Seniors who are planning a train trip can look into Amtrak, as it offers comfort, convenience, and a host of amenities. These include big seats, ample legroom, multiple dining options, and comfortable sleeping accommodations for long and overnight journeys. Further, Amtrak also has several programmed trips and journeys that are highly recommended for seniors. Some of these span over a few days and offer seniors an opportunity to explore scenic locations.
New York to Niagara
Niagara Falls is among the most beautiful locations in the country. Seniors can take the New York to Niagara roundtrip journey with Amtrak to explore the majestic waterfalls. The four-day and three-night trip includes several amenities, such as hotel accommodations and activities at Niagara Falls. On this trip, seniors will get a chance to explore the botanical gardens, dine at a popular restaurant at the Falls, and experience a relaxing time at a spa. Besides, seniors who opt to take the trip during the summer can also experience the fireworks show at Niagara Falls. The starting price of this Amtrak trip is around $580 per person before the discounts.
USA to Canada round-trip rail experience
Seniors planning a longer vacation can consider Amtrak’s USA and Canada Grand Rail Experience. This 24-day vacation offers a fantastic opportunity to explore Canada. Passengers begin their journey in Los Angeles and travel to Washington, D.C. Along the way, they get to explore five additional destinations: New York City, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, and San Francisco, before making their way back to Los Angeles. Additionally, the itinerary includes guided sightseeing in each city. The starting price for this rail experience is approximately $5,700 per person.
New York to Montreal and Quebec
This is yet another one of Amtrak’s train trips that gives seniors a chance to explore Canada. The journey begins in New York City, from where it takes the passengers to Montreal, Quebec City, and back to NYC. With a schedule of only five days, this trip is ideal for seniors who wish to take a short international trip. This Amtrak trip also includes guided sightseeing tours of the two Canadian cities and hotel accommodations for all the nights. The five-day trip takes seniors through three destinations and is the more affordable option, with a starting price of around $1000 per person.
California Zephyr
The California Zephyr, known for being one of the most beautiful train journeys in the country, takes passengers through some iconic locations and landmarks. This one-way train journey starts from Chicago and goes to San Francisco. Along the way, it takes passengers through the majestic Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. Being a one-way train journey and not a round trip, it spans only 51 hours and 20 minutes, which is a little over two days. Also, this is a continuous train journey and does not include any ports of call. So, the only accommodations available are the ones on the train. This is why it is best for seniors who are comfortable with long, continuous train travel. Also, the cost of the journey depends on several factors, such as the type of accommodation and the amenities chosen. For instance, the journey can cost between $1,600 and $3,300 for bedroom accommodation with all the meals and beverages included.
Chicago to Glacier National Park
Located in Montana, Glacier National Park is also one of the most scenic locations in the country. Seniors interested in exploring it can consider taking the Amtrak train journey from Chicago to the national park. It is a round-trip journey with a schedule of six days. The trip includes several amenities, such as three-night hotel accommodations, a boat cruise, and dinner at the Glacier Park Lodge. The trip has a starting price of around $2,300 per person.
Amtrak deals and discounts available for seniors
Standard senior discount
All seniors who are 65 years of age or older get a standard discount of 10% on the booking price of most of the Amtrak journeys. To get this discount, all they need to do is select the ‘Senior’ option when booking an Amtrak ticket. Also, when using this discount, seniors will need to have valid proof of identity and age. While this standard senior discount is available for most Amtrak bookings, it can not be used for business class or first-class accommodations.
50% discount
The Downeaster line of Amtrak offers a discount of 50% to seniors aged 65 and above. Seniors can use this discount for any destination along the New England coast on the Downeaster line.
California route discounts
Besides the New England destinations, seniors can also get a discount for select train journeys in California. These include the Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor, and San Joaquin. All seniors aged 62 and above are eligible for this 15% discount on travel fares.
Group discounts
All individuals, including seniors, can use Amtrak’s group booking discounts. The discount amount depends on the number of individuals in the group. For instance, a group of four can get a discount of 25% on all tickets, while a group of 5 can get a discount of 37%.