“Travelers returning from concerts, plays, sporting events or who prefer earlier and later departures can take advantage of these lower rates,” said a spokesperson for Amtrak.

The inexpensive tickets are available on select trains for departures between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Travelers can find the $5 fares on journeys between Washington, D.C. and New York City and New York City and Boston. 

Four bags (two personal items and two suitcases) are included in the fare. 

The discounted tickets are subject to availability, so book early to have the best chance of finding one.

Sample Night Owl Fares

One-way coach class fares are priced starting at:

• Philadelphia – Baltimore/BWI: $5
• New York – Newark/Newark Liberty: $5
• Washington – Baltimore/BWI: $5
• Boston – Providence: $5
• New York – Philadelphia: $10
• Philadelphia – Washington: $10
• Providence – New Haven: $10
• Boston – New Haven: $15
• New York – Baltimore/BWI: $15
• Washington – Newark/Newark Liberty: $15
• New York – Washington: $20
• Boston – New York: $20

The post Amtrak Just Added More $5 Fares—Here’s How to Snag One appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Tucked away in the northeast corner of Italy, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region borders Austria, Slovenia and the Adriatic Sea. Despite the breathtaking Dolomite views, award-winning vineyards, and beautiful beaches, this area of the country doesn’t see nearly as many tourists as more popular regions. 

In an effort to draw more visitors to this hidden gem, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s tourism board will refund train tickets for people coming to visit now through May 31, plus throw in a free FGVcard, which offers discounts and free tickets to public transportation and popular attractions.

In order to take advantage of the deal, you’ll have to do the following:

• Book the package directly through Travel One Tour Operator
• Stay overnight in a participating property in Grado, Lignano Sabbiadoro, Udine or Trieste
• Take a Trenitalia train to the region from Latisana-Lignano-Bibione, Cervignano-Aquileia-Grado, Trieste Airport, Trieste Centrale, or Udine.
• Travel before May 31, 2023.

The post This Charming Italian Region Will Pay You to Visit appeared first on SmarterTravel.

One simple way to compare all of your transport options (including plane, train, bus, car, ferry, driving and walking) is the site Rome2rio, which is a free and easy-to-use app and website.

An Example: How To Get From Amsterdam To Paris

Let’s say you are planning a Eurotrip and are working out how to get from Amsterdam to Paris. Luckily, there are myriad ways to travel, including by train, bus, car and plane. But which one will be the cheapest? Or the fastest?

First, input the city pairs into the search box.

In this case, it shows a 3½-hour train trip as the fastest method of transport. However, the price range shows that tickets tend to be quite high.

If you were happy to double the journey time but reduce the cost by over 80%, the bus could be a good option.

Scrolling down, you can see that flights between the two cities take only 1 hour 20 minutes. However, what I like about Rome2rio is that it doesn’t just include the time spent getting to and from the airports. It also builds in the time needed to check-in, pass through security, board your flight, and pick up your luggage on the other side. In this case, the flight time is tripled to over four hours when you take into account all of the waiting, making the train the quickest option.

How to Book

As you may expect, this free tool has to make its money somehow. Depending on the city and country, Rome2rio shows select train, bus and flight schedules, with links to booking tickets online.

While this option is well-integrated into the tool, I think it’s best to go to the specific train or bus company’s website to check schedules and buy tickets. This is especially important in the context of constantly changing schedules due to COVID. If you’ve booked directly through the transport provider’s website, you’ll be better positioned to get help if you need to cancel or make changes to your trip.

How To Choose If All Options Are The Same Price And/Or Time

This is a personal preference: I prefer to travel by train where possible. Train stations tend to be closer to the city center than bus stations, making it a more seamless journey. And as opposed to flying, security screening is quicker and less stressful at train stations compared to airports.

Plus, traveling by train is usually the most eco-friendly option out of train, bus and plane. So if you can enjoy a more comfortable journey and help the planet, that’s a win-win in my book!

