Amtrak USA railpasses are available to residents of all countries except those who are resident in the USA or Canada. People aged 16 and over are considered Adults and will pay the 'Adult' fare shown below. Children between 2 and 15 years inclusive are entitled to the 'Child' fare shown below. A maximum of two children per adult. One infant under two may travel free with each adult.

Amtrak USA railpasses are only available in economy (coach) class.

Amtrak USA railpasses do not guarantee a seat on a specific train. Passengers must show their railpass and passport at the AMTRAK ticket office before boarding the train. The ticket office will then issue a "free" ticket to be used on the chosen service.

Seat reservations may be made upon arrival at any Amtrak station. Reservations are recommended and may be subject to a fee.

Seat reservations on Amtrak regional services are usually free of charge.

Sleeping accommodation varies in cost according to the type of accommodation chosen, and the duration of the occupancy.

'Acela Express', 'Auto Train', 'Metroliner' and the Canadian portion of trains operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada are not covered by the pass, and they may only be used after paying the appropriate supplement locally.

Travelling between the USA and Montreal or Vancouver in Canada is allowed ONLY on through services, the railpass is NOT valid on any service which shows a connection at the Canadian border.

All services to Toronto from the USA are operated by the Canadian operator VIA Rail, and as such an Amtrak USA railpass is NOT valid on them.

Your 'Exchange Order' MUST be exchanged at an Amtrak manned railway station, prior to boarding the train.

Amtrak USA railpasses which are lost, stolen or validated/exchanged cannot be refunded. Refunds are only accepted on 'Exchange Orders' returned to RailChoice up to 10 days before the start of their validity. Please note that a cancellation fee will be charged on each pass returned.

Before you start your train journey, once you are in the United States, you should check to verify departure and arrival times of your train by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

Visa Warning: The USA is constantly changing its policy regarding visa-waiver schemes. You are strongly advised to check whether you will need a paper visa BEFORE you travel. UK visitors to the USA are advised to check with the US Embassy website. As a guide you should have the following: Passports issued before October 2005 must be machine readable passport (EU style red passport). Passports issued between October 2005 and October 2006 must also have a digitally printed photograph. Passports issued after October 2006 must also be e-Passports and contain a digital chip. If you have ever been arrested you should seek advice from the US Embassy before relying on the visa-waiver scheme to gain entry to the USA. Paper visas for UK residents are only issued after payment of a visa fee and an interview at the US Embassy.

Refunds are not allowed on part-used Amtrak USA railpasses.

PLEASE NOTE: 'Peak' periods are: 23 May 2008 - 01 Sep 2008 12 Dec 2008 - 04 Jan 2009 22 May 2009 - 07 September 2009 'Off-Peak' periods are: 03 January 2008 - 22 May 2008 02 September 2008 - 11 December 2008 05 January 2009 - 21 May 2009 Please be aware that if any travel is to take place in any peak period, then the higher fare applies.

Accommodation on Amtrak services is of different types and costings, some of them are: Standard bedroom: designed for one or two persons. Each has two comfortable seats which, at night, convert into lower and upper beds. These rooms do not have en-suite facilities. Deluxe bedroom: includes a sofa and an armchair, which convert into a wide lower bed and a comfortable upper bed. They have en-suite facilities of washbasin, toilet and shower. Family bedroom: designed for two adults and two children, with seating which converts to a wide lower bed and a comfortable upper bed along with upper and lower child berths. Washroom and shower are located a few steps away.

Passengers should arrive at the departure station at least 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

Amtrak operates double decker trains on Western long distance services which offer exceptional viewing from Sightseer Lounges.