Railroaded: Good Discounts and a Source for Inside Information

E.M. Foster once wrote "Railroad termini are the gates to the glorious and the unknown. Through them we pass out into adventure and sunshine."

There's truth as well as poetry of his sentiments. Traveling by rail, even when the trains are old and the WiFi spotty, has an excitement to it that's hard to match. Or at least that's the way I feel. When I have the choice between plane, train and car, I inevitably go for the clickety clack of the rails.

Finding good prices and information on train travel can be tricky though. One of the sources I frequently consult is the most obvious: Amtrak's website.  On its deals page are inevitably money saving offers, available to anyone who take the time to look. Currently, 71 offers are up, divided by region. Some examples:

• Buy-One-Get-One-Free: New York or Montreal to Ticonderoga, aboard the Adirondack, purchase by October 28
• 25% off Northeast Regional service for those who book 14 days in advance
• 30% off train January trips anywhere on the lines between Dallas and St Louis, book by October 31
• 25% off train travel to Seattle for those who book by Nov 12; $5 off the King Tut exhibit, too

These are just a few of the current Amtrak sales listed.

For information on train travel to other parts of the globe, I have to thank Seth Kugel, the New York Times' Frugal Travelers columnist for opening my eyes to a terrific site called The Man in Seat Sixty One. It offers helpful links for information and ticket purchases on trains from Armenia to Zambia. The site is a well-spring of information, covering such topics as rail passes, classic rail journeys, and  the difference between first class and economy seating on a number of different train systems. Thinking about booking a sleeper car? The site contains helpful photos of what you're in for if you decide to sleep on the train (and facilities can vary widely from country to country). A very helpful site.

Happy rails to all!