Imagine boarding a sleek set of railcars, unloading your suitcase in a sleeper suite, and setting off on a journey across the country. You don’t have to worry about driving, will be served three hot meals a day, and can spend your time taking in the scenery, reading a book, and exploring rarely visited parts of the country.
This is all possible with rail travel, and it is starting to make a comeback. Travelers have grown tired of the hassle that comes with air travel and are increasingly looking for different ways to see the country. These trips can range from a couple of hours on a sightseeing tour to multiple days traveling from San Francisco to Chicago.
So hop aboard one of these scenic North American routes and discover the wonders of rail travel.
Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
Route: Vancouver to Banff
Rocky Mountaineer is a luxury rail travel company offering three different routes in Canada and the United States. All of these routes travel up and over the Rocky Mountains in glass-domed cars that offer 360-degree views of the stunning scenery you’ll experience along the way.
Their most popular Canadian route starts off in Vancouver and makes its way through the Rocky Mountains into the stunning ski town of Banff. Along this 2-day journey, you’ll pass by the gorgeous Frasier Valley, spend a night in Kamloops, and glide through the Rockies in full daylight to take advantage of the best that this region has to offer.
Because this is a tour-oriented company, there is no travel at night, so you will never miss any of the scenery along the way.
Amtrak Coast Starlight (USA)
Route: Seattle to Los Angeles
This 35-hour route is one of the prettiest on the Amtrak system as it passes along the Pacific coast and through the Cascade Mountains. Along the way, you’ll make stops in the West Coast’s biggest cities and plenty of smaller ones. Aboard the train, you can choose from grab-and-go options from the train’s cafe or sit down for a traditional dining experience.
Amtrak offers a variety of options for this overnight trek that range from basic seats to private suits with seats that transform into bunk beds and have their own private bathroom.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (USA)
Route: Durango to Silverton
This day-long round trip excursion travels through the narrow river canyons and over high bridges between the Colorado mountain towns of Durango and Silverton. Pulled by a historic steam engine, the train offers an open air experience to the beauty of the Colorado mountains.
The trains run nearly year-round, so you can experience the changing seasons along the route.
Amtrak California Zephyr (USA)
Route: San Francisco to Chicago
This two day route traverses the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains as it makes its way between San Francisco and Chicago. Along the way, you’ll glide through winding mountain passes, through cities like Denver and Salt Lake City, and cross over a significant portion of the country.
As this is a commuter train you may pass through some of the scenic parts of the route during the night although this is all part of the fun as you’ll get the wake up and experience a whole new landscape than the one you said goodnight to the night before.
White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (USA/Canada)
Route: Skagway to Carcross
Built in the late 1800s during the Klondike gold rush, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad takes passengers from Skagway, Alaska, up and over White Pass. This route gives you a glimpse into the challenges this imposing terrain presented those prospectors hoping to strike it rich.
This train ride is a popular excursion for cruise ship passengers making a port of call in Skagway, so expect a full train on days the ships are in port.
Grand Canyon Railway (USA)
Route: Williams to Grand Canyon
Ditch the car and skip the lines into the park by riding the historic Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, AZ, to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The train departs daily at 9:30 a.m. and leaves you with 3 hours to explore the wonders of the Grand Canyon before departing back to the station.
You can even supplement your trip with a stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, which was built to resemble an old-timey railway station.
Amtrak Empire Builder (USA)
Route: Seattle to Chicago
It doesn’t take long on this route for the train to begin climbing up and over the Cascade Mountains as you make your way across the country from Seattle to Chicago. During this two-day journey, you’ll pass by Glacier National Park, across the northern plains of Montana and North Dakota, and drop into Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and finally, the Windy City of Chicago.
Riders traveling from Chicago can choose to make their way over the cascades and into Seattle or head south through the Columbia River Gorge and disembark in downtown Portland.
Amtrak Adirondack (USA)
Route: New York City to Montreal
Running from New York City to Montreal, this 10-hour route offers views of the Hudson River Valley, the Adirondack Mountains, and Lake Champlain. This route is a must-do in the fall season, as the hillsides are ablaze with the changing leaves of the forest’s hardwood trees.
Alaska Railroad Denali Star (USA)
Route: Anchorage to Fairbanks
Hop aboard this classic Alaskan adventure as you travel between the metropolitan (at least for Alaska) city of Anchorage, past rivers, along mountain ranges, by Denali National Park, and up into the interior city of Fairbanks. The trains that run the route feature glass tops, so you’ll have stunning views of the mountains and wildlife along the way.
Did you know that this train makes whistle stops along the route? If you live out in the wilderness or are out on a hike and need a pickup, you can flag down the train and hop on to make your way to the next planned destination! This is all part of the charm of the Alaskan wilderness.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad (USA)
Route: Cañon City Round Trip
The Royal Gorge Railroad takes passengers on a 2-hour journey through the breathtaking, 1000-foot-deep Royal Gorge along the Arkansas River in Colorado. The train offers multiple car classes to choose from, including a chance to ride with the train’s engineer!
Food and drinks are offered to help make this an experience you won’t soon forget!
Rocky Mountaineer (USA)
Route: Denver to Moab
The Rocky Mountaineer’s US route takes passengers on a journey through the Rocky Mountains from Denver, Colorado, to Moab, Utah. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to spend the night in the mountain town of Glenwood Springs, pass over the continental divide, and take in the stunning scenery of the red rocks of Moab.
These journeys can also be done as a 4-day round trip, so you don’t have to worry about transportation back to your departure point.
