Ride the Rails for Free: Snagging Complimentary Amtrak Tickets in NYC This Winter

Ride the Rails for Free: Snagging Complimentary Amtrak Tickets in NYC This Winter - Hop Aboard the Holiday Train

The holiday season in New York City brings festive lights, crowded shops, and hectic travel. But you can still get into the holiday spirit without breaking the bank by hopping aboard Amtrak’s holiday train. This special train offers a cozy atmosphere and festive decor while taking you between New York Penn Station and Albany-Rensselaer. Best of all? You can ride for free if you time it right.

Amtrak decks out one train with thousands of shimmering LED lights, festive decorations, and even Santa himself. The four-hour ride takes you along the scenic Hudson River as carolers sing Christmas classics and volunteers hand out hot chocolate and cookies. Kids can visit with Santa and receive a small gift. With the twinkling lights and Christmas tunes, it’s easy to get into the holiday mood as you watch the wintry landscape pass by.

“Riding the holiday train is one of our favorite holiday traditions,” says Marie S., a New Yorker. “The kids love seeing the decorations and talking to Santa. It’s a stress-free way to really get into the Christmas spirit without fighting crowds at the mall or blowing your budget.”

The ride does tend to book up, but you can increase your odds of snagging complimentary tickets. Amtrak hands out a limited number of free tickets at random to those waiting to board at New York Penn Station. Arrive early to get in line - some ride for free each trip. You can also try calling Amtrak to request free tickets a few weeks in advance. They can’t guarantee availability, but may offer tickets if they have extras.

With a little luck and holiday cheer, you could ride the festively lit train for free. “It was so exciting to hop aboard with my family and not have to worry about buying tickets,” says Stacy R., who scored complimentary seats. “The holiday vibe was contagious. We’ll definitely try to ride for free again next year if we can!”

Ride the Rails for Free: Snagging Complimentary Amtrak Tickets in NYC This Winter - Scoring Seats Through Amtrak's Social Media Contests

Entering contests on social media is a popular pastime, but did you know it could also score you free train tickets? Amtrak frequently runs social media contests awarding winners with free rail passes or tickets. Keep an eye out and enter for your shot at complimentary rides this winter.

“I enter every Amtrak contest I see,” explains Carrie S. from Philadelphia. “I’ve won a few times now - it’s an easy way to ride the rails for free if you get lucky.”

Contests are often run through Amtrak’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube pages. Prizes range from free tickets on a specific route to multi-city rail passes covering unlimited Amtrak travel for a set period.

“I won a 14-day rail pass from an Instagram contest last year,” says Jackson T. “My wife and I used it to plan an epic trip hitting cities across the country. We never would have been able to afford it otherwise.”

To boost your chances, turn on notifications for Amtrak’s social pages so you’re alerted as soon as a new contest is announced. Be ready to jump in quickly - popular contests can hit entry limits within hours.

Creative contests that require user-generated content like photos or videos tend to have better odds than simple like or share contests since they draw fewer entries. But even those require lightning fast reflexes.

“I won by being one of the first to post a train-themed Instagram photo when they announced the contest,” says Greg P. “I just snapped a quick pic of my kids playing with toy trains and got lucky.”

Ride the Rails for Free: Snagging Complimentary Amtrak Tickets in NYC This Winter - Take Advantage of Amtrak's Birthday Perks

Scoring a free birthday gift is always cause for celebration. But Amtrak takes birthday freebies to the next level by gifting free travel to members of their Amtrak Guest Rewards program.

Sign up for the program, then make sure your birthday is listed in your account profile. When your special day rolls around, Amtrak will deposit 500 bonus points into your account. At the standard redemption rate, that’s enough for a one-way coach ticket between New York City and Philadelphia or Washington D.C. You can use it right away or save it for future travel plans.

Of course, Amtrak would love for you to spend even more with them on your birthday. That’s why they also email out a coupon code for 15% off an Amtrak travel purchase as a gift. The code is valid for travel within a month on either side of your birthday.

