Best Scenic Train Rides in America: 18 Routes With Real Prices, Travel Times, and Best Seasons

I have ridden nine of the routes on this list, including two that I booked purely because a friend would not stop talking about them. The pattern I keep seeing is that people choose scenic train rides based on photos and then get surprised by the logistics: which side of the car to sit on, how far ahead to book, and whether the route is a day trip or an overnight commitment.

This guide fixes that. Real prices, real travel times, and a clear note on what each route is actually best for.

Jump to: Compare Routes | Quick Picks | West | Rockies | Midwest | South | Northeast | Alaska and Hawaii | FAQ

Key takeaways

• Prices on US scenic train rides range from about $20 for a short heritage line to $2,000 and up for a multi-day private sleeper cabin (confirm current prices with each operator).
• The California Zephyr is the most consistently recommended long-distance scenic route in the country, running two days between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Book sleeper cabins on Amtrak long-distance routes 3 to 6 months ahead for the best prices and availability (check current fares on the official Amtrak site).
• Fall foliage routes sell out earliest. The Adirondack, the Boone and Scenic Valley, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad are the three most competitive.
• The Alaska Railroad and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge are the two routes most travelers say justify their price, even at the high end.
• Midwest and Great Plains coverage is missing from almost every national list. Iowa’s Boone and Scenic Valley and Colorado’s Royal Gorge fill that gap.
• Most heritage railroads run April through October only. Check the season before you plan around one.

Which scenic train ride fits your trip? Compare all 18 at a glance.

Most scenic train lists make you read every entry before you know which one you want. Here is the shortlist first, grouped by what each route does best. Read the full entries only for the ones that fit your trip.

Quick picks: which scenic train ride is best for you?

If you only have time to read one section, this is it. These are the routes I recommend by traveler type, and the reason each one wins.

Best overall

The California Zephyr. Two days, Chicago to Emeryville, through the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. It is the route most rail travelers name as their favorite, and it earns that reputation. Book a roomette if you can afford it (confirm current sleeper prices on the official Amtrak site), because two nights in coach is a lot to ask of anyone.

Best for families with young kids

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge in Colorado. It is a four-hour round trip through the San Juan Mountains on a coal-fired steam train, and the whole thing feels like a storybook. Fares typically run around $100 to $150 per adult and lower for children (confirm current prices with the operator).

Best for fall foliage

The Adirondack is between New York City and Montreal. It runs along Lake Champlain and through the Adirondack Mountains, and the fall colors in late September and early October are the reason people book this route months ahead.

Best for wildlife

The Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Moose, bears, and glaciers are all on the route, and the Denali Star service is the most popular segment. Fares run several hundred dollars per person in peak season (check current rates on the official Alaska Railroad site).

Best for a no-car, no-stress day trip

The Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire. You can get there without a car from Boston with a combination of train and shuttle, and the ride to the summit is short, dramatic, and memorable.

Best scenic train rides on the West Coast

California Zephyr

Chicago to Emeryville, two days and one night. The route crosses the Rockies, the Colorado River, the Utah desert, and the Sierra Nevada. Coach fares commonly start in the low hundreds, and sleeper cabins run significantly higher (check current Amtrak fares on the official site). Book the westbound direction if you can, because the best scenery happens during daylight on that schedule.

Coast Starlight

Seattle to Los Angeles, about 35 hours. The route runs along the Pacific coast through Oregon and Northern California, and the stretch between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara is the section everyone photographs. If you are a SpaceX fan, the route passes Vandenberg Space Force Base, and launch viewing from the train is genuinely possible on the right day.

Skunk Train

Fort Bragg to Willits, California, through the redwoods. This is a heritage railroad with open-air cars and a family-friendly pace. Fares typically run around $50 to $90 per adult (confirm current prices with the operator). Pet-friendly on some services, which is rare for scenic routes.

Napa Valley Wine Train

A short route through Napa Valley with lunch or dinner service included. It is less about the scenery and more about the experience, and the food is genuinely good. Fares run roughly $150 to $300 per person depending on the package (check current prices on the official site).

Best scenic train rides in the Rockies

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Durango to Silverton, Colorado, about 3.5 hours each way on a coal-fired steam train. This is the most popular heritage railroad in the country, and the scenery through the Animas River gorge is the reason. Fares run roughly $100 to $150 per adult depending on class (confirm current prices with the operator).

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

Cañon City, Colorado, a two-hour round trip through the Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River. The route runs along the bottom of the gorge, which gives you a view most visitors to the area never get. Fares start around $50 per adult for coach (check current prices on the official site).

Rocky Mountaineer

This is the premium option. The Rocky Mountaineer runs multi-day routes in Western Canada and the US Southwest, with glass-dome cars, meals included, and hotel stays. It is a different category of trip and price, with fares running into the thousands per person (confirm current rates on the official site).

