Ready to see the country without the stress of flying or driving? Train travel is making a huge comeback, and 2025 is the perfect year to plan your next rail adventure. It’s a relaxing, scenic, and sustainable way to travel.
We’ve curated a list of 10 incredible train trips to take in 2025, ranging from bucket-list cross-country journeys to unique weekend getaways and even a temporary route you won’t want to miss.
Key Takeaways
- 2025 Offers Unique Trips: This year includes special opportunities like the temporary Floridian route from the Midwest and scenic day trips in peak season.
- More Than Just Travel: Many top trips combine the train ride with unique destinations, like historic hotels (La Posada), national parks (New River Gorge), and connections to other adventures (Alaska Ferry).
- Plan for All Seasons: This list has something for every season, from seeing the Colorado Rockies in summer to experiencing New England’s stunning fall foliage.
- Trips for Every Traveler: Whether you want a scenic day trip (Pacific Surfliner) or a long-distance adventure (Empire Builder), there’s a train ride for you.
1. See Alaska (via Bellingham, WA)
How to Get There: Ride the Amtrak Cascades route (from Seattle, Portland, or Vancouver, BC) to Bellingham, Washington.
This isn’t just a train trip; it’s the gateway to a bigger adventure. The Bellingham station is a short walk from the Alaska Marine Highway ferry terminal. You can board a ferry to explore Alaskan towns like Ketchikan and Juneau, making this the most scenic and relaxing way to start an Alaskan journey.
- Pro Tip: Spend a day exploring Bellingham’s charming Fairhaven Village before you board your ferry.
The easiest way is to take the Amtrak Cascades train directly to Bellingham, WA. The ferry terminal is within walking distance of the train station.
2. Ride the Temporary “Floridian” Route
How to Get There: Board the Floridian in Chicago or other cities in Indiana and Ohio.
This is a special, temporary route for 2025 that combines parts of the Capitol Limited and Silver Star routes. It’s your chance to travel from the Midwest straight to sunny Florida without changing trains. It’s a two-night journey, so booking a Roomette or Bedroom is a great idea. You can get off in Jacksonville, Orlando (for the theme parks), Tampa, or Miami.
Yes, in 2025, you can take the temporary “Floridian” route, which runs directly from Chicago to multiple destinations in Florida, including Orlando and Miami.
3. Explore New River Gorge National Park
How to Get There: Ride the Amtrak Cardinal route.
The Cardinal is already famous for its beautiful scenery, but its path through the New River Gorge in West Virginia is a true highlight. This is one of the newest U.S. National Parks, and the train gives you a view you can’t get from a car.
- How to Visit: To explore the park, book your ticket to Charleston, WV. You can rent a car there (Enterprise is within walking distance) and drive to the park’s main visitor centers.
- Best Views: For the best daylight views of the gorge, travel westbound from the East Coast in summer, or travel eastbound from Chicago anytime.
4. Have a Montana Lodge Getaway
How to Get There: Take the Empire Builder to the Essex, MT station (ESM).
This is a dream trip for train lovers and national park fans. The LOGE Glacier (formerly the Izaak Walton Inn) is a historic railway hotel built in 1939. The train stops right at its doorstep—you just walk 10 minutes to the lodge. It’s located near Glacier National Park and offers saunas, cross-country ski rentals, and even rooms in an old caboose!
Yes! A perfect example is the LOGE Glacier in Montana. The Empire Builder train stops at the Essex station, just a short walk from this historic lodge near Glacier National Park.
5. See the Colorado Rockies in a Day
How to Get There: Ride a segment of the California Zephyr between Denver, CO, and Salt Lake City, UT.
Don’t have time for a full cross-country trip? You can still see the best part. The California Zephyr is arguably Amtrak’s most scenic route, and the 14.5-hour daylight journey between Denver and Salt Lake City takes you right through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. You’ll wind through Glenwood Canyon, pass rivers, and see landscapes that are completely inaccessible by car.
Example Trip Details
| Route Segment | Estimated Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Denver to Salt Lake City | ~14.5 Hours | Scenic Vistas, Rockies |
| Denver to Glenwood Springs | ~5.5 Hours | Hot Springs, Short Trip |
| Grand Junction to Denver | ~7.5 Hours | Canyons, Mountain Views |
Disclaimer: Fares and schedules vary. Please check Amtrak’s official website for real-time pricing and departure times.
