train travel across the usa

The Man in Seat 61

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You'll see nothing of America at 35,000 feet, come down to Earth and see world class scenery from an Amtrak train across the United States.  You can travel cross-country from as little as $236 (£188 or €220) if you book well in advance, one of the world's great travel bargains.  The USA has an excellent rail network for visitors, it may only be a skeleton network by European standards but it'll take you to almost all the towns & cities a visitor wants to see, in comfort at affordable prices.  It'll take you to many of the U.S. national parks, too.  Long-distance trains in the USA are operated by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, better known as Amtrak, www.amtrak.com .  This page explains what you need to know to plan and book a memorable cross-country trip by train.

Train service in the USA, at a glance    See detailed map

This route map shows where Amtrak trains run.  Each of the very long-distance transcontinental routes shown in blue has one daily train, except for New York to Florida with 2 trains a day and the Sunset Limited (New Orleans-San Antonio-Los Angeles) which runs 3 times a week.  Important short distance routes (for example, Washington-New York-Boston or Los Angeles-San Diego) have regular intercity services and are shown in red.  It's easy to check Amtrak train times at www.amtrak.com , just use their online booking system.  Click here for the official large-scale Amtrak route map .

Useful country information

Cross-country by train.

The 3,000 mile journey across the United States by train is one of the world's greatest travel experiences.  It's easy, comfortable, safe, and an affordable alternative to flying.  Free route guides are available on board each train, telling you what to look out for from the window, and the scenery on many routes is world class. 

In a nutshell

The 3,000 mile coast-to-coast train ride takes 3 nights, without stopovers.

Choose from 4 or 5 different cross-country routes, each with their own character.  I explain the most scenic routes below with train times & description.  You can stop off on the way, but remember that a separate ticket/reservation is needed for each stage.

It takes one night from New York, Boston or Washington DC to Chicago where you change trains, then two nights from Chicago to Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle on a superb double-deck Superliner train .  You can also travel coast to coast via New Orleans , this takes an extra night as you need to spend a night in New Orleans.  Most of the trains run daily all year round, although the New Orleans-LA train only operates three times a week.

Check out the cross-country train packages at www.amtrakvacations.com , they can sort packages with tickets, private sleeping accommodations on the train, stopovers & hotels included.

If you book regular tickets online at www.amtrak.com , cross-country fares from New York to Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle start at just $236 in a spacious reclining seat, surely one of the world's greatest travel bargains.  A private sleeper for 1 or 2 people can be added to your booking, the extra cost is often quite hefty but the sleeper room charge includes all meals as well as tea, coffee & fruit juice throughout the trip. Amtrak's spacious trains also have cafe & lounge cars, open to both seat and sleeper passengers.  See descriptions of the trains here .

On-time performance .  Bear in mind that these trains run for over 2,000 miles, although they often arrive on time or perhaps half an hour late, they can sometimes arrive an hour or two late or more, so don't book any tight connections.  You can see how your chosen trains have performed the last few weeks using www.amtrak.com/historical-on-time-performance and you can also see real-time train positions & performance at www.asm.transitdocs.com .

Which is the best cross-country train route?

I've crossed the United States multiple times by train, using every major cross-country train except the Texas Eagle.  Each transcontinental route has its own distinctive character even if the trains themselves are the same, but one stands out as the most spectacular for both scenery & historical significance:  I recommend the California Zephyr between Chicago and San Francisco, which you can take in connection with the Lake Shore Limited between New York or Boston and Chicago, or the Capitol Limited between Washington DC and Chicago.

The California Zephyr is one of world's greatest train journeys, in around 48 hours you will leave Chicago, roll over the vast farmlands of Nebraska, cross the Mississippi, scale the Rockies out of Denver over breakfast in the diner, snake through lovely Colorado canyons, and pass through the Sierra Nevada mountains to reach Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay area.  The route covers much of the very first historic trans-continental railroad route, and there's a commentary for the most significant section.  To give you an idea of what a cross-country train ride is like on this route, see the California Zephyr page . 

However, all Amtrak's cross-country train routes are scenic, and the Southwest Chief is another favourite.  It'll take you from Chicago to Los Angeles over the Santa Fe railroad (which used to operate the famous Super Chief) , alongside the equally famous Route 66, through Navajo Indian country.  This is another amazing trip, with a chance to stop off at the Grand Canyon .

Cross-country westbound 2024

* The California Zephyr terminates in Emeryville and an Amtrak Thruway bus transfers passengers across the Bay Bridge to the Temporary Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco.  Tickets can be booked through to (and luggage checked through to) San Francisco Transbay Terminal as if it was a rail station.

** The Chicago-Los Angles portion only runs 3 times a week, departing Chicago on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays. Daily Chicago-San Antonio.

Use these times as a guide, always check current times & fares at www.amtrak.com as they change from time to time.

Cross-country eastbound 2024

* The California Zephyr starts in Emeryville.  An Amtrak Thruway bus links the Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco with Emeryville across the Bay Bridge.  Tickets can be booked through from (and luggage checked in at) the Amtrak station at San Francisco Transbay Terminal as if it was a rail station.

*** The Los Angles to Chicago portion only runs 3 times a week, leaving LA on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays.  Daily San Antonio-Chicago.

Facilities on each train

What are the trains like.

Click here to see what the trains are actually like inside & out, and to understand the sleeping-car, lounge & dining facilities.

How much does it cost?

3,000 miles coast-to-coast overland for as little at $236 has to be one of the world's greatest travel bargains!  Railpass options .

Amtrak fares are dynamic, so you'll see various prices on various dates, book ahead for the cheapest prices - these are the cheapest examples I have found.

Round trip fares are twice the one-way fare.  Children 2-12 (inclusive) travel at reduced fare, children under 2 travel free (limit one child under 2 per adult).

There's a 10% discount for seniors over 65 on some fares.  The discount applies to the base fare but not to saver fares, flexible fares, roomette/bedroom charges.

If you choose to travel in a sleeper, the premium fare column on the Amtrak website will show the total cost for all passengers travelling in a roomette or bedroom.  This is calculated as a basic fare for each passenger plus one charge covering the whole roomette or bedroom.  The roomette or bedroom cost is the same whether it's occupied by one person or two.  So a sleeper is a lot better value if there are two of you!  The two people price in the table above is the total you pay for two people sharing a roomette or bedroom.

Tip :  You can save 10% on the basic travel fare (but not on accommodation supplements) by becoming a member of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, which at the time of writing costs $35 for an individual or $50 for a family.  It can pay for itself on one coast to coast trip.  See www.narprail.org for full details and online sign-up.

Can I stop off on the way?

Yes of course, but if you want to stop off you'll need to buy separate tickets for each leg.  To book a cross-country trip with stopovers at any cities you want, simply look for the 'Multi-City' link at top right of the booking form on www.amtrak.com .  This allows you to book a trip with up to 4 segments, and of course you can book additional segments as separate bookings.  However, if you buy a through ticket at the cheapest price between an East Coast city such as New York and a West Coast city such as Los Angeles, then no, you cannot stop off, you must travel direct on your assigned trains.  Although the several hours between trains in Chicago is often time enough to climb the Sears Tower (now owned by the Willis corporation, see theskydeck.com ) and get great views over the city, it's only 5 minutes walk from Chicago Union Station!  As you can see from the fares table above, separate tickets New York to Chicago and Chicago-Los Angeles (so you can stop off in Chicago) work out about $35 more expensive than a New York to Los Angeles through ticket.

Want to stop off at the Grand Canyon?  See the Grand Canyon section

All the trains shown here offer checked baggage.  All passengers (both coach & sleeper) are entitled to check in up to 2 large items of luggage free of charge, plus an additional 2 large items for $20 each.  Maximum 50lbs (23Kg) per item, maximum total linear dimension (length + height + width) = 75".  Oversize bags (up to a total linear dimension of 100") $20 per bag.  A name and address label must be attached to each item.  Hand luggage is limited to two items per passenger, maximum 50lbs (23Kg) per item, dimensions 28" x 22" x 14".  See www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy .

You can check bags through to your final destination, so for example if you have a New York to San Francisco ticket you can check your bags in at New York all the way to San Francisco Transbay Terminal.  They will be transferred for you from train to train in Chicago and from train to bus at Emeryville, leaving you free of it until you arrive.

How to buy tickets

Option 1, buy at www.amtrak.com

Anyone from any country can buy tickets at Amtrak's own website www.amtrak.com , which sells all types of accommodation, seat & sleeper.

Booking opens 11 months in advance.  An e-ticket will be emailed to you, you can print it out or show it on your phone.

Or call Amtrak 24 hours a day on 1-800-USA RAIL.  From outside of the USA, Amtrak's international desk is + 1-215-856-7952.  Open Mon-Fri 08:30-16:00 Eastern Time.

Option 2, buy at Omio.com

Omio.com sells tickets for Amtrak seated accommodation quickly & simply, in multiple languages & currencies.  However, it can't sell sleeper accommodation.  You print out your ticket or can show it on your phone.

Let Amtrak Vacations arrange your trip

Amtrak Vacations is Amtrak's official partner for vacations, tours & packages.

Amtrak Vacations can put a package together from anywhere to anywhere to your specification, with private sleeping accommodations on the train, stopovers at cities or national parks, hotels & transfers.

They'll also do ticket-only bookings for cross-country Amtrak journeys, and you may get more help and advice if you book through them as they specialise in Amtrak's long-haul routes.  

Click here for Amtrak Vacations' cross-country packages

Lines are open 09:00-22:00 Monday-Friday & 09:00-17:30 Saturday, Eastern Time (5 hours behind the UK).

Let Railbookers arrange your trip

Railbookers are train travel specialists with offices in the UK, Australia & United States.  They can arrange coast to coast tours by train to your own specification, with trains, stopovers, hotels, transfers and (if necessary) flights all sorted.

Escorted tours with Great Rail Journeys

Using a usa railpass.

A USA Railpass is available covering the whole Amtrak network or just parts of it, see advice on USA Railpasses here .

See it in pictures: Cross-country by train

See an illustrated journey from New York to San Francisco on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited and California Zephyr.

Back to top

Cross-country via New Orleans

This is the Southern cross-country route, a whole different flavour from the routes via Chicago.  Coast to coast via New Orleans takes 4 nights, making it slower than the more usual transcontinental route via Chicago, as you need to spend a night in New Orleans - but a stopover down south is hardly a burden!  For a taste of the deep south, this is the way to go.

Amtrak fares vary dynamically, so you'll see various fares on various dates, book ahead for the cheapest prices - these are just typical examples, assuming you book ahead.

Luggage arrangements .  Railpass options .   Can I stop off?

New York to Florida

Introducing Amtrak's Silver Service from New York & Washington DC to Orlando, Tampa & Miami.

Facilities on board

Silver Meteor:   Amfleet reclining seats ,  Viewliner sleeping-car , Amfleet cafe car .

Silver Star:   Amfleet reclining seats ,  Viewliner sleeping-car , Amfleet cafe car.

Luggage arrangements .

Anyone from any country can buy tickets at Amtrak's own website www.amtrak.com .  This sells all types of accommodation, seat & sleeper.

Omio.com sells tickets for Amtrak seated accommodation quickly & simply, in multiple languages & currencies.  However, it can't sell sleeper accommodation.  You just print out your ticket or show it on your phone.

Boston - New York - Washington

A fast and frequent inter-city service links Boston, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC.  There are two types of train: Acela Express 150mph high-speed trains with 1st class & business class (premium fares apply) and regular trains with coach class and (in most cases) business class.  There are also services from Boston to Portland (Maine) and from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. See www.amtrak.com for times, fares and online booking, or try Omio.com .

How long does it take?

New York to Washington takes as little as 2h48 by Acela Express.

New York to Boston takes 3h30 by Acela Express.

Fares vary like air fares, with cheaper prices available the further ahead you book.  Round trip fares are twice the one-way fare.  Children 2-12 (inclusive) travel at reduced fare (except on Acela Express where there is no discount for children on weekdays), children under 2 travel free (limit one child under 2 per adult).

Luggage on Washington-New York-Boston trains:   These trains don't have checked baggage, you simply take your luggage with you onto the train and put it on the racks just as you would on any European train.  You can take 2 items up to 23Kg each, plus two smaller personal bags each up to 11Kg - pretty generous, see www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy .

Omio.com sells Amtrak tickets quickly & simply, in multiple languages & currencies.  You just print your ticket or show it on your phone.

Acela Express

Acela Express is Amtrak's very own high-speed train, reaching 150 mph on certain sections of upgraded line.  It has first class & business class, there's no economy coach class.  Premium fares apply, with no discounts for children on weekdays.

Northeast Regional trains

Cheaper but slower than Acela Express, with coach class & business class between Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore & Washington DC.

Other Amtrak routes

New york - niagara falls.

Three daily trains link New York via Albany with Niagara Falls.  Journey time is a leisurely 8 hours 30 minutes, a relaxing journey along the Hudson River Valley out of New York, past Storm King Mountain and West Point Military Academy, a very scenic route, highly recommended.  See either Omio.com or www.amtrak.com for times, fares and online booking.

New York - Toronto, Montreal (Canada)

A daily train called the Maple Leaf links New York with Toronto via Niagara Falls, and another daily train called the Adirondack links New York with Montreal via the scenic Adirondack mountains.  Both trains travel along the Hudson River Valley out of New York, past Storm King Mountain and West Point Military Academy, a very scenic route, highly recommended.  See the Train travel in Canada page for train times .

Chicago - Memphis - New Orleans

Amtrak's daily City of New Orleans links these cities, with Superliner seats, sleeping-cars, sightseer lounge and dining-car .  For times, fares and online booking, see www.amtrak.com .

Intercity trains in California

Regular trains link Los Angeles, Anaheim (for Disneyland), and San Diego.  Regular trains link San Francisco (Oakland) with Sacramento, Bakersfield and San Jose.  A daily train links Los Angeles with San Francisco (Oakland).  See either Omio.com , www.amtrak.com or www.amtrakcalifornia.com for times, fares and online booking.

Seattle - Portland - Oakland (San Francisco) - Los Angeles

Amtrak's daily Coast Starlight links these cities, with Superliner seats, sleeping-cars, sightseer lounge and dining-car .  For times, fares and online booking, see www.amtrak.com .

Portland - Seattle - Vancouver

Amtrak runs an inter-city service between these cities, see www.amtrakcascades.com - Some of these services use European-design Talgo trains.

Luggage on trains without checked baggage:   Some of these trains don't have checked baggage, you simply take your luggage with you onto the train and put it on the racks just as you would on any European train.  Generous limits apply - 2 items each up to 23Kg, plus two smaller personal bags each up to 11Kg, see www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy .

What are Amtrak trains like ?

Short distance trains come in various types, all with comfortable air-conditioned seating and often with a café car.  On the Boston-New York-Washington DC route, there is now the premium fare, 150mph Acela Express high speed train, based on French TGV technology, but running on conventional tracks.

(1)  Long distance trains in the east

Long-distance trains east of Chicago (such as the New York-Chicago Lake Shore Limited , the New York to Florida Silver Star & Silver Meteor or the New York to New Orleans Crescent , but not the Washington to Chicago Capitol Limited ) have Viewliner sleeping-cars , Amfleet reclining seat cars and an Amfleet cafe/lounge car serving snacks and drinks.  If you have paid for a sleeper, meals are included in the fare.

Amfleet reclining seats

These distinctive stainless-steel coaches have comfortable reclining seats with loads of legroom, drop-down tables & 120v power sockets for laptops & mobiles.  Drinking water is available in each coach.  Unlike in Europe, your reservation does not secure a specific seat in a specific coach, you can sit where you like once on board.  An attendant looks after each seats car, and will place a 'seat ticket' above your seat to indicate that the seat is taken.

