Kids ‘n’ Trains Discount
Experience the Excitement of Train Travel on San Joaquins Trains
Kids 'n' Trains is an exciting, seasonal program on San Joaquins trains where school and youth groups (grades K - 12 or ages 5 to 18) plus chaperones can experience train travel at significantly reduced fares. Everyone in the group, both children and adults, may ride at the same low price.
Groups can explore California and its rich history while visiting educational destinations along the way. A Kids 'n' Trains trip can support classroom curriculum, special projects, fields of study, or as a way to just simply have a fun excursion by train.
Kids in grades K - 12 (ages 5 through 18) and adult chaperones travel at the same low price for travel one-way or round-trip in the same day. If travel is round-trip and the return is not on the same day, the fare is doubled. Additional discounts do not apply for kids and adults. The rates are valid for schools and youth groups only.
Parents traveling with children under the age of five (5) are not considered as part of the group reservation. Please do not include them in your passenger count when completing your Kid-n-Trains group reservation form. Parents traveling with children under the age of five (5) must make a separate reservation at regular rates on Amtrak.com or by calling 1-800-872-7245.
| Valid Travel Dates | Zones | Fares |
|---|---|---|
| September 21, 2023 to February 28, 2024 | 1 | $7 per person |
| September 21, 2023 to February 28, 2024 | 2, 3, 4, 5 | $6 per person |
| April 1, 2023 to August 16, 2024 | 1 | $10 per person |
| April 1, 2023 to August 16, 2024 | 2, 3, 4, 5 | $9 per person |
Fares
Zone 1: Sacramento through Stockton (Thruway Bus travel without rail segment in itinerary not permitted)
Zone 2: San Francisco through Stockton
Zone 3: Martinez to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Zone 4: Stockton through Fresno
Zone 5: Fresno through Bakersfield
Thruway Bus Travel Only Permitted Between
- Emeryville and San Francisco stops
- Stockton and Sacramento stops
- Martinez and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom stop
Valid San Joaquins Trains
- Southbound: 702, 704, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718
- Northbound: 701, 703, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717
To make a reservation for the Kids 'n' Trains travel program, submit your reservation request form more than 30 days in advance of your requested departure date. Tickets may be purchased at least seven days before departure if the date of travel is approved.
Reservations
To request a reservation, complete the downloadable reservation request form, save the file and forward it to the Amtrak Group Desk by fax at 1-800-872-3298 or e-mail to Amtrak-SchoolsOnTrains@Amtrak.com. Submit your reservation request form more than 30 days of your travel date. Include two alternate dates of travel should your first and second choices are unavailable.
The minimum number of passengers required is 15 persons. The maximum number of passengers allowed in a group is 125. Each reservation request, regardless of group size, is individually reviewed and approved based on space availability. Some requests, regardless of group size, may be denied for travel if space is not available. After the request is submitted, changes are not permitted to the dates of travel, trains, schedules or the number of passengers. If the travel request is approved, a confirmation letter is forwarded to you by e-mail or fax in seven days.
A passenger name list of all persons (children and adults) traveling in the group is required and it may be submitted to the Amtrak Group Desk before tickets are purchased. The passenger name list may be submitted by e-mail to Amtrak-SchoolsOnTrains@Amtrak.com or fax to 1-800-872-3298. If there are changes to the name list, please forward the revised copy to the Group Desk and provide the conductor on the train a copy.
Passenger Name List Form (PDF, 87KB)
Purchasing Tickets
After the group travel confirmation letter is received, you may purchase your tickets in one of two ways:
OPTION #1
Tickets may be shipped to you by FedEx for a $15.00 shipping and handling fee. Acceptable payment is credit card or a personal check made payable to Amtrak. If payment is by credit card, please contact the Amtrak Group Desk at 1-877-872-2321, Monday-Friday, between 6:00 am - 4:00 pm, Pacific Time. If payment is by personal check payment, please include two checks. One check is made payable to Amtrak in the amount due for the group travel tickets. The second check is made payable to Amtrak in the amount of $15.00 for the shipping and handling fee. Please include your group name and reservation number on both checks and mail to: Amtrak Group Sales Department, 7920 Lindbergh Drive, Riverside, CA 92508
OPTION #2
Tickets may be purchased at a staffed Amtrak San Joaquins station no later than seven days prior to your trip or the group reservation is automatically cancelled. Please provide your reservation number to the station ticket agent and tickets may be purchased by cash, credit card or business check made payable to Amtrak. Personal checks and purchase orders are not accepted at the station.
Chaperones
A minimum of one designated chaperone is required for every six students. Designated chaperones are adults specifically responsible and accountable for students participating in the program. Chaperone guidelines are as follows:
- Group leaders and adult chaperones are responsible for the conduct and supervision of their group at all times at the station, onboard trains, at Amtrak Thruway bus stops and onboard connecting Amtrak Thruway buses.
- Arrive at your station at least one hour prior to departure. Trains and Thruway buses will not wait for groups or individuals who arrive late.
- Before boarding, the group leader should identify the group to the train conductor and/or bus driver. The conductor or other railroad personnel and/or bus driver will provide your group seating instructions.
- Please keep your group together as much as possible onboard the train.
- Avoid crowding aisles and passageways between train cars.
- Music players and other electronic devices are allowed when used with earphones or headsets.
- Please use trash and recycle receptacles and keep the area around your group clean and free of debris, especially when exiting the train or Thruway bus.
Accessibility
Amtrak welcomes passengers with disabilities. Accessible services are available at most locations. However, not all Amtrak stations can currently accommodate wheeled mobility device boarding. Amtrak meeting specific boarding requirements depends on the availability of station facilities. Federal regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act control the number of wheeled mobility device locations on intercity trains and do not require that all intercity rail stations be accessible. Please check with the Amtrak Group Desk prior to purchasing your tickets and to be sure that Amtrak can accommodate every member of your group at your origination and destination locations. Review our Accessible Travel Services or call the Amtrak Group Desk at 1-800-872-1477 for more information.
Tickets
Your tickets are to be presented to the conductor on the train and they are non-refundable even if the total number of passengers traveling in your group is less than the paid amount. Stolen or misplaced tickets will incur a non-refundable $75 ticket replacement fee. Groups are not permitted to board the train without a ticket. A passenger name list is to be submitted to the Group Desk prior to payment. Changes to the name list may be sent by email (Amtrak-SchoolsOnTrains@Amtrak.com) or fax (1-800-872-3298). A copy of the name list is also to be provided to the train conductor.
Café Car
Please limit the number of students (18 years of age or younger) visiting the Café Car at any given time to five people. Students must be accompanied by the group leader or a designated chaperone at all times. For your convenience, the Café Car accepts cash, debit cards and most credit cards.
Kids ‘n’ Trains Box Lunches (Special Order)
Make your Kids 'n' Trains experience even better with our Kids 'n' Trains Box Lunch. At just $6.50 (each), Box Lunches are available by advance special order only. The minimum order is 50 box lunches.
Kids 'n' Trains Box Lunches include:
- 1/2 Sandwich (Turkey and American Cheese on Wheat Bread)
- Goldfish Graham Cookies (Chocolate or Cinnamon)
- Lay's Classic Potato Chips (small bag)
- Naturally Sweetened Applesauce
- Box Juice Drink (assorted flavors)
- Total Calories: 636 (No trans fat)
How to Order
To request Kids 'n' Trains Box Lunches for your group (of 50 or more), email Amtrak-SchoolsOnTrains@Amtrak.com at least two weeks in advance of your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the maximum number of passengers allowed in a group?
A. The maximum number of passengers allowed in a group is 125. Each reservation request, regardless of group size, is individually reviewed and approved based on space availability. Some requests, regardless of group size may be denied for travel if space is not available. Providing alternate travel dates increases the opportunities for the reservation request of being approved for travel.
Q. Can I add passengers to my group after I've submitted my request?
A. Increasing the group size at the Kids 'n Trains special low fares is not permitted. Additional passengers may purchase full-fare tickets for the same trip (space permitting). Due to the special arrangements made to accommodate groups, there is no guarantee that add-ons will be able to sit with the rest of the group. To purchase full-fare tickets for additional passengers, visit Amtrak.com.
Q. Why is the wait up to seven business days to learn if my group travel request has been approved?
A. The Kids 'n Trains Program is a discount program which takes advantage of available seats based on existing reservations and expected availability.
Fares, routes, schedules, services and program policies are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.