Amtrak Empire Builder

Chicago to Seattle or Portland, two days and one night. The route crosses the northern Rockies and Glacier National Park, and the stretch through Montana is the highlight. Coach fares commonly start in the low hundreds (check current Amtrak fares on the official site).

Best scenic train rides in the Midwest

This is the regional gap most national lists ignore entirely. There is no Rockies scenery here, but there is farmland, river bluffs, and fall foliage that rivals New England, at a fraction of the price.

Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad

Boone, Iowa, about an hour northwest of Des Moines. The route runs through the Des Moines River valley on a heritage line, and the fall foliage in late September and early October is genuinely excellent. Fares typically run $25 to $45 per adult (confirm current prices with the operator). This is the single best-value foliage train in the country.

Amtrak Hiawatha

Chicago to Milwaukee, about 90 minutes. This is a short commuter-style route, but the stretch along Lake Michigan is scenic, and the fares are cheap enough to justify a day trip. Coach fares commonly run $25 to $30 each way (check current Amtrak fares on the official site).

Amtrak Empire Builder (Midwest segment)

The same train that runs to Seattle and Portland crosses Wisconsin and Minnesota on its first day. If you are short on time, the Chicago to St. Paul segment gives you a taste of the route without committing to the full multi-day trip.

Best scenic train rides in the South

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Bryson City, North Carolina, a four-hour round trip through the Nantahala Gorge and the Smoky Mountains. The fall foliage season is the busiest time of year, and the railroad runs themed trips throughout the year. Fares run roughly $60 to $100 per adult depending on class (confirm current prices with the operator).

Cass Scenic Railroad

Cass, West Virginia, a heritage railroad using restored logging locomotives. The climb to Bald Knob is the main trip, and the views from the top are the payoff. Fares run roughly $50 to $80 per adult (check current prices on the official site).

Amtrak Crescent

New York to New Orleans, about 30 hours. The southern section through Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama is scenic in a quieter way, with farmland and pine forest rather than dramatic mountains. Coach fares commonly run $100 to $200 depending on the segment (confirm current Amtrak fares).

Amtrak Auto Train

Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida, about 17 hours overnight. It is not scenic in the traditional sense, but it is the only route in the country where you bring your car with you, which makes it a genuinely different kind of trip. Fares vary widely by vehicle size and accommodation (check current rates on the official Amtrak site).

Best scenic train rides in the Northeast

Amtrak Adirondack

New York City to Montreal, about 11 hours. The route runs along the Hudson River, through the Adirondack Mountains, and along Lake Champlain. Fall foliage in late September and early October is the reason to book this one. Fares commonly run $70 to $150 depending on when you book (confirm current Amtrak fares).

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, a three-hour round trip to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast. This is a cog railway, not a standard train, and the grade is steep enough that it feels like an amusement ride. Fares run roughly $80 to $100 per adult (check current prices on the official site).

Amtrak Downeaster

Boston to Brunswick, Maine, about 3.5 hours. The route runs along the New England coast through New Hampshire and southern Maine. It is not as dramatic as the Adirondack, but it is easy, affordable, and a good day trip from Boston. Fares commonly run $25 to $40 each way (confirm current Amtrak fares).

Best scenic train rides in Alaska and Hawaii

Alaska Railroad, Denali Star

Anchorage to Fairbanks, about 12 hours, with a stop at Denali National Park. This is the most consistently recommended scenic route in the country for wildlife, and it earns the reputation. Moose, bears, and glaciers are all visible from the train. Fares run several hundred dollars per person in peak season (confirm current rates on the official Alaska Railroad site).

Alaska Railroad, Coastal Classic

Anchorage to Seward, about 4.5 hours. The route runs along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach Mountains, and the scenery is comparable to the Denali Star in a shorter package. Fares typically run $120 to $200 per person (check current rates on the official site).

White Pass and Yukon Route

Skagway, Alaska to the Yukon, about 3 hours round trip. This is a heritage railroad that climbs almost 3,000 feet in 20 miles, and the views over the coastal mountains are genuinely dramatic. Fares run roughly $140 to $200 per adult (confirm current prices with the operator).

Hawaiian Railway Society

Oahu, a 90-minute round trip along the Leeward Coast. This is the cheapest scenic train ride in the country, with fares starting around $20 per adult (check current prices with the operator). It is a heritage narrow-gauge line, and the coastal views are the draw.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip: booking platforms we trust

I use these platforms because each one fits a different part of a scenic train trip. Amtrak and individual railroad sites are the first stop for tickets, since they are always cheapest direct. Kayak and Expedia handle flights to the route’s starting city. Booking.com, Agoda, and Hotels.com cover the hotels you will need at either end, and GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are where I check the day tours and reviews that turn a train ride into a full trip.

WakaAbuja does its best to keep all information accurate at the time of publishing. Prices, policies, and availability change regularly. Always verify with official sources before you travel. We are not liable for errors caused by outdated information. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.