“I wait to book travel until I get the birthday coupon,” explains Amanda G. from New York. “It’s the perfect excuse to plan a little birthday getaway on Amtrak and save some money.”

If you’re not an Amtrak Guest Rewards member yet, signing up is free and only takes minutes. Enter your info on Amtrak’s website to create an account. Then simply add your birthday when prompted so you don’t miss out on the free points and travel discount.

Some enthused Amtrak riders even leverage birthday perks across multiple rewards accounts. “My husband and I each have an account tied to our own birthdays,” shares Christine T. “Between the free points and coupon codes, we can usually fund a nice couples’ getaway for cheap.”

Maximizing perks does require planning ahead. You need to register accounts and input birthdays at least a month before travel to receive the coupon. And Points deposited on your birthday expire three years from that date, so aim to use them sooner than later.

Pro tip: if you’re traveling with kids, get them an Amtrak Guest Rewards account too. “We make sure to get our three kids enrolled,” advises Bill R. “The free points on their birthdays really add up, so we can take an affordable family trip every year.”

Ride the Rails for Free: Snagging Complimentary Amtrak Tickets in NYC This Winter - Ride the Rails on Try Amtrak Day

Mark your calendar for June, when Amtrak hosts their annual Try Amtrak Day. As the name implies, you can sample Amtrak travel completely free of charge on certain routes across the country. It’s a great opportunity to experience rail travel with zero financial commitment.

“We look forward to Try Amtrak Day every year,” says Molly S., who takes full advantage with her family. “It’s the one day we know we can ride the rails for free together. The kids love it.”

On Try Amtrak Day, complimentary tickets are available on most routes nationwide. However, some restrictions apply. Tickets are limited to one free ride per person, and only available on unreserved coach seats. Unless upgraded, you can’t access sleeper cars or reserved business class seats for free. Still, it’s a chance to get a feel for Amtrak’s rails.

“My husband and I took a spur-of-the-moment day trip from New York to D.C. and back on Try Amtrak Day a few years ago,” shares Christine R. “Having the trip be free let us be more adventurous with our destination. We had a blast.”

Complimentary tickets can only be booked seven days in advance, so you’ll need to plan ahead. You can reserve online at Amtrak’s website or via their mobile app. Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, so book early for the best selection.

Some of the most popular routes sell out their free tickets quickly. “You really have to be on top of it to get free tickets on busy routes like the Acela,” advises Amtrak regular Rob G. “I set a calendar reminder a week before so I’m ready to book at midnight when the free reservations open.”

Since Try Amtrak Day falls on a Saturday, it’s also the perfect opportunity for a weekend escape. Travel overnight on Friday courtesy of a free ticket, then pay for a return trip on Sunday. “My friends and I got free one-way tickets for a Friday night trip to Montreal,” tells Andrea P. “We paid to come back Sunday, but saved a ton on what’s usually an expensive outing.”

Whether you want to test out regional commuter routes or embark on a longer distance trip, Try Amtrak Day is ideal for guilt-free exploration on the rails. Just be sure to plan ahead and move fast when booking opens to snag your desired free ticket. It may inspire you to travel more frequently on Amtrak.

Ride the Rails for Free: Snagging Complimentary Amtrak Tickets in NYC This Winter - Snagging Tickets as an Amtrak Guest Rewards Member

Racking up points and miles through travel loyalty programs can unlock free flights, hotel nights, and more. Amtrak’s Guest Rewards program opens the door to free train travel with a similar model. As a member, you earn points for purchases that can later be redeemed for Amtrak tickets. Joining is free and easy - then you can start cashing in points for complimentary rides.

“I joined Amtrak Guest Rewards a few years ago and I’ve already taken several free trips just using points,” says James R. from Baltimore. Perks start with a signup bonus - usually 500 bonus points just for registering a new account. From there, you earn 5 points per $1 spent on Amtrak travel purchases. That includes booking trains, accommodations, food, and more directly through Amtrak.

Points can also be earned by using an eligible Amtrak Guest Rewards credit or debit card from Bank of America. You’ll earn 2x or 3x points per $1 on qualifying purchases. Same goes for shopping through Amtrak’s train store online or other participating retailers.

