by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:50 PM ET, Tue November 3, 2026
Amtrak is encouraging travelers to book their Thanksgiving
train trips early as the railroad prepares for another potentially
record-breaking holiday travel season.
According to Amtrak officials, Thanksgiving is the rail
company’s busiest travel period, with more than 1.2 million customer trips
recorded during the 2025 holiday season, a nearly 6% increase from 2024.
Amtrak expects demand to climb again this year, making
advance reservations increasingly important for securing seats and the best
fares.
“Amtrak is experiencing record demand, a testament to the
comfortable and convenient experience of traveling by train,” Amtrak Interim
President Byl Herrmann said.
“We are honored to help customers reach their holiday
destinations safely and comfortably, while offering more departures, amenities
and services during a time when they appreciate them most,” Herrmann concluded.
To accommodate the anticipated crowds, Amtrak will add cars
to select Northeast Regional trains between November 20 and 30.
The railroad will also introduce two additional round trips
between Washington Union Station and New York Penn Station on November 24-25
and November 28-29.
Amtrak is also expanding its premium offerings, with 15
NextGen Acela trains now in service.
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