With just 13 days until Turkey Day, now is the time to solidify your holiday travel plans. In most cases, last-minute flights to and from major cities during Thanksgiving week are far from a frugal option.
Fortunately, travelers determined to get to grandmother’s house to share in a festive Thanksgiving feast don’t have to rely solely on the airlines. Amtrak is moving full speed ahead with a campaign to reunite families this Thanksgiving.
The passenger train corporation offers 30 routes to more than 500 destinations in 46 states. With a single ticket you can visit the most popular destinations in North America, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C., Montreal and New Orleans. What’s more, you can typically do so for less than it would cost to travel via plane, especially if you factor in the astronomical fees airlines charge these days.
Another benefit of traveling Amtrak to get to your Thanksgiving destination is that you can score weekly discounts on the company’s website. Amtrak also features a slew of promotional codes throughout the year for reduced rates on various itineraries. The codes change on a regular basis and depending on when you plan to travel, you can take advantage of savings of up to 50 percent off regular ticket prices. Amtrak also caters to certain cash-strapped groups, including seniors and students. Finally, veterans and AAA members can score up to 15 percent off Amtrak tickets.
If you are really looking to cut down on your train travel costs, consider bringing along your own food and beverages. While Amtrak offers a convenient snack car, food items can add up pretty quick. For a short trip, you could stock up on light snacks and bring them along in a backpack. However, on overnight rides, you can save a ton of money by bringing a cooler and filling it with sandwiches, wraps and cold drinks.
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