Is there usually still rooms available on Amtrak when you are boarding the train?

Question

Myself and my two small children are taking the train in May. On the way to Chicago we were able to reserve a family bedroom for $151, but on the way home all I can find online is roomette's for like $265 or family bedroom's for $293. I don't want to pay double for the same accomodations, or over $100 more for lessor accomodations. I would like a sleeper of some kind but how do I get them any cheaper?

Answer 1

There's no way of predicting, but your chances of getting a specific type of accommodation--the Family Bedroom--while actually on the train aren't all that good.

The problem is that there are only a handful of Family Bedrooms on each train, and they are popular.

Answer 2

As Amtrak use "fare buckets" and the lower fares are already gone for your return trip, that would suggest the train is likely to be more busy on the return journey than on the outward. Yes, it can be cheaper buying on board - space permitting. Going in May is kind of shoulder season - not low, not high season, so availability once boarding could be a bit hit'n'miss.

I've roughed it in coach before, 3 nights in a row (cross country). It's not all that bad, but on the other hand I didn't have kids either.

Play with the dates on the Amtrak website. You might find that going a day earlier or later significantly changes the price. Also, there's a 3am (not sure which time zone) where unsold stock gets put back into the system, so calling their phone number in the middle of the night MIGHT land you with a cheaper fare