Families planning a trip between the Washington, D.C., area and Florida still have time to take advantage of an Amtrak deal that lets kids ages 2–12 ride free alongside a paying adult.
The limited-time promotion is available exclusively on Amtrak’s Auto Train, which runs between Lorton, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., and Sanford, Florida, near Orlando.
But families will need to book soon, as the current promotion is scheduled to end October 6, 2026, with eligible travel available through October 11.
When does Amtrak’s Kids Ride Free sale end?
The current Amtrak Kids Ride Free promotion is available for bookings through October 6, 2026.
Qualifying trips can be taken through October 11, 2026, giving families a short window to use the deal for an upcoming Florida getaway or trip back toward the Washington, D.C., area.
Amtrak says the promotion has no blackout dates, although tickets are subject to availability. Reservations must also be made at least three days before departure.
The promotion cannot be combined with other discounts, and Amtrak’s normal fare rules regarding changes and cancellations still apply.
Kids ages 2–12 can ride free with an adult
The deal is specifically for children ages 2 through 12 traveling with an adult who purchases a valid rail fare.
That means families don’t have to pay the regular rail fare for a qualifying child when the promotion is properly applied to the reservation.
The offer applies to Auto Train Coach and private rooms, including Roomettes, Bedrooms and Accessible Rooms, according to Amtrak.
Families booking the promotion need to use the designated promotional code when making their reservation through Amtrak.
What ages qualify?
The age breakdown is important because the free promotion does not apply to every passenger under 16.
- Ages 2–12: Qualify for the Kids Ride Free promotion
- Ages 13–15: Do not qualify for this specific free-kids promotion
- Under 2: Infants have separate Amtrak fare rules and can already travel free when they do not occupy their own seat
So, for families with multiple children, the savings apply specifically to the 2–12 age group.
The deal is only available on the Auto Train
One of the biggest catches is that this is not a nationwide Amtrak ‘Kids Ride Free’ promotion.
The offer is specifically tied to the Auto Train, Amtrak’s unique service connecting Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida.
For travelers in the D.C. region, Lorton is located just south of Washington, D.C., making the station an option for families throughout the greater Washington area.
On the Florida end, the Auto Train arrives in Sanford, which is in the Orlando area.
The service is particularly useful for road trips because passengers can bring their cars along on the train instead of driving the entire distance between Virginia and Florida.
That can make the Auto Train an appealing option for families who want to have their own vehicle once they arrive in Florida.
How to book the free kids’ fare
Families looking to take advantage of the promotion can book directly through Amtrak.
When searching for a trip, select the Auto Train between Lorton and Sanford and include the adult and child passengers in the reservation.
Amtrak’s promotional code (Promo Code C507) should then be entered during the booking process so the qualifying child’s fare is discounted to $0.
Before completing the purchase, travelers should check that the promotional fare has been applied correctly and that the trip falls within the eligible travel dates.
The key dates to remember are:
- October 6, 2026: Last day to purchase under the current promotion
- October 11, 2026: Last day of eligible travel
- Three days: Minimum advance purchase requirement
Because availability can vary by departure, families interested in using the deal may want to book sooner rather than waiting until the final days of the promotion.