The post How to Find the Cheapest, Fastest, and Easiest Transportation Options Between Destinations appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Plan Ahead

The thing about taking a dream vacation on a budget is that you have to plan ahead. I’m not the type of person who likes to have every moment of my vacation mapped out, but years of travel have taught me that if you don’t plan a little, it’s more expensive in the long run. By researching deals and discounts in advance, you can save a lot of money.

For our trip to Portland, I relied on Groupon to find discounted activities. We ended up getting two for one admission to the Portland Museum of Art and the Victoria Mansion Museum. We also found great savings on a lighthouse boat tour and a fantastic deal at a waterfront restaurant where we were able to celebrate our anniversary with a lobster dinner. 

Don’t Splurge on Your Accommodations

Here is the thing about traveling, you are there to enjoy the place you are visiting, not the room you are sleeping in. So don’t worry too much about finding the perfect hotel. I love using sites like Airbnb, VRBO, and even Hipcamp. They lead to incredibly unique stays that don’t pop up in a general Google search. Stays that are often cheaper than a standard hotel. Our Airbnb in Portland was right in the heart of the city and just $55 a night. The best part? It was a historic rooming house with loads of character. Yes, we did end up sharing a bathroom with the other room on our floor, but if that isn’t your thing you can filter out that option and give yourself as much privacy as you need. The point is, we got creative with our accommodations and ended up staying in the center of the city. We not only saved money on a room, but we were able to walk everywhere (including from the train station), which meant we didn’t have to rent a car or spend money on Uber and Lyft. A huge win in our book because that meant we could spend the money we’d allocated for a rental car on something else. 

Don’t Eat Out Every Night

Without a doubt we spend the most money on food when we travel. We love to eat. And we love to eat good food. But when you’re on a budget and away from home how can you save money and not end up eating fast food every night? One word: Picnic. Picnics are the perfect way to save money and explore the city you are visiting. I’ve had picnic meals all over the world. On the steps of a church in Luca, Italy, on a bench overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, on the back hatch of a car at a Civil War Park in Kentucky. In Portland we found a corner store and bought cheese and crackers, some fruit and a couple of beers and headed for the waterfront. We enjoyed a laidback meal while watching the fog roll in off the ocean. We lingered for more than an hour in the cool summer weather, people-watching, talking, and just listening to the sounds of a city that wasn’t our own. Picnics are a great way to save money on a meal while often enjoying some of the best views your destination has to offer, plus we took our leftover cheese and crackers back to our Airbnb to enjoy as snacks later. 

Walk Everywhere

If you are able, walk as much as you can. We were lucky in that Portland is an extremely walkable city and we spent a lot of time exploring it on foot. Walking not only saves money, it provides a chance to discover shops and restaurants that could be missed when whizzing by in a car. We discovered some of our favorite bars, record stores, and vintage shops in Portland this way. 

Of course, walking isn’t a possibility for everyone. But there are still great ways to get around without the expense of renting a car. Most midsize cities and larger have public transit or even bike share programs to help you get around. Do a little research before you travel, you may find that you can buy a bus pass for the duration of your stay. And of course, for those smaller trips there is always Uber and Lyft. 

Spend Wisely on Souvenirs

This doesn’t exactly have to do with saving money in the moment, but I promise you’ll thank me later. In Portland my partner and I started a tradition that still persists today. In lieu of buying weird trinkets or souvenirs that will break, we started buying coffee to take home with us. We both love coffee and love trying local coffee shops wherever we travel. In Portland we really enjoyed Speckled Ax Coffee and decided to buy a bag to take home with us. Since then, we’ve acquired coffee from LA, Palm Springs, New York, Johannesburg, San Francisco, Kansas City, Chicago and more. This tradition lets us extend our vacations, in a way. Every morning we sip coffee and remember the places we’ve been. 

Follow These Train Tips

I’d be remiss if I didn’t leave you with a few train tips. It can be really expensive in the United States to travel by train, so here are three things we did to cut the cost: 

1. We only took the train one way. 

We chose to take the train from Milwaukee to Portland and then found a cheap flight home from Portland. This saved us money as well as time. For us, taking the train was part of the vacation, so we enjoyed the thirty-some hour trip, but knew we didn’t want to spend money on it more than once. 

