Golden train travel opportunities for seniors are available year-round with boomer breaks on train fares, rail tours and rail passes (just remember that age-eligibility varies by offer). In the USA, ages 65+ receive a 10% discount on most rail fares on most Amtrak trains. North of the border, VIA Rail Canada generally extends a 10% discount to travelers aged 60+ — and that includes all cross-border VIA/Amtrak connections. AARP members save 15% on Grand Canyon Railway tickets and the 2-night Canyon Explorer Package.
ACPRail offers European seniors over 60 train travel discount on BritRail, Eurail Ireland, Eurail Romania, and Balkan Flexi passes (Seniors living in Europe can save on Interrail Global passes). If your plans call for extensive travel in a single European country, discount cards like Britain’s Senior Railcard, France’s Carte Senior+, and Italy’s Carta d’Argento (available directly through individual railways) can save you money. Vacations by Rail also offers AARP members discounts on a range of international tours.
Smart Amtrak travelers of any age know that Amtrak Smart Fares are the best way to go. Advance-purchase Amtrak Smart Fares change every week based on availability and can save you up to 30% (A recent sampling of Amtrak one-way Smart Fares brought up LA – Flagstaff $51.80, Philly-DC $40.60, Albany-Buffalo $35.70, Houston-San Antonio 55.30, and Chicago-Memphis $75.60). Here’s how it works: New Amtrak Smart Fares are added each Tuesday. Book Tuesday through Friday for travel days from from one to four weeks ahead. Smart Fares are good for travel every day except Sundays and Fridays but quantities are limited and sell out fast.
Everyone knows you can save on virtually anything on eBay and that includes Amtrak travel. An eBay search in mid August (keyword: Amtrak, category: travel} turned up over a dozen money saving offers. eBay search results included companion discount coupons, upgrade coupons, plus vouchers for cash savings of up to 40% and more on all Amtrak travel (like a $219 voucher going for $126 and a $1126 voucher asking $676 or best offer).
