America by Rail

 

General Information

Registration and Deposit

A deposit of $200 per person, of which $100 per person is non-refundable, is required to finalize registration. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure. If payments are not received by the due date(s) specified, reservations may be cancelled without notice.

Tour Cancellations

If cancellation is received by America by Rail® more than 60 days prior to departure, $100 of your deposit will be retained. For cancellations received within 60 days of departure, the following per person cancellation fees apply:

  • 31-60 days prior to departure: 25% of tour price.
  • 15-30 days prior to departure: 50% of tour price.
  • 14 days or less prior to departure: 100% of tour price.

We strongly recommend you obtain tour cancellation insurance through Travelex Insurance offered by America by Rail®. To view our insurance brochures (in Adobe PDF format), please click on the following links:

Refunds will be made approximately 30 days after the conclusion of the tour.

Tour Price Includes

Transportation

Rail transportation over the tour route and motor coach, van, or other modes of transportation where specified in the tour description.

Train Accommodations

All tours except those categorized as RailSmart or Coach Class include private Roomette bedroom on Amtrak overnight trains and Bedrooms (double occupancy) or Roomettes (single occupancy) on VIA Rail Canada overnight trains. Upgraded bedrooms on Amtrak are available at an additional cost. Reclining coach seats are included on U.S. and Canadian trains used only during the daytime. RailSmart Class/Coach tours include reclining coach seats with leg rests on Amtrak trains and Section sleeping accommodations on VIA Rail Canada trains. Meals on the trains are included for those traveling RailSmart or Coach Class on the North American tours.

Hotels

Accommodations are based on two persons sharing a room with bath. Two-bedded rooms are provided in most instances. However, sometimes their availability is limited. If a two-bedded room is required, please notify AMERICA BY RAIL at time of registration. America by Rail reserves the right to substitute hotels for those named in any tour description, when necessary. Every effort is made to have hotel rooms available for occupancy upon arrival. However, there may be instances when rooms are not available until later.

Single Rooms

Single rooms at hotels and Amtrak Roomette bedrooms on a single basis are available at a supplemental cost.

Sightseeing / Admissions

Sightseeing, as outlined in the itineraries, will be provided by motor coaches in most instances. Admission fees are included as specified. Sightseeing tour arrangements may be altered if operational conditions require.

Meals

All included meals are listed in the tour itinerary. Persons requiring a special diet must inform America by Rail at the time of registration. In the itineraries, the meals are listed at the end of each day using CB for Continental breakfast, B for breakfast, L for lunch, and D for dinner.

Baggage

For your convenience and to expedite movement, baggage handling is limited to one suitcase per person. Transfer and porterage of one suitcase per person is included at overnight stopovers. On most tours the one suitcase per person is handled by America by Rail and is checked through to the next destination. Carry-on luggage is used while en route. America by Rail is not responsible for loss or damage to your baggage or for any lost, stolen or destroyed item. Specified transfers between rail stations and hotels are included.

Tour Directors

Services of a qualified America by Rail tour director are included for all matters pertaining to the tour. The Tour Director will meet all tour members at the origination city.

Tips and Taxes

All gratuities to hotel staff (except to chambermaids), sightseeing guides and drivers are included. Gratuities for sleeping car attendants and meals aboard the train are included. Gratuities for meals specified in the tour itinerary are included.

Tour Price Does Not Include

Transportation and tips between your home city and the official origination city; charges for excess baggage; health, accident or baggage insurance; tips to chambermaids and for personal services; items of a personal nature such as laundry; meals, except those specified as included; gratuities for special services; charges for room service, and alcoholic beverages with included meals.

Gratuities to your America by Rail Tour Directors are an industry expectation. They should be extended on an individual basis, not as a group.

Rail Schedules

The routing and features described in tour descriptions may be altered to adjust to rail schedules in effect at the time of the tour. America by Rail reserves the right to substitute motor coach or air travel for unavailable rail schedules, misconnections, delays or other causes.

Travel Documents and Health Requirements

For visits to/from Canada proof of U.S./Canadian Citizenship is required. As of 10/1/07, a valid Driver’s License (or government issued I.D.) and birth certificate with raised seal will be accepted until mid-2008. As of mid-summer a valid passport may be required. We will need your date of birth, type of documents to be used (passport number) and gender at time of reservation.

Mobility and Fitness to Travel

Any type of disability requiring special treatment must be reported to America by Rail at the time of registration. Passengers requiring special assistance, including without limitations those who permanently or periodically use a wheelchair, must be accompanied by someone who is fit and able to assist them, who will be totally responsible for providing all required assistance. Participants will be asked to submit a confidential medical form for each tour.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted on America by Rail motor coaches. Those who smoke may do so at any of the frequent stops we make. All Amtrak and VIA Rail trains are entirely smoke-free. If time is available at station stops, it will be announced by the conductor.

Please Note

America by Rail reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to accept or retain any individuals as members of the tour. The acceptance of any service provided as part of a America by Rail tour, or any ticket or voucher, shall be deemed to be acceptance of and consent by the tour member to these conditions.

All rates published herein are in U.S. dollars and based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect on the printing date of the tour brochure. Prices and arrangements are subject to change without notice as tariffs and/or operating conditions require.

No persons, other than a representative of America by Rail, authorized by a document in writing, may vary, add or waive any term or condition set forth in the preceding provisions.

A $25 per person fee will be assessed for each itinerary alteration requested after final arrangements are confirmed.

It is our company policy to issue a tour roster to all tour participants containing all tour participants names and addresses. If you do not want your address included, you must let us know by the time you make your final payment.

Times and schedules are subject to change without notice.

Responsibility Clause

America by Rail acts only in the capacity as an agent for the owners and contractors providing means of transportation, hotel or other services. All tour services, tickets and vouchers are subject to any and all terms and conditions under which such means of transportation, hotel or other services are offered or provided. America by Rail shall not be or become liable or responsible in any way whatsoever, for any loss, injury or damage from acts of God, sickness, theft, weather, strikes, war, or quarantine however caused or arising.

America by Rail reserves the right to cancel a tour in the event tour participation does not meet minimum requirements.

Amtrak Statement

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is not to be held responsible for any act, omissions, or event during the time passengers are not on board their trains or conveyance. The passenger contract in use of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. All conditions are subject to the laws of the District of Columbia, U.S.A.