Freshman year can be tough. So, here’s something to help you ace it: Get one free roundtrip Coach ticket on Amtrak Illini, Saluki, Zephyr or Carl Sandburg train routes when you travel from August 24, 2026 to May 15, 2027.

The ticket can be used whether you’re moving into the dorm, heading home to visit family or getting away for the weekend with classmates.  

Onboard, there’s plenty of room for books and backpacks. There’s free Wi-Fi for texting and gaming. And there are roomy tray tables so you can break out your laptop to study.  

1. In the form field at the top of this page, book a round-trip Coach ticket to or from Carbondale or Macomb, Illinois. The offer is limited to the Illini, Saluki, Zephyr or Carl Sandburg lines. 
2. Use promo code in your email at checkout. Click the ‘Add Coupon’ drop-down menu and enter the coupon code. Fares shown will reflect the discount.  
3. Enjoy your journey, courtesy of Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Freshmen Free Ride Program. 

1. Discount Details
   • Free round trip for to/from Carbondale or Macomb IL.
   • Offer valid only for 2026/27 freshmen and limited to one (1) roundtrip per eCoupon.  
2. Fare Rules
   • Changes and Cancellation rules of the fare purchase apply.
3. Travel Validity
   • Valid for travel: 
     • Trips must originate or terminate in Carbondale or Macomb.
       • Limited city pairs: Chicago Union Station (CHI), La Grange (LAG), Naperville (NPV), Plano (PLO), Mendota (MDT), Princeton (PCT), Kewanee (KEE), Galesburg (GBB), or Quincy (QCY) in Illinois going west. Carbondale (CDL), Du Quoin (DQN), Centralia (CEN), Effingham (EFG), Mattoon (MAT), Champaign-Urbana (CHM), Rantoul (RTL), Gilman (GLM), Homewood (HMW), Kankakee (KKI), and Chicago Union Station (CHI) in Illinois.  
   •  Valid Routes: Saluki, Illini, Carl Sandburg and IL Zephyr.  
   • Class Restrictions: Coach only.  
4. Sale, Travel Dates, Blackout Dates, and Advance Purchase Requirement
   • Sales Dates: August 21, 2026 to May 13, 2027.  
   • Travel Dates: August 24, 2026 to May 15, 2027.  
   • Blackout Days: September 4, 2026, September 7, 2026, November 24, 206 – November 25, 2026, November 28, 2026 – November 30, 2026, December 19, 2026 – December 23, 2026, December 26, 2026 – December 30, 2026, January 2, 2027 – January 3, 2027, January 15, 2027, January 18, 2027, February 12, 2027, February 15, 2027, March 26, 2027, March 28, 2026 - March 29, 2027.  
   • Advance Purchase Requirement: 2-Day Advance Purchase.  
5. Additional Information 
   • Not combinable with any other discount offer.  
   • Not valid for Travel Agency ticketing.  
   • Seating is limited and may not be available on all trains, dates, or departures.  
   • Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice.  
   • Subject to any restrictions, blackouts, and refund rules that apply to the type of fare purchased.  
   • Other restrictions may apply.  
   • Not valid on bookings made with Amtrak Guest Rewards points.  
   • Not valid on Points & Cash bookings.  

Join Amtrak Guest Rewards and earn points every time you travel, then cash them in for future trips, upgrades and more. Think of it as getting rewarded just for showing up — no studying required.