Planning a Trip by Train

Most Americans are fairly proficient when it comes to traveling by car or by plane: they know how to prepare, how to book the tickets, and what to bring. Traveling by train isn’t all that different, but there are some special tips that will help travelers plan in the most successful and cost-effective fashion.

After making the initial decision to travel by train, it is important decide which train company to use. For those traveling in the United States, Amtrak is usually the best choice because it has the most trains and goes almost everywhere. For those traveling in specific locations there may be other choices available, but Amtrak is almost everywhere.

Most seasoned travelers know that when they are looking for plane tickets, they should check and re-check fares repeatedly, especially if they are buying online. Prices vary by the second. This isn’t the case with train tickets; rather, fares generally continue to rise as the travel date approaches. As a result it’s best to book tickets as early as possible. Amtrak allows travelers to book up to eleven months in advance. Although train tickets are available through travel agents, through train companies, or over the internet, certain specials are only available online, so you may want to at least look at rates online before you buy.

As with plane tickets, however, the best rates are available to those who are flexible with their travel dates. As you’re searching, enter several dates and times in order to find the best price. Some websites have an option that allows you to search with flexible dates. Be sure to look into special discounts for AAA members, children, students, and senior citizens. Certain rail companies also offer weekly specials just like airlines, and those are worth perusing as well.

Another similarity between train and plane travel is that there are often several ways to get from one point to another. Some have more hassles but also allow travelers to save money. Be sure to look at the routes available for your trip so you will know how often and where you will be stopping. Novice travelers may want to avoid short stops at large stations to minimize the chance of missing a connection.

Those traveling to several locations may want to consider rail passes. These allow riders to travel as much as they want through a state, region, country, or set of countries for a period of time. For example, some train companies offer a month-long passes that allow travelers to go anywhere in North America or Canada.

Once you have bought your ticket and printed out the timetables, make sure to check back before your trip begins. Double checking train arrival times is easy to do online and important in case any changes are made. This is also much easier than trying to read a complicated timetable at the station.