You Can Now Secure $19 Amtrak Tickets to D.C. for the Peak Cherry Blossom Season

Getting a jump on your spring travel plans can help you shake off the winter blues. Amtrak’s Northeast Getaways Sale is offering one-way coach tickets for as low as $19 between cities such as Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., for travel from February 1 to May 26, 2022.

This means that if you're flexible with your travel times, opting for nonpeak hours and weekdays, you could visit Washington, D.C. during the peak cherry blossom season in late March for just $38 round trip from New York City. (While predictions for 2022 are still pending, the peak bloom in 2021 occurred on March 28.)

Keep in mind that some COVID-19 restrictions remain in effect in Washington, D.C. Face masks are mandatory indoors until at least February 28, 2022. As of January 15, 2022, individuals aged 12 and over must show proof of at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose to enter indoor venues in D.C., including restaurants, theaters, and concert halls. From February 15, 2022, proof of two vaccine doses will be required.

Not planning a trip to D.C.? These discounted coach tickets are also valid for travel within the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C., allowing you to visit other cities like New York, Philadelphia, or Baltimore. This includes services on the Northeast Regional, Carolinian, Pennsylvanian, Keystone, Vermonter, Crescent, Cardinal, Palmetto, Silver Star, and Silver Meteor routes within the Northeast Corridor. The sale also features business-class fares on the Acela starting at $49 one way.

Alongside benefits like free Wi-Fi and the convenience of traveling with your pet for only $26 or your bike for an even lower fee (usually $20 or less), Amtrak has implemented numerous COVID precautions to ensure passenger safety. Face masks remain mandatory for all customers aged two and up on Amtrak trains. Additionally, all trains are equipped with filtration systems that refresh the air every four to five minutes. If you need to change your travel plans, Amtrak is currently waiving all change fees for reservations made by April 30, 2022.

To take advantage of these reduced fares, tickets must be purchased between January 26 and 29, 2022, for travel scheduled from February 1 to May 26, 2022. (Discounted prices are not applicable for travel on Sundays.) For further details and to make a booking, visit amtrak.com/northeast-getaways-sale.

This article was initially published on March 23, 2021, and has been updated with new sale details as of January 27, 2022.