2. We sat up all night. 

Yes, yes. You heard me right. Sometimes your dream trip comes with some sacrifices. For us it meant not splurging for a sleeper car on the longest leg of our trip from Chicago to Washington, DC. Instead, we sat up all night. While I’ll admit, a sleeping car probably would have been more comfortable, sitting up all night wasn’t bad at all. Especially if you’re used to airplane travel. Just remember to bring a pillow, ear plugs, and maybe an eye mask. 

3. We packed snacks (and drinks!). 

Listen, Amtrak coffee only costs a dollar. If you want to drink it, by all means, go for it. But it costs a dollar for a reason, so save yourself (and your taste buds) the money and pack tea. Tea is my favorite travel companion. It’s easier on the stomach than coffee and it’s inexpensive if you buy it ahead of time. It’s easy to pack, and hot water is always free (just remember to bring your own travel mug). As for other snacks, the dining car is inevitably overpriced. I suggest packing things you’ll be able to eat throughout your trip. Peanut butter sandwiches, bags of pretzels or chips, granola bars, maybe even a couple of apples. Things that won’t spoil. Remember that you won’t be on the train forever and small meals like this are doable for a little while.  

Your dream trip doesn’t have to be expensive, whatever it is. We traveled across the eastern half of the United States from less than $1,000 and never once felt like we missed out on anything. On our way to Portland, we saw Chicago, Washington D.C. and Boston. We explored and ate and drank. Sure, our backs were a little sore after that all-night train ride from Chicago to DC, but in the grand scheme of things, that was all part of the adventure. No matter where you want to travel (or how) you can do it for less than $1,000, you just have to be willing to do your research, plan ahead, and get creative. So, find the cheapest flight, train ticket, or closest city you’ve never driven to and go. The world is big and it’s wild and it’s calling to you.  

The post How to Take Your Dream Trip for Under $1,000 appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Accommodations

You have several options for accommodations. On long-distance trains, there are a selection of sleeping rooms available, including handicapped-accessible, family (for up to two adults and three children), a roomette (chairs that convert to a bed, an upper berth, and a shower and bathroom available for roomette passengers). 

Bedrooms have a sofa that converts to a bed, an upper berth that pulls down, a small closet, a sink, bathroom, and shower. The bedrooms also have a small pulldown table with a game board on it if you bring checkers or a chess set, or for a dining surface. 

Sleeping car passengers receive meals, bottled water, and a beverage that can be alcoholic or not (and you can bring a bottle of wine or other beverage with you to consume in your bedroom). A sleeping car attendant is available to make the bed, carry and stow your luggage, and other services. Sleeping car attendants are usually tipped $10-20 a day per passenger. Note: due to Covid-19 regulations, cash is not accepted in the café car or elsewhere, so be sure to bring an active credit card.

Some bedrooms have a connecting door for a family or couples traveling together. The attendant will open the door for you which offers a little more room to socialize.

Luggage

Amtrak tickets include two suitcases, each up to 50 pounds, and a carry-on bag at no charge. Bring snacks and beverages with you or buy from the café car. Whether you’re in coach or a sleeper, you can walk around whenever you want (with a face mask). 

Now, what do you need on your multi-day/night trip? If you travel light, just yourself and some basics. Plenty of passengers enjoy every aspect and idiosyncrasy of train travel. If you’re packing a lot of clothes for a vacation or long-term visit, bring an overnight bag with your essentials and put your big bag(s) in the luggage rack. If you’re starting in a cold-weather climate and you’re headed toward warm weather (or vice-versa), pack a change of clothes in the overnight bag. Don’t forget pajamas, shower shoes (or flip-flops), a toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs and an eye mask if you are a light sleeper.

While blankets are available, you might want to bring one, just in case. And, you may want to keep a sweater handy. An LED nightlight, multi-plug adapter, multiple chargers for your electronics, a travel-size pillow, a cooler (find a small one that slips over the handle of your suitcase), small roll of duct tape (for metal panels that rattle), sanitizing wipes, and binder clips (to hold the curtains together in case the Velcro has lost its grip).

