Explore the Nation by Train for $299 with Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass

If you're ready to embark on an unforgettable cross-country train adventure, Amtrak has you covered. The leading rail operator in the country is offering a 30-day USA Rail Pass for just $299, a $200 discount off the regular price of $499.

This special offer is valid until January 20 and allows travelers to enjoy up to 10 rides within a 30-day timeframe. The first segment can be booked up to 120 days after purchasing the pass, with the 30-day period commencing with the first journey.

Customers can buy the pass at Amtrak.com, where they can also schedule and adjust each leg of their rail adventure. Pass holders will receive an electronic ticket for every booked train trip, which must be shown to the conductor when boarding.

Among the approximately 500 destinations served by Amtrak, some of the most popular routes within the rail network (most of which can be reserved using the USA Rail Pass) include:

• Coast Starlight: a breathtaking 35-hour journey from Seattle to Los Angeles, often regarded as the most scenic train ride in the United States.
• California Zephyr: a route from Chicago to Northern California.
• Lake Shore Limited: travels from either New York City or Boston to Chicago.
• Empire Builder: connects Portland and Chicago.
• Sunset Limited: runs from New Orleans to Los Angeles.
• Southwest Chief: operates between Chicago and Los Angeles.

The USA Rail Pass does not apply to Acela service, the popular Auto Train route from Virginia to Florida, or the stops in Canada on the Maple Leaf line.

When using the USA Rail Pass, travelers are limited to two round trips (four one-way trips) between the same two stations. For those needing frequent travel between the same destinations, Amtrak recommends its multi-ride pass.

Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass is exclusively for coach class travel (only Saver and Value fares—segments that only offer Flexible fares cannot be booked with the rail pass), and upgrades to business class or private room accommodations are not available with this pass.

However, this shouldn’t deter train enthusiasts from crafting their dream cross-country rail adventures, perhaps breaking them up with cozy overnight stays between segments (which seems like the perfect way to utilize the pass and explore various U.S. destinations).

A travel segment for the USA Rail Pass is defined as the journey when a passenger boards and disembarks from one of Amtrak’s scheduled trains. If the journey requires transferring between trains, that will count as two separate segments for the USA Rail Pass.

Members of Amtrak’s loyalty program, Amtrak Guest Rewards, can earn two points for every dollar spent on the purchase of a USA Rail Pass. These points will be credited to your account after you complete your first segment of travel. However, it's important to note that you cannot buy a USA Rail Pass using points.

This article was initially published in 2022 but has been updated with the latest information.