Dining cars, cafe cars & flexible dining

Most long-distance trains have a cafe/lounge car serving hot & cold drinks and snacks, with an area with seats & tables for socialising.  The cafe/lounge car can be used by both sleeper and seats passengers.

Traditional dining-cars on all the 1-night long-distance trains east of Chicago were discontinued in 2018-2019.

Amtrak now offers sleeper passengers what it calls Flexible Dining on these trains.  Sleeper passengers are served pre-packed reheated or microwaved meals delivered to their sleeper compartments, or meals can be served in the table area of the cafe/lounge car.   The New York-Florida Silver Star and Silver Meteor retain dining-cars of the new Viewliner II type with an impressive double row of windows, but only to serve the pre-packaged Flexible Dining meals to sleeper passengers.

Latest update:   In March 2023 full dining has been reinstated on the Silver Star between New York and Florida.

Viewliner sleeping-cars

Long-distance trains in the East have Viewliner sleeping cars.  The distinctive double row of windows on these cars makes them light & airy during the day, and gives both upper & lower berths a window for star-gazing at night.  Travelling by Amtrak sleeper is a real treat.  All sleeper passengers get complimentary meals in the dining car,  and a 'coffee station' provides complimentary tea/coffee & fruit juice in the morning.  You return from dinner in the diner to find you bed made up for the night by the sleeper attendant.  A hot shower is available at the end of the corridor if you're travelling in a roomette, or en suite if you are travelling in a bedroom.  All necessary bedding, soap and towels are provided.  However, sleeper travel isn't cheap.  In Europe you can pay a small supplement for a berth in a shared couchette or sleeper compartment.  In the US, you have to pay for the whole room whether there are two of you or just one.  To give you a rough idea, some sample sleeper supplements are shown in the fares section above.   Viewliner sleeping-cars have:

(2)  Long distance trains in the west

Long-distance trains between Chicago & Los Angeles/San Francisco/Seattle/Portland, also the New Orleans-Los Angeles Sunset Limited , Seattle-Los Angeles Coast Starlight and Washington DC-Chicago Capitol Limited use impressive double-deck Superliner cars.  Superliner trains have coach class reclining seats , sleeping-cars , a dining car & an observation-lounge car .  A route guide is available free on these trains, telling you want to look out for along the way.  Watch a video guide to Amtrak Superliner trains .

Superliner reclining seats

Coach class reclining seats are spacious with lots of legroom, comparable with business class on an airliner.  Don't worry if you can't afford a sleeper, these seats recline to about 40 degrees, and are quite easy to sleep in, in fact if there is any train in the world where I wouldn't much mind not having a sleeper, Amtrak trains are the ones I'd choose.  There are 120v power sockets for laptops & mobiles at each seat, and drinking water is available in each coach.  Unlike in Europe, your reservation does not secure a specific seat in a specific coach, you can sit where you like once on board.  An attendant looks after each seats car, and will place a 'seat ticket' above your seat to indicate that the seat is taken.  You can either bring a blanket or buy an Amtrak blanket from the lounge car.  Panorama photo of Superliner coach class .

Superliner Sightseer Lounge car

On the upper deck is an observation lounge with armchairs & tables and huge windows for sightseeing.  On the lower deck is a cafe selling drinks & snacks.  All passengers can use the lounge car, whether they are travelling in coach class or in the sleepers.  You end up spending most of your day here, watching America unfold in front of you!   Seats are available on a first-come, first served basis, but it's not usually too difficult to find a seat or two free.  However, they do fill up for the most scenic sections of the journey!  See panorama of a Superliner lounge car .

Superliner dining car

Trains west of Chicago retain a proper dining-car with freshly-cooked food.  During the pandemic, the dining-car was only open to sleeper passengers, but in 2023 coach seat passengers were allowed to use the diner again on most routes.  The dining-car serves breakfast, lunch & dinner.  All the tables in a Superliner dining-car are on the top deck for great views while you eat - the kitchens are downstairs.

Meals are included in the fare if you have a sleeper, although drinks are extra.  In the sleepers, the dining-car manager comes down the train asking each passenger which sitting for lunch or dinner they'd like, and issuing table reservations.  An announcement is made at the start of each sitting. 

Note that couples and singles don't get a whole 4-seater restaurant table to themselves, you'll normally be seated with other passengers. This is a great chance to meet people, even if you're travelling solo.  Panorama photo of Superliner dining-car .

What's the food like?   The food is surprisingly good:  The Angus Steak Burger is great for lunch, for dinner the herb-roast chicken & rice is good and the garlic butter marinated New York Strip Steak is excellent.  A beer costs around $6, a half bottle of very good Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot costs around $15.  For breakfast next morning a freshly-cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon & potatoes hits the spot.  There is also a children's menu.  Credit cards are accepted.  You can find sample menus on the Amtrak website www.amtrak.com , click 'plan' then look for 'meal & dining options'.

Since 2018, sleeper passengers on the Lake Shore Limited  (NYC-Chicago) & Capitol Limited (Washington-Chicago) get a pre-packed meal either served in their compartment or eaten in a lounge area.

Superliner sleeping-car s

Travelling by Amtrak sleeper is a real treat.  All sleeper passengers get complimentary breakfast, lunch & dinner in the dining car,  and each sleeping-car has a 'coffee station' with complimentary tea/coffee and fruit juice available in the morning.  You return from dinner in the diner to find you bed made up for the night by the sleeper attendant.  All necessary bedding, soap and towels are provided.  Superliner sleeping-cars are double-deck, with 10 very compact 2-berth roomettes and 4 larger 2-berth bedrooms on the upper deck, whilst the lower deck has another 4 roomettes, 1 family bedroom & 1 special accessible bedroom.  The bedrooms have a private shower & toilet, for roomette passengers there are toilets on both upper and lower decks, and a hot shower on the lower deck.  The gangways to the adjacent cars are on the upper deck.  However, sleeper travel isn't cheap.  In Europe you can pay a small supplement for a berth in a shared couchette or sleeper compartment.  In the US, you have to pay for the whole room whether there are two of you or just one.  To give you a rough idea, some sample sleeper supplements are shown in the fares section above.   Superliner sleeping-cars offer:

Video guide: Riding a Superliner train

The grand canyon connection.

There are two main ways to reach the Grand Canyon as part of a cross-country train trip, after you get off Amtrak's Chief at Flagstaff Arizona.  The first is to use a bus between Flagstaff and the South Rim of the Canyon, journey time 1 hour 45 minutes each way.  The other is to take a connecting Amtrak Thruway bus to the nearby town of Williams and use the historic Grand Canyon Railway to the Canyon, journey time 2 hours Williams to the South Rim.

Option 1, Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon by bus

Scheduled buses link Flagstaff's Amtrak station (which also incorporates the excellent local Visitor Centre) with the Grand Canyon's South Rim, with an 8am bus departure from Flagstaff conveniently connecting out of Amtrak's Chief from Los Angeles arriving at the Grand canyon around 1 hour 45 minutes later.  A bus returns from the Grand Canyon at 6.15pm (also at 4.15pm from March to October), arriving back in Flagstaff 1 hour 45 minutes or so later.  It can easily be done as a day trip, returning to Flagstaff in time for the evening Chief to Los Angeles, although you can of course choose to stay overnight at the hotels at the Grand Canyon.  For bus times see groometransportation.com/grand-canyon .  The bus fare is around $34 each way.

Grand Canyon Tours from Flagstaff:   Alternatively, take a tour.  A company called The Grand Canyon Store http://grandcanyoncustomtours.com   offers 1-day tours from both Flagstaff & Williams to the Grand Canyon, including a tour to the Grand Canyon Village & South Rim, and the more extensive Inner Canyon Tour that actually takes you to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon, not merely to the South Rim as with other tours and the scheduled bus - not surprisingly the Inner Canyon Tour is their most popular!  They also do a tour from Flagstaff to the South Rim using the Grand Canyon Railway, see the section below.

www.amtrakvacations.com can put together an Amtrak coast-to-coast package for you with a stopover at the Grand Canyon, or a tour from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon and back, customised you your specification.  See Grand Canyon packages .

Option 2, Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway

The more interesting way to reach the Canyon is on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the Canyon's South Rim.  This is the original Santa Fe railroad branch line, Williams Junction just outside Williams town is where the line diverges from the Chicago-LA main line.  However, Amtrak's Southwest Chief no longer calls at Williams Junction (it called there at uncivilised times in any case), you now use Flagstaff as the stop for the Grand Canyon with Amtrak bus connection to Williams.

To reach the Grand Canyon by train, get off the Amtrak's Chief at Flagstaff and take the connecting Amtrak Thruway bus to Williams.  The buses are timed to connect with train's arrival & departure to and from both Chicago and Los Angeles.  Williams is a pleasant town with plenty of motels, shops & diners.  The Grand Canyon Railway runs a daily morning train some 65 miles over the Santa Fe's historic railway from Williams station to Grand Canyon South Rim station in the Grand Canyon Village, right on the edge of the Canyon's South Rim.  The train returns in the afternoon, arriving in time to have dinner then catch the shuttle bus to Flagstaff for Amtrak's Chief onwards to Los Angeles.

The Amtrak reservation system at www.amtrak.com will actually let you buy through tickets between Los Angeles and Grand Canyon in either direction, although if you want to book through tickets between New York or Chicago and Grand Canyon this involves an overnight stay in Williams so you'll need to use the multi-city booking feature.  But you can book your Amtrak trains at www.amtrak.com then book the Grand Canyon train at the GCR official website, www.thetrain.com .

You can also book Chicago-LA packages with Amtrak travel and a trip to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway at www.amtrakvacations.com , Amtrak's official partner for tours and packages involving Amtrak travel.  See Grand Canyon packages .

The fare includes entry to the Wild West show at Williams station in the hour before departure, and some Wild West entertainment on board!

USA rail passes

One of the best ways to see America is with an Amtrak USA rail pass, but be aware of its limitations before you invest in one.

A 30-day 10-segment rail pass costs around $499.

That's 10 train rides, enough to travel coast to coast 5 times, at €49.90 per train ride!  Children aged 2-12 get passes for half price, under 2's travel free.

Segments:   Sadly, since 2008 Amtrak's USA railpass no longer gives unlimited travel, it only covers a maximum of 10 'segments'.  This is the maximum number of individual train rides you can take during your 30 day pass duration.

A segment is one train ride on one train:  So a 2-day 2,200-mile trip from Chicago to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief counts as one segment, and a 30-minute ride on a Northeast Regional train is also one segment.  Go figure!  A journey involving a change of train (for example, New York to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited then Chicago to San Francisco on the California Zephyr ) counts as two segments.

Will a railpass save you money?   Very probably, if you intend making 8, 9 or 10 long-distance train rides.  10 rides for $499 is €49.90 per train ride, if (say) you only used 7 segments it'd work out at $71 per train ride.  Now use the journey planner at www.amtrak.com to see what normal fares would be, to compare.  But read the bit about passholder quotas below!

Reservations, upgrades & quotas

Railpasses are valid for any Amtrak train in the USA except Acela Express high-speed services and the Auto-Train car-carrying service.

Reservations are required!   The railpass is not a ticket, you must make a (free) reservation before boarding any train.  You can make reservations online at www.amtrak.com after buying your pass.  Alternatively, you can make them at stations as you travel around or by calling Amtrak's 24 hour freephone number, 1-800-USA RAIL (from outside the States call Amtrak on (001) 215-856-7953, not free).

Upgrading to a sleeper is no longer possible:   It used to be possible to upgrade to a private sleeper when using a pass, simply by paying the appropriate room charge.  For an idea of sleeper room charges, see the fares section above .  However, in 2021 this has changed, though it's not clear if this is permanent or temporary.  At present you cannot upgrade to a sleeper (or to business class) with a pass.  So only buy a pass if you're happy using a seat, even overnight.

Warning about passholder quotas:   After buying your pass, you can make reservations online, or at stations as you go, or by calling Amtrak.  However, with a pass you can only book trains on which a Value or Saver fare is available.  If only the most expensive Flexible fare is showing, you cannot use your pass on that train, even if there are seats still available for customers paying cash.  Many trains have Value or Saver fares available even on the day before departure, and sometimes even on the day of travel itself, but not always.  Trains get busy in summer, Value and Saver fares have limited-availability and often sell out.  When they sell out, you can't use your pass on that train.  So don't buy a pass only to find you can't travel on the trains you need.  Before buying the pass, use the journey planner at www.amtrak.com to get a feel for how fares work, and to see if your chosen trains have Value or Saver fares left.

How to buy an Amtrak Railpass

Check prices in pounds & buy a USA railpass (UK-based company, but passes sent to addresses worldwide)

Check prices in Australian dollars & buy a USA railpass (Australia & NZ residents)

Tours by train across America

Amtrak vacations, www.amtrakvacations.com.

Amtrak Vacations is Amtrak's official partner.  They can put a package together to your own specification, from anywhere to anywhere, with private sleeping accommodations on the train, stopovers at cities or national parks, hotels & transfers.  They'll also do ticket-only bookings for cross-country Amtrak journeys, and you may get more help and advice if you book through them as they specialise in Amtrak's long-haul routes.

Railbookers

Train travel specialist Railbookers have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.  They can arrange a tour by train across the United States on Amtrak, starting any date you like, to your own specification with hotels and train reservations all made for you, hassle-free.  They know what they're doing, and take good care of their clients, and I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Escorted coast-to-coast tour with www.greatrail.com , 01904 527 120

G uidebooks, click the images to buy at amazon.co.uk or amazon.com.

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Hotels in the USA

New York:  The Algonquin is New York's oldest operating hotel, opened in 1902, and a designated New York City Historic Landmark.  Perfectly located in mid-town Manhattan, a block or two from Times Square one way and Grand Central the other, with a lovely wood-panelled lobby and even its own hotel cat, which you may find wandering the corridors or sitting on the reception desk.  To check prices & book, click here .  For the Algonquin's history see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Hotel .

Washington DC:   Phoenix Park Hotel .  A great choice, directly across the road from Union Station so handy for arrivals and departures by train, with an excellent Irish Pub doing great food & Irish beer on the premises, and just 2 minutes walk from the capitol.  From around $154 for a double.

Los Angeles:   Hotel Queen Mary (closed for refurbishment in mid-2022, but reopened in April 2023).  This has got to be of the most fascinating places to stay, anywhere.  If you go to Los Angeles, consider making the Hotel Queen Mary your base to explore the Los Angeles - Hollywood - Disneyland area.  The original Queen Mary of 1936 has been permanently moored at Long Beach in California since the late 1960s, some 25 miles from Los Angeles Union Station (about a $90 taxi ride), and it's undoubtedly the most wonderful place to stay in LA.  The hotel consists of most of the original first class cabins on board the Queen Mary, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars available on board, too.  Hotel guests can more or less wander the ship at will, and even sign up for ghost hunts at night on board (and yes, from my own experience there is something going on aboard that beautiful ship!).  Wood panelled art deco interiors have been preserved, although a few modern items have been installed such as televisions, and (as we worked out from a historic deck plan) in some cases two of the Queen Mary's original cabins have been knocked into one hotel suite by turning one of the en suite bathrooms into a connecting corridor.  She is one of the most atmospheric places I have ever stayed.

Backpacker hostels in the USA: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in many places across the States at rock-bottom prices.

Flights to the USA

1)  check flight prices at opodo, www.opodo.com, 2)  use skyscanner to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines....

