Planning your next trip and wondering whether to take the train or catch a flight? You’re not alone. Thousands of travelers face this decision every day, weighing ticket prices against travel time, and comfort against convenience.
Quick Answer: For trips under 400 miles, Amtrak often costs less and delivers a more comfortable experience than flying. For longer distances, flying is typically faster but not always cheaper when you factor in baggage fees, airport parking, and transportation costs.
Let me break down everything you need to know to make the best choice for your journey.
Understanding the Real Cost: Amtrak vs Airplane Tickets
When comparing train tickets to airfare, most people only look at the base price. That’s a mistake that can cost you.
Amtrak Ticket Prices (What You Actually Pay)
Amtrak fares are refreshingly straightforward. Your ticket price includes:
- Two carry-on bags (up to 50 lbs each)
- Two checked bags (up to 50 lbs each) – completely free
- No change fees (just pay the fare difference)
- More legroom than economy flights
- Power outlets at your seat
- Free WiFi on most routes
Average Amtrak Costs by Distance:
| Route Distance | Coach Fare Range | Business Class | Roomette (Sleeper) |
| Under 200 miles | $25-$75 | $60-$150 | Not typically available |
| 200-500 miles | $50-$150 | $100-$250 | $150-$300 |
| 500-1,000 miles | $80-$200 | $150-$350 | $250-$500 |
| Cross-country (2,000+ miles) | $150-$400 | $300-$700 | $500-$1,200 |
Prices vary by route, season, and booking time. Book 3-4 weeks ahead for best rates.
Flying Costs (The Hidden Expenses Add Up)
That $89 flight isn’t really $89 once you add everything up.
What Airlines Don’t Include:
- Checked bag: $30-$70 (each way)
- Carry-on bag (basic economy): $30-$60
- Seat selection: $10-$80
- Airport parking: $15-$40 per day
- Transportation to/from airport: $25-$100 (rideshare or taxi)
- In-flight snacks and drinks: $5-$15
- Change fees: $75-$200 (on some tickets)
Real Flight Cost Example:
Base ticket: $120
Checked bag (roundtrip): $60
Airport parking (3 days): $90
Rideshare to airport: $35
Snacks: $12
Total: $317
That “cheap” flight just tripled in price.
Head-to-Head Price Comparison
Let’s compare real-world scenarios:
New York to Washington DC:
- Amtrak Northeast Regional: $50-$140 (coach)
- Flight: $80-$200 base fare + $60 baggage + $50 transportation = $190-$310 total
Chicago to St. Louis:
- Amtrak Lincoln Service: $25-$68 (coach)
- Flight: $90-$180 base + $60 baggage + $40 parking = $190-$280 total
Los Angeles to San Francisco:
- Amtrak Coast Starlight: $60-$120 (coach)
- Flight: $70-$180 base + fees = $150-$300 total
Winner for cost on short to medium routes: Amtrak saves you $50-$150 on average when you include all expenses.
Travel Time: Is Flying Really Faster?
Everyone assumes flying is quicker. Sometimes it is. But not always.
Amtrak Travel Times (Station to Station)
With Amtrak, your trip starts the moment you arrive at the station—usually just 15-20 minutes before departure.
Popular Amtrak Routes (Total Travel Time):
| Route | Distance | Duration | Average Speed |
| NYC to Washington DC | 225 miles | 3h 20m | 70 mph |
| NYC to Boston | 231 miles | 3h 45m | 60 mph |
| Chicago to Milwaukee | 86 miles | 1h 30m | 57 mph |
| Los Angeles to San Diego | 128 miles | 2h 45m | 46 mph |
| Portland to Seattle | 187 miles | 3h 30m | 53 mph |
Flying Times (The Full Story)
Here’s what airlines don’t tell you about “flight time”:
What’s Not Included in Flight Duration:
- Arrive early: TSA recommends 2 hours for domestic flights
- Security wait: 15-45 minutes (longer during holidays)
- Boarding: 30-40 minutes before takeoff
- Taxi and takeoff: 10-20 minutes
- Baggage claim: 20-30 minutes
- Airport to city center: 30-60 minutes
Real Door-to-Door Example (NYC to DC):
Flying:
- Get to airport: 45 minutes
- Arrive early: 2 hours before
- Flight time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Baggage claim: 25 minutes
- Travel to destination: 40 minutes
- Total: 5 hours 5 minutes
Amtrak:
- Arrive at Penn Station: 20 minutes before
- Train ride: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Walk off train to destination: 10 minutes
- Total: 3 hours 50 minutes
When Flying Is Actually Faster
Flying makes sense when:
- Distance exceeds 500 miles
- You’re traveling to smaller cities without direct train service
- Time is your absolute priority over comfort
- You’re going cross-country (over 1,000 miles)
Cross-Country Comparison (NYC to LA):
- Amtrak: 67 hours (with sleeper car needed)
- Flight: 6-7 hours door-to-door
- Winner: Flying (clearly faster for long distances)
Comfort and Experience: Where Amtrak Shines
I’ve taken dozens of flights and train trips. The comfort difference is night and day.
