Jim Frazier. Photo above by jpmueller99. Mile by mile, trains use 28% less fuel than planes or cars.
Tired of the hassle of air travel? Trains are usually more comfortable and less expensive
If your next flight is short, you might want to consider taking a train instead. Besides cutting out the long lines at security, you can also relax in more spacious cabins, use your cell phone and laptop (many even have power outlets) and avoid ear popping cabin air pressurization.
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The US Amtrak system isn’t perfect. There isn’t service to every city in the US, and cross-country trains still remain slow and expensive when compared to flying. However, if you’re hopping across a few states, it can be less expensive and sometimes faster than taking a flight.
Consider a 5 hour train ride from Boston to Philadelphia. The equivalent flight takes over two hours; however, after adding in time spent arriving early plus waiting in baggage claim, you can easily spend close to 5 hours in transit. If you take the train instead, you’ll spend $157. The cheapest flight available is $265. That’s a 43% savings over flying, and you can get an additional 10-15% if you are a student, AAA member, or military.
So why are we spending more for flights that continue to raise prices, add fees for luggage, and remove basic services when there is a cheap and comfortable alternative?
We’ve pulled the prices of 21 low cost train routes that beat their lowest-priced airline competitor. To do this, we’ve used a standard set of dates for a Saturday to Saturday roundtrip ticket (to make it fair) and the prices below are accurate at the time of writing. Your results may vary depending on the date, lead time, and the mood of the airline on any given day.
Trains That Are Cheaper and Faster Than Flying
1. Boston, MA to Portland, ME
Amtrak: $48.
Cheapest Flight: $353.
Total Savings: 86%
2. Montreal, QB to Albany NY
Amtrak: $90.
Cheapest Flight: $447.
Total Savings: 80%
3. New York, NY to Philadelphia, PA
Amtrak: $86.
Cheapest Flight: $362
Total Savings: 76%
4. Seattle, WA to Vancouver, BC
Amtrak: $60.
Cheapest Flight: $248
Total Savings: 76%
Amtrak could get a big boost this year, if Congress passes a bill that will give Amtrak $15 billion to improve and expand train service. Photo above by MR38.
5. New York, NY to Albany, NY
Amtrak: $74.
Cheapest Flight: $268
Total Savings: 72%
6. Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA
Amtrak: $68.
Cheapest Flight: $245
Total Savings: 72%
7. Vancouver, BC to Portland, OR
Amtrak: $88.
Cheapest Flight: $298
Total Savings: 70%
8. Seattle, WA to Portland, OR
Amtrak: $56.
Cheapest Flight: $165
Total Savings: 66%
9. Philadelphia, PA to Washington, D.C.
Amtrak: $84.
Cheapest Flight: $182
Total Savings: 54%
10. Chicago, IL to Memphis, TN
Amtrak: $182.
Cheapest Flight: $328
Total Savings: 45%
11. Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA
Amtrak: $152.
Cheapest Flight: $265
Total Savings: 43%
Amtrak concession stand. Photo: Kafka4Prez
12. Baltimore, MD to New York, NY
Amtrak: $122.
Cheapest Flight: $193
Total Savings: 37%
13. New York, NY to Boston, MA
Amtrak: $118.
Cheapest Flight: $155
Total Savings: 24%
14. Washington, D.C. to New York, NY
Amtrak: $138.
Cheapest Flight: $155
Total Savings: 11%
Cheap Trains, Long Rides
(These fares are cheaper, but will take longer than flying)
1. New Orleans, LA to Memphis, TN
Amtrak: $100.
Cheapest Flight: $411
Total Savings: 76%
2. New York, NY to Montreal, QB
Amtrak: $122
Cheapest Flight: $427
Total Savings: 71%
3. Toronto, ON to New York, NY
Amtrak: $184.
Cheapest Flight: $398
Total Savings: 54%
4. Cinnicinati, OH to New York, NY
Amtrak: $283.
Cheapest Flight: $554
Total Savings: 49%
5. San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Amtrak: $96.
Cheapest Flight: $165
Total Savings: 42%
6. Charlotte, NC to New York, NY
Amtrak: $188.
Cheapest Flight: $274
Total Savings: 31%
7. Washington, D.C. to Chicago, IL
Amtrak: $174.
Cheapest Flight: $229
Total Savings: 24%
Other Ways to Save
If you’re booking a flight in under 14 days, you might want to compare the corresponding Amtrak fare, as airlines prices tend to increase sharply as you approach the departure day, while train tickets stay stable.
You can book online with Amtrak.
Be sure to check out the Amtrak Weekly Hot Deals
For 10 – 15% off the standard fare, see if you qualify for a Student and AAA Member Discounts.
About the Author
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14 Comments... join the discussion!
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Good summary, Christine. Normally i would take a train if it is under 5 hours. And i always wanted to try the train to Alaska.
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Nice article, those write very useful to me… many thanks
Elane
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If I want to take a train from San Jose to Miami,what will I do?
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Just a small correction… It’s Montreal, QC. Not QB.
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We take the VIA Rail train from Niagara Falls to Toronto a couple of times a year. It’s like sitting in your living room reading the paper and before you know it you’re in Union Station.
As far as price, we still laugh about when I first got the tickets online. I signed up for my Senior Discount and VIA immediately reclassified my girlfriend from Adult to “Seniors Companion” and gave her a free ticket.
Can’t have these Seniors wandering the train unsupervised now, can we?
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I’m curious about where you get your air-fare information. I’ve checked a few of the flights and 100% of the time up to now the flights have been cheaper, averaging around 40% cheaper. I’m getting flight information from continental btw.
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very nice list. its one of the best news for poor tourist. thanks for sharing
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I actually find the trains in North America to be quite expensive (comparatively). Buses are a fraction of the cost, and nearly as comfortable, quick, and efficient (for ex. Vancouver – Seattle roughly $20, instead of $60 train……likewise, Montreal – NYC is probably half the price on the Greyhound bus vs. Amtrak)
I also agree with another commenter that those flights are “worst case scenario” fares. Much cheaper flights are often available for those routes.
That said, I still think traveling on the ground is definitely the way to see a country
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Train travel is such a great way to see everything when you travel. When you fly you miss so much.
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The South Shore from South Bend,In to Chicago is way cheaper then flying and is probably cheaper than driving once you factor in gas and tolls.
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I will be travelling to the USA inMay from South Africa. I am wanting to travel to Chicago( Midwest, for skydiving) and Iowa in particular, and to also include a trip across to Alaska ( where i am hoping to get a float plane rating.) I have heard about a hop on hop air ( flight ) available does anyone have any info. on this?? Would Amtrak be a good option. I like the idea of travelling to Alaska “on the ground” to take in the surrounds. Of course all this within a 24 year olds budget!!!Any advise would be most welcome.
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The details on travel by train in Canada and USA were very useful. I am thinking of making a trip from the UK in Sept to Toronto then New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Do you have any more tips.
regards
Colin Cross↵ -
Thanks for the tip, but I’m way ahead of you!
I always catch the train or bus. Just can’t afford air fare. I’ll fly only if I’m in a real hurry.
Good article.
Nick.
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