MDOT shares travel tips as Amtrak trains fill up for Thanksgiving travel

LANSING, Mich. — In 2023, Amtrak transported 22,602 travelers during the Thanksgiving travel period, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

This year, Amtrak is anticipating another bustling holiday season.

Wednesday, MDOT provided tips for those traveling through Amtrak this Thanksgiving, especially as the next few days are going to be very busy.

“All routes are filled up right now and this train coming through East Lansing, we expect over 300 people to get on this train today [Wednesday] so if you haven’t booked already, you need to do it now,” Michael Frezell, MDOT spokesperson, said. “Space is very, very limited, if not, sold out right now on most trains.”

To ensure you get a seat on one of Amtrak’s trains, Frezell suggests booking your trip early, planning ahead and arriving to your train station on time.

“That is where you can get the best prices for your tickets is if you book early, plan ahead and arrive at the station on time or early,” Frezell said. “I’ve seen people come to the station right as the train pulls in and they’re running up so allow extra time to get to the station.”

He continued, “It is a very efficient way to travel by train, the Michigan Department of Transportation supports these routes and every year they become more and more popular. Over the Thanksgiving period, even last year, we had over 22,000 people ride the train, now that is down from the COVID times, but it has been increasing each year.”

Looking ahead, there are talks of adding more service to Amtrak’s routes in the future, according to Frezell.

This would include a potential route from Grand Rapids to Detroit.

“The Michigan Department of Transportation has applied for grants,” Frezell said. “They’re service development grants under federal program to enhance services in Michigan. So that would include adding frequencies to the wolverine route, the blue water route, and the Pere Marquette route, and possibly even, we’re going to study, Grand Rapids to Detroit, so there is a lot of interest from the public.”

Travelers who would like to book a ticket through Amtrak or need to check train schedules can do so online.