Flight costs are on the rise , but that doesn’t mean you need to temper your travel bug. Scenic long-distance train rides can be a laid-back alternative for a summer vacation, without the hassle of the airport or highway gridlock . Traveling by train lets you really take in the landscape, whether you’re zipping through the Rocky Mountains or winding your way through Arizona’s majestic canyons.
If you’re curious about train travel but don’t know where to start, read on. These are some of the best long-distance train journeys in the U.S., plus a few spectacular single-day journeys, from Appalachia to the Pacific Coast.
Best long-distance U.S. train journeys
California Zephyr, San Francisco to Chicago
Widely regarded as the most scenic long-haul passenger train in the U.S., the California Zephyr is operated by Amtrak and runs between San Francisco and Chicago. Highlights include the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevadas; Byers and Glenwood canyons in Colorado; and the Truckee River, Donner Lake and more throughout California and Nevada. The train’s upper-level lounge features curved clear ceilings for better views.
The journey takes about three days, and passengers can choose from upper- and lower-level coach seats or several sizes of private bedrooms and suites. There’s also a dining car and café car, along with full service for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Coast Starlight, Seattle to Los Angeles
Amtrak’s Coast Starlight takes you from the shores of the Pacific up into the mountains of northern California, Oregon and Washington. The whole trip is about a day and a half, but you can also board in Portland or Sacramento for a slightly shorter journey. The southernmost sections of the route follow California’s coastline, offering up-close views of the water between L.A. and San Francisco. Then, the train cuts into the mountains, passing by Mount Shasta, Crater Lake and Mount Rainier.
As with most overnight Amtrak trains, passengers can choose from coach seats and private bedrooms, including roomettes and family-size bedroom suites. There’s also a café car and dining car, and you’ll have access to breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks while aboard.
Empire Builder, Chicago to the Pacific Northwest
Amtrak’s Empire Builder is a 46-hour train journey that departs daily from Portland, Seattle and Chicago, spanning the high alpine route from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest. It’s the northernmost long-distance passenger train in the U.S., crossing over the Cascade Mountains and Rocky Mountains through stunning Glacier National Park. It’s not uncommon to see deer, elk and bald eagles from the windows of the train.
After passing through the mountains, the Empire Builder crosses through the high plains of eastern Montana and North Dakota before dipping down into lush Minnesota and Wisconsin. To best enjoy the scenery, spend time in the Sightseer Lounge, and book a roomette or bedroom for overnight comfort. Standard coach seats are also available, and you’ll have access to meals and snacks throughout the journey.
Best scenic rail day trips
Coastal Classic Train, Alaska
Winding between Anchorage and Seward, the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic Train passes through mountains and winds along the coastline, offering an excellent glimpse of southern Alaska and the Gulf of Alaska’s Turnagain Arm. The train cars have wide, arched windows for better sightseeing, and the route traverses the backcountry wilderness of the Chugach Mountains. The ride is about four hours each way.
The Coastal Classic Train has a dining car and baggage service, and its routes are timed to let passengers explore the small town of Seward before returning to Anchorage at 6 p.m. The Denali Star Train is another popular option starting in Anchorage, but it’s a longer journey (about 12 hours) and features more mountains and less coastline.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a national historic landmark that’s been chugging through the Colorado mountains since 1882. The train cars on today's route are genuine steam locomotives that date to the 1920s. Winding through San Juan National Forest, the railway offers two trip options: the scenic round-trip Silverton train and the Silverton Express. The full journey takes nine hours, including a two-hour layover in the historic mining town of Silverton.
Throughout the ride, you’ll pass through a landscape that’s largely unchanged since the area was first developed. You’ll get stunning views of Animas Canyon along the Animas River as you cross over historic train trestles via an open-air gondola car.
Verde Canyon Railroad, Arizona
The Verde Canyon Railroad is a great pick if you’re visiting Sedona and want to get out of the city and into the backcountry. The four-hour round-trip runs from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back, with sweeping views of Arizona’s stunning red rock mountains and dramatic canyons. The railway also offers a dreamy sunset-to-starlight ride from March to December.
Passengers get a reserved seat inside, where there’s easy access to a food menu and bar. But the real action happens in the open-air cars with guides who will make sure you spot every must-see, like ancient Sinagua ruins built into cliffs and huge bald eagle nests, all while sharing legends of the miners who made their way out West during Arizona's gold rush.
Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia
Another historic gem, the Cass Scenic Railroad takes passengers on a four-and-a-half-hour round-trip journey to the second-highest point in West Virginia, Bald Knob. From the same station, you can also take a shorter two-hour trip to and from nearby Whittaker Station. The longer route offers panoramic views of the Appalachians, while the shorter route winds along Leatherbark Creek.
The railroad was founded in 1901 to haul spruce timber into Cass, a company town that processed the wood into pulp and paper. The railroad was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Trains run from May through October, and passengers get a complimentary lunch for the trip.
