Windows down? No. Windows wide. That’s what train travel feels like — an open invitation to slow down and let the landscape do the talking.
Planes rush you from point A to B, but trains give you everything in between — the shifting colors, the small-town whistle stops, the quiet moments that remind you why travel ever mattered.
Each route is a moving story, unfolding mile by mile, where the journey is just as rewarding as the destination. If you’ve ever longed for travel that feels human again, this is your sign to trade the runway for the rails.
1. California Zephyr – Chicago to San Francisco
The California Zephyr is often called America’s most beautiful train ride — and for good reason. From the Great Plains to the snow-draped peaks of the Rockies, then on through the red canyons of Utah and the Sierra Nevada mountains, it’s a cross-country odyssey that unfolds like a live documentary. The route covers nearly 2,500 miles, and every stretch feels like stepping into a new landscape entirely.
There’s something deeply calming about watching the world change outside your window — from rolling farmland to alpine passes that seem too stunning to be real. The glass-domed observation car is the sweet spot; that’s where travelers gather, sip coffee, and quietly nod at the wild beauty outside. You’ll pass through the Moffat Tunnel, skirt the Colorado River, and wind into the heart of the American West — no airport chaos, no rushing, just the rhythm of the rails.
By the time you roll into the Bay Area, it feels less like a trip and more like you’ve time-traveled through every shade of American geography. If you want one train ride that captures the soul of the country, this is the one.
Quick Details:
- Best months to travel: April–October (clear skies and vibrant landscapes)
- Travel time: Around 51 hours end to end
- Highlight stops: Denver, Glenwood Springs, Salt Lake City, Reno
- Seat to book: Superliner Roomette for privacy and comfort
- Best for: Scenic photography, long-haul travelers, romantic getaways
2. Coast Starlight – Seattle to Los Angeles
If the California Zephyr is drama, the Coast Starlight is pure cinematic calm — a slow glide along the Pacific that feels more like a rolling meditation. The train hugs the coast for miles, sometimes so close you can see waves crash just feet from the tracks. From Seattle’s evergreen mountains to California’s golden sunsets, it’s a near-perfect stretch of the West Coast in one seamless sweep.
This route captures everything people love about rail travel — majestic views, quiet stretches of solitude, and the pleasure of simply not having anywhere to rush to. You’ll pass through Portland’s green valleys, the volcanic peaks of Mount Shasta, and the dramatic cliffs near San Luis Obispo. By the time you reach Los Angeles, you’ll feel as though you’ve seen the entire West Coast without ever lifting a finger.
And let’s not skip the details that make it extra special: the Pacific Parlour Car (exclusive to sleeping car passengers) serves wine and regional cuisine, while the lounge car’s panoramic windows practically glow during sunset.
Quick Details:
- Best months to travel: May–September for clear Pacific views
- Travel time: About 35 hours
- Highlight stops: Portland, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
- Seat to book: Superliner Bedroom for coastal window views
- Best for: Coastal travelers, slow travel enthusiasts, couples
3. Empire Builder – Chicago to Seattle/Portland
The Empire Builder is the rugged one — a rail journey that cuts through the northern U.S., following the historic trail of pioneers, fur traders, and dreamers. It’s an unforgettable way to experience the raw wilderness of the American Northwest, from the Great Plains to the glaciers of Montana. You’ll cross the Mississippi, traverse the North Dakota plains, and roll straight into Glacier National Park, where the train often slows down so passengers can take in the view.
This is the kind of trip where you realize how vast and untamed the country still is. The landscapes are cinematic, sure, but what makes it memorable is how it pulls you into a rhythm — reading, sipping coffee, chatting with fellow passengers — all while the scenery does its quiet magic.
For travelers who crave that sense of the frontier without giving up comfort, this route delivers. The sleeper cars are cozy, the dining car meals hearty, and the staff’s friendliness gives it that nostalgic train charm you just can’t fake.
Quick Details:
- Best months to travel: June–September for clear mountain visibility
- Travel time: Around 46 hours
- Highlight stops: St. Paul, Minot, Glacier National Park, Spokane
- Seat to book: Superliner Roomette or Bedroom
- Best for: Nature lovers, history buffs, long-distance explorers
4. Southwest Chief – Chicago to Los Angeles
The Southwest Chief is the definition of desert grandeur. It takes you across eight states — through the Midwest, the red rocks of New Mexico, and the high desert of Arizona — tracing much of the same route as the historic Santa Fe Railway. Every turn of the track tells a story of America’s rugged Southwest, and the colors alone — rust red, gold, and deep violet — are enough to make anyone a train convert.
You’ll see mesas that look straight out of classic Westerns, desert towns shimmering in heat, and star-filled night skies that feel like they go on forever. For anyone who’s ever dreamed of seeing the real Southwest — not just the tourist postcard version — this is the most immersive way to do it.
And the best part? The train still feels like a throwback to mid-century travel. The pace, the quiet, the way the dining car fills with conversation as you cross into desert twilight — it’s timeless.
Quick Details:
- Best months to travel: March–May or September–November for mild weather
- Travel time: About 40 hours
- Highlight stops: Kansas City, Albuquerque, Flagstaff
- Seat to book: Superliner Bedroom or Roomette
- Best for: Desert scenery, history lovers, stargazers
5. Adirondack – New York City to Montreal
The Adirondack offers a completely different kind of beauty — not wild canyons or deserts, but lush forests, sparkling lakes, and small-town charm that make it one of the most scenic short routes in North America. The train winds along the Hudson River, through the rolling hills of upstate New York, and past the lakes and peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. By the time you reach Montreal, you’ve crossed not just a border but an entire mood shift — from urban rush to peaceful wilderness.
