© Courtesy of Amtrak
Private Room Fares on Amtrak’s Most Scenic Routes Are Heavily Discounted This Summer


Courtesy of Amtrak You can find two-for-one fares for private rooms on Amtrak’s most scenic routes, including the Southwest Chief seen here in New Mexico.
If you’re ready to dip your toes back into traveling this summer, but still want to keep things socially distanced, consider riding the rails in one of Amtrak’s private sleeper cars. Amtrak is having a two-for-one sale now through April 16, 2021, on its private Amtrak Roomettes—the smaller rooms that up to two people can sleep in each night—for train travel between June 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021. For those looking to travel over the July 4 holiday, keep in mind there is one blackout date for this sale on July 5, 2021.

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 does require passengers to wear face masks on its trains, unless they are in their own private room.)

This sale is available on some of Amtrak’s most popular routes, including the Auto Train from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida, from $296 for two people in a Roomette, plus the cost of your vehicle.

Here are some other long-distance Amtrak train routes—considered to be the most scenic in the United States—for more inspiration.

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 on the Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon, leg of this route as low as $409 during this sale.

© Courtesy of Amtrak
The California Zephyr is considered to be one of the most beautiful train rides in the United States.


Courtesy of Amtrak The California Zephyr is considered to be one of the most beautiful train rides in the United States.

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 Denver to Salt Lake City leg of this route as low as $252 during this sale.

© Photo by Shutterstock
The Lake Shore Limited passes over New York’s Erie Canal several times during its route.


Photo by Shutterstock The Lake Shore Limited passes over New York’s Erie Canal several times during its route.

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 as little as $394 on the New York to Chicago route.

© Courtesy of Amtrak
Amtrak’s Empire Builder travels across Gassman Coulee Trestle near Minot, North Dakota.


Courtesy of Amtrak Amtrak’s Empire Builder travels across Gassman Coulee Trestle near Minot, North Dakota.

Empire Builder

If you’re looking to travel cross-country instead of down the coast, the Empire Builder between Portland and Chicago is one of our favorite winter train rides (but is also 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.

We found one-way Roomette fares for two people on the Chicago to Seattle route as low as $527 during this sale.

© Photo by Shutterstock
The Sunset Limited passes over the Amistad Reservoir in western Texas.


Photo by Shutterstock The Sunset Limited passes over the Amistad Reservoir in western Texas.

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 parks 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 as little as $187 on the Los Angeles to Tuscon route.

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 as low as $297 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 “C645” when booking, or visit the promotion page at amtrak.com 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 on April 6, 2021, to include current information.

>>Next: Why a Train Trip Across the U.S. Is the Fastest Way to Slow Down

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