If you’re looking for a cheaper way to travel between Washington, DC, New York, Boston and other Northeast Corridor cities, Amtrak just made its Night Owl fares a little more flexible.
The railroad has expanded the discounted travel window, giving passengers more opportunities to find lower fares outside the busiest daytime hours.
The expanded Night Owl fares are available on select trains departing between 6 pm and 8 am, and the offer now covers trains traveling between Washington, D.C. and Boston.
Even better, travelers still get Amtrak’s standard Coach experience, including spacious seats, free Wi-Fi and power outlets, while paying a lower fare when their schedule fits the Night Owl window.
What are Amtrak’s new Night Owl fares?
Amtrak’s expanded Night Owl program offers lower Coach fares on select trains departing between 6 pm and 8 am along the Northeast Corridor.
The expanded hours give travelers an extra hour on both ends compared with the previous 7 pm to 7 am Night Owl window.
The fares are valid on trains traveling between Boston and Washington, D.C., including stops throughout the Northeast Corridor.
Amtrak’s current sample one-way fares include:
- $10 from New York to Philadelphia
- $20 from Boston to New York
- $25 from Boston to Philadelphia
- $30 from Washington, D.C. to Boston
And this isn’t a stripped-down travel experience.
Passengers can expect large leather seats with plenty of legroom, no middle seats, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and downtown-to-downtown service.
Travelers can also bring one personal item and two bags free of charge, while the Quiet Car is available for those hoping to get some rest.
What does this mean for travelers along the Northeast?
For travelers between major Northeast Corridor cities, the expanded hours could make it easier to save money without having to take an especially late-night or early-morning train.
That’s particularly useful for people heading out of Washington, D.C. after work or returning from a trip in the morning.
A departure shortly after 6 pm can now qualify for the lower Night Owl pricing, while trains departing as late as 8 am can also fall within the discounted window.
The expanded fares cover the corridor between Washington, D.C. and Boston, meaning travelers can potentially find lower fares for trips involving cities including Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and New Haven, depending on the specific train and available seating.
For anyone willing to shift their travel time away from the busiest daytime departures, it’s worth checking the Night Owl fare before booking a regular Coach ticket.
What’s the catch?
The biggest catch is that Night Owl fares are not available on every train.
Amtrak says seating is limited and may not be available on all trains, dates or departures, so travelers will need to check their specific trip before counting on the discounted price.
Here are some other important restrictions to keep in mind:
- The discounted fares are valid only for departures scheduled between 6 pm and 8 am.
- Coach is the only eligible class.
- Changes and cancellations are subject to the rules of the fare purchased.
- Fares, routes and schedules can change without notice.
- Blackout dates, restrictions and refund rules may apply depending on the fare.
- Night Owl fares cannot be booked using Amtrak Guest Rewards points.
- Points & Cash bookings are also excluded.
There’s also an important overnight New York travel caveat: Moynihan Train Hall is closed from 1 am to 5 am daily.
Amtrak advises passengers departing from or arriving at Penn Station during those hours to plan accordingly.
For travelers with flexible schedules, however, the expanded window gives the Night Owl deal considerably more room to work.
If you’re planning a Northeast Corridor trip, it may be worth checking the 6 pm to 8 am departures first to see whether one of the lower fares is available.
