and rooms include all meals for free for everyone in the room, which effectively lowers the price of the room itself if you plan to eat their meals). So you'll pay the base cost for the trip whether it's in coach or a room, then pay extra if you want a room and it's available (they fill up fast in summer and I'm guessing that pent-up demand will fill everything up within a few weeks). Go to their web site and see if availability and costs work for you where you want to go. Also, even if everything's booked, sometimes there are last-minute cancellations and you can get a room at the station or even on-board if you ask. Trust me, once you get a train room there's no going back. It's SO much nicer than coach (although Amtrak's coach is pretty nice too).
Lol. Yeah I wasn't thrilled about the concept of riding with kids on regular seats the whole time. Thank you.
Jun 09, 2021 05:03 PM
87 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
BingW2893Jun 09, 2021 05:03 PM
87 Posts
train ride is not quite scenic in many places of US. In/out Philly/DC is quite depressing when you see the collapsing buildings. I was riding from Philly to Orlando with family for once, and have no plan to do that again. I think Amatrk is OK overall, better than bus/car when I communted from Philly to NYC for a year and half.
2

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Jun 09, 2021 05:25 PM
160 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
kidmoneyJun 09, 2021 05:25 PM
160 Posts
I'm trying to figure out potentially how to get the most value from this:

What exactly is a segment? Amtrak says it is getting on and off a train. So if I book a direct train from LA to Chicago (no transfers), then that is just 1 segment?

Leave a Comment

Unregistered (You)

Popular Deals

Trending Deals