Like many folks in the U.S, I’ve always romanticized traveling by train, and regularly choose rail over cars when I can. I love being able to relax while taking in the beautiful views, read, write, or chat with friends.
The U.S. has some incredible cross-country train vacations, as well as scenic day trips, specialty add-on activities, and more. Different from the light rail that gets us around in our home cities, the trips detailed below are luxurious, relaxing, and will show you just a bit more of the expansive country.
The Pacific Surfliner
This 351-mile trip starts in San Diego, California and travels north along California’s coast before ending in San Luis Obispo. This train travels through dozens of cities, including Anaheim, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. The Pacific Surfliner also stops at Disneyland Resort. A one-way coach ticket costs $86, which includes a personal item and two carry on bags. From San Diego to San Luis Obispo, this trip takes just under 13 hours.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers a few different ride packages that range from a four hour scenic tour to overnight trips with accommodations at the Stonebrook Lodge in Bryson City. You can choose specialty add-ons, such as rafting, a caboose party, and zip-lining. They also offer different types of trains to pick from, including steam powered or diesel powered trains. If you book a weekday trip between May 1st – August 31st 2023, every adult ticket (ages 13+) will come with a free kid’s ticket (ages 2-12).
Grand Canyon Railway
If you’d prefer to take in the Grand Canyon without hiking, you can take the Grand Canyon Railway through the heart of the Grand Canyon, and stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. There are various packages available for this trip that offer different types of entertainment, and they even host a Polar Express event in the winter. For a one night stay for two adults on the weekend, the cost for tickets and the hotel start at $437. Discounts are offered for AAA members and those with NPS park passes.
Foliage Tours
States across New England offer foliage tours throughout the fall, with the height of foliage season usually in mid to late October. These tours range from quick family-oriented trips between apple orchards to longer passes through the White Mountains of New Hampshire or the Green Mountains of Vermont. Tickets range in price depending on time and location, but all will be well worth it. As a native Vermonter, I would be remiss not to mention Vermont’s Green Mountain Railway, which offers brunch, cocktail, and the occasional murder mystery trains in the Champlain Valley.
Cross-Country Trips
Looking for a longer vacation? Amtrak offers cross-country vacation packages for both the U.S. and Canada. These trips include sleeper cars, admission to landmarks, hotel accommodation, guided walking tours, and more. These trips range in price and duration, such as $999 for a 10 day trip from Los Angeles to Washington D.C.