3)  Lounge passes

Make the airport experience a little more bearable with a VIP lounge pass, it's not as expensive as you think, see www.loungepass.com .  I have found that having lounge access with complimentary tea, coffee, food and wine makes all the difference to an economy flight.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  W hy you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com .

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16 tips for travelling by train in the USA 2021

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

• roughguides.com
• how-to-travel-the-usa-by-train

written by Joanne Owen

updated 6.02.2024

Travelling by train in the USA is an excellent way to see vast swathes of this vast country, especially if you're on a budget. While the USA 's national rail operator Amtrak won’t get you everywhere, it's pretty darn extensive, with thirty routes throughout travelling to over 500 destinations across 46 states. What's more, travelling in the USA by train offers the exhilaration of seeing incredible landscapes zoom by, with tasty slices of Americana served up when you slow through quirky little towns. There’s also no better way to meet (or people watch) the huge range of locals who'll hop on and off during your journey. Tempted? Then read on for our 16 tips for travelling by train in the USA, covering everything from what to know before travelling to the USA for a railroad adventure, to practical booking advice - all of them top tips for USA train travel.

1. Research routes

2. research rail passes, 3. book ahead, 4. relish road-trip reads, 5. pack like a pro, 6. consider kipping options, 7. plan for delays, 8. safety first, 9. check in your bags, 10. chow down and chat, 11. chill in the bar car, 12. discover the dome car, 13. stretch without stress, 14. lounge around, 15. map transit options, 16. get more guidance.

Amtrak’s  interactive route planner  will help you choose a route - checking out this tool is definitely one of our most useful tips of USA train travel. But even before you get into the nuts and bolts of route-planning, you'll probably want to dig deeper into where you might want to end up - while the journey can sometimes be the destination, you won't want to miss out on the good stuff once you get wherever you're going. Here's an overview of a few of  many route examples  to consider:

City of New Orleans route - music-lovers might want to investigate the 19-hour Chicago-Memphis-New Orleans route that takes in 900 miles of US music heritage. Our guide to New Orleans will fill you in on what to see and do once you arrive.

Bourbon St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Texas Eagle route - this epic 32-hour-trip from Chicago to San Antonio crosses the Mississippi River, traverses the piney woods of East Texas, and passes through Dallas before winding up in stunning San Antonio .

Pacific Surfliner route - at under six hours, this 351-mile route takes passengers through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles , Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with portions of it tracking Southern California's coastline.

If, having done your route research, you decide to take a seriously long-distance trip, it will be worth looking into booking a USA Rail Pass . These start from $499 for a maximum of ten journeys (called segments in Amtrak speak) taken over 30 days to over 500 destinations. For comparison, here are some sample one-way fares:

Atlanta - New Orleans $39

Chicago - Washington $84

New York - Chicago $90

Los Angeles - Seattle $101

New York - Orlando $123

Chicago - Los Angeles $146

The Pacific Surfliner serves up seriously stunning views © Hilo Pictures/Shutterstock

Once you know where you want to go, you'll want to book tickets well in advance - all passengers must have seats, and some trains (especially those travelling between major East Coast cities) can be booked solid. In addition to the rail passes covered above, here's a run-down of the different ticket types:

Saver Fares: the lowest available fares, with limited availability, so book early to secure the best deals.

Value Fares: available on all routes, with some change and refund options, limited availability.

Flexible Fares: fully refundable with no cancellation fees, with reservations easily modified. This is your best option if you're given to travelling by instinct and on impulse - you might want the flexibility to hop off and explore those must-visit nuggets shared by locals during your journey.

Business Fares: located in a dedicated car or section of the train, Business Class offers an "affordable, enhanced travel experience", as Amtrak describe it. These enhancements vary by train and route, but include the likes of extra legroom and complimentary (non-alcoholic) drinks.

Premium Fares: there are two premium services - Acela First Class (complimentary onboard food and beverage services, plus privileged access to Club Acela lounges) and Sleeper, with rooms and roomettes available on most long-distance routes. Prices for these accommodations are included in your Premium Fare.

Going on a solo trip? Check out our guide to the best places to travel solo in the USA .

OK, so you might not be on the actual road, but reading novels about adventures across the US will do wonders to fire up your pre-trip excitement. In fact, this is one of our favourite general  USA travel tips - whether you’re travelling by train or not.

Read to ready yourself © Shutterstock

Related articles from the blog

While we're not going to run through everything you might need (we have a whole feature dedicated to packing ), we do want to share one of our top practical tips for USA train travel - take your own climate control. That is to say, keep a cardie or jumper to hand - the temperature in Amtrak's coaches is uniformly regulated year-round, meaning that even if you're winding through the scorching Arizona desert, your car is likely to be on the chilly side. You can thank us later. 

In addition, depending on what you decide to do about accommodation options (see below), you might also want to pack a pillow and something to snuggle under.

If travelling overnight, you have a few accommodation options to consider - either book a roomette or bedroom, or rough it in coach. Having said that, if you've packed like a pro, it needn't be that rough.

Roomettes are compact double cabins, some of which include an in-cabin toilet – only recommended for those who are very well acquainted with their travel partners.

Bedrooms are significantly bigger with more room to stretch out when the seats are arranged for day travel. They also have a more conventional, private enclosed toilet. Some even have showers.

Coach seats, despite being the cheapest option, have generous proportions, ample legroom (often superior to many airlines' business class seats) and recline pretty far back. Plenty of people do sleep in coach cars - you'll see whole families preparing to camp down with their own duvets and pillows.

When visiting the USA while travelling by train, it's worth knowing that Amtrak trains often share their tracks with massive, mile-long freight trains that are given priority. This means that delays on longer routes are pretty much inevitable. To be notified of delays on the move, get the Amtrak App or sign up for email notifications, which could save you from kicking your heels at your departure station.

The Rough Guides to USA and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Also bear in mind that your two-hour journey might just be a small section of a much longer, multi-day route, so try to avoid any tight connections - one of the most essential tips of USA train travel if you want to avoid any unexpected bumps in the road (or tracks).

Don't get left behind - plan your connections and be mindful of delays © Shutterstock

Statistically speaking, rail travel is still one of the safest modes of transport, and providing you take all the usual common-sense precautions, travelling in the USA by train is generally safe, but it pays to be vigilant at major stations, especially at night. As always, having insurance is a smart idea too.

Be sure to keep an eye out for your bags, stowing away all valuables. If you're using night trains it might be worth investing in a basic bike lock to tether your luggage to something sturdy for total peace of mind, as opportunistic bag theft is probably the greatest threat you'll face. Alternatively...

Stations vary in size from huge complexes with multiple bars, shops and cafés to a single platform with a station sign and a bench. Most cities will let you check your baggage for free - get to your station 40 minutes before departure to take advantage of this. Having said that, all coach cars have ample overhead storage if you prefer to keep your case with you.

Checking your bags is certainly worth it on longer journeys - it frees you up to wander off to the dining car, Bar Car or vestibules without worrying about your valuables.

Check-in to be able to check-out the train with peace of mind © Shutterstock

Feasting on a whole lot of  food  is an essential experience of travel to the USA, so it goes without saying that when travelling in the USA by train, a meal in the dining car is a must-have Amtrak experience. The Dining Car opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and usually for multiple sittings. To reserve in advance, keep an eye out for attendants.

That said, don't expect fancy Pullman-style dining. Options are fairly limited and the menu changes about as often as the timetable. But it's not all about the food - if you're travelling solo or as a pair, you'll likely be seated with fellow passengers, offering the chance to chat with locals and fellow travellers, exchange travel tips, and make new friends, with a backdrop of all-American scenery providing plenty to talk about.

US railway station with rustic charm © Pixabay

Most trains will have a Bar Car. They’re usually next to the dining car, with tables and comfy leather booths for four where you can play cards, enjoy a coffee, and chat to fellow passengers, which makes visiting the Bar Car one of the best tips for USA train travel if you're the gregarious type.

The Bar Car is also where you'll find the National Park Guides, who ride the trains in their smart Scout-like uniforms during the summer months as part of Amtrak's Trails on Rails programme. They'll happily give you educational leaflets about the journey and point out interesting aspects of the passing landscapes.

Be sure to head to the bar car for coffee and chat © Shutterstock

Some of the more scenic routes will also have a Dome Car, with seats facing out with views through panoramic windows designed to make the most of the sublime scenery you'll be passing through.

These tend to fill up quickly on iconic routes like the California Zephyr, which passes through spectacular and otherwise inaccessible stretches of the Colarado Rockies , so be sure bag a seat early.

Not all stops are created equal. If you're a smoker, or just fancy stretching your legs and sampling the air outside on longer journeys, it pays to know if a stop is a designated 'rest stop', which means you're allowed to get off. If it's not, don't even try it - this rule is strictly enforced across the Amtrak network.

Sit back and soak it up © Khanh Le/Shutterstock

If you're travelling in a sleeper cabin (or in business class), you can make use of lounges in some of the bigger city stations, which offer complimentary wi-fi, newspapers, drinks and snacks before or after your train.

It's a great way to relax if you get to the station early, or want to kill a bit of time after 'detraining' (as Amtrak call it) on routes that arrive in the small hours of the morning.

Amtrak stations aren’t always slap-bang in centre of town. Most will have metropolitan transport links, of course, but some - like Atlanta , for instance - will be a cab ride away, so plan your accommodation and onward travel accordingly.

Map it out to make the most of your trip

Lastly, if you’re wondering how to travel to the USA in the first place, or keen to plan where to go and what to see in more detail, check out our  USA guide book , and read our USA travel tips for getting around more generally - by train, plane, automobile, bus and bike.

Alternatively, if you prefer to skip the planning all together, our  tailor-made USA trips might be exactly what you’re looking for.

At Rough Guides we’ve always taken pride in telling it like it is - whether we’re updating details in our guide books, or researching emerging destinations. With that in mind, we want you to know that when you click on links that lead to our affiliate partners’ sites, we can earn a small commission (at no cost to you). This is one of the ways we’re able to keep doing what we do best - provide you with travel advice and inspiration you can trust. Speaking of which, you can trust what we link to - our travel writer experts are exactly that (experts) and have highlighted them to share ideas that might make your trips all the more satisfying.

Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.

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🌍 Help Me, LP! How do I make the most of Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass?

Feb 9, 2023 • 7 min read

Use your Amtrak USA Rail Pass to take in the country’s staggering scenery from the comfort of an observation car © Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock

In this series, Lonely Planet’s team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provides tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. When an Amtrak question came across the transom, we turned to Lonely Planet contributor (and major train) fan Lauren Keith.

Question: My trip around Europe with the Eurail Pass was one of the best I’ve ever taken. Is there anything like this in the United States?

Lauren Keith: Hopping off and on trains, waking up to a new city in the morning, carrying your suitcase through elegant train stations, meeting new friends from across hostel bunk beds: taking an extended train trip in this fashion actually is possible in the United States .

Modeled on the Eurail Pass , which allows travel around 33 European countries, Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass might get you across only one international border. But the experience can be just as varied, intriguing and eye-opening as its European counterpart. 

The US might have the world’s largest road network, sure – but taking a car-free “road trip” across the country is a ticket to an unforgettable adventure, and may be the most European-style journey you can have on this side of the pond.

I’ve just bought my second USA Rail Pass, and I’m starting to pack my bags for my next Amtrak sojourn. In 2021, I took to the rails on a loop from Kansas City , going through St Louis , San Antonio , New Orleans , DC , Baltimore , Philadelphia , New York City and Boston . Here’s a quick dive into the nitty-gritty of the Amtrak pass and some of the questions I was most commonly asked about my trip.

What is Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass?

The USA Rail Pass allows riders to go on 10 Amtrak “segments” within a 30-day period for a set price. A segment isn’t always the same thing as a one-way journey – any time you get off the train is the end of a segment. A one-way journey between Seattle and Denver , for example, consists of two segments because you have to change trains.

Launched in 1976, the USA Rail Pass in its current form differs significantly from the Eurail Pass, and even from previous versions of itself. Instead of regional restrictions, the entire country is now fair game, and the pass is valid for a set 30 days, and only 30 days – travelers no longer have the option of choosing longer or shorter durations.

When can I use the Amtrak Rail Pass?

Once you purchase the pass, you have to use it within 120 days (about four months). After the first segment is traveled, the clock starts ticking, and you have 30 days to take the other nine segments.

How much does the USA Rail Pass cost?

Amtrak sells the USA Rail Pass for $499 at full price – but it’s been on sale for as low as $299 a couple times in the last few years. And at this promotional price, each segment costs less than $30, regardless of length.

What are the USA Rail Pass restrictions?

While the USA Rail Pass is pretty flexible, it’s important to know a few details before buying one.

With the pass, you must travel in coach class. Business class and sleeper cabins (which are soon to be upgraded ) are not an option, unless you want to pay for them outside of the pass at the going rate. While Amtrak’s reclining seats are far superior to those of any airline’s economy class (39 inches of legroom compared with 28 inches when flying), they can be a challenge to sleep in overnight.

Passengers using the USA Rail Pass cannot ride the Auto Train (between Virginia and Florida ), Acela trains (high-speed trains in the Northeast) or Canadian routes that Amtrak operates with VIA Rail Canada. However, these regions are still accessible to pass holders on other (slower) routes.

Riders can travel between the same two stations only twice (two round-trip journeys), so the pass is best for travelers looking to explore a larger region, or the entire country. If you’re looking to commute between cities or visit friends or family in the same place, opt for a Multi-Ride Pass instead, which doesn’t have this restriction.

Though the USA Rail Pass doesn’t have any blackout dates, only a limited number of seats are saved for pass holders on each service – which means advance reservations are highly advisable. It’s possible that some trains will be unavailable; unfortunately, the number of eligible seats isn’t shown when searching the schedules. You have to reserve seats in advance, and it’s best to book your journeys as soon as you know where you want to go, even if you haven’t nailed down all the details. If you change your mind, you can cancel and rebook any time before the scheduled departure of the train, a super-flexible option.

Where can I go on Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass?

The country is your oyster. Amtrak’s routes roll across the US from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Mexican border to stops in Canadian cities. More than 30 train lines crisscross the entire country on some 21,000 miles of tracks. Trains stop in 500 cities in 46 states, along with a handful of destinations in Canada .

How can I make the most of Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass?

That all depends on you and your travel goals. You could feel the West Coast sun along the coast in California before cozying up in a bookshop among the grays and greens of the Pacific Northwest . You could focus on the East Coast’s big-hitters, such as DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. The bold could even cross the country from every direction within 30 days: east from Los Angeles to New Orleans, north from Miami to Maine , west from Chicago to Seattle, and south from Vancouver to San Diego , where you can cross the border to Tijuana , Mexico , on foot. 

Although the observation car might sound like the best way to soak up all the extraordinary diversity of scenery on an epic journey like that, I wouldn’t personally recommend it – unless you’re sure you’ve packed plenty of snacks and your body can handle days without fully lying down to sleep. The California Zephyr , one of the longest train journeys in the world, takes 52 hours from California to Chicago, and that’s assuming there aren’t any delays – a rarity.

Start by looking at Amtrak’s route map and deciding which stops are a priority. Remember that you don’t necessarily need to start from your home city: if you want to pack more in, you could fly or take a train (without using your pass) to a hub like New York, Chicago or DC that has multiple options for long-distance routes.

Another important factor is timing. You have 30 days to use your pass, and outside the Northeast, most routes run just once a day – or even as little as three times a week, as is the case for the Sunset Limited (Los Angeles to New Orleans). The small number of services mean that strange departure times are inevitable. My first trips on Amtrak in 2008 left from a small-town station in Kansas with two daily departures: 2:45am going south and 2:59am going north.

