Amtrak Announces ‘Big City' Sale
Amtrak has announced it started its "Big City Savings" sale on January 5, 2026, slashing some selected fares by up to 30 percent.
What Is Amtrak's Big City Savings Sale?
Amtrak has launched the limited-time sale-which started on January 5, 2026-by reducing the cost of adult coach class fares by up to 30 percent on trains running between Boston and Washington, D.C., including all cities served along the route.
Passengers must book their travel tickets by January 9 for journeys taking place from January 20 through February 12, 2026.
The discounts are only available for coach class tickets on Northeast Regional and other eligible trains operating along the corridor; Acela and NextGen Acela services are excluded from the sale.
Sample one-way fares include Boston to Providence for $20, Boston to New York City for $59, New York to Philadelphia for $36, and Washington, D.C. to Manhattan for $59, according to Amtrak’s official announcement.
Amtrak also states that customers booking during the sale can also enroll in the free Amtrak Guest Rewards program, where they can earn points for all travel-including bonus points for business class and Acela first class bookings-that can be redeemed for reward trips, upgrades, and exclusive lounge access.
Potential passengers are advised to review specific terms and conditions-such as limited availability during busy travel times-and consult Amtrak's website for reservation details and further updates on future promotions.
Advantages of Train Travel
As part of the promotion, Amtrak emphasizes the convenience of arriving in city centers and the comfort of sitting in wide reclining seats with generous legroom-with no middle seats-and large windows for scenic views, positioning train travel in general as a stress-free, more enjoyable alternative to driving or flying.
In its press release, the company states: “Amtrak makes city hopping up and down the coast quick and affordable. Passengers will arrive in the heart of downtown, making it easy to get to hotels, make local transportation connections, or just start exploring.”
Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams also emphasized in the release that "travelers can relax and stretch out in between stops with no need to worry about traffic, tolls, gas, parking, or weather."
As demand for affordable travel continues to rise across the U.S., Amtrak has indicated it will continue to make ongoing investments into modernizing its trains, stations, and infrastructure as part of its broader effort to adapt to growing rail ridership and transform regional and national mobility.
The company says it is "seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform rail and retrain travel. By modernizing, enhancing, and expanding trains, stations, and infrastructure, Amtrak is meeting the rising demand for train travel."
Newsweek
This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 8:57 AM.