Want to travel without long flights, jet lag, or time changes? You’re not alone. Many Americans are choosing to travel close to home. You can travel very affordably in North America with a national parks pass, an Amtrak pass, and other cards in your wallet.
In fact, the North American travel sector is expected to keep growing over the next 10 years, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. HTo help you enjoy all that our continent has to offer, here are five travel passes aimed at keeping your budget on track and your summer adventures flowing.
1. U.S. National Parks Pass
The America the Beautiful Pass allows entry for you and three other adults (aged 16 and older) to nearly 2,000 parks, monuments, and historical sites nationwide. Up to two adults can sign on as owners of one pass, and you don’t have to be related to do so.
With admission to destinations like the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park costing $35 per vehicle, this $80 annual pass pays for itself in just three visits.
2. Conservation Passport Mexico
Mexico offers a Conservation Passport that admits travelers to 186 protected areas throughout the country for around $100 USD. Explore reserves, national parks, volcanos, and biospheres with this affordable one-year pass from the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP)
Profits benefit CONANP’s efforts to preserve Mexico’s diverse natural environment. Watch the videos and use the interactive map on the CONANP website to learn more about what’s included and what you can see.
3. North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association®
NARM membership gives you free admission to over 1,300 museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and art galleries throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands.
The benefits of NARM membership include discounts at gift shops and ticketed events hosted by each cultural institution. You can sign up for a museum card at any participating NARM institution by choosing “at the NARM level” to receive a membership card. Prices vary depending on the level you choose, but expect to spend about $100 to get a museum card. Use the NARM website to find your nearest participating attraction.
4. Parks Canada Discovery Pass
The Discovery Pass offers free admission to over 80 destinations across Canada, including national parks, monuments, cultural program sites, and conservation areas. It’s good for 12 months and pays for itself in as few as seven days.
A group pass permits up to seven people in one vehicle and costs just over $100 USD. Individual and senior passes are priced at around $50 USD. You can buy either pass online (Note that the prices you’ll see at the link are in Canadian dollars and appear higher). Admission is free to Discovery Pass destinations for children aged 17 and under.
5. Amtrak Pass
If you have extended time off , an Amtrak pass might be just the ticket you’re looking for. Tour the country in 10 segments over 30 days, all for $499 with an the USA Rail Pass. You can choose from over 500 destinations and customize your trip based on your unique travel desires.
Once you purchase your Amtrak pass, you’ll have 120 days to begin travel. You can make segment changes within that time frame as long as you do so before your 30-day travel window begins. Your travel options include mountains, national parks, 46 cities, and even a few Canadian destinations like Toronto and Vancouver.
Five passes to see it all
Armed with a National Parks Pass, an Amtrak pass, and a museum card, you are ready for unlimited exploration in the United States. Throw in a Parks Canada pass and a Conservation Mexico passport, and all of North America is open to you.
These five travel passes provide sensational savings on fun, culture, history, and some of the most beautiful scenery in North America.
FAQs about travel passes
The America the Beautiful pass is $80 and allows entry for you and three other adults (aged 16 and older) to nearly 2,000 parks, monuments, and historical sites nationwide.
Mexico offers a Conservation Passport for about $100US that admits you to 186 protected sites across the country.
The USA Rail Pass from Amtrak costs $499 and gives you 10 segments of travel to use over 30 days.
A group pass for up to seven people in one vehicle costs just over $100 USD. Individual and senior passes are priced at around $50 USD.
Use the NARM website to find your nearest participating museum and then you can buy a museum card from them for about $100.
Buy a NARM museum card for $100 and you’ll have free admission to more than 1,000 museums and other attractions across North America. Most museums also have free entry on specific days of the week or month – check the website of the museum you want to visit.