If you’ve been thinking about taking an Amtrak trip this fall, there’s only a few days left to lock in a discounted fare.
Amtrak’s Falling Fares Sale is offering at least 25% off the Flex fare amount on eligible trains, but travelers need to book by September 30th to take advantage of the promotion.
The discounted trips are valid for travel from October 14th through December 17th, with several blackout dates and other restrictions applying.
Amtrak’s fall train sale ends September 30
The clock is ticking on Amtrak’s latest limited-time promotion, with the Falling Fares Sale scheduled to end Wednesday, September 30th.
The sale offers at least 25% off the Flex fare amount, giving travelers a chance to save on eligible Amtrak trips during the fall and early holiday season.
The promotion is particularly notable for travelers planning autumn getaways, November trips or early December journeys, although availability will depend on the specific train and departure.
Amtrak says seats are limited and discounted fares may not be available on every train, date or departure.
When can you travel with the discounted fares?
Although the sale itself ends September 30, the discounted tickets can be used for eligible travel through much of the fall.
The promotion applies to trips departing between:
- October 14 and December 17, 2026
- November 11 is excluded
- November 20-30 are also blackout dates
That means travelers can potentially use the deal for everything from an October fall getaway to a December trip, provided the selected train and departure have eligible fares available.
Which Amtrak trains are included?
The sale covers a long list of Amtrak routes around the country, including several popular long-distance and regional services.
Eligible routes include:
- California Zephyr
- Cardinal
- City of New Orleans
- Coast Starlight
- Crescent
- Empire Builder
- Floridian
- Lake Shore Limited
- Silver Meteor
- Southwest Chief
- Sunset Limited
- Texas Eagle
- Northeast Regional
- Downeaster
- Borealis
- Hiawatha
- Wolverine
- Heartland Flyer
- Capitol Corridor
- Blue Water
- Pere Marquette
- Carolinian
- Piedmont
The promotion is limited to Coach class, and Amtrak says it is valid for all passenger types.
There are a few important restrictions to know
As with most limited-time transportation promotions, there are some strings attached to these discounted fares.
The sale fares cannot be changed, according to Amtrak’s terms and conditions. Cancellations are permitted before departure, but a 50% cancellation fee applies.
The promotion also cannot be combined with another discount offer, and availability is limited.
In other words, travelers should make sure their plans are reasonably firm before booking. The discounted fare can save money upfront, but it comes with considerably less flexibility than a fare that permits changes without the same restrictions.
Amtrak also notes that fares, routes and schedules can change without notice, while additional restrictions may apply depending on the fare purchased.
How long do you have to book?
Not long.
The Falling Fares Sale ends September 30th, 2026, so anyone hoping to take advantage of the promotion needs to purchase their eligible ticket before the sale expires.
The discounted fares are subject to availability, meaning waiting until the final day could also mean fewer eligible trains or departure times are available.
For travelers who already have an October, November or December Amtrak trip in mind, it may be worth checking the available fares before the promotion disappears.
