Return to Articles

Transportation – Bus and Rail Discounts
National, Regional and Local Discounts
Date: May 14, 2009
Author: David Smidt, SeniorDiscounts

When planning your travel this summer, don’t forget about some of the more scenic ways in which to reach your destination. So many of us are flying or driving these days, that we forget to consider trains and buses as an inexpensive alternative that can provide a great way to see the country.

Trains and buses are typically more cost effective than airlines and can even be a better deal with the discounts available for mature travelers. Since many airlines have discontinued or modified their senior discounts in the past couple of years, finding a comparable senior fare can be difficult.

We have listed some of the senior discounts for bus and rail travel offered by the major national providers. There are also hundreds of local and regional train and bus lines throughout the country, most of which offer some form of senior discount. The discounts at the regional and local level usually range from around 50% off the regular adult fare to free travel for seniors. (Many of these local train and bus deals can be found in the SeniorDiscounts Search Area for Gold and Premium members.)

So next time you are traveling and have a little extra time, look into these alternatives and their discounts:

AMTRAK
Amtrak operates a nationwide rail network, serving more than 500 destinations in 46 states on 21,000 miles of routes, with nearly 19,000 employees.

Discount: Amtrak travelers 62 years of age and over are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. On cross-border services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, a 10% senior discount is applicable to travelers aged 60 and over. Amtrak also has Children’s Discounts, Student Discounts, Military Discounts and Veteran’s Discounts. Valid proof of age is required when purchasing your ticket and onboard the train.

Restrictions: The senior discount is not valid on the Auto Train. The senior discount is not valid on weekday Acela Express trains. The senior discount does not apply to Business class, First class or sleeping accommodation. These upgrades are permitted upon payment of the full accommodation charges. The senior discount is not valid for travel on certain Amtrak Thruway connecting services. The senior discount may not be combinable with other discount offers refer to the terms and conditions for each offer. Additional restrictions may apply.

http://www.amtrak.com

Greyhound Bus Lines
Greyhound Lines is the largest provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 3,100 destinations with 16,000 daily departures across North America.

Discount: Greyhound passengers age 62 and older may request a 5% discount on unrestricted passenger fares.
eSavers Discount: Save 10% by purchasing your ticket online for advertised locations. Greyhound also has Children’s Discounts, Student Discounts, Military Discounts and Veteran’s Administration Discounts. Visit the web site or call for details and any restrictions. Appropriate ID may be required.
http://www.greyhound.com

Peter Pan Bus Lines
Offer services between New York and Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and other destinations on the east coast.

Discount: A 5% discount on one-way and round-trip unrestricted adult fares is available to customers 62 years of age and older. Discount cannot be combined with other discounts or promotional fares. Peter Pan Bus Lines also has Children’s Discounts, Student Discounts, and Military Discounts.
http://www.peterpanbus.com

Trailways Transportation System
Trailways is a regionally-based ground transportation system that is comprised of privately
owned and operated companies (franchisees) throughout the United States.

Discount: Many of the privately owned and operated companies, which are franchised by Trailways
Transportation System, provide discounts to seniors. Visit the Trailways web site for links to
the various operators’ web sites and to search for their discounts. Age requirements and discount
amounts will vary by each provider.
http://www.trailways.com

VIA Rail Canada
VIA operates trains in all regions of Canada over a network spanning the country from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Great Lakes to Hudson Bay. They also have stops in v
arious northern US cities.

Discount: Receive a special senior discount fare of 10% off the full adult fare in Comfort
(Economy) class. Aside from a discount off the regular fare, seniors can also travel with
a companion at no extra charge during most of the year. Via Rail also offers other perks for
seniors including priority boarding and special meals. Visit their web site for details.
Restrictions are located on the Via Rail web site.
http://www.viarail.ca

© SeniorDiscounts

Return to Articles