Which Amtrak routes are the most scenic?

Amtrak’s long-distance trains are some of the most scenic journeys in the world. The Coast Starlight is absolutely worth a trip, hugging the coast so closely between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara that you seem to hover at the cliff edge, as if on a roller coaster. The California Zephyr takes in the widest variety of landscapes, from the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas to the salt flats of Nevada and Utah to endless bends around the Rocky Mountains . 

Even many of Amtrak’s stations are scenic. Los Angeles’ Union Station is an art-deco jewel with its own brewpub. Denver’s Union Station is home to an impressive food hall, and the coffered ceilings of Kansas City’s Union Station (do we see a naming trend here?) are just as gorgeous as those in Chicago and Washington, DC.

Ready to take a midnight train to anywhere? See you on board.

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Passenger Train Travel

Last revised: June 25, 2023

By:  Adam Burns

This section looks to cover passenger train travel available state to state, including both commuter and long-distance services.

Amtrak is our nation's intercity passenger train carrier (and has been since 1971) and as such virtually all such services that are provided across state lines is operated by the company.  

Finally, all of the known commuter and light-rail agencies currently in service across the country can be found here. 

As passenger trains have become an increasingly popular mode of transportation in recent years due to spiking oil prices and increased highway congestion Amtrak has been forced to add new trains and/or purchase more equipment to meet.

This task has been made increasingly difficult by an ever-tightening budget due to government oversight and politics in general. 

Routes By State

Because of funding issues a number of state agencies have, for several years now, picked up the tab by subsidizing service.

In some cases these states have added their own trains most notably in the New England region (New York, Connecticut, and Vermont) as well as North Carolina and California.

There have also been recent start-ups such as Nashville's  Music City Star  and  New Mexico's Rail Runner  service. 

Alabama hosts a single Amtrak passenger train, the  Crescent  (New York - New Orleans), which serves stations at Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Anniston.

There are also multiple bus stops/stations Amtrak provides across the state. To learn more please visit the carrier's website. 

Alaska's passenger train services are provided entirely by the state-owned Alaska Railroad, which also operates freight service. It is the only private company in the United States which also offers regularly scheduled passenger service.

It makes multiple stops along its system between Seward and Fairbanks, via Anchorage although there are different summer and winter schedules. Its notable trains include the  Denali Star, Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery , and  Hurricane Turn . For complete information please visit the railroad's website. 

Arizona is served by two passenger trains, both operated by Amtrak. To the north the  Southwest Chief  (Chicago - Los Angeles) stops at Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams Junction, and Kingman.

Additionally, to the south there is the  Sunset Limited  (New Orleans - Los Angeles) serving Benson, Tucson, Yuma, and Maricopa. Bus service to various cities is also offered. Please visit Amtrak's website to learn more.

In 2008, the state's first light-rail operation entered service; known as  Metro Light Rail  it runs 20 miles and serves the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. Finally, the  Sun Link  streetcar line opened in Tucson in 2014, running 3.9 miles within city limits. 

Arkansas is served by one Amtrak train, the  Texas Eagle  (Chicago - Los Angeles, via Dallas/San Antonio), which makes stops at Walnut Ridge, Little Rock, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Hope, and Texarkana.

There is no bus service offered to other cities across the state. Finally, in Little Rock operates a heritage streetcar system known as the River Rail Streetcar.

It was opened in November of 2004 and expanded in 2007; currently it operates 3.4 miles between Little Rock and North Little Rock utilizing historic Birney trolley cars. 

California has multiple passenger and commuter rail services. They are so expansive they will only be briefly highlighted here.

To learn more about them please visit each website. Amtrak's intercity services include:

• California Zephyr  (Chicago - San Francisco)
• Coast Starlight  (Seattle - Los Angeles)
• Southwest Chief  (Chicago - Los Angeles)
• Sunset Limited  (New Orleans - Los Angeles)
• Texas Eagle  (Chicago - Los Angeles, via Dallas/San Antonio)

The state also operates station stops (both rail and bus) that provide connecting services to these trains.

California's subsidized commuter rail services, operated in conjunction with Amtrak via the heading "Amtrak California," include:

• Capitol Corridor  (which serves Oakland/San Francisco-Sacramento-San Jose)
• Pacific Surfliner  (which operates along the coast between San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego) 
• San Joaquin  (between Oakland and Bakersfield)

Additionally, there are numerous other state or city-funded transit services including:

• Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), a rapid transit system serving its namesake region
• Altamont Corridor Express (ACE), a traditional commuter rail service in the Bay Area
• Caltrain, another standard, heavy-rail system that also serves the Bay Area
• San Francisco's classic trolley/cable cars which operate within the city
• Metrolink, which operates a traditional commuter rail service in the Los Angeles region
• COASTER service between San Diego and Oceanside (traditional commuter rail service)
• Metro Rail, a light rail service also located in Los Angeles
• SPRINTER light-rail service running between Oceanside and Escondido
• Sacramento's RT Light Rail system spanning nearly 39 miles
• San Diego's trolley system
• San Francisco's Muni Metro light-rail service
• San Francisco's F Market & Wharves system which utilizes historic PCC streetcar
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority serving the San Jose area

These provide the bulk of California's commuter/light rail services, and each offers their own website for information including routes, schedules, and fares. 

Colorado has two passenger trains which serve the state, both operated by Amtrak. The  California Zephyr  (Chicago - San Francisco) stops at Fort Morgan, Denver (Union Station), Fraser, Granby, Glenwood Springs, and Grand Junction.

The  Southwest Chief  (Chicago - Los Angeles) also makes stops in the state at Lamar, La Junta, and Trinidad. Finally, a few cities are also provided bus services. To learn more please visit Amtrak's website. 

Connecticut

Connecticut is one of several Northeastern states providing expansive passenger/commuter rail services. Amtrak's long-distance trains include:

• "Northeast Regional" service (Boston - Norfolk/Newport News) with stops at Mystic, New London, Old Saybrook, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Kensington, Meriden, Wallingford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford
• "Shuttle" service between New Haven and Springfield, Massachusetts

Additionally, the Vermonter (St. Albans - Washington, D.C.) stops at Hartford, Kensington, Meriden, Wallingford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford.

There are also state-sponsored services including the Metro-North Railroad (a division of MTA) providing connections into New York City with trains reaching as far as New Haven, Waterbury, Danbury, and New Canaan.

Finally, Connecticut also operates the Shore Line East commuter service throughout the state. For information about these services please visit each agency's respective website. 

Delaware may be small but because the Northeast Corridor travels through its northern fringe many trains pass through the state.

However, none actually stop in the state. It is served by:

• Amtrak's high-speed  Acela Express  (Washington - Boston) at Wilmington
• Cardinal (New York - Chicago) at Wilmington
• Carolinian/Piedmont  at (New York - Charlotte) Wilmington, Crescent (New York - New Orleans) at Wilmington
• "Northeast Regional" service (Boston - Norfolk/Newport News) at Wilmington and Newark
• S ilver Service  (New York - Savannah/Jacksonville/Orlando/Tampa/Miami) at Wilmington
• Vermonter  (St. Albans - Washington) at Wilmington

Amtrak currently operates two services in the state including:

• Auto Train  (operates between only Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida)
• Silver Service (New York - Jacksonville/Miami/Orlando) with stops at Jacksonville, Palatka, DeLand, Winter Park, Orlando, Kissimmee, Tampa, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Sebring, Okeechobee, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami

Also, Florida is home to three commuter rail systems: 

• Tri-Rail  has served Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach since 1987
• SunRail  began service in 2014 within Orlando, currently utilizing a 32-mile network with 12 stations
• All Aboard Florida , now known as Brightline ,  is a new privately-operated and funded service operating between Miami, West Palm Beach, and Orlando

Finally, the TECO Line Streetcar System is a small trolley service opened in 2002, running 2.7 miles within the streets of Tampa. 

Georgia is served by two routes and two Amtrak services. To the west traveling through Gainesville and Atlanta is Amtrak's  Crescent , which makes an additional stop in Toccoa.

To the east traveling through Savannah and Jesup is Amtrak's popular  Silver Service .

Finally, Atlanta operates a light-rail transit service known as MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) offering four different services; the Gold Line, Blue Line, Green Line, and Red Line.

Finally, the city's streetcar system opened in 2014, offering a 2.7 mile "Downtown Loop."

Currently Hawaii has no passenger rail service although an effort is under way to build a light rail transit system around Honolulu. Known as the Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project, or HART, it will run 20 miles between East Kapolei and Ala Moana Center. The system is expected to open in 2017. 

Given that Chicago is "Ground Zero" of railroad operations in this country it should come as no surprise that nearly two-dozen different intercity and regional trains serve Illinois. Several of Amtrak's services converge either in Chicago or cross the state.

Chicago is also home to one of the busiest commuter rail systems in the country, Metra, while the "South Shore Line" (Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District/NICTD) provides service as far east as South Bend, Indiana (part of the historic Chicago, South Shore & South Bend system).

Finally, Chicago's CTA also operates the rapid transit system nicknamed the "L" serving the city and nearby suburbs. 

Being just due east of Chicago, Indiana has multiple trains traveling through the state (from Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky) heading towards the Windy City.

These Amtrak trains include:

• Capitol Limited  (Chicago - Washington) stopping at Waterloo, Elkhart, and South Bend
• Cardinal/Hoosier State  (New York - Chicago) stopping at Connersville, Indianapolis, Crawfordsville, Lafayette, Rensselaer, and Dyer
• Lake Shore Limited  (New York - Chicago) at South Bend, Waterloo, and Elkhart
• Michigan Services  (Chicago - Port Huron/Detroit - Pontiac which includes the  Blue Water, Pere Marquette , and  Wolverine ) at Hammond and Michigan City.

Finally, the "South Shore Line" (Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District/NICTD) commuter system serving Chicago offers service as far east as South Bend. 

Iowa has two Amtrak trains which serve the state, the  California Zephyr  (Chicago - San Francisco) heading west makes stops at Burlington, Mt. Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola, and Creston while the transcontinental  Southwest Chief  (Chicago - Los Angeles) stops at Fort Madison. Finally, Amtrak provides bus service to Davenport. 

Kansas is served by one long-distance Amtrak train, the  Southwest Chief  (Chicago - Los Angeles), with stops at Lawrence, Topeka, Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City, and Garden City. 

Kentucky is served by Amtrak's north-to-south  City of New Orleans  (Chicago - New Orleans) at Fulton. Additionally, the carrier's east-to-west Cardinal/Hoosier State (New York - Chicago) stops in Ashland, South Portsmouth, and Maysville. 

Louisiana is served by Amtrak's long-distance  City of New Orleans  (Chicago - New Orleans) at New Orleans and Hammond.

The  Sunset Limited  (New Orleans - Los Angeles) also serves the state at New Orleans, Schriever, New Iberia, Lafayette, and Lake Charles.

Lastly, the  Crescent  (New York - New Orleans) reaches New Orleans while also stopping at Slidell. Amtrak also provides bus service to Baton Rouge and Shreveport.

Finally, New Orleans' historic streetcar system, which dates back to 1835, leisurely takes visitors and commuters over more than 22 miles in the downtown area.

It is operated by the the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) via four different segments; the St. Charles Avenue Line, the Riverfront Line, the Canal Street Line, and the Loyola Avenue Line. 

Maine is served by one Amtrak service, the  Downeaster  running between Brunswick and Boston. The train's other stops within the state are at Portland, Freeport, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, and Wells. Finally, Amtrak provides bus service to several cities throughout Maine.

Thanks to the busy Northeast Corridor located within its borders Maryland is served by multiple regional and intercity Amtrak trains including:

• Acela Express  which makes multiple stops between Boston and Washington, D.C.
• "Northeast Regional" service operating between Boston and Norfolk/Newport News
• Capitol Limited  (Washington - Chicago) stopping at Cumberland
• Cardinal  (New York - Chicago) with stops in Baltimore
• Carolinian/Piedmont  (New York - Charlotte) with stops at Baltimore
• Crescent  (New York - New Orleans) with stops at Baltimore
• Silver Service  trains (New York - Florida points) stopping at Baltimore
• Vermonter  (St. Albans - Washington) with stops at Baltimore, New Carrollton, and the Baltimore–Washington International Airport

Amtrak also provides bus service to a number of cities in Maryland.

Finally, the Baltimore Light Rail has provided rapid transit service to the city since 1992 utilizing a 30-mile system and Washington, D.C. has operated the Metro subway system since 1976 covering 117 miles over six different lines.

Additionally, MARC Train provides commuter/heavy rail service via a 187-mile system linking Washington and Baltimore as well as the outlying communities at Perryville/Frederick, Maryland and Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Also, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter system serves the state's northern region with two routes (the Manassas Line and Fredericksburg Line) running into Washington. 

Massachusetts

Amtrak provides extensive service in Massachusetts. Its long-distance, intercity trains include:

• Downeaster  serving Brunswick, Maine and Boston with stops in Haverhill and Woburn
• Lake Shore Limited  (New York/Boston - Chicago) with stops in Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham, and Boston
• Vermonter  (St. Albans - Washington, D.C.) with stops in Amherst and Springfield

Additionally, Amtrak's high-speed  Acela Express  runs throughout the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington as does the "Northeast Regional" service (extending as far south as Norfolk/Newport News).

Finally, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates extensive commuter rail and rapid transit service throughout the greater Boston area. 

Michigan is served by three Amtrak trains including the  Blue Water, Pere Marquette , and  Wolverine  which are collectively part of its "Michigan Services."

These trains make station stops at New Buffalo, Niles, Dowagiac, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, East Lansing, Durand, Flint, Lapeer, Port Huron, St. Joseph, Bangor, Holland, Grand Rapids, Albion, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Detroit, Royal Oak, and Pontiac. Amtrak also provides expansive bus service across the state. 

Minnesota is primarily served by Amtrak's  Empire Builde r (Chicago - Seattle) with stops in Winona, Red Wing, St. Paul (at restored Union Depot), St. Cloud, Staples, and Detroit Lakes.

The state also began opening commuter/light rail services: in 2004 the METRO rapid transit system opened in the Twin Cities via three lines serving 41 stations; in 2009 the commuter/heavy rail system known as the  Northstar Line  also entered service covering 40 miles from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis at Target Field.

Mississippi

Mississippi is served by two of Amtrak's premier trains; the north-to-south  City of New Orleans  (Chicago - New Orleans) makes stops at Greenwood, Yazoo City, Jackson, Hazlehurst, Brookhaven, and McComb; and the  Crescent  (New York - New Orleans) stops at Meridian (Union Station), Laurel, Hattiesburg, and Picayune.

Amtrak also offers bus service to Gulfport and Hattiesburg while Greyhound service is available to Biloxi. 

Missouri is served by three of Amtrak's intercity trains;

• The regional  Missouri River Runner  (St. Louis - Kansas City) makes additional stops in Independence, Lee's Summit, Warrensburg, Sedalia, Jefferson City, Hermann, Washington, and Kirkwood
• Southwest Chief  (Chicago - Los Angeles) stops in Kansas City and La Plata
• Texas Eagle  (Chicago - Dallas/San Antonio - Los Angeles) serves St. Louis and Poplar Bluff

Finally, St. Louis operates its  MetroLink  system, a light-rail/rapid transit service spanning 46 miles and connecting Lambert-St. Louis International Airport; Shrewsbury, Missouri; Scott Air Force Base; Shiloh, Illinois; and downtown St. Louis. 

Montana has attempted to increase its passenger rail services offered by Amtrak over the years.

