College is expensive. Between the skyrocketing cost of textbooks and that inevitable midnight pizza run, your bank account probably looks a little depressing. If you’re a student in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, or Wisconsin, you’ve likely stared at a gas pump and wondered if there’s a better way to get home for the weekend. There is. It’s the Amtrak Midwest student discount, and honestly, it’s one of the few perks of having a valid ID that actually moves the needle on your monthly budget.
Most people think train travel is just for commuters or tourists with too much time on their hands. They’re wrong.
The 15% Reality Check
Basically, Amtrak offers a 15% discount for students aged 13–25 on several specific routes throughout the Midwest. This isn't some complex rebate program where you have to mail in a receipt and wait six weeks for a check. It’s an immediate price drop. You just have to know which buttons to click and which trains actually count.
You’ve got to book at least one day in advance. That’s the "catch," if you can even call it that. If you try to buy a ticket at the kiosk five minutes before the Wolverine pulls out of the station, you're paying full price. Planning matters.
The discount applies to the "Value" and "Flexible" fares. It usually doesn't stack with other promotions, so if Amtrak is already running a massive flash sale, the student discount might sit this one out. But for the average trip from Chicago to St. Louis or Ann Arbor to Kalamazoo, that 15% is your bread and butter.
Where You Can Actually Go
The Midwest is Amtrak’s playground, but the discount is specific to certain state-supported routes. We aren't talking about the Empire Builder headed to Seattle. We're talking about the workhorses of the region.
The Lincoln Service is a big one. It runs between Chicago and St. Louis. If you’re at Mizzou or WashU and need to get to the Windy City, this is your line. Then there’s the Illini and Saluki, serving the corridor down to Carbondale. U of I students basically keep these trains running.
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Over in Michigan, you’ve got the Wolverine, the Blue Water, and the Pere Marquette. Whether you're at Michigan State or Western Michigan University, these routes connect the dots between Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Chicago. In Missouri, the Missouri River Runner connects St. Louis to Kansas City. And let’s not forget the Hiawatha, which is the quick-and-dirty shuttle between Chicago and Milwaukee.
How to Get the Deal Without Losing Your Mind
Booking used to be a nightmare of promo codes and specific URLs. Now, it’s mostly integrated. When you’re on the Amtrak website or using the app, you select "Student" as your passenger type.
Keep your ID handy.
Seriously. Don't be that person who gets on the train and then realizes their student ID is sitting on the dresser in their dorm room. The conductors on these Midwest routes are usually pretty chill, but they are required to check. If you don't have proof, they can legally charge you the difference between the student rate and the "walk-up" fare, which is significantly higher.
Some people try to use old IDs from three years ago. It’s a gamble. If the date is clearly expired, you might run into trouble. Just use a valid one. If you’re a high school student over 13, you qualify too. It’s not just for the university crowd.
The Myth of the "Student Advantage" Card
A few years ago, you needed a "Student Advantage" card to get any kind of discount. That’s gone. You don't need to pay for a separate membership anymore. Amtrak simplified things because, frankly, the old system was a barrier to entry that didn't make sense in a world where everyone has a smartphone. Now, the Amtrak Midwest student discount is accessible to anyone with a school email and a dream of not sitting in I-94 traffic.
Why the Train Beats Driving (Usually)
Driving sucks. I-55 is a parking lot half the time. Gas prices in Chicago are historically high compared to the rest of the country. When you take the train, you get Wi-Fi. It’s not the fastest Wi-Fi in the world—don't expect to stream 4K movies or play competitive Valorant—but it’s enough to get an essay done or scroll through TikTok.
You also get a seat that actually has legroom. Unless you’re driving a massive SUV, the train is objectively more comfortable. You can walk to the cafe car. You can use a bathroom that isn't at a sketchy gas station.
Plus, there's the environmental factor. If you care about your carbon footprint, the train is a massive win over a single-occupancy vehicle.
The Time Trade-off
Let's be real: the train isn't always faster. If you’re going from Chicago to Milwaukee on the Hiawatha, it’s about 90 minutes. Driving can take two hours if there's a wreck on the Edens. In that case, the train wins. But if you’re headed from Chicago to Quincy on the Illinois Zephyr, it’s a bit of a haul.
You have to weigh the 15% savings against your time. For most students, the ability to study while moving is the tie-breaker. You can't write a lab report while driving a Honda Civic. Well, you shouldn't.
Hidden Details and "Pro" Moves
- Multi-Ride Passes: If you’re commuting every single week, the 15% off a single ticket might not be your best bet. Look into the 10-ride or monthly passes. These are already heavily discounted, but sometimes the student rate doesn't apply to these specific products. You have to do the math.
- The 24-Hour Rule: I mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. You cannot book the student discount on the day of travel. If you wake up and decide you want to leave at noon, you’re paying the adult fare. Book the night before.
- Amtrak Guest Rewards: You can still earn points while using a discount. Sign up for the rewards program. It’s free. Eventually, those points turn into free trips. It’s a slow burn, but it’s worth it.
- Baggage: Unlike the airlines that charge you $30 for a carry-on, Amtrak lets you bring a ton of stuff for free. Two personal items and two carry-on bags. If you’re moving back home for the summer, the train is a literal lifesaver.
What to Do Right Now
Stop paying full price. If you have a trip coming up, go to the Amtrak website and toggle the "Student" passenger setting. Check the routes. Make sure your destination is covered by the Midwest service umbrella.
- Verify your ID: Ensure your student ID is current and has a photo.
- Book early: Aim for at least 3-7 days out to get the "Value" tier fares, which make the 15% discount even more effective.
- Download the app: It’s way easier to show your ticket and ID on your phone than fumbling with printed papers.
- Check the status: Midwest trains can occasionally be delayed by freight traffic. Use the Amtrak "Track Your Train" feature before you head to the station so you aren't sitting on a cold platform for an hour.
The Amtrak Midwest student discount isn't going to make you rich, but it’ll keep a few extra bucks in your pocket for things that actually matter. Like coffee. Or laundry. Or literally anything other than a gas tank.