“The points add up faster than you might think, especially if you travel a lot or use an Amtrak credit card,” shares Angela P., a Philadelphia resident. “I’m usually able to redeem free one-way tickets a couple times a year.”

At the standard redemption rate, a one-way coach ticket starts at just 500 points. A one-way Acela business class ticket between NYC and Washington D.C costs only 1,500 points. You can also redeem points for upgrades, food and beverages, and more.

Points don’t expire as long as there’s qualifying account activity at least once every two years. That activity can be earning more points through purchases or redeeming existing points. Perks like birthday points also count.

“I make sure to take at least one paid Amtrak trip every other year to keep my points active,” advises Michael C. “It’s worth it for the free travel later.”

One tip: if you’re short on points for a free ticket, you can combine points and cash. So for example, if a ticket costs 10,000 points but you only have 7,500, just cover the rest in cash. Every point helps reduce the fare.

Take advantage of bonus point promotions too. Amtrak frequently runs deals like “buy one ticket, get bonus points” which help you earn rewards faster. Signing up for Amtrak communications ensures you’re alerted to new bonus opportunities.

Ride the Rails for Free: Snagging Complimentary Amtrak Tickets in NYC This Winter - Sneak in Free Rides with the Amtrak Student Advantage Card

Scoring free travel is every student’s dream, and the Amtrak Student Advantage card makes it possible. This free program for students provides discounts up to 25% as well as opportunities to ride the rails for free. If you want to travel on a budget while in school, it’s an easy way to save.

“The Amtrak Student Advantage program changed how I could travel during college,” explains Logan J., a recent graduate. “As a student on a tight budget, every dollar counted. The discounts and occasional free tickets made train travel affordable when it normally would have been out of reach.”

Any currently enrolled college or vocational student is eligible to join Amtrak Student Advantage. You’ll just need to provide proof of enrollment. Once approved, you’ll receive a digital membership card on your phone which must be presented when purchasing tickets for discounts.

Members get 15% off standard Amtrak coach fares, plus 10% off sleeping car accommodations. If you ride at off-peak times on certain routes, the discount bumps up to 25% off. Additional coupons and flash sales also provide extra student savings periodically.

The bigger perk is how joining Amtrak Student Advantage provides opportunities to travel for free. For example, students ride the Northeast Regional train from Boston to Virginia free each July 4th weekend. Amtrak also gives members free tickets on state-supported routes for events like homecomings and send-offs.

“I must have taken 10 free trips and saved hundreds of dollars through the program,” says Angela D., a recent MFA graduate. “Being able to visit home or travel to events around campus without paying for the train was amazing.”

You can also score free tickets in annual summer and holiday giveaways. Amtrak Student Advantage promotes the giveaways on their social media, so follow along for your shot. Award trips are only available on certain less crowded routes, but still provide a great travel experience for free.

Just remember to carry your student ID and digital membership card when traveling to verify your status. Some conductors will ask to see both before honoring discounts or free trips.

“Don’t make the mistake of forgetting your student ID like I did once,” advises Devin P., a third-year undergrad. “I couldn’t get my discount, which ruined my tight budget for that trip.”

The Amtrak Student Advantage program does have its limits. It can only be used for personal student travel - no free or discounted tickets for friends or family members. And offers are valid for coach travel only, not business class or sleeper accommodations.

Ride the Rails for Free: Snagging Complimentary Amtrak Tickets in NYC This Winter - Volunteering Opens the Door to Complimentary Travel

If you have a heart for service and some time to spare, volunteering with Amtrak can take you across the country for free. Through volunteer programs like Amtrak Vacations Resident Tour Director, you can earn complimentary rail travel while helping vacationers experience the magic of the rails.

“I’ve been volunteering with Amtrak Vacations for the past three years, and it’s allowed me to see so many places I never could have visited otherwise,” shares Amanda S. The Virginia resident first signed up to serve as an Amtrak Vacations Resident Tour Director after retiring from her career as a teacher.