Amtrak Comfort Features
Seat Space:
- Coach seat width: 20-23 inches
- Legroom: 39-50 inches (vs 30-32 on planes)
- Recline: Significant recline without bothering the person behind you
- No middle seat on most trains
Freedom to Move:
- Walk around anytime
- Stretch your legs
- Visit the café car
- Move to the observation car (on long-distance trains)
- Use the restroom without squeezing past people
Amenities:
- Large windows with actual views
- Tables for laptops or meals
- Power outlets at every seat
- Real food in café car (not just snacks)
- No seatbelt restrictions
- Cell phone conversations allowed (in designated areas)
Unique Train Perks:
- Observation cars with panoramic windows
- Sleeper cars with beds, private bathrooms, and showers
- Dining car with freshly prepared meals
- Kids can move around safely
- Quiet car option (on some routes)
Flying Comfort Realities
Economy Class Reality:
- Seat width: 17-18 inches (tight)
- Legroom: 30-32 inches (cramped)
- Limited recline
- Middle seats exist (and they’re awful)
Restrictions:
- Stay seated most of the flight
- Seatbelt required during turbulence
- Laptop use restricted
- Limited bathroom access
- No phone calls allowed
- Overhead bin space battles
Business Class Flying: Yes, it’s more comfortable—but you’ll pay $300-$1,000 more than economy. For that price, you could get an Amtrak roomette with a bed.
The Stress Factor
Amtrak Stress Level: Low
- Show up 20 minutes early
- No security lines (on most routes)
- No baggage anxiety
- Spacious boarding
- Work or relax immediately
Flying Stress Level: Moderate to High
- 2-hour early arrival
- Long security lines
- Baggage weight limits
- Overhead space competition
- Boarding chaos
- Cramped quarters
Environmental Impact: The Green Choice
If sustainability matters to you, trains win hands down.
Carbon Emissions Comparison:
| Transportation | CO2 per Passenger Mile |
| Amtrak | 0.20 lbs |
| Airplane | 0.68 lbs |
| Car (alone) | 0.96 lbs |
Taking Amtrak instead of flying reduces your carbon footprint by about 70% per mile traveled.
Luggage and Baggage: No Contest
Amtrak Baggage Policy
Included Free:
- 2 personal items (bags, backpacks, etc.)
- 2 carry-on bags (50 lbs each)
- 2 checked bags (50 lbs each)
- Bikes (on many routes, with reservation)
- Skis and snowboards
No Fees. No Drama.
Airline Baggage Policies
Basic Economy:
- 1 personal item only
- Carry-on: $30-$60
- Checked bag: $30-$70 each
- Overweight fee: $100+
- Second bag: $40-$100
Standard Economy:
- 1 personal item (free)
- 1 carry-on (free)
- First checked bag: $30-$35
- Second bag: $40-$45
If you’re traveling with family, sports equipment, or multiple bags, Amtrak can save you hundreds in baggage fees alone.
WiFi and Connectivity
Amtrak WiFi:
- Free on most routes
- Works reasonably well for email and browsing
- Can be spotty in rural areas
- No data caps
Airplane WiFi:
- Often $8-$20 per flight
- Limited data on cheaper plans
- Can be unreliable
- Sometimes not available on shorter flights
Both options have connectivity challenges, but at least Amtrak’s is free.
Best Routes for Amtrak vs Flying
When Amtrak Is the Better Choice
Northeast Corridor (Boston to Washington DC):
- Frequent departures
- Faster door-to-door than flying
- Better WiFi than most flights
- Downtown to downtown service
Pacific Northwest (Portland to Seattle):
- Scenic coastline views
- Multiple daily departures
- Competitive pricing
- Similar total travel time
California Corridor (LA to San Diego/San Francisco):
- Avoid brutal traffic
- Coastal scenery
- Work-friendly environment
- Cheaper than flying
Midwest Routes (Chicago to Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis):
- Short trips perfect for trains
- Affordable fares
- More departure options
When Flying Makes More Sense
- Cross-country trips (NYC to LA, Miami to Seattle)
- Traveling to cities without Amtrak service
- Last-minute business trips where time is critical
- Going to remote or rural destinations
- International travel
Money-Saving Tips for Both Options
How to Save on Amtrak
- Book early: Fares increase as departure approaches
- Travel midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday are cheapest
- Use Amtrak rewards: Earn 2 points per dollar spent
- Check for deals: Veterans, seniors, and students get discounts
- Be flexible: Prices vary by departure time
- Consider multi-city tickets: Sometimes cheaper than one-way
How to Save on Flights
- Book 3-7 weeks ahead: Sweet spot for domestic flights
- Fly Tuesday or Wednesday: Cheapest days typically
- Use budget airlines carefully: Calculate total cost with fees
- Skip seat selection: Unless you need it
- Pack light: Avoid baggage fees
- Use flight comparison tools: Google Flights, Kayak, Skyscanner
Who Should Choose Amtrak?
Amtrak is perfect for you if:
- You’re traveling under 500 miles
- You hate airport security and hassle
- You want to work or relax during travel
- You’re bringing lots of luggage
- You enjoy scenic routes
- You get motion sickness on planes
- You’re traveling with kids who need space
- Environmental impact matters to you
- You prefer a stress-free experience
Who Should Choose Flying?
Flying makes sense when:
- You’re going cross-country (over 1,000 miles)
- Time is your top priority
- Your destination lacks train service
- You found a genuinely cheap flight
- You’re traveling internationally
- You have airline status/benefits
- Direct flights are available to small cities
Making Your Decision: A Simple Framework
Ask yourself these three questions:
1. How far am I traveling?
- Under 400 miles: Strongly consider Amtrak
- 400-700 miles: Compare both carefully
- Over 700 miles: Flying probably makes sense
2. What’s my total budget?
- Calculate ALL costs (baggage, parking, food, transportation)
- Don’t just compare base ticket prices
3. How much is my comfort worth?
- Can I work productively on the train?
- Is relaxation part of the trip value?
- Will I arrive stressed or refreshed?
The Bottom Line
There’s no universal answer to “Amtrak or flying?” It depends on your specific trip.
Choose Amtrak when: You’re traveling under 500 miles in the Northeast, California, or Pacific Northwest. You want comfort, space, and a stress-free experience. You’re carrying luggage or traveling with family.
Choose flying when: You’re going cross-country or to destinations without train service. Time is your absolute priority, and you’re okay sacrificing comfort for speed.
The sweet spot for Amtrak: Routes between 150-500 miles where trains offer competitive travel times, better comfort, and lower total costs than flying.
For many trips, especially in the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak isn’t just an alternative to flying—it’s actually the better choice. You’ll arrive more relaxed, spend less money, and enjoy the journey instead of just enduring it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for most routes under 500 miles, Amtrak is cheaper when you include all costs. A coach Amtrak ticket typically ranges from $25-$150, with no baggage fees. Flights may seem cheaper upfront ($80-$180), but adding baggage fees ($60), airport parking ($40-$90), and transportation costs ($30-$70) makes flying significantly more expensive.
For short routes (under 400 miles), Amtrak is often similar or even faster door-to-door. For example, NYC to DC takes 3 hours 20 minutes by train versus 5+ hours flying (including airport time). For long distances over 1,000 miles, flying is substantially faster.
Yes, significantly. Amtrak coach seats offer 39-50 inches of legroom compared to 30-32 inches on planes. You can walk around freely, use your phone, work at tables, and never worry about turbulence or seatbelt signs. There are no middle seats on most trains.
Absolutely. Amtrak includes 2 carry-ons (50 lbs each) and 2 checked bags (50 lbs each) free. Airlines charge $30-$70 per checked bag, and budget carriers even charge for carry-ons. For families or trips requiring lots of gear, Amtrak saves you hundreds in baggage fees.
Amtrak excels on the Northeast Corridor (Boston-NYC-DC), California routes (LA-San Diego, LA-San Francisco), Pacific Northwest (Portland-Seattle), and Midwest corridors (Chicago-Milwaukee, Chicago-St. Louis). These routes offer competitive travel times and better overall value than flying.
Yes, Amtrak offers free WiFi on most routes, though it can be spotty in rural areas. Airlines typically charge $8-$20 for in-flight WiFi, making Amtrak’s free service another cost advantage.
Both are extremely safe. Statistically, flying has a slightly better safety record, but train travel is also very safe with modern equipment and infrastructure. The real difference is in comfort and stress levels rather than safety.
Arrive 15-20 minutes before Amtrak departure (30 minutes if checking bags). For flights, arrive 2 hours early for domestic travel. This difference alone makes train travel much more convenient for short trips.
Ready to book your next trip? Compare Amtrak routes and schedules at AmtrakRoutes.com to find the best train options for your journey.