GUIDEBOOK : On Track With Amtrak

Reservations: Amtrak “All Around America” fares include travel anywhere in Amtrak’s three regions, with no more than three stopovers and travel to be completed within 45 days. Amtrak has stops in 558 communities in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

The Eastern region is the Atlantic Coast to Chicago and New Orleans; the Western region is the Pacific Coast to Wolf Point, Mont., Denver, Colo., Albuquerque, N.M., and El Paso, Tex.; the Central region is everything in between.

Fares for one person in the high season (through the end of August) are $199 for travel in one region, $279 for two adjoining regions and $339 for all three regions. Starting Sept 1., one region is $179, two regions is $229 and three regions is $259.

Fares for private sleeping accommodations are additional and are determined by the distance traveled, size of room and region. A trip such as the author took now costs: $339 for the basic rail fare, adding $57 from New York to Chicago for a sleeper, $295 from Chicago to Los Angeles, $246 from Los Angeles to Houston, $176 from Dallas to Chicago and $57 from Chicago to New York. Some rooms are wheelchair accessible. Book as early as you can; many long-distance routes fill up quickly. High-season reservations can be made 11 months in advance.

For children ages 2 to 15 traveling with an adult, rail fare is 50% of the lowest available adult fare. For seniors 62 and older, there are also reduced rates Monday-Thursday.

Telephone (800) USA-RAIL.