Discounts

Amtrak offers a number of discounts, for seniors, children, military (and retired military), and disabled. They offer 15-, 30-, and 45-day trips that allow you to make eight, 12, or 18 segments for a fixed price for adults, youth (13-15), and child (2-12). Infants under two are free. They also offer discounts for groups, and periodically will have a two-for sale. Amtrak and Bank of America offer an affiliate program with bonus miles for a specific spend and train travel discounts when using the credit card.

Reservations

You can make reservations online (www.amtrak.com), but it’s not the most user-friendly program. Once you know where you want to go, call Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL) and when “Julie” answers, ask for an agent. You have to be a little persistent, but once you reach a human, they’re the nicest agents you’ll find. They’ll compare prices at various times and figure how many reward points you need for each leg. They’ll also let you book one leg with points and another with a credit card. Book as far in advance as possible, for the prices are dynamic and change according to availability and demand. If you’re trying to reserve a specific date and there are no bedrooms available, check again at midnight. The computer clears any non-paid reservations at 11:59 p.m., thus a bedroom could become available.

Take Advantage of Stops

Check the time schedule or talk with a conductor to ask when the train will make a water or crew change stop and schedule that time to insert or remove your contact lenses or wash up before bed or apply makeup or shaving. It’s a lot easier doing these things when the train is stationary rather than moving along at 60 mph or faster.

WiFi

While the free WiFi is fairly reliable along the Northeast Corridor (between Washington, D.C. and Boston), it’s intermittent at best throughout the rest of the system. Therefore, download any videos you may want to watch along the way at home before you board the train.

Photo Tricks

When you’re taking photos remember that you’re shooting through a window. In other words, turn off the flash. You can also take a U.S. map to mark your progress.

Medications

Amtrak can’t keep medications (e.g., insulin) on ice. The sleeping car attendant may bring a bag of ice to you, but it’s not a real solution. That’s when you need the little ice chest.

Acela Lounges

When you book a room or roomette, you get access to the staffed Acela lounge (Washington, D.C.) or Metropolitan Lounge (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, OR, New York), and unstaffed lounges at St Paul/Minneapolis, St. Louis, and New Orleans.

Get Social

Amtrak fans have created numerous Facebook pages where you can learn about news of Amtrak in general or a specific line in particular, meet others who may be traveling your route at the same time, and suggestions to make your trip more enjoyable.

The post 10 Tips for Long-Distance Amtrak Trips appeared first on SmarterTravel.

When you start traveling again, why not try exploring Miami car-free. Kiss goodbye to the expenses of car rentals, parking spots, valets (and parking tickets) by trying these cheap or free-of-charge alternatives:

Freebie

Freebie is a private chauffeur-driven golf buggy service founded by two University of Miami graduates. And as the name suggests, Freebie is completely free. These eco-friendly electric vehicles are only available for short rides but the network includes over a dozen different service areas across Miami, so it’s perfect for getting between your hotel and the beach or local restaurants.

Download the app, select your destination and confirm your pickup spot. Then you can track your ride in real time, just like with Uber or Lyft. You can even select your favorite music (from hip hop to jazz), so your ride has a party vibe – well, it is Miami after all. The app also offers deals and discounts on destinations including restaurants, bars and hotels across the area.   

Operation hours vary by service area.

Price: Free

Trolley

This is another totally free transport option in Miami. The Miami trolleys comprehensively cover all the major areas, including Downtown, Midtown and South Beach. Trolleys in Miami look like quaint vintage streetcars on the outside, with traditional wooden seats and leather straps inside, but they are all new vehicles and run on the road, not on rails.

You can find City of Miami or Miami Beach trolley stops every couple of blocks. There could be a 15-45 minute wait but if you keep an eye on the real-time trolley location tracker via the City of Miami Trolley app or Miami Beach Trolley app, you can plan your time better.

Take a trolley from Brickell to access the parks and beaches of Virginia Key and Key Biscayne. Or hop on the guided Homestead trolley to access the Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. The guided National Park trolley service even includes free admission to the parks and is available every weekend from January 2 to April 4 and December 26 to 31.