However, currently only the transcontinental  Empire Builder  (Chicago - Seattle) serves the state stopping in Wolf Point, Glasgow, Malta, Havre, Shelby, Cut Bank, Browning, East Glacier Park, Essex, West Glacier, Whitefish, and Libby.

There is also bus stations or stops offered at/to Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Glendive, Livingston, Miles City, and Sidney. Finally, Greyhound service is available at Missoula. 

Nebraska is served only by Amtrak's long-distance  California Zephyr  (Chicago - Denver - San Francisco) which serves Omaha, Hastings, Lincoln, Holdrege, and McCook. There are no bus services offered within the state. 

Nevada's only Amtrak service is via the long-distance  California Zephyr (Chicago - Denver - San Francisco) with station stops at Elko, Reno, and Winnemucca.

There is also bus service to Las Vegas, Laughlin, Sparks, and Stateline. Finally, the "X Train" or Las Vegas Railway Express is a relatively new company which plans to provide upscale, luxury passenger rail service between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

There have been multiple delays since the company was launched in 2010 and a scheduled start-date is unknown. 

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is served only by Amtrak's  Downeaster  (Brunswick - Boston) with stops at Dover, Durham, and Exeter. Amtrak also offers bus stops at Berlin, Conway, Lincoln, Littleton, Manchester, New Hampton, Plymouth, and Tilton. 

Being home to the Northeast Corridor there are numerous passenger trains which pass through New Jersey including:

• Acela Express  (stops at Newar, Iselin, and Trenton)
• "Northeast Regional" (stops at Newark, Iselin, New Brunswick, Princeton Junction, and Trenton)
• Cardinal  (New York - Chicago) at Newark and Trenton
• Carolinian/Piedmont  (New York - Charlotte) at Newark and Trenton
• Crescent  (New York - New Orleans) at Newark and Trenton
• Keystone  (New York - Harrisburg) at Trenton, Princeton Junction, New Brunswick, Iselin, and Newark
• Palmetto/Silver Service  trains (New York - Florida points) at Newark and Trenton
• Pennsylvanian  (New York - Pittsburgh) at Newark and Trenton
• Vermonter  (St. Albans - Washington) at Newark, Iselin, and Trenton

Finally, NJ Transit provides extensive commuter rail and rapid transit services throughout the northern region of the state to provide transportation into and out of New York City.

Additionally, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), serving the greater Philadelphia area, operates as far as Atlantic City.

Also, PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) is a joint New York/New Jersey rapid transit operation serving Newark, Harrison, Hoboken, and Jersey City as well as Manhattan in New York City. It is operated by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.

New Mexico is served by Amtrak's  Southwest Chief  (Chicago - Los Angeles) to the north with stops at Raton, Las Vegas, Lamy, Albuquerque, and Gallup. The  Sunset Limited  (New Orleans - Los Angeles) also makes stops at Deming and Lordsburg.

Amtrak also provides bus service to Las Cruces. Finally, the state-funded  New Mexico Rail Runner Express , opened in 2006, provides commuter rail connections over a 97-mile system between Santa Fe and Belen via Albuquerque. 

Amtrak provides multiple long-distance and regional rail services within the state of New York. It also offers bus stops at Dunkirk, Jamestown, and Lake Placid. 

The state also funds several of its own heavy commuter rail and rapid transit/light rail services including the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North Railroad, operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

Additionally, PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) is a joint New York/New Jersey rapid transit operation serving Newark, Harrison, Hoboken, and Jersey City as well as Manhattan in New York City.

It is operated by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Finally, Buffalo Metro Rail provides light rail service over 6.4 miles of trackage within the city limits. For more information regarding all of these services please visit their individual websites. 

North Carolina

North Carolina is served by several Amtrak trains including a few that are partially subsidized by the state; t

• Carolinian/Piedmont  (New York - Charlotte) serves Rocky Mount, Wilson, Selma, Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury, Kannapolis, and Charlotte
• Crescent  (New York - New Orleans) stops at Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury, Charlotte, and Gastonia
• Palmetto/Silver Service  trains (New York - Raleigh - Florida points) stop in Rocky Mount, Wilson, Selma, Raleigh, and Fayetteville. 

Amtrak also offers bus service to various locations. In 2004 the city of Charlotte launched its new rapid transit/light service known as Lynx Rapid Transit, operating 9.6 miles.

The state's long-term plan is to have passenger service established from the coast (Wilmington) to the western mountains (Asheville). You can learn more about their website,  NCByTrain.org . 

North Dakota

North Dakota is served only by Amtrak's long-distance  Empire Builder  (Chicago - Seattle) which stops at primarily at Fargo, Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Rugby, Minot, Stanley, and Williston. 

Ohio is served by three intercity Amtrak trains. These include the  Capitol Limited  (Washington - Chicago) with stops in Alliance, Cleveland, Elyria, Sandusky, and Toledo;  Lake Shore Limited  (New York/Boston - Chicago) serving Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, and Cleveland; and the  Cardinal/Hoosier State  stopping in Cincinnati.

Finally, Cleveland offers light rail/rapid transit service via two lines that span more than 15 miles stopping at 34 stations.

The system entered service in 1913 and has went by different names over the years. For more information about this service please visit the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's website. 

Oklahoma is only served by Amtrak's regional  Heartland Flyer , which connects Oklahoma City with Fort Worth. Intermediate stops include Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley, Ardmore, Gainesville (Texas).

Starting in 2015 a trial passenger train will link Oklahoma City with Tulsa; schedules and fares are not yet known. 

Oregon has seen its passenger rail services steadily increase over the years.

Today, two intercity Amtrak trains make stops within the state; the  Coast Starlight  (Seattle - Los Angeles) serves Portland, Salem, Albany, Eugene, Chemult, and Klamath Falls; the  Amtrak Cascades  (Vancouver, British Columbia - Seattle - Eugene) is a regional service with stops at Eugene, Albany, Salem, Oregon City, and Portland.

Amtrak also offers extensive bus service within Oregon. Additionally, the state plays host to a commuter rail system known as the  Westside Express Service ; initiated in 2009 it spans nearly 15 miles between Beaverton and Wilsonville in the Portland metropolitan area.

Finally, Portland is also home to two light-rail system; the Portland Streetcar began service in 2001 via two lines that total 7.2 miles within the downtown area; also, MAX Light Rail serves the city's much broader metropolitan area via a system of more than 52 miles and 87 stations. 

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is served by more than a dozen regional and intercity passenger trains operated by Amtrak.

These trains operate on either the Northeast Corridor serving north-south regions, or connect Philadelphia - Pittsburgh, and Cumberland - Pittsburgh as well as points further west.

Finally, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides extensive commuter and light-rail service within the greater Philadelphia region. Additionally, Pittsburgh Light Rail ("The T") provides rapid transit service via a 26-mile system. 

Rhode Island

While small, tiny Rhode Island being part of the Northeast Corridor is served by Amtrak's regional services the high-speed  Acela Express  (stops at Providence) and "Northeast Regional" (stops at Providence, West Kingston, and Westerly). 

South Carolina

South Carolina is served by Amtrak's  Silver Service  trains as well as the  Palmetto  (New York - Florida points) with stops in Dillon, Florence, Kingstree, North Charleston, Yemassee, Camden, Columbia, and Denmark. Finally, the Crescent (New York - New Orleans) makes stops in Spartanburg, Greenville, and Clemson. 

South Dakota

At this time South Dakota has no passenger train service.  

Surprisingly, the state of Tennessee is served by only a single Amtrak long-distance train with the  City of New Orleans  (Chicago - New Orleans) stopping in Newbern and Memphis.

Also, there a bus station is offered in Nashville. In 2006 a new commuter rail service was launched to serve Nashville. Known as the  Music City Star  it currently runs 32 miles and serves 6 stations.

Finally, in Memphis the MATA Trolley utilizes historic streetcars as it operates a 10-mile system within city limits with 25 stops via three routes. 

There are currently three long-distance Amtrak trains serving the Lone Star State:

• Heartland Flyer  (Oklahoma City - Fort Worth) stops in Fort Worth and Gainesville
• Sunset Limited  (Los Angeles - New Orleans) serves Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, Del Rio, Sanderson, Alpine, and El Paso
• Texas Eagle  (Chicago - Los Angeles) makes stops in Marshall, Longview, Mineola, Dallas, Fort Worth, Cleburne, McGregor, Temple, Taylor, Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio, Del Rio, Sanderson, Alpine, and El Paso

There are also three notable commuter/heavy rail systems operating in the state:

• The  A-Train  began in 2011 serving Denton County via 6 station stops
• Trinity Railway Express  began service in 1996 serving Dallas/Fort Worth over a system of 34 miles and 10 stations; and  Capital MetroRail  serves the Austin area, which began service in 2009 over a 32-mile system with 9 station stops
• Finally, Dallas features two light-rail services; the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority is a historic streetcar operation while the  Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)  is a traditional rapid transit system spanning 90 miles and 62 station stops

Also, Houston's  METRORail , which began in 2004 features a 12.8 mile system with 24 stations. 

Amtrak's only intercity train serving Utah is the  California Zephyr  (San Francisco - Chicago) with stops in Green River, Helper, Provo, and Salt Lake City. There are also bus services Salt Lake City and St. George. Utah's  FrontRunner  heavy commuter rail system connects Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden.

It began service in 2008 with 16 stations and is 88 miles in length. Finally, two light-rail systems serve Salt Lake City including  TRAX  and the  S Line . 

Vermont is served by two Amtrak passenger trains; the  Ethan Allen Express  (Rutland - New York) stops at Rutland and Castleton while the  Vermonter  (St. Albans - Washington) serves St. Albans, St Albans, Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, Randolph, White River Junction, Windsor, Bellows Falls, and Brattleboro. 

There are several long-distance or regional Amtrak trains that serve the state of Virginia including:

• Carolinian/Piedmont  (New York - Charlotte) stopping at Alexandria, Quantico, Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Petersburg
• Crescent  (New York - New Orleans) with stops at Alexandria, Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Danville
• Palmetto/Silver Service  trains (New York - Florida points) with stops at Alexandria, Richmond, and Petersburg
• Cardinal  (New York - Chicago) with stops at Alexandria Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Clifton Forge
• "Northeast Regional" (Boston - Norfolk/Newport News) extending as far south as Newport News
• Auto Train (Lorton - Sanford, Florida) launches from Lorton

There is also bus service at Blacksburg, Roanoke, and Virginia Beach. In 2011 a new light-rail service was launched serving Norfolk and known as The Tide.

It operates 7.4 miles and serves 11 stations.  In addition, Virginia Railway Express provides commuter service to the state's northern metropolitan area.

Amtrak's services to Washington State includes:

• Cascades  (Vancouver, British, Columbia - Eugene, Oregon) with stops in Vancouver, Kelso, Centralia, Lacey, Tacoma, Tukwila, Seattle, Edmonds, Everett, Stanwood, Mount Vernon, and Bellingham
• Coast Starlight  (Seattle - Los Angeles) serving Seattle, Tacoma, Lacy, Centralia, Kelso, and Vancouver
• Empire Builder  (Seattle - Chicago) stopping at Spokane, Pasco, Wishram, Bingen, Vancouver, Ephrata, Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Everett, Edmonds, and Seattle. Extensive bus services are also provided to various cities within Washington

Finally, the state-sponsored Sounder Commuter Rail system provides commuter service between Seattle, Everett, and Lakewood via an 82-mile system serving 12 stations.

Also, Sound Transit provides extensive light rail services within the Puget Sound region while Seattle's streetcar system provides service within the downtown area. 

West Virginia

West Virginia's only intercity service as the current time is  Amtrak's  Cardinal  (New York - Chicago) which offers a handful of stops across the southern part of the state between White Sulphur and Huntington running near the beautiful New River much of the way.

Finally, Maryland's  MARC Train  commuter service extends as far west as Martinsburg where it takes passenger back into the Washington, D.C./Baltimore metropolitan region. Its entire system spans about 187 miles and extends through other parts of Maryland. 

The  one long-distance Amtrak train  to serve Wisconsin is the  Empire Builder  (Chicago - Seattle) which stops at Milwaukee, Columbus, Portage, Wisconsin Dells, Tomah, and La Crosse.

The regional  Hiawatha  (Chicago - Milwaukee) makes an intermediate stop at Sturtevant. The state also features extensive bus services.

Finally, the Kenosha Streetcar service has a history that traces back to the early interurban/streetcar era at the turn of the 20th century. It currently operates on a 2-mile loop. For more information about Amtrak and the streetcar please visit their respective websites. 

Wyoming offers no passenger train services at this time.  

SteamLocomotive.com

Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource on the study of steam locomotives. 

It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. 

It is quite staggering and a must visit!

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10 Ways To Save Money On Train Trips In The US, According To Amtrak

• Wondering how to save money on train trips in the US? Consider these Amtrak money-saving hacks to reduce the cost of train travel in America.
• Utilize passenger discounts for big savings on tickets based on age or veteran status. Plus, scope out low-fare buckets and use the Guest Rewards system.
• Stay flexible with travel dates to find off-peak times for significant ticket discounts, and make reservations in advance for up to 25% savings on Amtrak trips.

Riding by rail has increasingly become a more popular way to travel in the US. While it has always been a staple for commuters, it is now becoming a way to see the countryside in ways that driving and flying do not allow. And with the prices of airfare and gas continuing to increase, taking a trip by rail is one of the most economical ways to travel as well.

Even with train trips being one of the most economical ways to travel, there are still ways to save money on Amtrak tickets or when traveling by rail with almost any operator. Those in the know are saving serious dollars by knowing when to travel and when to book train tickets to get the cheapest price. Some ways to save big money on train trips across the US have been provided by Amtrak . Others come from those who make reservations with Amtrak often.

Regardless of which tricks and tips for Amtrak bookings are used, when it comes to Amtrak cross-country trips that go coast to coast or even more low-key short and scenic train rides , all can potentially save money. To do just that, consider the following tips for saving money on train trips in the US, according to Amtrak itself .

10 Amtrak Trips Where You Won't Need A Car To Get Around

Make reservations well in advance, the sooner the reservation, the higher the percentage of savings.

For those who know when they want to take a trip on Amtrak to their desired destination, the sooner they do so means more money could be saved in the long run. In fact, early reservations could save passengers up to 25%. For instance, at the moment, there are a number of Amtrak trains with 25% off so long as tickets are booked at least 14 days in advance.

According to Amtrak itself, though, fares can be booked up to "11 months in advance" . As such, passengers should not wait for last-minute deals if they are trying to plan travel in the future. The destinations being offered close to departure dates are rarely for those where passengers are trying to travel. Therefore, the further out that can be booked, the better.

When it comes to the cheapest time to book trains (not just Amtrak but rail travel in general), booking between Tuesday and Thursday can save some extra money as well.

• How To Put Tip Into Practice: As soon as travel dates are figured out, reservations should be made ASAP
• How Tip Saves Money: Early bookings could save up to 25% on train travel

Save With Passenger Discounts

Be it by age or veteran status, these designations will allow for further discounts on amtrak tickets.

Some passengers on Amtrak are not aware that the company offers everyday discounts on fares based on age or veteran status. As such, it is important to apply them to fares to receive potentially big discounts.

The numerous discounts Amtrak offers include:

With these discounts on Amtrak tickets, there is quite a bit that can be shaved off the price tag. Plus, with most passengers being able to receive a discount, it pays to check out the difference between driving, flying, and taking the train when traveling. More often than not, when taking a family on a trip, Amtrak may be cheaper than most other modes of transport across the country.

• How To Put Tip Into Practice: Check to see if anyone in the travel party has applicable discounts
• How Tip Saves Money: Fares are discounted or might even be free for many Amtrak passengers

The Oldest Scenic Amtrak Route In America Is Still In Operation Today

Be flexible with travel dates, being flexible with dates and traveling outside peak times can translate to big savings.

Sometimes, passengers have a time frame in mind other than specific dates of travel. When travel dates are flexible, passengers can save money because they have the luxury of being able to book their trip during off-peak times. Travel during the holiday season and peak travel times sell out faster than other dates . As such, if travel can be done around this time versus on specific dates, travelers can potentially take advantage of massive savings.

For example, those who want to travel during the Christmas season can book a week before or come home the week after. That way, they could save money versus traveling several days before the holidays and returning during the few days after. The same can be said for long weekend holidays.

The more days away from peak travel riders can arrange on Amtrak, the happier their pocketbooks will be.

• How To Put Tip Into Practice: Check dates of travel and see if they can be tweaked to fall on off-season dates rather than peak season ones
• How Tip Saves Money: Instead of paying the full price or bumped up prices because of the holidays, traveling on days falling outside these windows can mean massive savings

Research To Determine When Low-Fare Buckets Appear

Researching before booking can reveal low-fare buckets and the cheapest dates to travel by train.

Some research beforehand to determine the cheapest dates to travel by train could pay off. One of the many things to know about Amtrak is that identifying Amtrak travel trends is a potentially great way to seek out cheap train tickets. By recognizing which days have discounted rates, travelers can choose the cheapest dates of travel and enjoy ticket savings.

Travelers with the luxury of time and being able to book their train journey in advance can check low-fare buckets as well. Essentially, low-fare buckets are when Amtrak has excess inventory of something like, say, roomettes, which need to be sold at a lower rate to get them filled. Once several months have passed since the route was announced, Amtrak may do just that.

There is not an exact science or a specific time frame when low-fare buckets will appear. However, by conducting research in advance and watching the trends on the Amtrak website, patterns can emerge. Many who have done well with researching low-fare buckets claim they pop up approximately 5 months before a trip departs . True or not, it is worth looking into to get the lowest prices on the most expensive aspects of travel on Amtrak.

• How To Put Tip Into Practice: Start researching as many months in advance of a trip as possible to learn about Amtrak's trends when it comes to rates and low-fare buckets
• How Tip Saves Money: Some days are more expensive to travel than others and knowing which days those are can save money

Purchase Tickets Online Rather Than At The Train Station

Amtrak stations charge more for tickets than purchasing them online.

The school of thought used to be that it was cheaper to purchase tickets at the Amtrak station because of extra fees that online purchases would tack on to the final price. That is not the case. In fact, it is more expensive to purchase a ticket at an Amtrak station because there are no discounts that can be applied.

Therefore, purchase tickets for Amtrak trains online, every time, in order to save money. Not only will there not be massive fees applied at the end, but for those with discount cards, rewards, or other discounts that can be applied, more money can be saved in the end.

• How To Put Tip Into Practice: Do not purchase tickets at the Amtrak station
• How Tip Saves Money: Discounts can be applied online that cannot be used at the station, meaning massive savings that could otherwise be missed out on

10 Things That Are Actually Worth Buying On The Amtrak Train

Check amtrak's limited time deal page, amtrak regularly updates its limited-time deal page with discounted rates throughout the us.

Amtrak's limited deals page can save riders substantial money. Some of the ways the limited deals page can save money on Amtrak train tickets include:

These are just some of the discounts that are found on Amtrak's page. It should be noted that discounts change frequently, so it is worth keeping up to date with the offers Amtrak provides to get the best deal possible on travel.

• How To Put Tip Into Practice: Check the Amtrak limited deals page weekly to see if there are applicable savings
• How Tip Saves Money: Deep discounts are often offered but only for a limited time

Sign Up For Amtrak's Guest Rewards

The guest rewards system offers points on all amtrak travel, which can be redeemed for tickets.

Guest Rewards are free to join. Just for signing up, 500 points are given to passengers . Then, for every dollar spent on Amtrak travel, two points are earned. When a passenger earns enough points, these can be cashed in for money off Amtrak tickets.

More points can be earned by adding the Guest Rewards number to accounts that passengers have with companies Amtrak has partnered with. Also, even more points can be earned by applying for credit cards that have points systems, which can be earned for every dollar charged. For many, such credit cards can rack up points quickly.

For those who travel the busiest Amtrak routes in the US , it is smart to get a rewards card because the points add up fast, which equates to big savings when taking routes across the US.

• How To Put Tip Into Practice: Simply sign up on the Amtrak website
• How Tip Saves Money: The Guest Reward number just needs to be added to accounts for points to be earned and savings to begin

Save Money With Amtrak Partners

Purchasing goods via amtrak's partners earns points to be spent on tickets.

What many travelers do not know is that there are companies that Amtrak has partnered up with . As such, every time money is spent with these partners, points can be earned for discounted or even free Amtrak tickets.

Some of the partners that Amtrak works with include:

By doing everyday shopping or when staying at hotels for pleasure or travel, Amtrak points can be earned. The more often that these places are frequented, the deeper the discounts will be when traveling on Amtrak.

• How To Put Tip Into Practice: Research which companies have partnered with Amtrak and add the rewards number to your account information
• How Tip Saves Money: Points are earned for every dollar spent, which equates to savings when booking an Amtrak ticket

Travel With Family & Friends In A Group

The amtrak share fares system allows for bigger discounts when traveling in groups.

Traveling is better with company. Amtrak wants to reward group travel by offering huge discounts; the bigger the traveling party is, the bigger the potential discounts.

Amtrak Share Fares can discount tickets up to 60% for passengers. The way that the discounts work is as follows:

It is clear that the bigger the travel group, the more money the group can save together. This is because Amtrak can fill its trains faster, which means more profit for the company.

Not only are group passengers more likely to make reservations early, but they are also more likely to purchase food onboard as well. As such, it pays for Amtrak to offer discounts for larger parties.

• How To Put Tip Into Practice: Gather a group of friends or family to see the US via rail and take advantage of Amtrak's Share Fares system
• How Tip Saves Money: The more people who book at one time equates to bigger savings on ticket fares

10 Scenic Train Trips In The US That Cost $100 (Or Less)

Join the rail passenger association, members save additional percentages on fares through amtrak.

A discount that Amtrak passengers may not know about is the one that is offered just by joining the Rail Passenger Association . While it is not free to join the Rail Passenger Association, the price of membership may pay for itself in a short time for those who ride Amtrak regularly. This is because there is a 10% discount for each trip booked via Amtrak.

The Rail Passenger Association membership prices include:

It should also be noted that the membership fees are tax-deductible, as the Rail Passenger Association is a non-profit. Therefore, there is a bonus for those who ride the rails when it comes to tax season, where their membership dues may just be the difference between paying the government and getting money back.

• How To Put Tip Into Practice: Frequent Amtrak passengers can save money by purchasing a membership
• How Tip Saves Money: A 10% discount is applied to the Amtrak fare

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The 5 Best Luxury Trains in the U.S.

See the country in style from the Grand Canyon Railway to the Rocky Mountaineer.

For nearly 200 years, railroads have ferried passengers and freight all across the United States, transforming them from just a practical form of transportation to the pinnacle of luxury for wealthy Americans by the turn of the 20th century. But when jetliners hit the scene , rail travel languished.

These days, slow travel is making a comeback, with travelers delighting in the romantic nostalgia of elegantly furnished train cars complemented by fine dining. And while the U.S. has been, admittedly, rather slow to reclaim luxury train travel — particularly compared to the rest of the world — there are a growing number of elegant rail experiences to be found across the country. Here are five of the best experiences for luxury train travel in the U.S.

Rocky Mountaineer

In August 2021, Canadian railway company Rocky Mountaineer debuted its first-ever U.S. route, Rockies to Red Rocks . It's a long-in-the-making two-day journey between Denver and Moab, Utah, which includes an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado . The glass-domed cars offer passengers exceptional views of the mountains, canyons, rivers, and hoodoos along the journey. Passengers enjoy multi-course meals, either in their seats or in a designated dining room, depending on ticket class. For those who book the higher class of service, SilverLeaf Plus , there's a lounge car with a bar and an exclusive outdoor observation deck.

The Grand Canyon Railway

The Grand Canyon is a must-visit destination, so why not arrive in style? Instead of sitting in traffic to enter the national park, take the Grand Canyon Railway for a leisurely adventure. The train departs from the depot in Williams, Arizona, some 60 miles south of the canyon itself, then travels for two-and-a-half hours through the desert to reach Grand Canyon Village, right next to the South Rim. For the most luxurious experience, be sure to book the Luxury Parlor or Luxury Dome class of service — the adults-only cars have private bars and open-air platforms.

Napa Valley Wine Train

Since 1864, the Napa Valley Wine Train has been carrying oenophiles through the eponymous California wine region . Though it originally traveled between Vallejo and Calistoga, the train now makes a three-hour, round-trip journey between downtown Napa and St. Helena. There are a few different itineraries ; most include a multi-course gourmet meal served in sophisticated historic railway cars, and some rides include stops and tastings at various wineries. The most popular car on the train is the Vista Dome , a Pullman from 1952, where you'll dine in a glass-domed car with nearly uninterrupted vineyard views.

Alaska Railroad

Connecting Seward and Fairbanks via 470 miles of track, the Alaska Railroad provides scenic excursions through the state . Book the GoldStar Service for a more upscale experience — it's offered onboard the Denali Star train, a 12-hour itinerary connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, and the Coastal Classic Train, which connects Anchorage and Seward. The service provides guests with spacious seats in a domed car, access to an outdoor viewing platform, meals in the dining car, and access to a private bar.

Strasburg Railroad

A ride on Pennsylvania's Strasburg Railroad might not be long — each journey lasts only 45 minutes. The railroad itself, however, has a long history. In fact, it's the oldest continuously operating railroad in the country, founded in 1832. For a luxurious little joy ride, book one of the historic first-class cars , which includes Marian (the private-hire President's Car); the Parlor Car, which has tables and sofas; or one of the two Lounge Cars, which are outfitted with velvet-upholstered captain's chairs. Snacks and beverages are available during each ride, but there's also a special wine-and-cheese experience for adults on select Friday and Saturday evenings.

Travel The US By Train: Here's How Much A Coast-To-Coast Train Trip Will Cost

From DC to San Francisco, Amtrak has a train route offering travelers a unique way to experience the United States from 'sea to shining sea.'

• Amtrak offers an East Coast to West Coast train package that allows travelers to explore the United States by train, providing a scenic and relaxing experience.
• The package includes a planned itinerary crossing the northern route of the country, with stops in cities like Chicago and San Francisco, as well as visits to attractions like Glacier National Park and the Golden Gate Bridge.
• The trip costs between $1,250 and $3,000 per person for 10 days and 4 destinations, but considering the inclusions, it offers excellent value for a cross-country journey.

The United States may not be the first place people think of when it comes to train travel. However, there is a rather extensive network of interlinked destinations via train, thanks to Amtrak. Not only is there an array of reachable destinations by train, but it's possible to travel from coast to coast.

Amtrak offers an east-to-west coast train package that allows travelers to experience the expansive contrasts of the United States all by train, and it could be a truly scenic and relaxing way to discover the heart of the U.S.

Amtrak's East Coast To West Coast Train Experience

Amtrak offers a tour package from dc through chicago and ending in san francisco.

For those seeking the adventure of a lifetime, traveling by train could present the ultimate way to discover the unexplored pockets of a country with so much to offer. Much is often missed by travelers coming to the United States, where planes are the most common way to get between the east and west coasts. This experience could be considered one of the best ways to see the U.S., thanks to the modern amenities and comforts Amtrak offers onboard their trains.

The East Coast to West Coast Rail Experience is a package tour that offers passengers a planned itinerary crossing the northern route of the country. Starting in the U.S. capital of Washington DC , the train will embark on an overnight journey to Chicago. Travelers will then get to spend the night exploring the great city and have the chance to indulge in some of Chicago's famous deep dish pizza .

The following day, the train runs across the great plains, through the Rocky Mountains, and even passes by the beautiful Glacier National Park . Passengers will spend two more nights onboard, enjoying Amtrak's comfortable cabins and complimentary meals provided in the dining car , all while soaking up the stunning scenery.

Related: 10 Best Historic Hotels In Chicago You Should Book

Arriving in Seattle the next morning, passengers will get to spend the whole day and night in the Emerald City, which has so much to offer (including free adventures) , with some iconic foods to try at the famous Pike Place Market .

From Seattle, passengers will board the Coast Starlight train , Amtrak's line between Seattle and Los Angeles. The journey will continue for one more night through its final stretch to San Francisco, California.

What makes this experience truly unique is, it doesn't end there. After a night exploring the great city of San Francisco , the tour includes a day trip, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, into the Muir Woods National Monument to experience the serene redwood forest. From there it continues to the quaint seaside village of Sausalito , where visitors will get to have lunch and explore the lovely town with beautiful views of the bay, before taking a 30-minute cruise back to Fisherman's Wharf for one last night in San Fran.

For the ultimate U.S. experience, travelers could fly into New York City and take the train down to Washington D.C. before embarking on the coast-to-coast train adventure. To go a step further, after landing in San Francisco, travelers could continue on the Coast Starlight down to Los Angeles before flying home.

How Much Does The Coast-to-Coast Train Cost (& What Is Included)

For 10 days and 4 destinations, travelers can expect to pay between $1,250 and $3,000 usd.

Because of what is included in this epic package deal, the price may seem high, but it comes down to an excellent cross-country value.

Passengers can expect to pay between $1,249-$3,000 USD per person for the entire trip, depending on the time of year . This may sound like a hefty sum, but it's worth considering what the price includes on this ten-day, four-destination, 3,565-mile journey across the entire country.

• Day 1: Journey begins in Washington DC
• Day 2: Overnight Onboard Amtrak
• Day 3: Overnight in Chicago, IL
• Day 4: Overnight Onboard Amtrak
• Day 5: Overnight Onboard Amtrak
• Day 6: Seattle, WA
• Day 7: Overnight Onboard Amtrak
• Day 8: San Francisco, CA
• Day 9: Muir Woods & Sausalito
• Day 10: Journey Ends in San Francisco.

Related: 10 Scenic Train Rides Throughout East Coast With The Best Views

What's Included:

• One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Washington, DC to Chicago; Chicago to Seattle; Seattle to San Francisco on the Capitol Limited, Empire Builder and Coast Starlight
• 5 nights' hotel accommodations; 4 nights onboard Amtrak

Highlights:

• Monuments by Moonlight tour in Washington, DC
• Architecture cruise in Chicago
• Admission to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden & Glass Exhibit
• Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of San Francisco
• Sightseeing tour of Muir Woods and Sausalito with Bay Cruise
• Accommodation: Private sleeping rooms
• Meals and Dining : Complimentary meals
• Accessibility: Provides additional services for those with disabilities

Booking the Trip:

To book the trip, travelers can visit Amtrak's website to select the desired day and month of departure, as well as fill out the details of all specific needs and desires for the trip.

Amtrak will then send a quote of how much the total cost will be.

• Passengers also have the option of speaking directly with one of Amtrak's travel advisors by calling: 1 (800) 268-7252.

Other Possible Cross-Country Routes In The US

Amtrak offers northern, central, or southern coast-to-coast routes.

While the East Coast to West Coast Rail Experience makes the whole traveling process easier and more convenient, it is possible to travel by train coast-to-coast via other routes.

For those wanting to be more independent and see different areas of the country, the Amtrak Network crosses through 46 of the 48 contiguous states, opening up an array of desirable destinations, with Chicago serving as the major hub.

