Chicago is Amtrak’s main hub for long-distance trains, so those who want to cross the country from the East Coast to the West Coast by train will most likely have to take a train to Chicago. For example, someone who wants to repeat the classic transcontinental rail route from San Francisco to New York would need to take the California Zephyr from San Francisco to Chicago and then change to the Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to New York.
The peak period for most railroads in North America is from April through September, and the cost of rail passes and tickets will rise during these periods to reflect this. If you are planning a trip to the United States and travel a lot by train, the spring and fall (fall) periods are probably the best combination of lower ticket prices and the length of daylight hours to view the scenery from the train. Trains fill up much faster in the summer and during national holidays (especially Thanksgiving weekend), and bus class passengers in particular will have less room to spare.
All of the major rail operators in the United States have Web sites with information about schedules, routes, and on-board services. However, many passengers still prefer to plan their trips using printed schedules. Amtrak, for example, publishes a number of brochures, including the Amtrak America travel brochure, but the Amtrak system schedule (with schedules for each Amtrak train and Thruway bus) can only be found online. However, Amtrak publishes individual schedules for each route.
If you plan multiple trips on Amtrak trains, you may be better off investing in a pass that allows unlimited rail travel for a specific period and a specific area. However, you should compare the cost of individual tickets when calculating the price and planning your trip.
U.S. Train Ticket. The amount of travel you can do with this pass is calculated in “segments” – roughly speaking, one segment starts when you board the train and ends when you get off, regardless of distance. If your planned itinerary includes many stops or train changes, regular tickets may be more advantageous. There are 15-day (8 segments), 30-day (12 segments) and 45-day (18 segments) passes; however, all trips must be completed within one year of purchasing the pass. Restrictions apply.
California Rail Pass. This pass offers seven days of travel during any 21-day period on most California trains.
The train pass is not a ticket, and you should reserve your ticket (and seat) as soon as you know which train you will be taking, as the number of seats reserved for pass holders is limited.