Introduction
The United States is renowned for its rail transport system, whose network is the largest in the world. It serves most parts of the US, with a rail line of approximately 260,000 kilometers. If you’re planning a trip to the USA, knowing about various online train ticket booking platforms is one thing you should do. It allows you to commute conveniently and at lower costs.
In this article on Daily Migrant, you will discover how to book train tickets online in the United States. So ensure you read to the end as we walk you through the steps, acceptable payment methods, and more.
You can purchase a train ticket online in the United States via several platforms. These include Amtrak, Wanderu, Omio, and Busbud.
4 Best Online Train Ticket Booking Platforms In The US
Here are some of the most popular websites helpful in booking train tickets in the United States:
How To Book a Train Ticket through Amtrak
Most people in the United States get their train tickets through Amtrak, both online and in person. Amtrak is the United States national railroad company for the conveyance of passengers. It serves 46 of the 48 contiguous states in the US, providing an inter-city rail service.
Amtrak’s online train ticket booking system allows you to reserve a train seat on the web or via the mobile app.
To buy an Amtrak train ticket online, follow the instructions below one after the other:
- Choose your boarding point and destination
- Select your departure and return dates
- Add a trip(s) if necessary
- Include additional passengers
- Check the box if you are a “Passenger with Disability or Assistance Needed”
- Click or tap on Find Trains.
Watch a Video on YouTube about Online Train Ticket Booking.
If you prefer to get your train ticket via the Amtrak app, you’ll have to download the free mobile app on your Android or iOS device. The online booking process is the same as buying your ticket online.
Payment Methods
You can buy Amtrak tickets online using any of the following methods to charge your payment:
- A valid credit card, such as Visa, Discover, American Express, MasterCard, JCB, Diners Club, UnionPay, or Universal Air Travel Plan (UATP)
- Google Pay
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Amtrak Guest Rewards points
- Amtrak gift card
- eVoucher (Travel credits)
If you would like to book your train ticket with Amtrak in person, you can pay for your fare via one of these options:
Amtrak Kiosk
Most large Amtrak stations have a kiosk that you can visit to reserve a train seat, regardless of your destination.
Over the Phone
You can buy an Amtrak train ticket in the USA by calling +1 (800) 872-7245 or +1 (800) USA-RAIL. These phone numbers are open 24 hours a day.
If you want a TTY service, call +1 (800) 523-6590 instead.
Travel Agent
Another way to purchase Amtrak tickets is through a qualified travel agent, which is easy to find in the United States.
Onboard
You can also buy an Amtrak ticket in the US while boarding the train. However, you may have to pay more if you choose this option.
Ticket Agent at the Station
Locate the nearest Amtrak station to buy your train ticket in person. You can pay for your train booking using Amtrak gift cards or a payment card (credit/debit cards).
How to Use wanderu’s Online Train Ticket Booking System
You can get cheap train tickets in the United States via Wanderu, a transport search and booking platform that serves the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. It collaborates with the biggest names in the travel industry, including Amtrak, BestBus, Indian Trails, and Wanda Coach.
Here’s how to buy a train ticket online on wanderu’s official website:
- Visit Wanderu’s website.
- Input your departure point, preferred travel dates, and destination.
- Choose whether to buy a one-way or return ticket.
- Provide your personal and payment details. You’ll then receive the tickets in your email, which you can present at the station.
- Arrive at the station at least 15 minutes before your departure.
We recommend booking your train ticket with Wanderu for several reasons, especially its safeness, quick & easy booking, hassle-free checkout, and fast customer support.
Besides, you can install the Wanderu mobile app on your Android or iOS mobile device.
Payment methods
After making your preferences on Wanderu’s website or mobile app, you can pay for your train ticket online via one of the following options:
- A valid credit/debit card (Amex, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover)
How to Book a Train Ticket Through Omio
Have you heard of Omio? It is an online platform helpful in booking various forms of transport, including trains, flights, and buses. Omio partners with more than 1,000 travel companies, including Amtrak, SNCF, easyJet, SNAV, AIRFRANCE, and DB Fernverkehr AG.
