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I think there’s something very glamorous about trains and from watching movies about the Orient Express I’ve always wanted to go on a major train journey myself. It harkens back to a time in the U.S. when that was the only way to get across the country in a reasonable time and it ushered in the Industrial Revolution.
My grandfather was a porter for many years as a young man and that was my first taste of hearing about train rides up and down the Eastern Seaboard. The thought of not having road rage at the driver in front of me and being able to actually enjoy the scenery around me is very captivating.
I’ve compiled a list of the best train rides in the U.S. and abroad. While I was researching this, I got more excited with each one. I’ve started out with the two most scenic train rides in the U.S. with many awards between the two of them. Then I’ve gone on to the best Fall Foliage since it’s Fall right now, then the West Coast because it has such dynamic terrain and then I ended up going overseas to Europe and beyond.
Enjoy!
Best Scenic Train Rides in the U.S.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – CO
Runs May 6 – October 28
Reservations (877) 872-4607 or Book Online
Adult Fares – $100-300
Children – $70-210
Voted the #1 Scenic train ride in the U.S. the Durango & Silverton train ride is a National Historic Landmark and has been transporting people for 140 years. The city of Durango was founded by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway in 1880 and by July 1882 the railway was carrying both passengers and freight.
The tour is a round trip with 3.5 hours each way and a 2 hour stop in the mining town of Silverton for shopping, food and sightseeing. The trip begins with taking you up into the Rocky Mountains and you will have views of the San Juan National Forest. There’s no WIFI or cell service, so you’re really roughing it just like they did back in the day.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Around the World in 80 Days, as well as several others, was filmed in Durango around the railroads.
The cars have elegant Victorian style furnishings.
There are also open gondola cars for the warmer weather months that provide views of the mountains.
Alaska Railroad – AK
Runs May 13 – September 25
Fares – $88-$393
The Alaska Railroad was started in 1915 when President Woodrow Wilson decided that Alaska needed a railway system to get from the harbor to the interior of the state. The Coastal Classic Train is 100 years old and with its glass domes and spectacular views, it was voted “One of the Top Ten Train Rides” in North America. The most popular trip is four hours from Anchorage to Seward in the morning and four hours back to Anchorage in the evening. You have about seven hours to experience Seward which is famous for the Kenai Fjords National Park, sea kayaking and the Alaska Sealife Center.
The route starts with wildlife sightings and then mostly winds its way through the Kenai Mountains and gives you views that you can’t get from a car. You’ll go in and out of tunnels and see alpine meadows and glaciers.
Here is the Adventure Class seating.
Goldstar Service is under a glass domed ceiling and comes with meals in the dining car.
Best Fall Foliage
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway – GA
Runs September and October
Reservations (877) 413-8724 or Book Online
Fares – $67-$100
Railroads provided a significant economic boost to this area in the early 1800’s through the early 1900’s but didn’t reach Blue Ridge from Marietta, GA until 1886. It saved the mining industry, enabled roads to be built and timber to be logged.
Starts in downtown Blue Ridge and lasts four hours. Taking you along the Toccoa River and the Georgia mountains. After one hour you will arrive in McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, Tennessee which are sister towns. There’s a layover of two hours where you can enjoy the towns and then you take a one hour ride back to Blue Ridge.
In the Closed Coach there are seats of four with two seats facing each other.
The Premier Car is for ages 18+ and includes a catered snack.
Adirondack Scenic Railroad – NY
Runs September and October
Reservations (800) 819-2291 or Book Online
Adult Fare – $46-$98
Children – $36-$88
Formerly the New York Central Railroad, the Utica station was built in 1914 and served as the transfer point for people going into the Adirondack Mountains. The organization is all volunteer based except for the administrative and mechanical staff. Amtrak shares the Utica station with ASR and many take Amtrak to the Utica Station from various points in the state.
The Fall Foliage train ride is round trip, lasts 5.5 hours and runs from Utica to Old Forge, then back.You don’t get off the train in Old Forge. It’s one of the top tourist attractions in the area and takes you through forests, over rivers and streams all the while seeing some spectacular scenery. There’s a cafe car where you can get snacks and a light meal.
