Amtrak Can Be Cheap

When I was looking for information on the GrandLuxe Limited train trips, I discovered that Amtrak does have some terrific travel deals for last minute travel. For example, if you want to go to Chicago, Illinois from Indianapolis, Indiana in a couple of days, the ticket costs just $10.80. It’s a five and a half hour trip which makes it about $2 an hour.

(The photo is of the Amtrak train passing at Wacker Drive along the Chicago River.)

These deals are found in the Hot Deals section under Weekly Specials. Other deals I found are New York to Savanah, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois to Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Kansas City, Missouri to St. Louis, Missouri. There are deals for the return trips also so hopefully you won’t get stuck and not able to get back without paying a hefty fare for the return.

In general, Amtrak also offers cheaper travel from any destination for the 2 to 15 age group. Every day those fares are half price. You can also get discounts if you are a student, senior citizen, AAA member, in the military or a family member of a person in the miliatary, or a member of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP).

I’d love to do one of these cheap trips. I suppose I could drive to Indianapolis (about 3 hours from Columbus, Ohio) and then take the train to Chicago. It would be cheaper than the gas and tolls, but where would I keep my car? Better to drive after all.