Related: These Are The Cheapest Scenic Train Rides To Take Around The U.S.

From Chicago, routes are available across the central United States, passing through Colorado, Utah, and into San Francisco. Another possible route dips down through the heart of the southwest through enchanting New Mexico, across Arizona, and ending in Los Angeles.

The last possible coast-to-coast route is the southernmost route. From Chicago, the train heads into the heart and soul of the deep south, landing in the great city of New Orleans , where travelers can continue westward through Texas, ending once again, in Los Angeles.

If planning on traveling coast-to-coast independently, tickets will have to be booked separately for each leg of the journey.

Related: 10 Things That Are Actually Worth Buying On The Amtrak Train

From getting to see some of the country's most stunning scenery to exploring some of the best cities — while sampling an array of the best food the country has to offer — The East Coast to West Coast Experience is the ultimate way to discover the United States.

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The most luxurious train rides in the U.S.

Comfy seats and champagne service: these luxury train rides will make you feel spoiled!

A luxury train ride makes you feel like you’re in a movie—like any second now, as you recline on velvet upholstery, a spy in evening wear is going to approach you and challenge you to a game of poker in the gaming car. But you’ll decline and keep sipping your champagne as mountains rush past the windows. Maybe it won’t happen exactly that way, but a ride on a train focused on delivering luxury is a special thing indeed. The destination doesn’t matter—you’re just relaxing as you gently sway back and forth with the rhythm of the rails. We’ve gathered up some of the rail journeys we love right here in the U.S. Book your ticket and prepare to be awed.

RECOMMENDED: 13 weird and funky train rides to experience across America

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Best luxury train rides in the U.S.

1.  Rocky Mountaineer | The Canadian Rockies and beyond

This is swoon-worthy stuff. The Rocky Mountaineer goes through some of the most spectacular landscape there is, and you can see it all through the glass dome coaches with oversized windows. You’ll be fed locally-inspired cuisine at your seat or go to a gourmet à la carte meal in the dining car, depending on whether you choose gold or silver leaf service. Storytelling hosts narrate the history of the scenery and wildlife you’ll be seeing. All three routes—connecting Vancouver, British Columbia to the mountain towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies —are only daylight trains to maximize the views, but you can arrange a hotel stay to keep the fun going.

2.  Hickory Creek Car | between New York City and Albany, NY

This is a car, not a full train: the rearmost car on the 20th Century Limited train . It has a “lookout lounge” with big picture windows to look out onto the Hudson River, four bedrooms and four bathrooms, lounge seating for 16 and dinner seating for eight. There’s an onboard kitchen where a chef prepares a four-course meal for you. Staff hovers throughout the trip to serve your every need (or most of them, anyway). This 20th Century Limited is a sleek, silver, mid-Modern from 1948 and traverses the rails originally traveled by the line from 1902 to 1967.

3.  The Bourbon Excursion | Bardstown, KY

Take a 2.5-hour excursion on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train while you go through 32 miles of beautiful Kentucky countryside on a buzzed round trip, fueled by tasting local bourbons—Bardstown itself is home to more than 11 bourbon distilleries. The ride also includes a four-course gourmet meal and some fun souvenirs. Your ride embarks on a restored 1940s dining car pulled by a 1950s diesel locomotive. You must be 21+ to ride (duh), but if you want to try an excursion open to the general public, the train also has lunch and dinner rides, a murder mystery ride, and the seasonal North Pole Express.

4.  Napa Valley Wine Train | Napa, CA

You’ll want to dress up a little for this excursion into Napa's wine country with gourmet meals and tastings on the train. The experiences change, but right now, the Legacy Experience includes a day on the rails winding past the vineyards and enjoying a four-course wine country-inspired meal, three tastings, and spectacular photo ops at each stop. The experience is six hours, three of which are on the train. You’re welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine and a one-hour vineyard tasting of three wines right at the Napa Valley Welcome sign, and train your way towards two hours of tasting at Charles Krug and V. Sattui.

5.  First Class Car on the Strasburg Railroad | Strasburg, PA

Go luxe for 45 minutes in the exquisite President’s Car with wood paneled interior and built-in furnishings (it’s currently off the rails for renovation, but check the website for its glorious return)—or there are four other first-class options to pick from. One is the parlor car, where you lounge on cabernet-colored sofas and order confections and beverages for purchase in the last car in line with a view of the vanishing rails behind you. Or choose two separate lounge cars with plush captain’s chairs that swivel to catch the views, or the club car, which is a private charter experience if you have a group to travel with. Here in Dutch country, the railroad is the oldest continuously operating railroad in North America, dating to 1832.

6.  First Class Caboose on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad | Yosemite, CA

The  Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad offers a classic steam train excursion through the Sierra National Forest—and if you want to go luxe, you can upgrade your ticket to the First Class Caboose, available on any train. This ride includes a renovated wood-paneled interior with wrought iron seats holding padded upholstery, and if you can climb the narrow, interior stairs to the cupola, the cute aerie has two seats facing each other (the main part of the caboose is ADA accessible). There’s even a personal conductor to describe the gorgeous things you’re seeing, plus a drink and snacks included. Best part? The traditional whistle blow emerging from this Shay steam engine.

7.  GoldStar Service on the Denali Star | Between Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK

The Alaska Railroad seats may not be that fancy, but the views are spectacular. The premium GoldStar Service class includes a chance to glide through Alaska’s incredible scenery viewed through the glass-dome ceilinged car. You can also walk around to visit an upper-level viewing platform or the full-service dining room, but if you choose to just stay seated, your glass will be filled by a dedicated bar attendant. Not all train rides include GoldStar service, so check the website before booking—but we’d argue that the railroad’s Adventure Class is just as fun.

8.  Acela train | between Boston and Washington, D.C.

Although Amtrak is more known for serviceable rides (all the luxury is found in the view out the window!), there is a first-class cabin on the Acela train—and it just received a refreshed menu in May. In collaboration with the STARR Restaurant Group and its James Beard-winning leader, Stephen Starr, Amtrak is offering a rotation of signature dishes as well as an upgraded wine list. The updated Acela fleet, launching in 2024, will feature more environmentally sustainable high-speed trains with a new, modern look.

9.  Luxury Dome on the Grand Canyon Railway | Williams, AZ

In these opulent parlor cars , you’ll see amazing views out of the Observation Dome with its gigantic windows to capture the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Kids under 15 aren’t allowed, so the ride is engineered to be a little more sophisticated; your sparkling wine toast is included in the ticket price. The two-story train has a downstairs lounge with a full bar, entertainment center and plush furnishings. Besides the luxury dome class, there’s also a luxury parlor class at the same price point, including a private bar and access to the outdoor platform.

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How much does it cost to travel across America by train?

It’s many people‘s dream to go on a cross country road trip. To see all the sites that the USA has to offer could be an expensive and time consuming trip if you plan on driving all the way but you might be surprised at how much cheaper it could be if you take a train.

So, How much does it cost to travel across America by train? It costs $499 for the cheapest rail to take you from one coast to the other via an Amtrak Train. However, more expensive trips are priced at $3,499-$6,649 which include more destinations, amenities and stops.

There are a lot of reasons why taking a train to travel across America is a great option. Read on to find out what kinds of trips are available, how much it’ll cost you, and how to make the most of your next vacation.

How You Can Travel Cross Country

Trains are a great way to travel that often aren’t as well acknowledged as they should be. After all, you see commercials every day for car rentals or cheap airline flights, but you never really see train rides advertised and as a result most people don’t even know that there are some pretty good options out there if you choose to travel this way. One such option is going on a cross country trip from one side of the country to another.

Why Trains Are a Good Option

Going on a cross-country road trip can be pretty expensive and stressful if you plan on driving. First of all, there’s the fact that you would probably have to be behind the wheel the entire time. Driving across your city is one thing, but driving thousands of miles would probably take a lot out of you. Then there’s the cost of gas, paying for room and board, and being out of luck if something happens to your car.

On the other hand, taking a flight would be prohibitively expensive and it would severely limit your options as to where you can go because you can’t just keep hopping on planes every day to visit a different city.

That’s why trains are a better option. They can bring you the convenience of a flight with the larger variety of options that you couldn’t get otherwise. There are trains that go on specific routes that will take you cross country and stop at each of the best destinations that you would want to visit, all that with the perk of having everything scheduled for you so that you can relax on the way and enjoy unlimited fun once you get there.

What Kinds of Cross Country Trains Are There

There are no shortages of options when it comes to trips across the United States. Amtrak is one service that provides a cross country line that stops in many exciting destinations. You could go for a single Pass, or you could go for a guided tour that will help you make the most out of your trip. Here are a few options.

• USA Rail Pass . This is the cheapest option to get from one coast to another. This pass will let you jump on and off wherever you desire at a fixed price of $499, over a period of 30 days. You will have 10 segments, meaning you can board and disembark 10 times throughout the trip.
• The All American . This is a 15 day trip with 6 destinations, taking you through Chicago, IL, New York City, NY, New Orleans, LA, San Francisco, CA, Denver, CO, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, back to Chicago, IL. Priced at $6,649 it includes a sightseeing tour of New Orleans and the Rocky Mountain National Park, 8 nights of accommodations, and 2 meals.
• Coast to Coast Across the USA . This trip is 16 days and covers 7 destinations from New York City, NY, Washington, DC, Chicago, IL, Williams, AZ, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ, Los Angeles, CA, and San Francisco, CA and is priced at $3,499. It features sightseeing tours, 12 nights accommodations and coach accommodations aboard the Grand Canyon Railway.
• Great American Majestic Landscapes. It’s a 12 day, 6 destination trip that includes a voyage from New York City, NY, Chicago, IL, Denver, CO, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, San Francisco, CA, Napa Valley, CA, to San Francisco, CA. It will cost $2,399 and includes sightseeing tours, as well as a Chicago CityPASS, which gives you access to destinations like Shedd Aquarium or the Museum of Science and Industry.

No matter which tour or pass you choose, and no matter which destination you’re looking to visit, there are plenty of options that can get you from one corner of the map to the other. These tours all vary in prices, but the adventures and memories will be surely worth it.

Why It Costs This Much

The reason these tours cost as much as they do is because of everything that is included within them. This means amenities like room and board, as well as meals which will be taken care of while you are on your trip.

This also includes guided tours of each destination and some trips even give you passes or discounts, like the Chicago city pass which will let you visit popular destinations that you might have gone to regardless.

So while on the surface the cost might seem a lot, if you look at what you’re getting traveling America by train may be a much cheaper option compared to you doing everything yourself.

When you factor in the cost of hotels every night, paying for each meal individually, paying for each individual destination or attraction, and of course the cost of getting yourself there with gas money or plane tickets, you might find that these numbers rack up and you’ll probably end up paying more and having to do a lot more work than if you just get a single tour that will take care of it all for you.

Ways to Save

You might get a little sticker shock from looking at the price of a long and detailed tour or cross-country trip, but when you break down the cost, there are a lot of savings involved.

Let’s say you wanted to drive from San Francisco to New York. This is approximately 46 hours of driving, at 2908 miles. Also considering the fact that the trip will be a round trip, you could be looking at $500 for just gas. Now you will also need to include the cost of two or three nights in a hotel or motel, which could add a few hundred dollars to your total and that’s if you don’t feel like stopping anywhere.

So as you can see, the total cost of a trip across the United States can get pretty pricey, but now when you look back at the prices of a train ride that will probably cover your night stay, as well as saving you the trouble of actually having to drive yourself you can see how taking a train is probably the better and more cost efficient option overall. You could end up saving a lot more money than you thought if you go this route.

How Far the Trip Is

The distance from one end of the United States to another, San Francisco to New York, is approximately 2902 miles. Of course if you were taking a train or even a car there will be a considerably longer amount depending on where you stop since it’s unlikely you’ll be going in a straight line the entire time without any detours.

The actual distance you will cross on your voyage depends on the locations you start and how far apart they are from each other. For example some trips will take you from San Francisco down to Los Angeles and up to the Grand Canyon which could add a considerable amount to your trip.

How Long Will it Take

The amount of time is similar. While you could go from one end of the map to another in close to 48 hours, that’s without stopping and without seeing anything on your way.

This is the reason most of the tours and trips take multiple days like the 16 day coast to coast across the US trip from Amtrak. This time is meant to account for enough time for you to stop and see the sights in each destination like New York or DC and ensures that you won’t be rushing or missing anything along the way.

When planning a cross country trip it’s a good idea to take a look at your itinerary to see how long it will actually take you when you consider everything you want to do.

Planning Your Trip

Going cross country on a train is a big adventure, so you’ll want to make sure that you bring everything you need to ensure that you make the most of your trip and avoid paying unnecessary costs that will add to your total.

What to Bring

It is important to remember the essentials when preparing for a trip across the US so that you don’t have to spend extra money later. This can include things like toiletries and phone chargers and of course, a laptop or a book for entertainment on the ride.

Included in certain tours are meals like breakfast and dinner with the cost included in your tour. It’s a good idea to check what amenities are included and be prepared so that you can cover whatever isn’t, like extra meals or a motel and hotel but when the train is stopped and the night is not covered on your tour. When you book a train ride, it will include details exactly on what is and is not part of the cost so that you can be prepared ahead of time to travel.

What are Destinations to Stop At

There is no shortage of great destinations that you can see when you travel across America by train. San Francisco includes the Golden Gate Bridge and sloping streets, if you head down to Los Angeles you will be able to visit Hollywood and then head to the majestic vistas of the Grand Canyon. Chicago is a huge diverse city with places like Willis tower and the millennium Park. You could conclude your trip in New York City and visit Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty.

These are just a few of the main attractions that you can see while you take a train ride across the United States. Most tours have designated days where they stop at major cities which can give you time to see the sights and explore to your heart’s content before moving onto the next destination. Some of the services will even give you guided tours that will walk you around the city and ensure that you don’t miss the best stuff.

Ideal Places to Begin and End

Services like Amtrak have over 500 stations across the country so that you can start your trip convenient for you from anywhere. However it might be a good idea to visit one side of the country like San Francisco or New York and officially start your cross country tour from there.

This is to ensure that you don’t miss anything and that the places will have tours accessible that you can begin from those locations. So you could start from Oklahoma City, travel to San Francisco and then take a San Francisco to New York cross-country tour before heading back to Oklahoma City.

Concluding Thoughts

At the end of the day, it’s a lifelong dream for many people to go cross country on a trip and most people don’t even know that there are options to go via train. This way you could potentially save a lot of money and enjoy popular destinations across the map. Cheaper options exist where you get on and off where you please, or you could spring for more expensive tours that will cover your whole journey , and will likely even save you money that you would spend doing it all yourself.

So the next time you decide to take a trip, or if you’ve been wondering how to have that dream vacation, a train ride across the United States might be exactly what you’re looking for.

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5 US Sleeper Train Routes for the Ultimate Slow Travel Journey

By Marianna Cerini

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Sleeper trains are having a moment. And why wouldn’t they? More eco-friendly than flying —with none of the hassle that comes from even just stepping into an airport these days—and a lot more pleasant than driving, overnight rail routes make for increasingly smarter alternatives to cars and planes, turning the journey to your destination into an experience in itself.

While Europe is leading the pack when it comes to taking you from A to B as you rest peacefully in your sleeper car, the US isn’t lagging that far behind. Several lines have in fact stepped up their game in recent years in terms of comfort and on-board services, offering travelers anything from plush beds to dedicated attendants and roomy sleeping quarters.

Here are five sleeper trains that are worth skipping highway tolls and airport lines for.

