News Get 50% Off Train Fares in Honor of Amtrak’s 50th Anniversary To mark the train service's 50th anniversary, travelers can score up to $50 off each segment. By Rachel Chang Rachel Chang Instagram Twitter Website Rachel Chang is a travel and pop culture journalist who grew up in the California Bay Area and now lives in New York City (well, Hoboken, New Jersey). She's a solo travel advocate, dumpling addict, and reluctant runner — who managed to finish the NYC marathon three times. She's also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Romania and Poland. Rachel started her editorial career chasing celebrities as a magazine editor (Popstar associate editor, CosmoGirl entertainment editor, J-14 editor-in-chief, Us Weekly senior editor). Along the way, she also started chasing passport stamps and is now a freelance writer and editor contributing to Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and The Washington Post, among others. She also edits standalone entertainment and travel magazines. Prior to this, she worked in television publicity at The WB Television Network, and also interned at Nickelodeon and "Dawson's Creek." * 25+ years of media experience in television, magazines, and digital brands * 20+ years of editorial experience as a journalist, writer, and editor * TaiwaneseAmerican.org's 100 Passionate People Pioneer * Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Professional Gallery Wall of Fame * Received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from the University of California, Los Angeles * Received a master's degree in magazine, newspaper, and online journalism from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications * Completed writing courses through UCLA Extension, Media Bistro, Gotham Writers Workshop, Yale Writers' Workshop, and the Highlights Foundation * Founding executive board member of the alumni group Newhouse 44 and still serves as a member * 15+ years of experience as a judge for the Mirror Awards Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on April 28, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Just after midnight on May 1, 1971, a Clocker train left New York City bound for Philadelphia as the inaugural departure for Amtrak. Now, 50 years later, the rail service has grown into a network with more than 300 trains a day traveling along its 21,000 route miles to more than 500 destinations in 46 states. To celebrate its 50th anniversary this week, Amtrak is honoring its passengers by offering 50% off fares, with a maximum of $50 off each segment. In the sale that launched today, the savings can be applied on one-way coach and Acela business class fares on routes across the country. The offer must be booked between now and May 5, 2021, for travel dates between June 2 and Nov. 13, 2021. Some of the low fares include $15 one-way coach trips between Emeryville and Sacramento in California; Chicago and East Lansing, Michigan; and Boston and Portland, Maine. There are also $18 coach fares from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, and $19 coach rides from Philadelphia to New York and Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia. Longer rides available for $50 one way in coach include New York to Miami; Washington, D.C. to Chicago; Los Angeles to Seattle; and Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida. One-way Acela business class routes are just $41 from Philadelphia to New York; $46 from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia; $49 from New York to Boston; or $50 from New York to Washington, D.C. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images The sale is valid on all routes minus the Pennsylvanian and Keystone Service (between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh), Pacific Surfliner, New Haven-Springfield Shuttle, and 7000-8999 thruway connecting services. "Since launching service in 1971, Amtrak has been continuously driving toward the future — setting ambitious sustainability goals, rolling out sleek new locomotives, and extending access to new communities," Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn said in a statement sent to Travel + Leisure, while announcing the "deeply discounted fares" to "welcome travelers back." Mandatory COVID-19 safety precautions are in place on board the interstate network, with masks required by federal law on both the trains as well as in the stations. The trains also have a filtration system that exchanges the air in each cabin every four to five minutes. Additionally, Amtrak has implemented a search function while booking to allow travelers to see the percentage of seats sold and opt for ones with less capacity. Amtrak kicked off its 50th anniversary year on New Year's Day by debuting the new $1.6 billion Moynihan Train Hall at New York City's Penn Station. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit