Quick Answer: Amtrak’s booking system went down on Monday, October 20, 2025, due to a massive Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage. Customers couldn’t book tickets online or through the app, and station staff were unable to process payments or modify existing reservations.
If you’re trying to book an Amtrak ticket today and running into technical issues, you’re not alone. A widespread technology outage has disrupted train reservations across the country, leaving thousands of travelers unable to complete their bookings.
What Happened with Amtrak’s Booking System?
Early Monday morning, around 3:11 a.m. Eastern Time, Amazon Web Services experienced technical difficulties in its US-EAST-1 Region, which impacted Amtrak’s reservation systems. This wasn’t just a minor glitch—it affected multiple critical services that travelers rely on daily.
Amtrak announced on its website that it was experiencing intermittent technical difficulties impacting several key services. The rail service immediately informed passengers about the scope of the problem and what wasn’t working during the outage.
Which Amtrak Services Were Affected?
The AWS outage created significant disruptions across Amtrak’s digital infrastructure. Here’s what wasn’t working during the incident:
| Service | Impact |
|---|---|
| Online Booking | Unable to book tickets through Amtrak.com |
| Mobile App | Reservation bookings not processing |
| Customer Care Center | Staff couldn’t update existing reservations |
| Payment Processing | Unable to process payments at stations |
| Customer Communications | SMS, email, and push notifications disrupted |
| Ticket Scanning | Some locations reported issues with digital ticket validation |
Amtrak reported issues scanning tickets because those are tied to the AWS system. This meant that even travelers with existing bookings faced potential complications at the station.
What Should Travelers Do During the Outage?
If you have travel plans during a service disruption, here’s what Amtrak recommends:
For Travelers Departing Monday: Amtrak advised that if customers are traveling Monday, they should arrive at the station 30 minutes prior to their train’s departure. This extra time helps account for any manual processing delays at ticket counters.
Alternative Booking Options:
- Visit your nearest Amtrak station ticket counter
- Speak directly with customer service representatives in person
- Call 1-800-USA-RAIL for phone-based reservations
Getting Real-Time Updates: Real-time service information can be found on @AmtrakAlerts on X (formerly Twitter). Following Amtrak’s official social media accounts gives you the fastest updates during any service interruption.
Why Did AWS Cause This Problem?
You might be wondering: what does Amazon have to do with train tickets? The answer reveals just how interconnected our digital world has become.
AWS provides behind-the-scenes cloud computing infrastructure to many government departments, universities and businesses. Amtrak, like countless other organizations, relies on AWS to power its reservation system, customer database, and communication tools.
DynamoDB is a centralized database service that many internet-based services use to track user information, store key data and manage their operations. When this system experienced problems in AWS’s Virginia-based data center, it created a domino effect across dozens of major services.
How Widespread Was This Outage?
Amtrak wasn’t the only service hit by this technology disruption. On DownDetector, users reported issues with Snapchat, Roblox, Fortnite, online broker Robinhood, the McDonald’s app and many other services.
The outage affected:
- Social media platforms
- Gaming services
- Financial trading apps
- Food delivery and restaurant apps
- Travel and transportation systems
- Educational platforms
- E-commerce websites
Delta and United Airlines were among the carriers affected by Monday morning’s Amazon Web Services disruption, which left some travelers unable to check in or access reservations for several hours. This shows how vulnerable our travel infrastructure is to cloud computing failures.
How Long Did the Amtrak Outage Last?
AWS reported that it is “investigating increased error rates and latencies for multiple AWS services in the US-EAST-1 Region.” The company’s engineers worked throughout the morning to resolve the issues.
AWS said at about 6:30 a.m. Eastern time that “most AWS Service operations are succeeding normally now.” However, some services experienced intermittent problems throughout the day as full functionality was gradually restored.
Has This Happened to Amtrak Before?
Technology outages aren’t new for Amtrak or other major travel providers. Cloud computing disruptions have become an unfortunate reality of modern travel.
AWS’s longest outage in recent history occurred in late 2021, when companies — everything from airline reservations and auto dealerships to payment apps and video streaming services — were affected for more than five hours. Other significant outages occurred in 2020, 2023, and 2017.
The scale of these disruptions highlights a growing concern in the technology industry. Some cybersecurity experts have warned for years about the potentially ugly consequences of allowing a handful of big tech companies to dominate key internet operations.
What Can Future Travelers Learn From This?
This incident offers important lessons for anyone booking train travel:
- Book Early When Possible: Don’t wait until the last minute to make reservations, especially for important trips
- Save Confirmation Details: Keep screenshots or printouts of your booking confirmations
- Know Alternative Booking Methods: Familiarize yourself with phone and in-person booking options
- Follow Official Channels: Stay connected to Amtrak’s social media for service updates
- Build in Extra Time: Arrive earlier than usual during known system issues
Was This Outage a Security Threat?
Good news on this front: Cybersecurity expert Patrick Burgess said there was no indication that the outage was caused by a cyber incident like a cyberattack. This was a technical failure, not a malicious attack on the system.
The problem stemmed from issues with Amazon’s internal infrastructure, not from any external threat to customer data or security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can still travel. Existing reservations remain valid. However, you should arrive at the station earlier than usual to allow time for any manual processing that might be necessary.
The outage itself doesn’t qualify for refunds, but Amtrak’s standard cancellation and refund policies still apply to any bookings you need to change or cancel.
Call Amtrak’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit a station ticket counter in person. Customer service representatives can process bookings manually.
Yes, your confirmed reservations remain in the system. Keep your confirmation number handy, and if digital tickets aren’t working, station staff can look up your reservation manually.
AWS outages are usually fixed in “hours rather than days.” Most services return to normal within a few hours, though some functionality may take longer to fully restore.
Amtrak stations can process reservations manually through phone systems and in-person ticket counters. While these methods are slower than digital booking, they ensure travelers can still purchase tickets.
The Bottom Line
Technology outages are frustrating, especially when you’re trying to plan travel. The October 20, 2025 AWS disruption showed just how dependent modern train travel has become on cloud computing infrastructure.
Amtrak said it was working with its business partner to resolve the problems, and appreciated customer patience during the disruption. While these incidents are concerning, they’re typically resolved quickly through coordinated technical responses.
For travelers, the key takeaway is simple: have backup plans. Know how to book tickets through multiple channels, save your confirmation details, and follow official Amtrak communications for the latest service updates. The digital age has made train travel more convenient, but having traditional backup options remains essential.
Stay Updated: Follow @AmtrakAlerts on X for real-time service information, or check Amtrak.com for the latest system status updates.
Need help planning your next Amtrak journey? Check our route guides and booking tips to make your train travel experience smoother, regardless of technical disruptions.