The following are the steps to buy train tickets online on the Omio’s online train ticket booking system:
- Go to Omio’s official website.
- Select the boarding and destination stations.
- Specify the departure and return dates.
- Input the number of passengers.
- Click/tap on the Search button to see the railway reservation seat availability.
- Follow the prompts to get your tickets on the train booking site.
By downloading the Omio mobile app, it’s even easier to book your train ticket online. It is a top-rated app in travel, with over 22 million downloads. You can use it to reserve a seat in a bus, plane, or train to more than 100,000 destinations.
Acceptable payment methods on Omio
Here are the various methods supported on Omio:
Payment cards
- MasterCard
- JCB
- Maestro
- American Express
- Carte Bancaire
- Diners Club/Discover
- UnionPay
Digital wallets
- PayPal
- Google Pay
- Alipay
- ApplePay
Direct bank transfers
- Dotpay
- iDEAL
- Bancontact
- Sofort
How to Book Train Tickets Online Through Busbud
Busbud is also one of the most popular online train ticket booking sites based on our findings at Daily Migrant. Over 40 million travelers rely on Busbud to book their bus and train tickets every year in the United States. Busbud not only serves people in the US but is also available in more than 80 countries, serving over two million routes.
You can complete your train booking online on Busbud.com at the lowest possible price, with access to dedicated customer service.
Here are the steps to follow in completing your online railway ticket booking via Busbud:
- Log on to Busbud’s official website.
- Select your origin (Where you are leaving from).
- Input your destination (where you are going).
- Choose your preferred travel date. If you wish to return via rail transport, you must also input a return date.
- Specify the number of passengers.
- Tap or click on Search.
- Follow the prompts to buy your railway tickets online.
Acceptable payment methods
You can use the following swift payment methods to complete your online train ticket booking on Busbud:
Credit & Debit Cards
- Visa
- MasterCard
- American Express
- JCB
- Diners Club
- Discover
- Troy
- Hipercard
- Bancotact
- Elo
- Prepaid cards
Digital Wallets
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- UnionPay
- WeChat Pay
Bank transfer
- Przelewy24
- Giropay
- iDEAL
- Trustly
- eps
- Sofort
- MB WAY
Buy now, Pay later
- Afterpay
- Klarna
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- Top 10 Travel Inn Motel in the USA.
- How to Get Travel Destinations on Google Travel.
- Travel Security Tips To Keep Your Family and Properties Safe.
FAQs about Online Train Ticket Booking
How Many Days in Advance Can a Train Ticket be Booked?
You can always buy an online train ticket up to 120 days before your trip within the United States, regardless of your chosen carrier. If you are unable to book train tickets in advance, you can download the railway ticket booking app or buy your ticket at the station.
Can I Reserve a Seat on a Train After Booking?
Yes, you can reserve a seat while filling out the online form for a booking on a train, depending on the carrier. The online train ticket booking system will show you the available seats on the train so you can choose from.
Do Train Tickets have Seat Numbers?
Yes, paid train tickets typically feature a seat number, like flight tickets. You will have to use the number to locate your seat on the train, having made a reservation online or in person.
What Does GS Mean in Train?
The word “GS” means General Seating. It is for passengers without an online train ticket booking or a reserved seat. If you are in one of these categories, you can take the seat, provided you have a paid train ticket.
GS seats are usually at both ends of trains, and the number of coaches varies depending on the type of train.
How Much Does It Cost to Book a Train Ticket with a Debit Card?
The cost of booking a seat on a train varies depending on several factors, especially your boarding and departure stations. However, remember that nearby destinations cost less, while far places would likely cost you more to make your train reservation online.
Conclusion
Whether you are traveling to a city in New York, Kentucky, Texas, or anywhere else in the US, booking your train ticket in advance is always worth it. With this walkthrough article on Daily Migrant, you’ll find it easy to reserve a seat on a train.
Feel free to use the online train ticket booking platforms mentioned above based on your discretion. These websites and apps are your go-to, linking you with a carrier that would take you to your destination safely, on time, and without breaking the bank.
Above all, you can get a refund of your train e-tickets in your bank account if you change your travel plans.
