How to Find Cheap Train Fares

If you are planning to travel by train in the United States, you are limited to one choice, Amtrak. With no competition, opportunities for discounted train tickets are limited. However, check frequently for special deals and take advantage of discounted fares for people in certain categories.

Things You'll Need

• Discount cards
• Computer with Internet

Tips For you
Passenger Discounts

1. Research passenger discounts offered by Amtrak. Children 2 to 15 pay half price, and kids under 2 ride for free. AAA members get a 10 percent discount, including already discounted children's fares. Active duty US military personnel and their families receive a 15 percent discount. The same goes for students with a Student Advantage card. Seniors, 62 and older, save 15 percent off the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak routes.
2. Look for weekly specials advertised on the Amtrak website (Amtrak.com), but note the restrictions. The special one-way fares are not available for travel on Fridays or Sundays. The specials are for coach seats only, with no upgrades allowed. Fares are non-refundable and exchanges are not permitted. The specials cannot be combined with any other discount offer.
3. Check the website frequently for last minute deals; time-limited discounts of 15 to 50 percent off published fares; and other offers such as the annual special for families visiting colleges. In 2011, Amtrak has a "Buy One, Get One 50% Off" with Campus Visit Program. Tickets must be purchased tickets by December 17, 2011.

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Train Trips in the United States

Even though many metropolitan areas do not have regular train service, a wide range of train trips are available across the United States. Steam train enthusiasts can join excursions on restored steam engines from the golden days of rail, while Amtrak’s network offers a choice of over 500 destinations. Train trips can last from a few hours to a week or more, in accommodations ranging from coach class seats to traditional sleeping cars with bedrooms.

Rio Grande Scenic Railroad

• The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad in Southwest Colorado was known as the "Scenic Line of the World" in days gone by. Today the line operates steam and diesel trains with a fleet that includes remodeled 1950s dome cars featuring panoramic views, as well as a 1930s open window car. Trains run daily from Alamosa to the historic Western towns of La Veta, Antonito or Monte Vista. The line also offers a connection to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Antonito. Meals are served in private dining cars.

  Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
  877-726-7245
  riograndescenicrailroad.com

Amtrak Crescent

• The Amtrak Crescent is an overnight trip that runs daily from New York via Atlanta to New Orleans. Scenic highlights include the Blue Ridge foothills and the Louisiana bayou country, and the itinerary includes stops in Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Atlanta. The trip is 30 hours long, with accommodations in coach or sleeper classes. A hot dinner is served in the dining car, and the Crescent has a comfortable lounge and cafe car. The Trails & Rails interpretive program, a partnership between the National Park Service and Amtrak, offers passengers opportunities to learn about America's natural and cultural heritage while on board.

  Amtrak Crescent
  800-872-7245
  amtrak.com

Alaska's National Parks by Rail

• Denali Star, Alaska Railroad’s signature tour train, follows the rail from Anchorage to Fairbanks on this six-day tour to two of the country’s most scenic national parks: Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park. The itinerary includes a 12-hour bus tour into the heart of Denali, and a raft trip at Spencer Glacier. Overnight in Anchorage, Denali and Girdwood. The line offers reclining seats, picture windows, a popular dining service and onboard tour guides. Passengers can upgrade to bi-level coaches featuring unique sky dome lounges. The tour is offered from May 15 through September 14.

  Alaska Railroad Corporation
  800-544-0552
  alaskarailroad.com

Amtrak California Zephyr

• The Amtrak California Zephyr is a popular two-night transcontinental train trip from Chicago to San Francisco (Emeryville), with stops in Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake and Reno. Ride the train through the heart of the Rocky Mountains and view the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, the Glenwood Canyon and the Truckee River along the way. Reserve a coach seat or a choice of sleeper accommodations for this 51-hour trip. The Zephyr offers a dining car and a lounge car as well as lounges for first-class passengers in Chicago and Washington. The California Zephyr has motor coach connections from Emeryville to San Francisco and Oakland stations.

  Amtrak California Zephyr
  800-872-7245
  amtrak.com

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Train Rides & Tourist Attractions in Pennsylvania

When people think of Pennsylvania, they may think of Hershey's chocolate in Harrisburg, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, or Amish residents in Lancaster. Many tourist attractions surround Pennsylvania. This state even has rare train rides for the entire family. Surprise yourself by seeing what Pennsylvania has to offer in the tourism industry.

The Constitutional Walking Tour and Surrounding Areas

• Philadelphia is rich in our nation's history, and the Constitutional Walking Tour self-guides you with an interactive map for three miles where you can visit various historical places, including the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House. Thirty-two locations make up this free self-guided tour. Fees vary depending on where you visit. Just as Rocky Balboa did in the movie "Rocky," climb the 72 steps and raise your hands at the top at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Lancaster County

• Home to the Dutch Amish country, Lancaster has plenty of things to do and see. Thomas the Tank Engine waits for riders at its home, namely the Choo Choo Barn, which opened in 1961. With 22 trains running today, The Choo Choo Barn boasts Thomas the Tank Engine as the most popular ride for kids. Rare oddities lie on shelves in the gift shop. Admission prices for adults 12 and up are $7 and $4 for kids 3-11 as of January 2011. Kids under 3 enter free.

Hershey Park

• Before entering the park, head into Chocolate World, where you can take a free tour in a trainlike ride and see thousands of assorted chocolates. If you like the smell of chocolate, the aroma produced in Chocolate World will make you crave chocolate all day. Then, head into Hershey Park; if you want to avoid long lines and a crowd, visit Hershey Park on a Sunday, according to its website. Prices vary depending on age, time of day and promotions.

Cherry Crest Farm

• Do something a little unusual and visit Cherry Crest Farm. Try to make your way through their "maize maze" of corn. In 2007, it made a Sports Illustrated for Kids list of "25 cool things to do" for kids. Take a guided wagon tour, watch a singing chicken show or jump on a gigantic pillow. Cherry Crest Farm has more than 50 activities, including harvesting festivals.

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Bay Area Train Rides

The San Francisco Bay Area has BART, part monorail, part train, depending on what part of town you’re in. That’s short for Bay Area Rapid Transit. It also has AMTRAK and Caltrain, the latter a commuter service that runs from San Francisco all the way to Gilroy. These are certainly rideable and people do hop aboard just to see the sights. But for something more exciting, more vintage, it’s time to seek out the area's hidden railway gems. You might even find yourself being chased by bad guys, 1880s style.

San Francisco Zoo – Little Puffer

• The Little Puffer might be just a pint-sized version of the steam locomotives that crossed the continent nearly a century ago but it puffs out clouds of steam just like the big boys. Historians believe that the train once chugged away at Santa Cruz Beach. In 1925 it became a part of the Herbert Fleishhacker Zoo in Golden Gate Park and puffed its way around the third-of-a-mile track several times each day. After being in storage between 1978 and 1997, the Little Puffer was completely restored, thanks to mostly private donations. Once again it’s “puffing away” on a daily basis, except during rainy weather or when down for a bit of maintenance.

Oakland Area Fun Trains

• In the East Bay, the Oakland Zoo has its own Outback Express Adventure Train ride that runs through a recreated Australian landscape. Clack along on this miniature steam train replica and get a look at bouncing wallaroos and long-necked emus. The departure point is in the rides area to the right of the main gates. Other rides include a Sky Ride that takes you up and over the zoo to a nearby hill, an Endangered Species Carousel, a Tiger Coaster and a Red Baron airplane ride. Most rides, except for the Sky Ride, are geared towards the little ones. Adults and children both fit on the train. The train runs daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day when the zoo is closed. Children’s Fairyland in the heart of downtown Oakland has the Jolly Trolly, a cartoon-style train that’s been running since 1954. Its boldly colored mini-cars journey through a tunnel and into Old West Junction. The train is a tight squeeze for some adults but small children must be accompanied for the ride. Park hours vary throughout the year.

Tilden Park Trains -- Berkeley

• On the northern end of the Oakland-Berkeley Hills is Tilden Park. It’s home to the Redwood Valley Railway, located on the southern end of the park off Grizzly Peak Boulevard. The railway is open weekends year-round and on some holidays, weather permitting. Guests ride in open-air box cars on the scaled-down steam train. Golden Gate Live Steamers is also in Tilden Park but these are more like oversized, fully functional model trains. Some are big enough to ride on and rides are offered most Sundays. Golden Gate Live Steamers is near the Redwood Valley Railway.