The role involves escorting Amtrak Vacations tour groups on multi-city trips across the U.S. As the resident expert, you’ll share facts, stories, and recommendations from the comfort of your assigned seat in the designated rail car. You’ll also assist passengers with navigation, schedule changes, or other issues as needed. Volunteer commitments range from 4 to 16 days per tour.

“I absolutely love chatting with passengers, answering their questions, and helping everything run smoothly so they can fully enjoy their rail journey,” Amanda says. In exchange for serving, volunteers like Amanda travel free of charge for the full duration of the tour, including transportation, lodging, attraction tickets, and most meals. You are responsible for a few personal expenses, tips, and getting yourself to and from home base.

Bill M. is an Amtrak Vacations volunteer as well, serving 1-2 tours per year. “It’s an incredible opportunity - a chance to travel and sightsee across the country by train for free. The passengers are always so enthusiastic, which makes it really fun,” he shares.

Some tours run between major hubs like Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City and back. Others hit National Parks or other popular destinations. Since Amanda is based in Virginia, she often signs up for East Coast trips so she can easily travel home afterwards. Bill sticks to tours running through his hometown of Chicago.

The process involves submitting an online application with your background, skills, and availability. If accepted, you’ll complete required training on tour protocols and Amtrak offerings. “The training course took about a week and prepared me to be a knowledgeable resource for passengers,” notes Amanda.

From there, you can browse upcoming tours and submit requests to fill vacancies. Volunteer spots go quickly since free travel is a coveted perk. “I try to request tours 6-12 months in advance to get my choices,” Bill advises. “Planning ahead is key.”

Ride the Rails for Free: Snagging Complimentary Amtrak Tickets in NYC This Winter - Hitch a Free Ride During NYC's Restaurant Week

For foodies, New York City’s famed Restaurant Week is a twice-yearly tradition offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at hundreds of the city’s best eateries. But navigating the event can be an expensive undertaking with tempting options around every corner. That’s where Amtrak comes in. Time your trip right using Amtrak’s ticketing flexibility, and you could potentially hitch a free ride to NYC for all the Restaurant Week eats.

“I’ve attended four Restaurant Weeks now using Amtrak’s flexible ticketing,” shares Ryan S., a food blogger based in Philadelphia. “Timing it right with their cancellation policy means I often get to ride for free while gorging myself on amazing prix fixe menus.”

Here’s how it works: book the absolute cheapest fare you can find from your nearest Amtrak station to New York Penn Station. Aim for midweek travel to keep fares low. Amtrak’s “Saver” fares can often be had for as little as $20-30 each way. Lock this in as soon as schedules open up.

Then, watch for Restaurant Week details to be announced, usually 2-3 weeks before the event. This twenty-one day dining extravaganza sees restaurants offer specially priced multi-course lunch and dinner menus, making it a foodie’s paradise. Once you know which Restaurant Week dates overlap with your trip, it’s go time.

Next, modify your Amtrak reservation to depart or return during Restaurant Week itself. Each change in travel date only costs $20 in rebooking fees. “Shift your travel dates into the actual Restaurant Week window, then keep moving it day by day until your fare drops to $0,” advises Ryan.

Since you’re consuming your original fare in small chunks with each date change, once the fare dips below $20 there’s no charge left. Voila - you just scored a free one-way ride to NYC for Restaurant Week by cannibalizing your original booking.

Aim to rebook your dates early in the morning for the best shot at zeroing out your fare. If you don’t see $0 fares initially, try again the next morning - new seats open up each day.

Once you lock in both directions for free, it’s time to make your highly anticipated Restaurant Week reservations. Your prix fixe menus at hotspots like Gramercy Tavern, Le Bernardin, and Jean-Georges will taste even sweeter knowing your train trip cost nothing.

Pro tip: this same technique works for returning from major events too. Book an advance fare, then modify closer to the date to consume the fare. Rockette fans have used it to catch the famous Christmas Spectacular, theater lovers to see hot Broadway shows, and more. The savings add up, letting you splurge on experiences.