This ride feels personal — smaller scale, yes, but also warmer, more intimate. You’ll pass through historic river towns, see the fall colors explode into gold and crimson, and maybe even catch a bald eagle gliding above the Hudson. It’s a favorite among leaf peepers and photographers, but really, anyone who wants to slow down and feel the Northeast at its most authentic will fall for it.
It’s also one of the easiest scenic routes to fit into a trip, since it departs right from Manhattan and reaches Montreal by evening — no jet lag, no airport shuffle, just smooth travel and incredible scenery the entire way.
Quick Details:
- Best months to travel: September–October for peak fall foliage
- Travel time: Around 10 hours
- Highlight stops: Albany, Saratoga Springs, Plattsburgh
- Seat to book: Business Class for comfort and better views
- Best for: Fall travelers, photographers, weekend adventurers
6. Crescent – New York City to New Orleans
The Crescent is the soulful route — a journey that connects two of America’s most iconic cities through a ribbon of culture, cuisine, and southern charm. Starting in New York City, it winds through Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Birmingham before easing into the sultry streets of New Orleans, where jazz drifts through the air like a soundtrack waiting for your arrival.
The real joy of the Crescent isn’t just the destination; it’s how the landscape changes along the way. One moment you’re gliding past the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the next you’re surrounded by magnolia trees and bayous shimmering in the southern heat. The rhythm of the train matches the South itself — slow, steady, and full of character.
By the time you pull into New Orleans, it feels as if you’ve traveled through a living storybook of America’s musical and cultural roots. It’s not just a train ride; it’s a lesson in how the journey shapes the destination.
Quick Details:
- Best months to travel: March–May or October–November for pleasant southern weather
- Travel time: Around 30 hours
- Highlight stops: Philadelphia, Atlanta, Birmingham, Meridian
- Seat to book: Viewliner Roomette for comfort on overnight segments
- Best for: Cultural travelers, music lovers, food enthusiasts
7. Ethan Allen Express – New York City to Burlington, Vermont
If you’re after a short but wildly scenic getaway, the Ethan Allen Express is the perfect fit. It begins in the buzz of New York City and ends in the laid-back beauty of Vermont, where the air smells of pine and maple, and every view feels like a postcard. The train hugs the Hudson River for much of the route before climbing gently into the Green Mountains — and if you’re traveling in autumn, it’s a front-row seat to one of New England’s most stunning fall color displays.
What makes this route special is its pace — relaxed enough to unwind, short enough to fit into a weekend. You’ll pass through charming river towns and rolling farmland, where red barns dot the hills and lakes flash between the trees. It’s one of those rides that makes you forget the idea of “getting there fast” ever mattered.
By the time you reach Burlington, with its artsy vibe and lakefront setting, you’ll wish the tracks kept going. For travelers who want the train experience without days on the rails, this one delivers big on scenery in a single afternoon.
Quick Details:
- Best months to travel: September–October for fall foliage; June–August for summer lake views
- Travel time: Around 7.5 hours
- Highlight stops: Albany, Saratoga Springs, Rutland
- Seat to book: Business Class for panoramic window seats
- Best for: Weekend trips, fall travelers, casual rail enthusiasts
8. Cardinal – New York City to Chicago via the Blue Ridge Mountains
The Cardinal is one of those under-the-radar routes that quietly surprises even seasoned travelers. Stretching between New York City and Chicago, it threads through Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, West Virginia’s New River Gorge, and the pastoral beauty of Kentucky and Indiana. It’s a slice of Americana you might miss if you only ever fly over it.
There’s a certain charm to this one — smaller towns, long curves through deep forests, and windows full of mountain mist in the morning. It’s a photographer’s delight and a quiet soul’s dream. The train only runs three times a week, adding to its almost secret, old-world feel.
And when you reach Chicago, it’s hard not to feel a little changed — the Cardinal isn’t flashy, but it’s rich in detail, grounded in history, and deeply personal. It’s for those who love the idea of discovering corners of the country that planes simply skip.
Quick Details:
- Best months to travel: April–June or September–November for mild weather and foliage
- Travel time: Around 28 hours
- Highlight stops: Charlottesville, Charleston (WV), Cincinnati, Indianapolis
- Seat to book: Superliner Roomette for the mountain stretches
- Best for: Hidden-gem travelers, photographers, solitude seekers
9. Sunset Limited – New Orleans to Los Angeles
If train travel had a “road trip” cousin, it would be the Sunset Limited — a stretch of tracks that cuts straight across the Deep South and the Southwest, all the way to the Pacific. It’s the oldest named train in the U.S. and carries a certain old-time romance with it. The landscapes shift constantly: swamps give way to cactus-dotted desert, then to the wide skies of Texas and the rugged edges of California.
The vibe on board is part adventure, part storytelling. Passengers often swap travel tales in the lounge car, and as the sun sets over the desert, you start to understand why they call it the Sunset Limited — the colors outside the window look like they were brushed on by fire.
It’s a long ride, yes, but the kind that fills your notebook, camera, and memory all at once. For those who want to feel the vastness of America’s open spaces without touching a steering wheel, this is it.
Quick Details:
- Best months to travel: February–April or October–November for cooler desert weather
- Travel time: About 48 hours
- Highlight stops: Houston, San Antonio, Tucson, Palm Springs
- Seat to book: Superliner Bedroom for the long haul
- Best for: Cross-country explorers, desert dreamers, nostalgic travelers