Vintage South Bay Trains

• Niles Canyon Railway gives rides on both diesel and steam-powered trains from stations in Niles and Fremont, mostly on weekends. During the holiday season, the railway features the Train of Lights, an evening ride enhanced by Christmas lights and even Santa and his reindeer perched atop one of the train cars. Rides take about an hour and cover 13 miles round-trip. The onsite museum tracks the history of railroading in the Niles Canyon area going back to the mid-1800s. Niles Canyon was also known as a movie-making hotspot for westerns during the 1910s and 1920s. Even Charlie Chaplin came to town to be immortalized on film. If you’re an old western movie buff, you may recognize some of the scenery, sans most of the buildings of course.

Roaring Camp Railroads – Felton

• San Jose is on the southern end of the Bay Area. From here, follow Highway 17 south for 31 miles and you’ll come to Felton, a sleepy town in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Roaring Camp Railroads is a surprise hiding among the trees. It's a recreated old-time village that regularly hosts Civil War reenactments, holiday events and rides on vintage steam trains dating back to the 1800s. The Redwood Forest Steam Train ride is a little more than an hour’s journey through the Santa Cruz Mountains and includes a couple of twisty wooden trestles. Every summer Roaring Camp puts on the Great Train Robberies show where guests find out just what it was like to have outlaws try and take over your train. The good guys are there, of course, to fight back. Another option is the Santa Cruz Beach Train, taking you from the mountains to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. It’s a three-hour ride round-trip but if you like, hop off and enjoy the boardwalk and catch another train going back. Other special train rides include the Headless Horseman on Halloween, the Chanukah Train and the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train.

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Naples, Italy Rail Stations

Naples, known to the Italians as Napoli, is a key point on the Italian rail network and stands on the main north-south rail corridor. High-speed trains link Napoli with Italy’s industrial giants, Milan and Turin, to the north, via Florence and the country’s capital, Rome. To the south, you can take the same high-speed trains to Salerno and Reggio di Calabria in the toe of Italy’s “boot.” Standing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, Naples itself has a reputation for crime and corruption, but Frommer’s recommends allowing two days to see its museums, churches and an opportunity to sample delicious local food in the city regarded as the birthplace of pizza.

Napoli Centrale

• Napoli Centrale overlooks Piazza Garibaldi in central Naples. It’s the city’s largest railway station and your likely arrival point if you’re making the journey by train on national operator Trenitalia. Railways have served central Naples since 1866, but the current building is a more modern construction, finished in 1966. The station is actually built on two levels; the upper level, known as Centrale, is a hub for overground services, while the lower level, known as Garibaldi, is served by both overground trains and the Naples metro system. An estimated 137,000 people pass through on an average day, equating to 50 million per year.

Other Naples Stations

• The Centrale-Garibaldi complex isn’t Naples’ only rail station, although the alternatives tend to be used mainly by locals commuting into and away from the city. Trains leave Stazione Circumvesuviana Napoli-Porta Nolana for destinations to the south, including Pompeii, Erculano and Sorrento; these services are operated by the EAV Campana company rather than Trenitalia. The same company also runs services to the Campi Flegrei area to the west of Naples from Stazione Cumana Montesanto. The area’s name translates as “burning fields,” a clue to the volcanic activity that is its most distinctive feature.

Naples Metro

• In addition to overground rail services, Naples is also home to a small metro system. The system is made up of two lines, confusingly known as “1” and “6,” which link up with the city’s bus network and four funicular railways. At the time of publication, line 1 links the city center with suburbs to the north as far as Piscinola, but this will be extended into a circular line, incorporating stops at key sites such as Duomo in central Naples. Line 6 is much shorter but is the line to take if you want to see a soccer game at local side Napoli’s home ground, the 60,000-seat Stadio San Paolo -- just get out at Mostra.

