How and when to buy tickets for Amtrak?|128471

I want to travel through the US next year. I_ll be travelling from New York to Los Angeles. Should I buy the tickets in advance? Is it cheaper to book online or at the train station? Any _hidden_ costs I should know about? I_m a student from Holland by the way.

Amtrak tickets are the same price online, by phone, or at a station. Fares usually rise closer to the departure date as a train fills up, and in some cases can sell out days or weeks in advance, so it_s best to book as far in advance as possible using any of these three methods. Coach tickets are fully refundable until you physically pick them up at the station, so there_s really no risk in booking early.

There are also a number of discounts that typically require advance purchase, such as three days on the 15% student discount. You can find these at:
http://www.railserve.com/amtrak_coupons.��

Ticket prices are the same wherever you buy them. You should buy tickets at least a couple of months ahead of time, to be sure they are not sold out. You can call or email them and ask how far ahead of time they recommend.

No the truth is the sooner you get your tickets the cheaper they will be. The more tickets for that train they sell the more the price goes up. So get them as soon as you can. The price will be the same online or at the station. A you can go online and get a student discount.