Exploring America by Train

Rail travel in the U.S. is a different experience than Europe — slower, longer, and far less frequent — but Amtrak's long-distance routes are genuinely spectacular in ways that flying never could be. Crossing the Rockies on the California Zephyr or waking up to the coastline on the Pacific Surfliner are experiences worth planning around. Beyond Amtrak, a handful of private and luxury operators run glass-dome coaches, heritage steam trains, and exclusive private cars through some of the most dramatic scenery in the country.

East Coast

• Acela — Amtrak's flagship high-speed service connecting Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The fastest train in the U.S., though still slower than European equivalents.
• Northeast Regional — Runs the same corridor as the Acela but cheaper and with more stops, continuing south to Richmond, Newport News, and Norfolk.
• Silver Meteor & Silver Star — Both run New York to Miami, splitting off through Florida. The Meteor goes through the interior; the Star adds Tampa. Good option for avoiding a fly-drive to Florida.
• Crescent — New York to New Orleans through Atlanta. One of Amtrak's oldest named routes, connecting the Northeast to the Deep South.
• Downeaster — Boston to Brunswick, Maine. Short but scenic, and one of the more reliable regional services in the Northeast.

West Coast

• Pacific Surfliner — San Diego to San Luis Obispo, hugging the Southern California coast between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. One of the most beautiful stretches of rail in the country.
• Cascades — Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, B.C., running through Portland and Seattle. A well-patronized corridor that feels closest to a European regional train.
• Coast Starlight — Los Angeles to Seattle over two days. Runs inland through the Cascades and Sierra Nevada rather than along the coast for much of the route, despite the name. The Pacific Parlour Car (on some runs) is worth the upgrade.

Transcontinental Routes

• California Zephyr — Chicago to Emeryville (San Francisco Bay Area) in about 52 hours through the Rockies, the Colorado River canyon, and the Sierra Nevada. Widely considered the most scenic train journey in the United States.
• Empire Builder — Chicago to Seattle and Portland, splitting in Spokane. Passes through the northern Great Plains and along the southern edge of Glacier National Park.
• Southwest Chief — Chicago to Los Angeles through Kansas City, Albuquerque, and the Mojave Desert. Follows much of the historic Route 66 corridor and passes near the Grand Canyon.
• Sunset Limited — New Orleans to Los Angeles — Amtrak's southernmost long-distance route, crossing Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Only runs three days a week.
• Lake Shore Limited — New York and Boston to Chicago (the two sections join in Albany). The most direct rail option between the East Coast and the Midwest.

Routes Near National Parks

Amtrak doesn't stop at park entrances, but several routes drop you within reasonable distance — especially useful combined with a park shuttle or rental car at the destination station.

• Empire Builder → Glacier National Park — Stops at East Glacier and West Glacier stations, both inside the park boundary. One of the few places in the U.S. where you can arrive at a major national park without a car.
• California Zephyr → Rocky Mountain & Arches / Canyonlands — Glenwood Springs is the closest stop to Rocky Mountain NP (about an hour by car). The Zephyr also passes through the Colorado River canyon — one of the most dramatic stretches of rail on the continent.
• Southwest Chief → Grand Canyon — The Williams Junction stop connects to the Grand Canyon Railway, a historic line that runs directly to the South Rim. A genuinely car-free option for reaching the canyon.
• Southwest Chief → Petrified Forest — The Holbrook, AZ stop is about 30 minutes from Petrified Forest National Park.
• Coast Starlight → Redwoods & Crater Lake — Amtrak Thruway bus connections from some stations give access to Redwood National Park and Crater Lake (seasonal).
• Adirondack → Adirondack Park — New York to Montreal, with stops along the western edge of the Adirondacks in upstate New York.

Luxury & Private Rail

• Canyon Spirit — Denver to Moab or Salt Lake City over two or three days in glass-dome daylight-only coaches, with regionally-sourced meals served at your seat. This is the rebrand of Rocky Mountaineer's U.S. "Rockies to the Red Rocks" route, operating April through November. Signature class from ~$1,739 pp; Premier from ~$2,339 pp.
• Halloway Rail — A 1955 Union Pacific dome car and private sleeper, attached to scheduled Amtrak trains and rented exclusively (up to 6 guests) with a private chef and steward. Routes include the California Zephyr (Denver to Emeryville or the full run to Chicago) and the Coast Starlight. From ~$10,000 per car on shorter legs; the full Chicago–Emeryville run starts around $51,750.
• Grand Canyon Railway — Williams, AZ to the South Rim and back, daily, on historic steam and diesel locomotives (the route dates to 1901). The Luxury Dome class — the Fred Harvey car — puts you in a full-length upper dome with a downstairs lounge, sparkling wine toast, and snacks for ~$243 pp. Reachable by rail: the Southwest Chief stops at Williams Junction, where a shuttle connects to the Railway.
• Napa Valley Wine Train — Napa to St. Helena and back through the heart of wine country, aboard restored 1915 Pullman cars with a 1952 glass dome car. Standard journeys run about three hours with a 3–4 course meal and wine pairings (~$200 pp); the full-day Legacy Experience adds winery stops (~$700+ pp).
• Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad — Coal-fired steam through the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, on a route that has operated continuously since 1882 and is a National Historic Landmark. The Cinco Animas luxury car adds a Victorian interior and exclusive outdoor viewing platform. From ~$100 pp coach; overnight packages from ~$668 for two.
• Virginia Scenic Railway — Seasonal excursions from Staunton, VA behind the Norfolk & Western 611 steam locomotive, with the restored 1948 Shenandoah dome car offering plated dining and a 21+ upper dome. Runs a limited number of departures each year through the Shenandoah Valley and toward the Blue Ridge. From ~$100 pp coach.

Booking and Practical Notes

• Book long-distance sleeper rooms well in advance — roomettes and bedrooms on the Zephyr and Empire Builder sell out months ahead in summer
• Coach seats on overnight trains are wide and recline deeply, but a sleeper includes all meals in the dining car
• Amtrak's app and website both work for booking; the Amtrak website also shows multi-city itineraries
• The USA Rail Pass covers up to 10 segments over 30 days and is available to both U.S. residents and international visitors
• Trains in the U.S. run on freight rail and are frequently delayed — build flexibility into your connections and never book a tight flight after a long-distance train
• Private luxury rail (Canyon Spirit, Halloway) books out months in advance and runs on fixed seasonal departure windows — check operator sites directly, as Amtrak's booking tools don't cover these services