City of Miami trolleys operate daily from 6.30 a.m./8 a.m. to 8 p.m./11 p.m. You can view schedules here. Miami Beach trolleys run daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Price: Free   

Metromover

Free, modern and driverless; Miami’s Metromover system operates on its own independent structure elevated above the city streets. This makes it a good option for getting about when the roads are clogged with rush-hour traffic.

The network covers Downtown, Brickell, Park West and the Arts and Entertainment District. These areas include popular attractions such as the American Airlines Arena for concerts, Bayside Market Place for shopping and mojitos and Wynwood for street art, craft breweries and hip boutiques.

The Metromover also takes you to the perimeters of the Miami Design District, where you can admire the striking architecture, browse designer stores, wander around art galleries and visit the Miami Institute of Contemporary Art. 

Operation hours are daily from 5 a.m. to midnight and security guards patrol the stations.

Price: Free

Citi Bike

Miami’s Citi Bike rental service is quick and easy to use. You can rent a Citi Bike from a solar-powered bike station for 30 minutes, by the hour, by the day or for even longer periods.

There are dozens of bike stations all over Miami Beach, as well as across the mainland (between the I-95 and the water—pretty much every area that’s of interest to visitors).

It’s legal to ride your bike on the sidewalk in Miami but there’s also an extensive cycle lane network which includes some nice routes by the water and through several parks. You can check out a Miami cycle lane map here.

Citi Bikes come with handy baskets on the front, but as with all bike baskets, don’t place anything valuable (like your wallet) in them while you ride—a backpack is a safer bet.

Price: From $4.40 (30-minute pass) to an unlimited monthly pass for $35. It’s better to book a longer pass than to exceed your rental session—otherwise it’s $4.60 for every additional 30 minutes.

Metrorail and Brightline

Miami’s Metrorail service covers 25 miles of track, including Miami International Airport, Downtown, Coral Gables and beyond. It runs daily from 5 a.m. to midnight and has free wifi on board. The downside is it doesn’t extend to Miami Beach, but you can easily transfer to a bus or trolley from Downtown or Edgewater to get to Miami Beach.

The Metrorail also links up with the high-speed Brightline rail service, so you can zip up the coast to Fort Lauderdale in 30 minutes or West Palm Beach in just an hour for a change of scene. Eventually, the service will go all the way to Orlando in two hours, but that section is still under construction.

Price: Metrorail from $2.25. Brightline from $17 (For Lauderdale).

Metrobus

With 93 routes and services operating 365 days per year, you’re probably not going to have a problem finding a Miami bus to take you to any destination. All the top tourist attractions, beaches and places of interest are covered, as well as Miami International Airport (MIA)—making it probably the cheapest way to get from MIA into the city. There’s even a fleet of 33 zero-emission electric buses on the network.

Services run 24 hours a day on some routes, but times can vary, so click on each route schedule to see the service hours.

Price: From $2.25 for Metrobus fares or short Shuttle Bus fares from $0.25. 

Hiking

Wait, we have good reasons to include this one on the list. Let’s face it, so many American cities are a nightmare to walk around, often with inexplicable disappearing sidewalks (I’m looking at you, L.A.). But there are decent sidewalks and walking paths pretty much everywhere in Miami—and even some urban hikes.

For example, the picturesque 2.5-mile-long path along the historic Venetian Causeway takes you right over Biscayne Bay, from Edgewater to South Beach. While you enjoy this tree-lined walk, you can discreetly ogle multi-million dollar pads, but it’s the bay views that steal the show. Over at South Beach, stroll down the beachfront sidewalk on the famous Ocean Drive and admire the Art Deco architecture, which includes the club from The Birdcage (at The Carlyle hotel and restaurant). 

For a longer hike, try the 10-mile Miami River Greenway, which starts at the 2,000 year-old Miami Circle at the mouth of the Miami River. Or start from Downtown Miami and walk along the Rickenbacker Causeway to the barrier islands of Virginia Key and Key Biscayne, taking in the quieter beaches and parks, ending at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park’s historic lighthouse.

