American and Canadian passenger rail systems are an oft-overlooked alternative for vacation travel. Purchasing a pass makes riding the rails even cheaper.
Canrail Pass
VIA Rail (800/561-3949 in the U.S.; 800/561-8630 in Canada; www.viarail.ca) offers the Canrail Pass which is valid anywhere VIA Rail travels throughout Canada. This pass is available for travel 12 days in a 30 day period. Additional days are $58 CAD during peak season, and $37 CAD for off-peak (taxes not included).
The Canrail Pass does not include trips on BC Rail Ontario Northern or any private Canadian rail lines. A discount is available for children, college students, and seniors. The prices listed below include taxes. Peak season runs from June 1-October 15. There is no holiday peak season as in prior years.
| Pass | Duration | Peak | Off-Peak |
| Canrail Pass | 12 Days in 30 | $725.46 CAD | $452.61 CAD |
Amtrak Passes
Amtrak (800/USA-RAIL or 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com) offers the North American Rail Pass which features unlimited stops to any of the more than 900 destinations on the Amtrak and VIA route systems in the United States and Canada. This pass is valid for a 30 day period. A 10% discount is available for seniors, children, and students. Peak season runs from June 1-October 15.
| Pass | Duration | Peak | Off-Peak |
| N. America Pass | 30 Days | $674 USD | $475 USD |
Amtrak also offers a USA Rail Pass for international visitors only. With it, you can travel to more than 500 destinations in America.
Please note: Rail Pass prices are subject to change at any time without notice.
This article appears courtesy of Independent Traveler. Independent Traveler (www.IndependentTraveler.com) includes a comprehensive travel planning guide featuring worldwide travel bargains (airfare, hotel, car rental, cruise, family vacations) within their Bargain Box (www.BargainBox.com)- as well as travel resources, travel tips, reader's reviews and message boards. The Independent Traveler also publishes Cruise Critic (www.CruiseCritic.com).