Warnings

• Pickpockets are a problem in all Naples train stations but particularly in Napoli Centrale, warns the State Department. Be vigilant, both in the station and when you’re on the train, and never leave your luggage unattended. Italy’s State Police advise keeping your bags under close surveillance at all times and being wary of offers of help, which could be attempts to distract you. Unlicensed taxi drivers might approach you in Naples rail stations asking if you need a lift, but you should ignore them, cautions Frommer’s, as they are likely to be gypsy taxis charging vastly inflated fares.

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Train Rides Through Switzerland's Glaciers

Characterized as slow-moving rivers of solid ice, Switzerland’s glaciers carve broad valleys over eons, create river headwaters where they terminate and are indicators of rising earth temperatures. The largest glaciers are also magnificent to behold, snaking downward below snow-capped mountains like striped mega-reptiles. While Swiss trains do not take you directly to glaciers, you can view the white wonders from a distance by rail, get closer on an aerial cable car, or, where possible, traverse the icy flows on foot.

Jungfrau Railway

• Travel to a pinnacle of Europe on the Jungfrau Railway, a cogwheel all-season train. For 50 minutes, the rail cars click-clack from Kleine Scheidegg up and through a long tunnel to two stations in the tunnel. At the inside stops, windows built into the mountainside let you to peer at glaciers and alpine scenes as a primer for your final destination, the highest railroad station in Europe. At 11,333-feet elevation, the Jungfraujoch station is dubbed the Top of Europe, where you disembark to viewing areas, a restaurant and hotel. For the ultimate experience, ride an elevator up to Sphinx Observatory for panoramic scenes of the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps at 14 miles. Whether you stay in the comfort of the station’s trappings, or elect to go on an organized hike over the glacier, the snowy sights and craggy heights will take your breath away, if the altitude doesn't.

The Gornergrat Bahn

• The Gornergrat Bahn cogwheel railway climbs from the ski village of Zermatt to just over 10,000 feet elevation to the Gornergrat station. This is the second highest railway in Europe. From the open-air station, look down on the Gorner Glacer, the second longest in the Alps, and up at more than two dozen mountain peaks rising above 13,000 feet with their nascent glaciers. Clear days reveal the Matterhorn, of which some of the best views are back in Zermat. This car-free town, easily accessed by rail from Zurich, entices with its storybook allure and can capture your heart as much as any fairy tale illustration you remember as a child.
• The Glacier Express

• One of the most well-known east-west train trips in Switzerland, the Glacier Express, is a misnomer of sorts. The private train doesn’t climb up to the highest and longest glaciers, but lumbers about 20 miles an hour for a seven-hour trip from posh St. Moritz to the Swiss-perfected ski village of Zermatt. But speed is not your ally on this rail adventure. The train meanders through the “Grand Canyon” of Switzerland and by substantial numbers of glaciers in the heart of the Alps. The floweret valleys, lazy brown cows and passing Swiss chalets that look like big cuckoo clocks will make you wish that this train ride could last a lifetime. En route, if you can’t stand leaving the glacier picture show for the dining car, you can always order service at your seat.

Bernina Express

• Cross the glacier-laden Swiss Alps from north to south on the Bernina Express and enter a UNESCO section of the track, with postcard-setting vistas of valleys, tunnels, lakes, stone bridges and glaciers galore. The train originates at Chur or Davos, crosses the Bernina Pass and ends in Tirano, Italy. You can stop at the ski destination of St. Moritz, site of the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics, and experience hikes with experienced mountain guides across the Pers and Morteratsch glaciers.

Zentralbahn Luzern-Engelberg Express

• Catch the Zentralbahn Luzern-Engelberg Express at Lucerne and be whisked in 47 minutes to Engleberg and the Mt. Titlus ski area. Enter an icy world, the very heart of a glacier, the Ice Grotto by way of a revolving aerial cable car. The “Rotair” turns for 360-degree views of the Engleberg valley behind and ahead toward a deep ice crevasse. Walk through a 400-foot tunnel of outlandish ice formations and witness mystifying blue light passing through glacial ice. While the ice cave may provide a moving experience, this isn’t the kind of glacier where you experience a glacier moving. It shouldn’t leave you too cold.

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