Amtrak Military Veterans Discount

10% Off Rail Fares • Honoring Those Who Served • Travel With Respect

Military Veterans Travel Savings Program

Amtrak honors the service and sacrifice of our nation's military veterans with a special 10% discount on rail fares. This program is our way of saying thank you to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force are eligible for this discount, along with commissioned officers of the NOAA Corps, U.S. Public Health Service, and U.S. Merchant Marine. The discount applies to most Amtrak trains across the national network.

Whether you're traveling for leisure, visiting family, or heading to medical appointments, Amtrak provides a comfortable, convenient, and affordable travel option for our nation's heroes.

10% discount on most Amtrak trains
Valid for all U.S. military veterans
Simple booking process
Nationwide network coverage
Comfortable, spacious seating
No baggage fees for first two checked bags

Program Benefits

🎖️

Honoring Service

Amtrak proudly recognizes the sacrifices made by our military veterans and offers this discount as a token of our gratitude. The program is designed to make travel more accessible and affordable for those who have served our country.

We understand that many veterans travel for medical appointments, family visits, and leisure, and we're committed to providing a comfortable journey at a discounted rate.

Thousands of veterans use this discount annually to visit VA facilities, reunite with family, and explore the country they defended.

💺

Comfortable Travel

Experience the comfort and convenience of train travel with these veteran-friendly amenities:

  • Spacious seats with more legroom than airlines
  • Ability to move around freely during your journey
  • Power outlets at most seats for medical devices
  • Accessible accommodations for veterans with disabilities
  • Quiet Cars for peaceful travel
  • Dining and cafe cars with affordable meal options
  • Comfortable restrooms with accessibility features

Many veterans find train travel less stressful than air travel, especially for those with mobility challenges or PTSD.

🗺️

Nationwide Access

Travel to destinations across the Amtrak network with your military discount:

  • Coast-to-coast service on many routes
  • Service to over 500 destinations in 46 states
  • Convenient downtown stations in most cities
  • Connections to many VA medical centers
  • Service to military bases and installations
  • Access to national parks and monuments
  • Cross-country routes perfect for seeing America

Visit family, explore the country, or travel to medical appointments with ease and comfort.

💰

Significant Savings

Maximize your travel budget with veteran-exclusive savings:

  • 10% discount on most Amtrak routes
  • No baggage fees for first two checked bags
  • Affordable snack and meal options onboard
  • Free Wi-Fi on most trains
  • Senior discounts may be combinable for eligible veterans
  • Predictable pricing with fewer surcharges than airlines
  • Special offers throughout the year

Save an average of $15-$50 per trip depending on your destination and fare type.

How The Program Works

1

Gather Your Military ID

Ensure you have a valid military veteran identification card. Acceptable forms include Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC), Department of Defense ID Card (for retired military), Veteran ID Card (VIC), or state-issued driver's license/ID with veteran designation.

2

Book Your Travel

When booking online, select the "Military" discount option and follow the prompts to verify your eligibility. When booking by phone, inform the agent that you're eligible for the military veterans discount. When booking at the station, present your military ID to the ticket agent.

3

Present ID When Traveling

Have your valid military veteran identification card ready to present to the conductor when boarding the train and during ticket checks. The name on your ID must match the name on your ticket. Be prepared to show your ID multiple times during your journey.

4

Enjoy Your Journey

Relax and enjoy the comfort of train travel at a discounted rate. Take advantage of Amtrak's amenities including spacious seating, cafe cars, Wi-Fi on most trains, and the scenic views only available by rail. Thank you for your service!

Find Your Veteran Discount Route

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Honor your service with savings on comfortable Amtrak travel. Our dedicated team is ready to help you plan your journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Veterans of the United States Military with valid military veteran identification card are eligible for the 10% discount. This includes veterans who served in:

  • United States Army
  • United States Navy
  • United States Air Force
  • United States Marine Corps
  • United States Coast Guard
  • United States Space Force
  • NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (commissioned officers only)
  • U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (commissioned officers only)
  • U.S. Merchant Marine (commissioned officers only)

Active duty service members should inquire about separate military discounts that may be available.

Military veterans receive a 10% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. The discount applies to the base fare before taxes and fees are added.

This discount is available on most Amtrak routes across the country, including:

  • Northeast Regional
  • Acela
  • Long-distance routes (California Zephyr, Empire Builder, etc.)
  • State-supported routes
  • Most Amtrak Thruway connecting services

The discount is automatically calculated when you select the military discount option during booking.

You must present a valid military veteran identification card at the time of booking and when boarding the train. Acceptable forms of identification include:

  • Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)
  • Department of Defense ID Card (for retired military)
  • Veteran ID Card (VIC)
  • State-issued driver's license or ID with veteran designation
  • DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) along with a government-issued photo ID
  • Veterans Identification Card (VIC) issued by the VA

The name on your identification must match the name on your ticket. Photocopies or digital images of IDs are generally not accepted when boarding.

Yes, there are some restrictions to be aware of:

  • The discount does not apply to sleeping accommodation charges
  • The discount is not valid for travel on certain Amtrak Connection services
  • The discount is not valid on the Canadian portion of services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada
  • The discount may not be combinable with other discount offers
  • Blackout dates may apply during peak travel periods
  • The discount is subject to seat availability
  • Advance booking may be required for some routes

Always check the specific terms and conditions when booking, as restrictions can vary by route and travel date.

The military veterans discount is specifically for veterans themselves. However, there are other Amtrak discounts that family members may qualify for:

  • Seniors (65+): Receive a 10% discount on most rail fares
  • Children (2-12): Receive a 50% discount on most rail fares
  • Students: May qualify for student discounts with valid ID
  • Groups: Discounts available for groups of 20 or more
  • AAA members: May receive a 10% discount

When traveling with a veteran, family members can book at the same time and may qualify for these other discounts. Active duty service members and their families should inquire about separate military family discounts.

You can typically book Amtrak travel with the military discount up to 11 months in advance. However, booking policies may vary by route and season.

For the best savings and availability:

  • Book at least 14 days in advance for the best fares
  • Be flexible with travel dates when possible
  • Consider traveling on weekdays rather than weekends
  • Avoid holiday periods and peak travel times
  • Check for special promotions that may offer additional savings

The military discount is applied to the lowest available fare at the time of booking, so booking early generally provides the best value.

Yes, the military veterans discount can be used for both personal and business travel. However, there are some considerations:

  • The discount is personal to the veteran and cannot be transferred
  • Business travel must be for the veteran's own business purposes
  • If your company has a corporate discount program, that may offer better savings
  • Receipts will show the discounted fare for expense reporting
  • Some businesses may have policies about using personal discounts for business travel

If you frequently travel for business, you might also want to explore Amtrak's Guest Rewards program which allows you to earn points on all travel that can be redeemed for future trips.

If you encounter issues applying the military discount during online booking, try these solutions:

  • Ensure you're selecting the correct discount type (Military/Veteran)
  • Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again
  • Try booking using a different browser or device
  • Check that your travel dates are eligible for the discount
  • Verify that the route you've selected accepts the military discount

If problems persist, you can:

  • Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL and book over the phone
  • Visit a staffed Amtrak station and book in person
  • Use the Amtrak mobile app which sometimes has a different booking interface
  • Contact Amtrak customer service for technical assistance

Remember to have your military identification ready regardless of how you book.

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