Ride The Rails and Save
Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada Feature Senior Specials
Older folks in the USA get a discount on railroad travel throughout North America.
Many air carriers have a separate slot for seniors in their online order forms, but on most plane fares you don't get a cent off. Amtrak, on the other hand, still offers travelers 62 and over a 15% discount on the applicable adult rail fare. There are a lot of exceptions, some of them biggies, but if you don't mind riding the slower rails you can get some terrific trips, both short haul and long distance.
The discount does not apply to:
- Sleeper accommodations
- The Auto Train
- Weekday Acela Express service
- Weekday Metroliner service
Another real rail deal: The North America Rail Pass. It provides you with 30 consecutive travel days of unlimited rides and stopovers throughout the United States and Canada. VIA Rail Canada is Canada's premier passenger rail provider.
Here's the fine print -- you can travel for up to 30 consecutive days over more than 28,000 miles. The cost for Peak times is :$899. For off-Peak: it's $638. Amtrak defines these as
Off-Peak: Now - May 24, 2007 and
October 16, 2007 - May 22, 2008.
Peak: May 25, 2007 - October 15, 2007
Coach or Sleeper? The pass entitles you to Coach Class travel, but you may upgrade to Business Class or Sleeping Car accommodations for an additional charge. Once again, the pass is not valid for travel on Acela Express or the Auto Train.
Think North Your trip must include at least one journey between the United States and Canada. and must include travel on both Amtrak and Via Rail Canada.
More Rules The last trip taken with the pass must end before midnight on the last day the pass is valid. Pass holders must obtain a ticket for each trip. The pass may be used for a maximum of four one-way trips on any given leg.
Good Deal:
Even with the restrictions, this certainly sounds like a great way to spend a month. You can start on your quest for a North America Rail Pass by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or your travel agent for reservations. Canadian Residents: Contact your travel agent or call VIA Rail Canada at 1-888-842-7245. Reservations are required on all segments of travel. Once reservations are made, pick the tickets and passes up at a staffed station or have them sent via Amtrak's Ticket-by-Mail service. A minimum of five days is generally required to send them. Strangely enough, this is one sale that cannot be taken advantage of online.
Finally, ask if there are any other restrictions. You never know.
Is it worth it?
Think: New York to Montreal, then across Canada to the Canadian Rockies... Florida north to Vermont… Vancouver south to Los Angeles.
All aboard!