Price: Free

The post How To Get Around Miami Without A Car appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Editor’s note: Save these ideas for when it’s safe to travel again, and always follow all COVID-19 restrictions, rules and safety regulations both at your destination and upon returning home. 

Grand Canyon Railway, Williams, Arizona

Trip length: 2 hrs, 15 min

Hop on the restored Grand Canyon Railway, which replicates the important journey from the town of Williams to the Grand Canyon. Travelers board at the Williams Depot and experience 65 miles of beautiful desert terrain, traveling from prairie to pine with an abundance of photo opportunities with different views. The voyage ends in the middle of the National Park in the historical Grand Canyon Depot.

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, Skagway, Alaska

Travel length: 2.5 hours

The historic narrow-gauge White Pass and Yukon Route Railway in Skagway, Alaska is an incredible feat of engineering. The first tracks were built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush and you may wonder how they managed to build along sheer cliffs. Chugging along this route reaches almost 3,000 feet in elevation offering vistas of waterfalls, lakes and snow-covered mountains, gorges, and glaciers and traveling through several tunnels. There are three distinct excursions to choose from, all departing from Skagway.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, North Carolina

Trip length: 4-4.5 hours 

For anyone who wants to experience the Great Smoky Mountains, taking the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is one of the most delightful and easy ways to see this mountain range. There are two different trips you can take. One is a 32-mile Tuckasegee River excursion that is more centered on the history where passengers will see fertile verdant valleys and many important bridges or opt for the 44-mile Nantahala Gorge Excursion offering vistas of the Nantahala and Tennessee Rivers that leads to the gorge and is more focused on nature.  

Amtrak’s Adirondack, New York City, NY to Montreal, Canada

Trip Length: 10 hours

With daily departures leaving New York City’s Penn Station in the early morning, hopping aboard Amtrak’s Adirondack route will bring you to Montreal just in time for dinner. You’ll have vistas of the Hudson River with plenty of well-kept mansions along the riverbank, vineyards, forests, as well as quaint towns. Spend time in the observation car for better views, especially when you’re near the Adirondack mountains.

Alaska Denali Star, Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska

Trip length: 12 hours

During the summer, the Alaska Railroad ferries passengers from Anchorage to Fairbanks daily on this 356 mile track. Travel from one city to the other on a scenic and relaxing passage while you take in Alaska’s Southcentral and Interior landscape. This journey is a popular way to reach Denali National Park, too. On a clear day, you’ll want to spend more time in the observation deck to take in the backcountry, the Indian River and vistas from a 296-foot bridge of Hurricane Gulch.

Coastal Starlight, Los Angeles, California to Seattle, Washington

Trip length: 35 hours

The Coastal Starlight is an opportunity to enjoy the West Coast in all its splendor from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest. Departing from Los Angeles three days a week, the route offers travelers an opportunity to see incredible views of the Pacific coast that are often only available aboard as it passes through Santa Barbara, the Central Coast, and whisks past the San Francisco Bay Area as it continues north through beautiful forests, valleys and the snow-capped Cascade Mountains before arriving in Seattle. 

Empire Builder, Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington

Trip length: 46 hours 

This scenic train ride departs three times a week from Chicago. Chugging alongside the Mississippi River and jagged mountain ranges, there are plenty of photo opportunities as you glide by Glacier National Park in Montana. Once you reach the Pacific Northwest, this ride passes along sections of Lewis and Clark’s expedition before arriving at its final destination—Portland. If you want to be well-rested when you arrive, consider booking a sleeper car so you can get enough shut eye—after looking out at the starry night sky. 

California Zephyr, Chicago, Illinois to Emeryville, California

Trip length: 51 hours, 20 min

Amtrak’s California Zephyr debuted in 1949 and since then has given passengers the chance to adventure across the heart of America and the Continental Divide. The route begins in Chicago and ends in the San Francisco Bay Area in the city of Emeryville, California. Spend time in the observation car to experience the magic of the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevadas blanketed in snow and gorgeous views of Utah’s well-known red rocks before passing through Nevada and arriving in SF.

The post 8 Amazing Train Rides in the USA appeared first on SmarterTravel.