When you are a student, traveling can cost a lot of money. But if you want to take a train, Amtrak has a student discount. This can help you save money and still travel in a nice way. Maybe you are going home for school breaks. Or perhaps you are traveling for a student job or just to see new places. This guide tells you all about Amtrak’s student discount, how much you can save, and the right way to buy your tickets.
How Students Can Travel by Train Cheaply—Thanks to Amtrak
For students, Amtrak is a good way to travel around the U.S. It often costs less than flying. You usually have more space than on a bus. Plus, Amtrak trains often have free Wi-Fi, places to plug in your electronics, and lots of room for your legs. If you are a student, Amtrak offers discounts to help you pay less for your trip. You just need to know where to find these deals and how to book your ticket.
What is the Amtrak Student Discount?
Amtrak offers a discount for students that can be up to 15% off the normal ticket price. This discount is usually for regular seats (coach class). Amtrak does this to help students travel during the school year and for holidays.
Sometimes, this discount is part of special deals in certain parts of the country. Other times, Amtrak might work with schools to offer it. You might also find deals for a short time that need a special code word (a promo code) when you buy your ticket.
Who Can Get the Student Discount?
To get Amtrak’s student discount, you usually need to:
- Be between 17 and 24 years old.
- Have a real student ID card from your school that you can show when you get on the train.
- Use the right promo code when you buy your ticket (if the deal needs one).
- Buy your ticket at least 3 days before you travel (this is true for most deals).
- Be a student going to a high school, college, or university.
Some special student deals might also need you to:
- Have an email address from your school (the kind that ends in .edu).
- Prove you are a student through special student discount websites or apps, like Student Beans or UNiDAYS.
How Much Money Can You Save and Where Does the Discount Work?
Most of the time, Amtrak student discounts save you 10% to 15% off the price an adult would normally pay. This discount often works on train trips in certain areas of the country, including:
- Northeast Regional & Acela trains (these go between places like Boston, New York City, and Washington D.C.)
- Pacific Surfliner (this train goes between places like San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego in California)
- Hiawatha Service (between Chicago and Milwaukee)
- Amtrak Midwest (trains in states like Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri)
- Carolinian, Piedmont, and other train lines that get help from state governments.
Good to know:
- The discount usually does not work for fancy seats like Acela Business Class, or for sleeping rooms on the train, or first-class seats.
- The discount might not be available for all trains or on all days. This is especially true during very busy holiday times when many people travel (these are called blackout periods).
How to Book a Student Discount Fare on Amtrak
Here’s how you can book your student discount ticket online:
- Go to the Amtrak website or open the Amtrak app on your phone.
- Type in the city you want to leave from and the city you want to go to. Also, pick the dates you want to travel.
- When you choose how many people are traveling, pick “Adult.” (The special promo code will take care of the discount.)
- Find the box to type in a promo code. Enter the correct code for the student discount (for example, a code like V814, or another code that a special student deal tells you to use).
- Look at the ticket prices that show up. You should see a cheaper price option if the discount worked.
- Finish buying your ticket.
Important: Bring your student ID card with you when you travel. The Amtrak workers on the train (conductors) might ask to see it.
You can also try to buy student discount tickets at an Amtrak train station or by calling Amtrak’s help line. But it is often easiest to do it online.
Rules and Important Things to Know (Like Blackout Dates)
Before you buy your ticket, remember these important things:
- Blackout dates: The discount might not work during busy holidays (like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Spring Break).
- Buy early: For most deals, you need to buy your ticket at least 3 days before your trip.
- No other discounts: You usually cannot use the student discount with other discount papers (coupons) or when you are using points you have saved up.
- Show your ID: You must have your real student ID card with you and show it if asked.
- Coach class only: The discount is usually just for regular seats (coach class).
If you are not sure if the discount will work for your trip, check the rules on Amtrak’s official website. You can also call their customer support to ask.
Other Ways Students Can Save Money on Amtrak Trains
If you cannot get a student discount for your trip, here are some other ways you might save money:
- Saver Fares: These are tickets that cost a lot less if you buy them very early. But, you usually cannot get your money back if you change your plans.
- Amtrak Guest Rewards: This is like a club where you earn points every time you buy Amtrak tickets. Later, you can use your points to get free tickets.
- Multi-Ride or Monthly Passes: If you often travel the same way (like from home to school and back), these special tickets can save you money.
- Email Deals: Sign up for emails from Amtrak.com. They sometimes send out promo codes for deals in different parts of the country.
Travel for Less Money and Less Worry!
Amtrak’s student discount is a smart way to make your travel money go further. This is especially helpful during the busy school year. If you plan a little, find the right deal or secret code word, you could save up to 15% on some train trips. Plus, traveling by train is often more comfortable than other ways to go.
Remember to buy your tickets early, always look for special deals for your area, and don’t forget to carry your student ID with you. Happy travels—and make sure you don’t miss your train!
We hope this guide helps you save money on your next Amtrak trip! If you have used the Amtrak student discount or have other tips for saving on train travel, please share your thoughts in the comments below.