Amtrak is having a two-for-one sale now through March 21, 2022, on its private Amtrak Roomettes—the smaller rooms that up to two people can sleep in each night—for train travel between March 16, 2022, and May 22, 2022.
Amtrak Roomettes are a far cry from luxury train travel, but they do have enough room for two seats facing each other that convert into a bed at night, with another bunk that folds down from the ceiling for the second guest. The Amtrak Viewliner Roomettes used on trains to and from New York City also include an in-room toilet, while the Amtrak Superliner Roomettes do not. (The slightly larger Amtrak Bedrooms can accommodate a third guest and have in-room showers in addition to in-room toilets.)
Amtrak Roomette fares include access to hot showers, coffee, and room service, plus turn-down service in the evening. Fares also include all meals, including Amtrak’s flexible dining service on select routes. It may be a cozy way to travel, but it’s also one of the best ways to take in some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States without having to worry about driving long distances. (Amtrak still requires passengers to wear face masks on its trains, unless they are in their own private room.)
Though this sale isn’t available on the popular Auto Train from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida, you can book these fares on the following scenic routes: California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, Lake Shore Limited, Silver Star, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, and Texas Eagle.
For more inspiration, take a closer look at some of these long-distance Amtrak train routes that are considered to be the most scenic in the United States.
The Pacific coastline is one highlight of the Coast Starlight train.
Courtesy of Amtrak
Coast Starlight
This 35-hour journey from Seattle to Los Angeles has been called the most beautiful train ride in the United States—and for good reason. As you make your way from the Pacific Northwest to Southern California on the Coast Starlight, you pass through the Cascade Range, see Mount Shasta’s snow-capped peak, and take in mile after mile of the California coastline.
We found one-way Roomette fares for two people from Los Angeles to Seattle as low as $432 during this sale.
The California Zephyr is considered to be one of the most beautiful train rides in the United States.
Courtesy of Amtrak
California Zephyr
You could make the journey from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay Area by plane in under five hours, but the California Zephyr lets you experience the plains of Iowa and Nebraska before heading up into the Rockies and crossing over the Sierra Nevada to arrive in Emeryville, California, across the bay from San Francisco.
We found one-way Roomette fares for two people on the Salt Lake City to Sacramento leg of this route as low as $239 during this sale.
The Lake Shore Limited passes over New York’s Erie Canal several times during its route.
Photo by Shutterstock
Lake Shore Limited
Starting in either New York City or Boston, the Lake Shore Limited route joins together in Albany, New York, and makes its way to Chicago. Along the way you’ll ride through New York’s scenic Finger Lakes region before traveling along the southern coast of Lake Erie and the shores of Lake Michigan before arriving in Chicago.
During this Amtrak sale, you can find one-way Roomette fares for two people for $740 on the New York to Chicago route.
Amtrak’s Empire Builder travels across Gassman Coulee Trestle near Minot, North Dakota.
Courtesy of Amtrak
Empire Builder
The Empire Builder between Portland, Oregon, and Chicago is one of our favorite winter train rides, but it’s scenic year-round.
As you make your way through the Columbia River Gorge and out of Oregon up to Spokane, Washington (this train also departs from Seattle), you’ll pass by Glacier National Park before crossing North Dakota’s plains. From there, you’ll get fantastic views of the Mississippi River and the Minneapolis skyline before reaching your destination in Chicago.
There are currently one-way Roomette fares for two people for as little as $193 on the Minneapolis to Chicago leg of this route.
The Sunset Limited passes over the Amistad Reservoir in western Texas.
Photo by Shutterstock
Sunset Limited
The Sunset Limited train makes its way from New Orleans to Los Angeles with stops along the route in San Antonio, Tucson, and Phoenix. On Amtrak’s southernmost route, you’ll get to see Bayou Country, the deserts of the Southwest, and California’s mountains. National park fans can extend their train trip by getting off the train in Tuscon to visit Saguaro National Park and in Alpine, Texas, to explore Big Bend National Park.
During this Amtrak sale, we found one-way Roomette fares for two people for $570 on the Los Angeles to Alpine, Texas, route.
The Southwest Chief passes through New Mexico along its route.
Courtesy of Amtrak/Marc Glucksman
Southwest Chief
Always wanted to see the American West but don’t want to spend days in a car cruising Route 66? Amtrak’s Southwest Chief takes a similar route between Chicago to Los Angeles with stops in Kansas City, Albuquerque, and Flagstaff along the way. After leaving the Midwest, the train makes its way through the Southwest, cutting through canyons and offering views you can’t get from the highway.
We found one-way Roomette fares for two people on the Los Angeles to Albuquerque leg of this route for $497 during this sale.
How to book this Amtrak sale
To take advantage of these two-for-one Amtrak fares, you can enter the discount code “C450” when booking, or visit the promotion page at amtrak.com/privateroomsale and the price will be automatically discounted.
This Amtrak sale is valid for one free companion fare with the purchase of a regular full adult fare. Passengers must travel together in the same room for sleeping accommodations and on the same reservation.
This article originally appeared online in June 2018; it was updated in April 2021, and on March 15, 2022, to include current information.
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