Amtrak Kids Discounts

Save 50% on Children's Fares • Infants Ride Free • Create Lasting Family Memories

Family Travel Savings Program

Amtrak makes family travel affordable and memorable with special discounts for children. Whether you're planning a vacation, visiting relatives, or taking a weekend getaway, our kids discount program helps families save significantly on rail travel.

With spacious seating, the ability to move around during your journey, and stunning views from large windows, train travel offers a unique and enjoyable experience for children of all ages. Forget cramped airline seats and long security lines - Amtrak provides a comfortable, stress-free way to travel with your family.

Thousands of families choose Amtrak each year for their travel needs, enjoying savings of up to 50% on children's fares while creating lasting memories together.

50% discount for children 2-12 years old
Infants under 2 ride free on adult's lap
Automatic discount application during booking
No baggage fees for strollers and car seats
Spacious seating with room to move around
Scenic routes perfect for family adventures

Children's Fare Categories

👶

Infants (Under 2 Years)

FREE

One infant under 2 years old rides free on an adult's lap for each paying adult.

  • Must be accompanied by at least one adult (18+)
  • Rides on adult's lap during journey
  • Additional infants pay child fare
  • No separate seat provided
  • Proof of age may be required
🧒

Children (2-12 Years)

50% OFF

Children ages 2-12 receive 50% off the adult fare when traveling with an adult.

  • Must be accompanied by at least one adult (18+)
  • Receives their own seat
  • Discount applied automatically during booking
  • Maximum two children per adult at discount
  • Ages determined at trip start date
👦

Youth (13+ Years)

ADULT FARE

Passengers 13 years and older pay the full adult fare for their journey.

  • Pays standard adult fare
  • May travel unaccompanied if 16+
  • 13-15 year olds have special unaccompanied minor rules
  • Eligible for all standard promotions
  • Can earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points

Why Choose Amtrak for Family Travel

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Comfort & Space

Amtrak offers spacious seating with more legroom than airlines, allowing children to stretch out and move around comfortably during the journey.

  • Wide, reclining seats with ample legroom
  • Ability to walk around during travel
  • Large windows for scenic viewing
  • Tables for games, coloring, and snacks
  • Quiet Cars available for peaceful travel
  • Accessible restrooms on all trains

Families report 68% more comfort satisfaction compared to air travel.

💰

Significant Savings

With Amtrak's children's discounts, families can save substantially on their travel expenses:

  • 50% discount for children 2-12 years old
  • Infants under 2 ride free
  • No baggage fees for strollers or car seats
  • Free Wi-Fi on most routes
  • Complimentary entertainment options
  • Affordable onboard dining options
  • Special family packages on select routes

Average family savings of $100-$500 per trip compared to other travel methods.

⏱️

Stress-Free Experience

Amtrak eliminates many of the hassles associated with family travel:

  • No lengthy security lines like airports
  • Downtown stations with easy access
  • Generous baggage allowances
  • Comfortable waiting areas
  • Helpful station staff
  • Simple boarding process
  • Flexible booking and change policies

Families save an average of 2 hours on pre-travel procedures compared to flying.

🌄

Memorable Journey

Train travel itself becomes part of the vacation experience with stunning views and unique amenities:

  • Scenic routes through beautiful landscapes
  • Observation cars on many routes
  • Café cars with snacks and meals
  • Social atmosphere in common areas
  • Educational experience about geography
  • Opportunity to meet other travelers
  • Comfortable overnight options on long routes

94% of families rate train travel as more enjoyable than other transportation methods.

How To Book With Kids Discounts

1

Select Your Route

Choose your departure and arrival cities, travel dates, and number of passengers. Indicate how many adults and children will be traveling in your party.

2

Add Travelers

When adding passengers to your reservation, specify each traveler's age. The system will automatically categorize them as adult, child, or infant.