Coast Starlight

Linking Los Angeles to Seattle in around 34 hours, the Coast Starlight is one of Amtrak’s most scenic rail lines. The route delivers sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the lush Oregonian forest , with mountains, lakes, and thick woodlands as the main backdrop for most of the trip. You can gawk at them all from the gorgeous observation cars, which feature floor-to-ceiling windows and snug seats to while away the hours and snap plenty of pictures.

Come nighttime, the Coast Starlight’s sleeper cars ensure all the zzzs you need with roomettes, bedrooms, and one family bedroom to choose from (if you book the sleeper car, you also have access to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge before departure, which is a nice plus). While the smaller roomettes have outside toilets and showers, the bigger accommodations feature an ensuite bathroom for extra comfort, and more space to stretch your legs. Regardless of size, all of them grant access to the restaurant-style dining car for dinner, breakfast, and lunch—all included in your ticket—as well as complimentary coffee to keep you energized throughout the journey.

Top tip: Travel in the summer to get the most daylight, and make sure to take advantage of the early morning fresh-air stops in Oregon after your night onboard. You’ll feel restored in no time.

California Zephyr

At 2,438 miles and almost 52 hours of overall travel time (that’s three days and two nights), the California Zephyr is Amtrak’s second longest route, and the very definition of a long-distance rail journey. Riding from Chicago to Emeryville/San Francisco, you’ll roll through Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah , Nevada, and California—passing by verdant plains and the Rocky Mountain range, across arid countryside and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada. The whole trip is basically a deep dive into the natural beauty of the United States, and one of those experiences every train aficionado should try at least once in their lifetime.

There are plenty of places to stop and visit on the way—you can get off in Denver and explore the Rocky Mountain National Park or spend a few days in Salt Lake City—but should you choose to stay onboard for the whole ride, you’ll be in for a treat.

With roomettes, bedrooms, bedroom suites, family bedrooms, and one accessible bedroom spread across two levels of its sleeper cars, the California Zephyr has a wealth of sleeping options to cater all needs. All of them come with complimentary meals, dedicated cabin attendants, lounge access in Chicago, and priority boarding, while restrooms and showers are either within the car or ensuite, depending on the room category. The upper-level quarters offer better views and sell out fast, though if you suffer from motion sickness, the lower accommodations might be a better fit.

Besides the sleeping arrangements, however, it’s waking up to the Great Plains and winding through the Rockies and then the Sierra Nevada that’s truly special. Just make sure to always have your camera ready.

Texas Eagle

Another cool way to travel from Chicago to California— Los Angeles , to be exact—by train rather than plane? The Texas Eagle. Amtrak’s longest route (and the longest in America), this three-night, 65-hour journey follows a path first established by the Pacific Railway in 1948, passing some pretty amazing sights: from the Ozarks to Little Rock along the Mississippi River, then into the vast expanse of the Texan countryside.

There are stops in Dallas and Austin along the route, though really, it’s the sheer grandness of the Lone State’s topography—a never-ending mix of remote small towns and rural settlements, wide-open fields and swamps—that’s the trip’s biggest draw.

That, and the fact you can watch it all from compact-to-spacious sleeping quarters, which range from roomettes to suites and feature perks like turndown service, full meals in the dining car for the entire duration of the ride, and coffee, juice, and daily newspaper delivered every morning to your door.

In-room amenities include outlets to keep your electronics charged, lighting and climate controls, and a closet for your clothes (there are also soap and towels if you’re in the higher room categories), as well as an attendant call button should you have any extra needs. If you want to stretch your legs, the Sightseer lounge, with swivel seat, wraparound windows, and a beverage and snack service, is the place to go—and the best spot to meet like-minded travelers to share the journey with.

Rocky Mountaineer

Ok, so the Rocky Mountaineer doesn’t technically have a sleeper car. The private company that runs it is also not American, but Canadian—though one of its trips, the “Rockies to the Red Rocks,” takes place in the States and connects Moab, Utah to Denver, Colorado.

Steph Koyfman

Pam LeBlanc

Jamie Spain

Caitlin Morton

Still, the fact that this luxury rail journey includes overnight stopovers at stylish hotels qualifies it as an excellent alternative to any flight, in our opinion. All the more so when Moab and Denver are actually quite close: Much better to opt for the slow way rather than create unnecessary CO2 emissions , right?

The US-based route takes travelers on a four-day/three-night adventure across the two mountain states—you’ll spend two full days onboard—snaking through rugged canyons and natural archways, awe-inspiring deserts and the majestic Colorado Rockies.

Accommodations include the four-star Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton in Utah and the hip Rally Hotel or Crawford Hotel in Denver —depending on which direction you’re going—with a less splurgy but equally comfortable option in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

If you want to extend the fun, the Rocky Mountaineer also offers a selection of curated packages to start or end your trip in Las Vegas or Salt Lake City.

New York and Chicago are close enough to consider forever ditching flights and choosing a scenic train ride to travel between them instead—at least when you’re in no rush to reach either city.

The best rail journey for the task is the Cardinal, which connects the two in 26 hours and 30 minutes and runs three times a week.

The line offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the eastern US, rolling past the Blue Ridge Mountains, Allegheny range, and the Shenandoah Valley. You’ll wind through the New River Gorge and West Virginia’s wild white-water rivers before reaching the banks of the grand Ohio River, rolling by the quaint towns of Ashland and Maysville all the way to Cincinnati and Indianapolis—this is the only Amtrak route that stops in both metropolises—and, at last, Chicago.

Private roomettes and bedrooms—which include a flexible dining service in their rate—promise comfort and a blissful night’s sleep before you reach your final destination, while a café open to all passengers keeps everyone fueled up for the entire trip.

Unsurprisingly, the Cardinal is pretty popular in the summer and fall, meaning early bookings are highly recommended. Our advice: Treat yourself to a bedroom or suite. Both have an in-room sink, restroom, and shower, and larger abodes to hunker down in than the smaller roomettes. Got a bike or a pet with you? This train allows both—just check the guidelines beforehand.

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President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP)

If Your Time is short

President Joe Biden has a history of commuting by car and rail from his home in Delaware to Washington, D.C.

In comments following the disaster, Biden said he had been over the Francis Scott Key Bridge “many times commuting from the state of Delaware either on a train or by car.”

Learn more about PolitiFact’s fact-checking process and rating system.

President Joe Biden came under criticism following his remarks about the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.

"#BREAKING," read a screenshot of an X post shared on Facebook on March 26. "Joe Biden says he’s commuted over the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore many times via train. The problem is that the bridge features no train tracks."

Some news coverage also focused on Biden’s comments about taking trains. And former President Donald Trump’s campaign cited it as evidence that "Biden (confused — again) claims to have gone over the Francis Scott Key Bridge by train ‘many times.’" 

Before it collapsed, the four-lane bridge spanned 1.6 miles — and, no, the bridge does not have train tracks.

But these social media posts did not present Biden’s full statement that allowed for some ambiguity; he mentioned commuting by car.

Here’s what he said March 26 at the White House:  "At about 1:30, a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which I’ve been over many, many times commuting from the state of Delaware either on a train or by car."

The White House clarified Biden’s comments to the New York Post, which ran a story headlined: "Biden claims he commuted over collapsed Baltimore Key Bridge by train’ many times’ —  but it doesn’t have any rail lines."

"The President is clearly describing driving over the bridge while commuting between Delaware and (Washington) D.C. during his 36-year Senate career," the New York Post quoted White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson saying in a statement.

Biden has a long history of commuting to the capital. 

On the White House website , a section recounting the president’s history says that after he was sworn into the U.S. Senate, he "began commuting from Wilmington to Washington every day, first by car, and then by train, in order to be with his family. He would continue to do so throughout his time in the Senate."

In 2023, The Associated Press called him "arguably the nation’s biggest Amtrak fan." 

PBS NewsHour said in 2021 that, as a senator, Biden "was a fixture on Amtrak trains between his home in Wilmington, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., when the Senate was in session. He continued riding Amtrak as vice president. He has sometimes been referred to as ‘Amtrak Joe.’"

Our Sources

Facebook post , March 26, 2024

The White House, Joe Biden , visited March 27, 2024

The Associated Press, ‘Amtrak Joe’ Biden visits Delaware to promote $16 billion for passenger rail projects , Nov. 6, 2023

PBS NewsHours, WATCH: Biden celebrates Amtrak’s 50 years on the rails , April 30, 2021

The White House, Remarks by President Biden on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge , March 26, 2024

The New York Post, Biden claims he commuted over collapsed Baltimore Key Bridge by train ‘many times’ – but it doesn’t have any rail lines , March 26, 2024

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Joe Biden said he commuted by train and car as a senator, including over the Baltimore Key Bridge

Watch CBS News

How to travel around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore: A look at the traffic impact and alternate routes

By Rohan Mattu

Updated on: March 29, 2024 / 5:01 AM EDT / CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE -- The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday  led to a major traffic impact for the region and cut off a major artery into and out of the port city. 

A bridge column was hit by a large container ship around 1:30 a.m., sending bridge workers and vehicles into the Patapsco River. A water search for six missing workers turned to a recovery effort Tuesday night.

Drivers are told to prepare for extra commuting time until further notice.

Alternate routes after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

Maryland transit authorities quickly put detours in place for those traveling through Dundalk or the Curtis Bay/Hawkins Point side of the bridge. The estimated 31,000 who travel the bridge every day will need to find a new route for the foreseeable future. 

The outer loop I-695 closure shifted to exit 1/Quarantine Road (past the Curtis Creek Drawbridge) to allow for enhanced local traffic access. 

The inner loop of I-695 remains closed at MD 157 (Peninsula Expressway). Additionally, the ramp from MD 157 to the inner loop of I-695 will be closed. 

Alternate routes are I-95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) or I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) for north/south routes. 

Commercial vehicles carrying materials that are prohibited in the tunnel crossings, including recreation vehicles carrying propane, should plan on using I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between Essex and Glen Burnie. This will add significant driving time.    

Where is the Francis Scott Key Bridge? 

The Key Bridge crosses the Patapsco River, a key waterway that along with the Port of Baltimore serves as a hub for East Coast shipping. 

The bridge is the outermost of three toll crossings of Baltimore's Harbor and the final link in Interstate 695, known in the region as the Baltimore Beltway, which links Baltimore and Washington, D.C. 

The bridge was built after the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel reached capacity and experienced heavy congestion almost daily, according to the MDTA. 

Tractor-trailer inspections

Tractor-trailers that now have clearance to use the tunnels will need to be checked for hazardous materials, which are not permitted in tunnels, and that could further hold up traffic. 

The MDTA says vehicles carrying bottled propane gas over 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895).  

Any vehicles transporting hazardous materials should use the western section of I-695 around the tunnels, officials said. 

• Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Bridge Collapse
• Patapsco River

Rohan Mattu is a digital producer at CBS News Baltimore. Rohan graduated from Towson University in 2020 with a degree in journalism and previously wrote for WDVM-TV in Hagerstown. He maintains WJZ's website and social media, which includes breaking news in everything from politics to sports.

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Where is the Francis Scott Key Bridge? What to know about collapsed Baltimore bridge

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge , a major transportation link in the Baltimore area, sparked a massive search and rescue effort early Tuesday morning.

The bridge has been a critical transportation passageway along the East Coast for decades. Video captured the collapse , after Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, collided with one of the bridge's pillars.

The ship had caught fire, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

Here's what to know about the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Follow here for live updates → Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship collision; rescue effort underway

Where is the Francis Scott Key Bridge located?

The bridge crosses over the Patapsco River on I-695 and is the final link on the Baltimore Beltway, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority .

It is the outermost of the three tollways that cross Baltimore's Harbor.

How long is the Francis Scott Key Bridge?

The 4-lane bridge structure alone is 1.6 miles long. The facility also includes the Curtis Creek Drawbridge. Including approach roadways, the entire stretch is around 10.9 miles long, MDTA said.

Why did a ship hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge?

The ship, a container vessel chartered by Maersk, apparently lost power a few minutes before striking the bridge, a senior U.S. official told USA TODAY .

No Maersk crew or personnel were onboard the vessel when it struck the bridge, according to a statement from the company. It was operated by a charter company, Synergy Group, and owned by Grace Ocean Pte., based in Singapore, and ultimately bound for Sri Lanka.

Accidents like this, called Marine casualties, are not uncommon, the official told USA TODAY, with an allision (an immobile object being struck by a ship) occurring about every 10 years or so. Investigators will likely look into the cause of the power outage and whether there was a mechanical failure on the ship.

How old is the Key Bridge in Baltimore?

The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in March 1977, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority .

What type of bridge is the Francis Scott Key?

The steel-arched bridge was the second-longest continuous-truss bridge span in the world when it was built and remains the second longest in the United States and third in the world,  according to the American Civil Engineering Society .

When was the Francis Scott Key Bridge built?

Construction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge began in 1972.

Francis Scott Key Bridge has a deep history

According to the MDTA, the bridge crosses over the Patapsco River, near where Francis Scott Key, the bridge's namesake, was inspired to write the lyrics of the Star Spangled Banner.

Key is believed to have witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry on the night of Sept. 12, 1814, within 100 yards of the modern-day bridge. That battle is what inspired him to the national anthem.

How vital is the Francis Scott Key Bridge?

The bridge is critical to East Coast shipping. The port’s private and public terminals handled 847,158 autos and light trucks in 2023, the most of any U.S. port. The port also handles farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum and coal, according to a Maryland government website.

The history of Key Bridge, Baltimore’s engineering marvel of the 1970s

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore partially collapsed into the Patapsco River early Tuesday after a freighter crashed into it. The steel-arched bridge was considered an engineering feat when it was built in the 1970s.

Here’s what to know about the 47-year-old bridge, its history and its significance.

Baltimore bridge collapse

How it happened: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship . The container ship lost power shortly before hitting the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.

Victims: Divers have recovered the bodies of two construction workers , officials said. They were fathers, husbands and hard workers . A mayday call from the ship prompted first responders to shut down traffic on the four-lane bridge, saving lives.

Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, which provides about 20,000 jobs to the area . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods .

Rebuilding: The bridge, built in the 1970s , will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild , experts said.

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The Key Bridge was named after the national anthem’s author.

Francis Scott Key was believed to be near the site when he observed a British bombardment during the War of 1812.

• Share full article

By Jin Yu Young

• March 26, 2024

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship early Tuesday, was named after the American lawyer who wrote the lyrics of the national anthem. Construction of the bridge started in 1972 and was completed in March 1977.

Plans for the bridge began in the early 1970s, after traffic inundated the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, through which Interstate 895 crosses the harbor. When the bridge opened, The New York Times reported that construction costs had totaled $141 million, which is roughly $735 million in today’s dollars.

More than 12.4 million passenger and commercial vehicles crossed the bridge in 2023, according to a Maryland state government report .

The bridge itself spans 1.6 miles over the Patapsco River, but the crossing’s overall structure, including its connecting approaches, is almost 11 miles long. As part of Interstate 695, it is the outermost of three major crossings of the Baltimore Harbor.

Francis Scott Key was believed to be near the site of the future bridge in 1814 when he observed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, where he served as quartermaster, during the War of 1812. The battle inspired Mr. Key to write a poem called “The Defense of Fort M’Henry” that would later be set to the music of a popular British tune and renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It became the national anthem in 1931.

After the bridge opened to the public, parts of it underwent renovation several times, including a $14 million project in 1986 to repair damage, improve safety and restore the bridge’s appearance.

Jin Yu Young reports on South Korea, the Asia Pacific region and global breaking news from Seoul. More about Jin Yu Young