6. Take an International Trip to Montreal
How to Get There: Ride the Amtrak Adirondack from New York City.
Don’t forget your passport for this one! The Adirondack route is a beautiful journey from NYC up the Hudson Valley and along Lake Champlain. It ends in Montreal, Canada, giving you a seamless international trip. Once there, you can explore historic Old Montreal, hike up Mount Royal Park, or attend the famous Montreal International Jazz Festival.
- AIO Snippet: Does Amtrak go to Canada? Yes, Amtrak operates several routes to Canada. The Adirondack route travels from New York City to Montreal, offering beautiful views of the Hudson Valley and Lake Champlain.
7. Visit “Home Town” in Laurel, Mississippi
How to Get There: It’s a stop on the Amtrak Crescent route (New York – Atlanta – New Orleans).
If you’re a fan of HGTV’s “Home Town,” you can visit the very town where it’s filmed! Laurel, Mississippi, is a stop on the Crescent route. The walkable downtown area is right next to the train station, filled with unique local shops, art, and restaurants featured on the show.
- Pro Tip: Many businesses in Laurel are closed on Sundays, so plan your trip for another day of the week if you want to shop.
8. Stay at the Historic La Posada Hotel
How to Get There: Take the Southwest Chief to the Winslow, AZ (WLO) station.
This is another “stay-in-place” train adventure. The La Posada is a stunning, historic hotel from 1929, and the Amtrak station is part of the hotel. You can step off the Southwest Chief (which runs between Chicago and Los Angeles) and be right in your hotel. It has a museum, beautiful gardens, and a fantastic restaurant. It’s a must-do for history buffs and fans of the American West.
9. Ride the Coast in San Diego
How to Get There: Ride the Pacific Surfliner.
For a perfect California day trip, nothing beats the Pacific Surfliner. This route runs from San Luis Obispo down to San Diego, hugging the coastline for a huge portion of the ride. You’ll get stunning ocean views right from your seat. Hop off in San Diego to visit the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, or just enjoy the beaches. It’s also an easy connection from Los Angeles Union Station.
The Pacific Surfliner in Southern California is famous for its incredible ocean views, as the tracks run right next to the beach for many miles. The Coast Starlight (Seattle to LA) also offers some beautiful coastal scenery.
10. See New England’s Fall Foliage
How to Get There: Ride the Vermonter or Ethan Allen Express.
Seeing the “leaf-peeping” season in New England is a bucket-list item, and doing it by train means you can just relax and watch the colors go by.
- Vermonter: Travels from Washington, D.C., and NYC up to St. Albans, Vermont. Stop in towns like Brattleboro for walkable access to trails and shops.
- Ethan Allen Express: Travels from New York City to Burlington, Vermont, a fantastic city with a walkable downtown, a scenic bike path, and boat tours on Lake Champlain.
Watch: A Look at Scenic Train Travel
Here’s a little inspiration for what it’s like to travel on one of these amazing routes!
Your Top Train Travel Questions for 2025
We get a lot of questions about planning a train trip. Here are short, direct answers to the most common ones.
While “best” is subjective, the California Zephyr (Chicago to San Francisco) is consistently ranked as one of the most scenic in all of North America. It crosses the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. Other top contenders are the Empire Builder (for Glacier National Park) and the Coast Starlight (for West Coast views).
Train ticket prices vary widely, just like airline tickets. The price depends on:
The Route: Long-distance routes cost more.
When You Book: Booking further in advance is almost always cheaper.
Accommodation: A standard “Coach” seat is cheapest. A private “Roomette” or “Bedroom” (which includes meals) costs more.
Sales: Amtrak often has seasonal sales and discounts.
Both are private rooms in a “Sleeper Car” on long-distance routes, and both include all your meals.
Roomette: The most compact option, perfect for 1 or 2 people. It has two seats that convert into bunk beds. The bathroom and shower are down the hall.
Bedroom: Much larger, for 1 or 2 people (or 3 with a child). It has a sofa and chair that convert to beds, plus an upper bunk. The biggest perk: it includes an in-room private bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower.
The easiest way to book is directly on the Amtrak.com website or by using the Amtrak app on your phone. You can see schedules, prices, and all accommodation options there.
Are You Ready for Your 2025 Rail Adventure?
There’s a special kind of magic to train travel—watching the world go by, meeting new people in the dining car, and arriving right in the heart of a city. Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a cross-country journey, 2025 is the year to get on board.
Which route are you dreaming of?