Amtrak ticket price increase?

[wadejc85]

I was about to buy Amtrak tickets to go to NYC next Saturday (Nov. 29), but I noticed that the prices have almost doubled. The prices went from approximately $50 one-way to around $90 one-way. At $50 one-way, it is comparable with gas + tolls + parking, but $90 is just ridiculous.

Is this because of Thanksgiving weekend? Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[iShater]

Holiday time all tickets (air and land) typically go up.

 

[benbondu]

Is this because of Thanksgiving weekend?

That would be my guess. You could test that theory by trying to book a trip the next week to see if the price was lower.

 

[leekohler]

Wait few days. Amtrak is the opposite of the airlines. The longer you wait, the more prices go down. At least that's been my experience.

 

[wadejc85]

Thanks for the quick replies! I tried the week after, and the prices were back to normal.

I'll keep checking as the 29th gets closer. Hopefully the prices will decrease.

Ugh... 🙁

 

[benbondu]

Wait few days. Amtrak is the opposite of the airlines. The longer you wait, the more prices go down. At least that's been my experience.

Hmmm... sounds like a strange business practice. That would suggest airlines typically overbook a trip while Amtrak typically underbooks. I suppose that might be true, or maybe you've just been especially lucky.

I don't know how often Amtrak sells out. I can't say I've ever been on a full train myself.

 

[nbs2]

I don't know how often Amtrak sells out. I can't say I've ever been on a full train myself.

I have nothing to back this up, but I'd guess that the NE corridor is the only place that Amtrak sells out. And that only during the peak travel times.

I don't think they are price or time competitive in any other market.

 

[wadejc85]

I've been on sold out trains... It's not fun. Way too cramped!