When should I buy my ticket?

[First-Time-Train-Rider]

So I'm planning on taking a trip from California to Indiana. However I'm unsure weather I need to order my ticket online. Or if I can just wait to buy it when I get there. I don't want to pay over $200 for the ticket and right now it's $175 for the ticket I want.. does it go up the closer I get to the date like an airplane ticket would or does it stay the same mostly?

Sorry if it's a dumb question but I just don't know. And I'd rather go there and buy my ticket in person if I can.. but not if it's going to be more expensive.

Buy online now or wait?

 

[Acela150]

Buy now.

 

[StriderGDM]

If you wait until you get there (presumably the day of travel I think you mean) you may find the price higher, lower, or completely unavailable.

Buy it now. If it's far enough out, and you have AAA, you may also find it even cheaper to use that discount (but not always).

 

[crabby_appleton1950]

Sorry if it's a dumb question ..............

In my opinion, there are no dumb questions. If you don't know something, asking is one way of finding the answer.

And, I've found that the people on this forum are very nice and helpful.

 

[amtkstn]

Are you planning on riding coach or sleeper? If sleeper you want to buy your ticket as soon as possible. Sleeper prices increase the closer to your travel dates.

 

[the_traveler]

So do coach tickets. Tickets are priced based on yield management, the more tickets that are sold for that train, the price may rise. That's why the train on the 15th may be higher than the train on the 14th or 16th. You should buy now to get the best price.

 

[StriderGDM]

Are you planning on riding coach or sleeper? If sleeper you want to buy your ticket as soon as possible. Sleeper prices increase the closer to your travel dates.

If he's finding a sleeper for the price he quoted for that distance he's getting a HELL of a deal and should definitely buy now!

 

[KmH]

How long before you want to take the trip?

I bought my ticket last December for a trip I'll start April 30 - Iowa to Sacramento to Eugene, OR.

I got a Senior 15% discount Value coach ticket for $177.65. A no discount Value ticket for an Adult is $209.

If I started that trip today the senior discount Value ticket is not available and I would need to buy a senior discount Flexible ticket for $348.50.

If I were to buy today for starting Feb 27, a Senior discount Value ticket is $278.80.

If I were to buy today for starting Feb 28, a Senior discount Value ticket is $247.35.

If I were to buy today for starting Mar 1, a Senior discount Value ticket is $177.65.

If I were to buy today for starting Mar 2, a Senior discount Value ticket is $192.10.

If I were to buy today for starting March 4 the price goes up to $209.10.

 

[andersone]

Father always said there are no dumb questions only dumb answers

 

[tomfuller]

If you are flexible on when you want to go, check the fares on AMSNAG. http://amsnag.net/

Be sure to get signed up with Amtrak Guest Rewards for the points. If you continue to travel with Amtrak, you could eventually earn a free trip.

 

[the_traveler]

The only dumb question is the one you did not ask because you thought it was too dumb! If you do not know the answer to something, it's not dumb.

 

[crabby_appleton1950]

Father always said there are no dumb questions only dumb answers

I've given a lot of those dumb answers over my 68 years. :giggle: