Aside from a few local and light rail systems, Amtrak is the major train system in the United States. But that doesn't mean Amtrak doesn't have to compete against cheap airfares and road travel.
Amtrak's website, www.amtrak.com, offers Hot Deals which include weekly specials and discount rail passes. Children, students, international students, seniors, veterans, AAA members, military and National Association of Railroad Passengers members can all find discount opportunities at the website.
USA passes are available for 15-, 30-, and 45-day increments. As of July 2009, Amtrak also offers a California Rail Pass for seven days of travel within California inside a 21-day period.
Many online search sites help travelers find the best prices on fares in international destinations. Here are a just a few of the biggest and most useful.
Travelocity, www.travelocity.com, offers discount ticket searches for the European train systems.
Virgin Trains, www.virgintrains.co.uk, is a private, budget competitor to British Rail within the United Kingdom.
STA travel, http://www.statravel.com/, is for students looking for the best rates on not only train, but also airfare and accommodations.
International Rail, http://www.internationalrail.com/, offers pricing for trains throughout the world.
When in doubt, a full-service travel agency can often hunt down the best deals without taking up too much of your time. Local agencies are perfectly suited to this, but here are a couple of big nationals.
STA Travel, www.statravel.com, has branches throughout the United States and the world. It serves students with discount fares and rates and is not only available online, but also as a full-service travel agency.
AAA Travel, http://travel.aaa.com/, is the full service travel branch of American Automobile Association. Good prices shouldn't surprise anyone already familiar with the famous AAA member discounts honored by hotels and other organizations throughout the United States.
