If you’re planning to hop on a train this Thanksgiving, Amtrak has one clear message: book early. With the holiday just weeks away, America’s Railroad is bracing for what could be its busiest Thanksgiving season ever—and early numbers already point to a record year.

More than 1.2 million passengers traveled with Amtrak last Thanksgiving, and 2025 is pacing even higher. The company reports double-digit growth in early bookings, signaling that travelers are locking in seats far ahead of time. For Amtrak, that’s part of a broader pattern—revenue, ridership, and customer satisfaction are all hitting new highs for fiscal year 2025.

Eliot Hamlisch, Amtrak’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, puts it simply:

“Amtrak offers a comfortable, convenient alternative to congested highways and crowded airports—especially during the busy holiday season. Whether you’re a longtime guest or joining us for the first time, we invite you to experience the ease and hospitality of Amtrak as you travel to your holiday gatherings.”

More Trains, More Comfort: How Amtrak Is Scaling for the Season

To handle the surge in Thanksgiving travel, Amtrak is adding extra capacity across its most popular routes. Between November 25 and 30, the company will expand its Northeast Regional service, connecting key cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston.

Extra cars and expanded schedules mean more travelers can enjoy a stress-free ride, complete with the perks that have made train travel appealing again—wide reclining seats, plenty of legroom, no middle seats, and the ability to move around freely during the journey. Add in large windows with rolling views of autumn landscapes, and it’s easy to see why more Americans are choosing rail over the chaos of air travel.

This focus on comfort and experience is also part of Amtrak’s “Retrain Travel” campaign, a branding push that reframes the company not just as a transportation provider but as a leader in hospitality on rails.

Meet the NextGen Acela: High-Speed Travel, Upgraded

The NextGen Acela trains, Amtrak’s newest high-speed fleet, will be available on select routes this Thanksgiving—just in time for the holiday rush. Operating along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston, these sleek new trains promise a faster, quieter, and more comfortable ride.

Designed with modern interiors, improved Wi-Fi, and advanced engineering, the NextGen Acela brings a European-style rail experience to American travelers. Guests can choose between Business Class and First Class, both offering redesigned seating and a smoother ride experience.

The new trains can be identified by a “NextGen” tag on Amtrak.com and the Amtrak mobile app—so booking one of these next-level rides is simple.

Booking Made Easy

Amtrak has simplified the booking process across all channels. Tickets can be purchased via:

• Amtrak.com
• The Amtrak mobile app
• In-station kiosks or staffed ticket counters
• Or by phone at 800-USA-RAIL

And with dynamic pricing in place, booking early doesn’t just guarantee a seat—it can save you a considerable amount, especially for long-distance or high-demand routes during peak travel days.

Why Amtrak’s Growth Mirrors a Bigger Travel Shift

Amtrak’s Thanksgiving surge isn’t an isolated trend—it’s part of a broader shift toward rail travel that’s gaining momentum worldwide. As airfares remain high and airport delays frequent, rail has become the smarter, more sustainable alternative.

In Europe, operators like Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn are setting new ridership records, while countries like France and Spain are even restricting short-haul flights to promote train travel. The U.S. is now catching up.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, passenger rail use in the U.S. has grown steadily post-pandemic, with intercity train trips up nearly 25% since 2022. Add in infrastructure investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Amtrak’s transformation from “the old train company” to a modern mobility player looks increasingly credible.

The NextGen Acela rollout, along with route expansions like Amtrak’s new service between Dallas and Houston (planned for 2026), reflects the company’s growing ambitions to compete head-on with airlines and even low-cost carriers.

The Bottom Line

Thanksgiving 2025 could mark a turning point—not just for Amtrak, but for how Americans travel altogether. The combination of reliability, comfort, and sustainability is making rail travel fashionable again.

If Amtrak continues to modernize and deliver on its promise of hospitality, it might finally reclaim its spot as the preferred way to travel between major U.S. cities—not just for the holidays, but year-round.

And for travelers, that’s something to be thankful for.