I Compared 3 Amtrak Fares for the Same Trip After 65 — Here's the Real Math

Same train, same two travelers, same trip: Chicago to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief. I priced it three ways, coach, a roomette, and a Bedroom, and added up everything, not just the ticket. Here's the math, line by line, and why the answer changes completely if you travel alone. I'm Stanley Pike. In this video: the three rules that decide the math (the senior discount comes off the rail fare, never the room; rooms are priced per room; meals are included in a sleeper), the all-in, per-person total for each option, the fourth option couples ask about (two roomettes), the solo traveler twist, what the senior discount is really worth on a sleeper trip, and a simple three-column sheet to price your own trip in ten minutes. All dollar amounts in this video are round, made-up examples to show how the math works, not Amtrak quotes. Prices change by date and demand, so always price your own trip. Not affiliated with Amtrak. Senior discount terms from Amtrak's senior discount page (10% off most rail fares for travelers 65+, not valid on sleeping accommodation charges) and dining rules from Amtrak's dining page, as of 2026. The schedule is approximate. Every price in the video is an illustration. My full method for pricing an Amtrak trip in the right order, How I Saved $5,000 on Amtrak After 65: https://stanleypike.com #amtrak #amtrakprices #seniortravel