Why Train Tickets Cost So Much In America

Maybe we shouldn’t classify a public service as a for profit company, it’s just crazy

One of the things Amtrak should have did was buy up trackage outside of the Northeast corridor. There were plenty of redundant lines running through many major cities that were abandoned in the tracks pulled up That should have been brought for passenger use in high speed service. You can buy all the new locomotives and rail cars you want, But it doesn't change anything if you're sharing tracks with slow freight trains and the tracks are in poor repair. It's like buying a luxury sports car to drive down a dirt road

Over the years (I’m only in my early 30s), I’ve compared prices of train tickets to plane tickets, hoping that traveling long distances by train would be cheaper since it takes longer, but it was always just as expensive or more expensive than air travel. I’d travel by train a lot more, and travel more in general, if trains were a lot cheaper and faster than they are now.

I took a twenty hour ride from Baltimore to Florida in December 2022. People thought I was crazy for doing that, but I really wanted to take a solo train ride. It was a cool experience. Although I’d love to travel via train more often, it was indeed very expensive. I could only afford the one way down & ended up flying back. The one way totaled $313. The air flight back was $246.

I would love to see a Dallas/Houston/San Antonio high speed rail triangle. Mainly because it would be quicker and those freeways are awful to drive. You want mass transit, even if you don't use it. The more people that take a bus or train, the fewer cars on the road you have to deal with.

I was stationed in Korea for a year and some change and the one thing I lived about Korea was how amazing their trains were. When I came back to the states it felt like I travelled back in time.

I traveled the Northeast Corridor via Amtrak to go to my parents' house for Christmas. My ticket cost more than a plane ticket would have, but I arrived at my parents' house! Had I taken a plane I would have spent Christmas in the airport!

I really hope these plans to update the fleet/tracks while expanding service around the country pans out. I’ve loved the idea of traveling the country by train for a while now, but the lack of service to certain areas and prices have handicapped me quite a bit.

I took a 4 hour train ride from Prague to Vienna 2 weeks ago and it cost $38. I then took a 1 hour round trip train from Vienna to Bratislava, Slovakia that cost me $16. This is crazy.

Long distance Amtrak routes are basically akin to a national park experience. I greatly enjoyed my trip from Sacramento to Denver, which was only $113, and had great scenery and was so relaxing!

I can drive to a resort location 50 miles away and stay in a 4 Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐ hotel for 3 night's for the price of an Amtrak ticket.. what a rip off. My wife and I looked at a 2 day train tickets " one way" and OMG 😳

Brightline's plan to run from LA to Vegas sounds brilliant. I used to drive that route frequently and it is a major PITA. Having the tracks run in the middle of the interstate is clever because it provides free advertising for Brightline. People will be sitting in their cars, hoping they don't die from tailgating trucks, see the train zip past and think: "I will never drive this route again! Get me on that train!"

I took the auto train for the first time this summer and it was fantastic. I couldn't afford to spring for a sleeping car but even in coach it was a good experience. The most striking thing for me when I (infrequently) get a chance to ride on Amtrak is how nice all the employees are. I really hope we do find a way to increase train travel in this country. It's the best way to travel.

I've enjoyed several long train trips on AmTrak including the coast starlight, the empire builder, the lake shore limited, and the City of New Orleans, the northeast corridor, and several others. I would travel by train more often IF there were more routes and prices were a little lower.

planning a trip to eastern OR to San Francisco and im stoked. you never hear of train travel in normal conversations but it makes sense to me and quite pleasant once youre rolling in open land. hoping for success for the American passenger train system.

I’ve taken the Amtrak St.Paul to Milwaukee route a few times. It usually costs $50-$65 for coach depending on the day. Sometimes it’s cheaper or similar to megabus but more expensive than greyhound. Much more comfortable than both. There’s an option to “bid” for a room or roomette. Last time I took it I got the bid so I paid and extra $75 and got meals are included. I really enjoyed the experience and was something I was happy to get. I definitely would bid again. If you don’t get the bid you don’t have to pay extra so why not!

I've taken the Northeast corridor multiples times as I live in DC but my parents live in NJ. The tickets actually aren't too expensive but you have to buy way ahead of time (I'd say around 2 months beforehand). Once you're within a month of a trip it starts to not be worth it.

We took the north east corridor Amtrack trains during a "rail" trip of the east coast, visiting DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. It was so convenient, and one of the best trips of my life!

We just last week had a terrible airline meltdown, thousands of people stranded, 15,000 flights cancelled. Without good rail transportation we have No backup plan.

Amtrak was the first transportation I toke alone at age 15 to visit family and I had an amazing experience. 2022 I traveled with Amtrak over 10 times to New England and every experience was wonderful. I wish the US had more train transportation as in my opinion it is more comfortable and convenient. They also have a lot of discounts for students, military and seniors!