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As convenient as air travel may be, and as awesome as it is to snag a window seat at cruising altitude, the truth is we have no idea if we’re looking down at Paris, Texas or Paris, France.
As a result, train travel has become more popular for the adventurous, with the U.S. taking a page out of Europe’s playbook.
However, we’re a little behind the times for bullet trains.
But that’s just the point.
More travelers seem to be opting for low-and-slow travel by hitting the rails for sweeping views of America’s gorgeous landscapes and timeless small towns instead of soaring above the clouds.
‘America the Beautiful’ lives up the name with numerous scenic train rides across the mainland and National Geographic has narrowed them down the best routes.
These are the top 3 U.S. train rides for 2025:
3) Acela Express: A 150MPH East Coast Adventure
Commercial jets can fly as fast as 575mph, but why deal with the hassle of the airport when you can still reach your destination in a reasonable time?
Train stations are far less of a hassle. When you can still reach speeds of 150mph, Amtrak’s Acela Express is a speedy journey to explore some of the East Coast’s most iconic cities.
Covering Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and ultimately Washington DC, you can knock 4 urban jungles well worth a day trip at the very least.
You gotta grab a cheesesteak in Philly, right?
As such, the downside (or upside), depending on your preferred style of travel, is passengers need to purchase a ticket for each leg of the trip. (i.e. Boston to New York, New York to Philly, etc.)
According to Nat Geo, tickets start at $130, and the trip to Washington, D.C., from Boston takes approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.
Acela Express amenities for Business/First Class:
- Choose your seat
- Fewer stops
- Don’t rush; Arrive at the station minutes before departure
- Electrical outlets and conference tables
- Adjustable lighting and large tray tables
- Wi-Fi equipped
2) California Zephyr: An Epic Journey From The Midwest To The Bay
Again, a route connecting a pair of American icons, Amtrak’s California Zephyr is one you’ll have to plan well ahead as it truly is ‘low and slow’ as mentioned before.
Taking 51 hours in total, you’ll want to download some movies and pack a new book or two. That is unless you’re into the new “raw dogging” trend taking social media by storm.
Yeah…good luck with that. One thing you won’t have to worry about is food. The dining car even serves steak!
Departing from Chicago to, you guessed it, California, you’ll want to take advantage of the option to choose a window when purchasing your ticket as you’ll cross some of America’s prettiest landscapes from the snow-capped Rockies to Utah’s fiery red canyons.
Ultimately, you’ll reach Emeryville, a small town outside of Oakland, which you’ll surely bypass for much more opportune explorations in San Francisco and San Jose.
According to Nat Geo, tickets start at $150.
Amenities vary by cart. For full descriptions of seating and accommodations ranging from Coach Class to Superliner Family Bedrooms, click here.
1) Rocky Mountaineer: A Once-In-A-Lifetime Train Ride
With domed-glass carriages, and as soft and cushy as the seats may be, you may want to pack a neck pillow as you’ll be glued to seemingly never-ending floor-to-ceiling views of magnificent canyons, picturesque ghost towns, and even wineries, as you snake along the winding Colorado River.
The Rocky Mountaineer is perhaps the most unique train journey in America, and without a doubt a bucket-list item.
This train offers 4 routes:
- First Passage to the West (Canada)
- Journey Through the Clouds (Canada)
- Rainforest to Gold Rush (Canada)
- Rockies to the Red Rocks (U.S)
Obviously, Nat Geo is recommending the ladder, crowning the Rockies to the Red Rocks as the best train ride in the U.S.
The route covers stunning natural formations and staggering mountains from Moab, Utah to Denver, Colorado.
On board, passengers will find a savory menu of locally-sourced cuisine and signature cocktails.
There is a fun overnight pit stop in Glenwood Springs where passengers are provided a hotel within the hefty ticket price of $1,725.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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