3

Discount Applied

Amtrak will automatically apply the appropriate discounts - 50% off for children 2-12 and free travel for infants under 2. No promo code needed.

4

Complete Booking

Review your discounted fares, select your seats, and complete your booking. Receive confirmation with all passenger details and savings clearly displayed.

Plan Your Family Adventure

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Ready to Create Lasting Memories?

Book your family trip today and experience the joy of train travel with significant savings for your children.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Amtrak offers discounts for children in three age categories:

  • Infants (Under 2 years): Ride free on an adult's lap (one infant per paying adult)
  • Children (2-12 years): Receive 50% off the adult fare when traveling with an adult
  • Youth (13+ years): Pay full adult fare

Children's ages are determined by their actual date of birth at the start of the trip. Amtrak reserves the right to require proof of age at any time during travel.

One adult (18 years or older) can travel with up to two children at discounted rates:

  • One infant under 2 can ride free on the adult's lap
  • One child 2-12 can travel at 50% off the adult fare
  • Additional children would need to pay the child fare

For larger families, additional adults may be required to accompany all children. When booking online, the system will automatically apply the appropriate discounts based on the ages you enter for each passenger.

Amtrak has specific policies regarding unaccompanied minors:

  • Children 12 and under: May not travel unaccompanied and must be accompanied by someone 18 years or older
  • Children 13-15: May travel as unaccompanied minors under specific conditions and restrictions
  • Youth 16+: May travel without restrictions

Unaccompanied minor reservations cannot be made online and must be arranged by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL. There are additional requirements including completed release forms, specific travel windows, and station staffing requirements.

Amtrak has specific policies regarding car seats:

  • Child car seats cannot be secured to Amtrak train seats due to different safety standards
  • Passengers traveling with infants may place a car seat in a vacant seat only if it's not needed for a paying passenger
  • Otherwise, children under 2 may be required to ride on the adult's lap
  • Car seats must be stored in an appropriate baggage area when not in use
  • Car seats can be checked as baggage free of charge

For safety reasons, Amtrak does not recommend using car seats during travel as they are not designed for train seating configurations.

While not always required, it's recommended to carry proof of age for children traveling with discounts:

  • Birth certificate
  • Passport
  • Government-issued ID with date of birth
  • School ID with birth date

Amtrak reserves the right to require proof of age at any time during travel. The age of the child at the start of the trip determines the fare that applies for the entire itinerary, even if they have a birthday during travel.

Children's discounts have specific limitations regarding sleeping accommodations:

  • Kids discounts do not apply to sleeping accommodation charges
  • Children occupying a seat in a sleeping car pay the applicable rail fare plus the full room charge
  • Infants riding free do not receive a separate berth or room
  • Some family-sized rooms are available on certain routes

For overnight travel with children, it's best to call 1-800-USA-RAIL to discuss the best accommodation options for your family's needs and budget.

In addition to standard children's discounts, some regions offer special youth programs:

  • Washington Youth Fare Program: Free travel for youth 18 and under on Amtrak Cascades trains for trips beginning and ending within Washington state
  • Student Discounts: Some routes offer additional discounts for students with valid ID
  • Group Rates: Special rates may be available for school groups or youth organizations
  • Seasonal Promotions: Watch for family-friendly promotions during school holidays

Check with Amtrak or visit their website for current regional youth programs and promotions.

Amtrak offers several amenities that make family travel more comfortable:

  • Spacious Seating: More legroom than airlines with ability to move around
  • Family Restrooms: Accessible restrooms on all trains
  • Café Cars: Snacks and light meals available for purchase
  • Electrical Outlets: Available at seats for charging devices
  • Free Wi-Fi: On most routes for entertainment
  • Scenic Views: Large windows perfect for sightseeing
  • Observation Cars: Available on many routes with panoramic views
  • Dining Cars: Full meal service on long-distance routes

Many families find the train journey itself becomes an enjoyable part of their vacation experience.

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