Amtrak is preparing for a surge in Thanksgiving travel by expanding selected train services and advising passengers not to delay their reservations. The move comes as the national passenger railroad anticipates another potentially record-breaking holiday season, following a rise in customer journeys during the previous year.

The company's November 2 announcement focuses on increasing capacity along the Northeast Regional corridor, where additional cars and special round trips are expected to provide more seats during the busiest travel dates.

More Seats on Key Northeast Routes

Between November 20 and 30, Amtrak plans to add cars to selected Northeast Regional trains. The schedule also includes two additional round trips connecting Washington, D.C.'s Union Station with New York Penn Station and intermediate cities.

These extra services will operate on November 24 and 25, as well as November 28 and 29, giving passengers more opportunities to travel during the Thanksgiving period.

The expansion reflects the scale of demand associated with the holiday. Amtrak reported more than 1.2 million customer trips during the 2025 Thanksgiving travel period, an increase of nearly 6 percent over 2024.

With demand expected to remain strong, the company is encouraging travelers to reserve tickets early. Advance booking, it says, provides a better chance of securing preferred fares and available seats before services become fully booked.

New York-Pittsburgh Service Gets a Second Daily Round Trip

A separate service expansion will also affect passengers traveling through Pennsylvania. Beginning November 18, Amtrak will introduce a second daily round trip on the Pennsylvanian route between New York and Pittsburgh.

The service will include stops in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and other communities along the route. Unlike the additional Northeast Regional trains introduced for the Thanksgiving period, this increase is intended to remain part of the regular schedule.

Passengers should also note a change in the availability of onboard facilities. Starting November 18, checked baggage and bicycle services on the Pennsylvanian will be offered only on trains 42 and 45. Travelers who require either service will need to select the appropriate departure.

Booking Ahead Becomes More Important

Amtrak's preparations combine temporary holiday capacity increases with a longer-term expansion of service in Pennsylvania. Together, these changes are intended to provide additional travel options as passenger numbers rise.

However, more trains do not necessarily mean unlimited availability. The company's advice to book early is particularly relevant for passengers who need specific departure times, preferred fares or access to baggage and bicycle facilities.