Avoid holidays and peak travel periods to get the best fares. Expect Thanksgiving, Christmas, early January and Easter to be high-traffic times to travel. More generally, from April to September tends to be the most congested and expensive period to travel because of summer vacation travelers. If you do not have children, consider traveling during the school year to enjoy less crowded travel conditions. Weekends and the "shoulder days," Friday and Monday, are often the busiest travel days of the week.
Expect the train to run late occasionally, so refrain from scheduling same-day connections from one long-distance train to another. If you miss your connection, you may have to wait several days for another train going to your destination.
Try to travel on days before the full moon if you want to enjoy nighttime views of the scenery. Use a U.S. Naval Oceanography Sunrise/Sunset calendar to help you determine the best times for your trip.
Study the timetables and route information found on the Amtrak website. Even if you choose to have a travel agent book your trip, Amtrak recommends initially exploring its website yourself and using its interactive route atlas to get a good idea of the options available for your trip. Look out for trains that do not run daily; many long-distance trains run only 2-3 times a week. Using the website, you can find out which cities offer train service and get an idea of the timetable for the service. If you need trip ideas, you can browse famous Amtrak train routes such as the "Coast Starlight" (Seattle-Los Angeles) or "Capitol Limited" (Washington D.C.-Chicago).
Look for special discounts and package deals available on the routes you want to travel. Amtrak suggests booking as early as possible to get the best available fares and to secure your accommodations. Consider purchasing a rail pass (available in 15-, 30- and 45-day increments) if you plan to travel extensively, because it can save you a significant amount of money.
Book sleeping cars for maximum comfort on overnight trips, but keep in mind that this service can significantly increase the price of your trip. Because Amtrak trains generally sell out days or weeks in advance, reserve your entire trip in advance and do not plan on making changes while en route.
