Train News

Amtrak throws winter flash sale with trips to and from Dallas

Amtrak train on the move.

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With the imminent holidays, traveling is on the rise, and Amtrak is ready to get you to your winter getaway. For a limited time, the transportation company is offering a National Winter Travel Flash Sale, with up to 40 percent off, including Coach Class on some of Amtrak’s most popular trains, and Business Class seats on the Acela.

Reduced fares on many routes nationwide are available if you make a reservation between Thursday, November 7 and Thursday, November 14, 2024, for travel between Monday, December 2, 2024, and Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Other than a few blackout dates, the sale fare applies to trips departing Monday through Thursday and Saturdays.

Amtrak departs out of Dallas at the Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station.

Called The Texas Eagle Texas Eagle, it runs from Chicago - St. Louis - Little Rock - Dallas - San Antonio - Tucson - Los Angeles.

The Texas Eagle part travels between Chicago and San Antonio, through major cities from Austin to Dallas. Connecting service between San Antonio and Los Angeles is available via the Sunset Limited. Passengers traveling to and from points between Chicago and Los Angeles have a layover in San Antonio, ranging from 2 to 5 hours in order to accommodate train coupling operations.

How cool would it be to leave Dallas at 11:50 am and get to Los Angeles the next morning at 6 am?

Sample one-way fares include $87 for a trip from Dallas to Los Angeles.

Offered on most Amtrak trains, Coach Class features reclining seats with legroom to stretch out, no middle seats, and large windows for the best scenery on display while creating a smaller carbon footprint.

Acela Business Class provides an upgraded experience with reserved seating, free Wi-Fi, expanded tray tables and the new Cafe Acela menu with local and health-focused options including sandwiches, salads, charcuterie, mac & cheese, and a vegan BBQ burger.

The National Winter Travel Flash Sale provides up to 40 percent off regularly priced fares for trips departing Monday-Thursday and Saturdays, excluding December 24, 2024, December 26, 2024, January 1, 2025, January 17-21, 2025, and February 17, 2025.

The discount is valid for travel on all trains except the Auto Train (53), Borealis, Carolinian, Lincoln Service, Hiawatha, Illini/Saluki, Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg, Keystone (PHL-HAR), Missouri River Runner, Pacific Surfliner, Piedmont and Winter Park Express.

The discount can be combined with Amtrak’s everyday discounts. Availability is limited, sale fare rules and restrictions apply. For full terms and conditions and to make a reservation, visit Amtrak.com/wintersale or the Amtrak app.

“Discounts offered during the National Winter Travel Flash Sale provide guests the opportunity to take convenient, comfortable and more sustainable trips between the biggest cities in the country — New York City, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston — aboard the Acela or experience some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes on other trains to Chicago, Los Angeles or Dallas,” says Amtrak Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch. “Whether you’re joining us for the first time or as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member, our aim is to ‘Retrain Travel,’ providing a better way to reach winter destinations — away from traffic, tolls and tedious lines — where the journey is part of the getaway.”

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Bus News

Luxury bus service Vonlane adds new destination city out of Dallas

Courtesy of Vonlane

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Texas travelers have a convenient new route to check out thanks to Vonlane: The Texas-based luxury motor coach service is adding a new daily service between Dallas and The Woodlands, starting on June 13.

This will be a second Houston-area destination from Dallas: Vonlane already offers service between Dallas and downtown Houston, which hits the Hyatt Regency at 1200 Louisiana St., eight times per day starting at 6 am. The ride takes 3 hours and 45 minutes.

According to Vonlane founder and CEO Alex Danza, The Woodlands has been a much-requested route.

“The Woodlands area has been our most requested geographic addition for several years, so we’re thrilled to announce this expansion, our 10th destination on our 11th anniversary,” Danza says. “Bringing our elevated bus service to suburban areas is a strategic priority as we seek to relieve the hassles of driving and air travel for our passengers and better meet them where they live, work, and play.”

The new service brings a convenient nonstop route to and from the northern fringe of Houston — The Woodlands, Spring, Cypress, Conroe, Montgomery County, and northern Harris County.

Buses have 22 first-class leather seats, ample workspace, complimentary Wi-Fi, and an onboard attendant offering premium cabin service with snacks, meals, and beverages included.

Schedule
Beginning June 13, The Woodlands-Dallas route will offer the following departures:

Monday, Thursday, and Friday: 6:15 am, 10:15 am, 2:15 pm, and 6:15 pm – departing both The Woodlands and Dallas
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday: 10:15 am and 2:15 pm – departing both The Woodlands and Dallas
Saturday: 9 am: departing The Woodlands
Saturday 1 pm: departing Dallas

The ride takes 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Terminal Locations & Hotel Partners
The new dropoff point for the Woodlands service will be at Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. According to Danza, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott offers easy access to I-45, ample parking, and high-quality accommodations, IE a nice waiting area.

It'll go to Dallas' established stop at Doubletree Love Field, 3300 W. Mockingbird Ln.

The new route offers proximity to major employers in the area such as Alight Solutions, Baker Hughes, Chevron Phillips, Entergy, ExxonMobil, Hewlett-Packard, Houston Methodist, Huntsman Corporation, Lone Star College, McKesson, Memorial Hermann, Occidental Petroleum, St. Luke’s Health, and Texas Children’s.

Visit The Woodlands president Nick Wolda says in a statement that The Woodlands is a popular destination for Dallas residents.

“Visit The Woodlands is excited to welcome Vonlane to The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Conference Center. This first-class amenity is a fantastic addition to our vibrant community, perfectly designed to elevate the travel experience,” Wolda says. “The Woodlands is the go-to destination for trips from the DFW area—whether you're a corporate conventioneer, a Pavilion concertgoer, a college student coming home, or a weekend shopping trip with friends. With this new service, getting to and from The Woodlands has never been easier or more enjoyable!"

Fares are a flat rate of $125 for one-way trips with advance purchase. No taxes, baggage fees, or change fees apply. Rates increase with less than seven days’ notice and within 24 hours before departure.

Fares include complimentary Wi-Fi, snacks, meals (on select routes), and non-alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is available for purchase. Tickets can be booked at www.vonlane.com.

Vonlane was founded in 2014 and offers more than 475 weekly departures across 10 destinations. Routes operate in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, Texas; between Atlanta, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee; and between Nashville and Memphis.

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