Amtrak holiday travel bookings surge as riders plan ahead

Amtrak holiday travel bookings are rising so quickly in 2025 that the company is urging passengers to reserve their holiday train trips well in advance. In an official Amtrak press release, the operator repeats that message, noting that demand for rail travel continues to surge and that seats on popular routes could sell out.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Why Amtrak holiday travel bookings are surging in 2025?

The company says bookings have grown by double digits in 2025 and that this holiday season is on track to become a record-breaking year for rail travel. According to Amtrak’s website, about 1.2 million passengers used its trains during the busy Thanksgiving period last year. As previously noted by Railway Supply, Thanksgiving rail demand has already been close to record levels, and with Amtrak Thanksgiving travel 2025 climbing even higher, the operator cautions that journeys to the most popular destinations could quickly reach capacity.

Industry outlets such as Railway-News also report that Amtrak expects record-breaking Thanksgiving ridership and is advising passengers to book early if they want to secure their preferred trains and seats.

Amtrak cheaper than flying for many holiday travelers

Price remains a key reason why many travelers now see Amtrak as a cheaper alternative to air travel. The operator points out that air passengers have faced significant delays and cancellations in the run-up to the government shutdown, which was resolved on Nov. 12, pushing some people to look for more reliable options. In a survey conducted earlier this month, 48% of customers who booked with Amtrak said they chose the train for “Lower fairs” than air travel. Depending on the destination and booking time, some Amtrak fares can be less than half the price of comparable flights, which makes train travel attractive for budget-conscious holiday trips.

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Comfort and convenience also factor into those decisions. “Amtrak offers a comfortable, convenient alternative to congested highways and crowded airports all year round – especially during the busy holiday season,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch on the company’s website, underlining the appeal of rail during peak travel periods.

Extra capacity, Nextgen Acela and how to book tickets

To meet the record-breaking demand for Amtrak holiday travel bookings, the operator is maximizing train capacity by adding extra cars on some of its most heavily used routes, including services to Boston, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City. At the same time, Amtrak is moving ahead with expansion plans for premium rides branded as Nextgen Acela, aimed at passengers who prefer to travel in first class or business class. According to the company, these additions are expected to be in place between Nov. 25 and 30.

Purchasing tickets is straightforward and can be done through several channels. Travelers can buy their Amtrak holiday travel tickets online at Amtrak.com, use the Amtrak mobile app, purchase at station ticket kiosks, or call 800-USA-RAIL for assistance, giving customers multiple ways to secure seats before the busiest days of the season.

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