Rivnuts from Homestead,PA on 7/29/2024 10:21:45 AM:
In making preparations for my annual GAP & C&O bikepacking trip, last evening, I was surprised to find the price of the Amtrak Capital Limited return trip in coach was $114 in either direction for roughly the next three months. I don’t remember exactly what it was last year, but I think it was around $72. The bike reservations remain at $20.
The increase in the passenger reservation ticket seemed like a significant increase over what I paid last year. This may represent a recognition of an increasing demand in that route. The other, longer route option between the two cities was notably less but doesn’t offer bicycle roll-on service and takes a few hours longer and requires a change in trains.
At $114, it would be cheaper to drive if it was an option even with PA Turnpike tolls or make renting a car more attractive if you could find a bargain one-way rental.
The good news was that finding dates with available bike reservations seemed easier this year which might be because of reduced demand due to the increase in the passenger reservation cost.