Amtrak offering discounted $250 USA Rail Pass

Amtrak is making travel significantly cheaper this winter.

For a limited time, riders can take up to 10 train rides within 30 days for $250 to celebrate America's 250th birthday this year when they purchase the USA Rail Pass.

The discounted pass is half off the regular $499 price and is available for purchase through Jan. 20. Travel must begin within 120 days of purchase. The 30 day travel period begins when the first of 10 trips is taken.

For Long Island travelers, the deal pairs easily with a Long Island Rail Road ride into Penn Station, where riders can connect to Amtrak routes to cities like Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Montreal, or Orlando with transfers, as well as Albany, Rochester, Niagara Falls and more.

Without the pass, coach fares from Penn Station to Washington, D.C. can climb to $150 each way. Trips to Philadelphia on the Vermonter, one of the included routes, have been listed as high as $179, and Boston fares can reach $112 one way. With 10 rides included in the pass, the cost breaks down to $25 per trip, meaning travelers could save more than $200 on a single round trip.

“With 10 trip segments in 30 days, the USA Rail Pass offers travelers the freedom to discover our nation’s historic destinations, scenic routes and cultural hubs at their own pace, while avoiding the stress of flying or driving,” Eliot Hamlisch, Amtrak’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer said in an emailed statement. “Our limited-time ‘Adventure Awaits Sale’ encourages guests to take the multiride journey they’ve always dreamed of at significant savings.”

The pass includes coach seating to over 500 destinations. There are no blackout dates, though seats are subject to availability on each train and travelers must book all 10 trips within 30 days.

Tickets must be purchased during the sale window. Full details and route information are available at Amtrak.com and in the Amtrak app.