Standard seating in the coach cars.
The upper level of the dome car is called the Diamond Class. It’s the perfect way to experience the Fall foliage. Beverages, hors d’oeuvres and a dessert are included.
Valley Railroad Company – CT
Runs September and October
Reservations (860) 767-0103 or Book Online
Fares – $25-$60
The Valley Railroad Company runs the Essex Steam Train for it’s Fall foliage train ride. They started building this rail line in 1870 and was finished in 1871 because there were no major bridges or tunnels.The railroad company has been through ups and downs throughout the years but with the support of the state of Connecticut and volunteer efforts, they’ve been keeping this rail line alive.
This one is near and dear to my heart because I’m from Connecticut and I remember the spectacular Fall foliage from childhood. I didn’t really appreciate it until I moved to Atlanta and “watching the leaves change” wasn’t a thing.
This train ride starts in Essex which is surrounded by the Connecticut River Valley and is only one hour long but it’s jam packed. The ride is twelve miles long and is narrated through the Selden Neck State Park and many coves and preserves. The area is unspoiled and is almost an eco-excursion because you will travel into the wetlands which is a natural habitat for ducks, swans, geese and herons. Coupled with the Fall foliage, it’s a trip to remember.
This is what the inside of the car looks like. Nothing fancy, but the trip is definitely worth it.
West Coast
Grand Canyon Railway, AZ
Runs Year Round Except Dec 25
Reservations (800) 843-8724 or Book Online
Fares – $79-$240
Children $36-$190
Since 1901 the Grand Canyon Railway has been taking passengers on a trip back in time to see one of the eight wonders of the world. Bucky O’Neill, one of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, partnered with investors and the Sante Fe Railroad to build the rail line to the Grand Canyon. Traveling on restored rail cars through prairies, high desert and pine forests, it all leads to the Grand Canyon with its spectacular views. This area is located on the Colorado Plateau and is at an elevation of 7,000 feet which creates the diverse landscape in which you can see elk, mountain lions, deer and even skunks.
The train ride starts in Williams, AZ and takes two hours and fifteen minutes each way to get to the Southern tip of the Grand Canyon National Park and back to Williams. There is a layover of more than three hours so after touring the Grand Canyon you can take the train back in the afternoon.
Here is the Coach Class interior with bench style seating. A strolling musician comes down the aisle and there’s a cafe car where you can purchase beverages and snacks.
The Luxury Dome car which includes a bar, lounge with snacks and a sparkling wine toast included in the price. No children under 15 permitted.
Napa Valley Wine Train – CA
Runs Year Round
Reservations (800) 427-4124 or Book Online
Fares – $175-$550 but check with agents
The 155 year old railway has been a “secret” way to do a picturesque tour of the wineries and enjoy the rich history of the heartland. The rail line was originally built by millionaire Samuel Brannan in the 1860’s to enable his guests to travel to his spa resort in Calistoga. Later it was bought by Pacific Railroad and since 2015 it has been owned by a private investment group. The tour leaves Napa and winds its way through Charles Krug, Mondavi and others upwards to St. Helena.
There are several tours ranging from all-day to a few hours as well as night time tours and seasonal tours. There’s a welcome glass of sparkling wine and there are wines paired with each course included in the price. The wine list might be small, but it’s very curated and the wait staff is very knowledgeable. Gourmet meals are prepared in the onboard kitchens and are overseen by an Executive Chef.
This is one of the vintage Pullman cars on the Legacy Wine tour.
The Vista Dome car is the most expensive of the tours.
Pacific Coast Railway (Amtrak) – CA
Runs Year Around
Fares – $65-95 for non-stop but check with agents
Many people have the Northern drive on the Pacific Coast Highway on their bucket list, me included. But it’s more comfortable to travel by train and this train is called the Pacific Surfliner. It starts in San Diego and goes to San Luis Obispo. It takes approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes and travels through Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara. At any of these stops you can depart and spend time in the cities as the trains depart frequently.
The trains include a bar car and WIFI. You can even bring your bike as each train has bicycle racks; the arrangements have to be made when booking. There’s also cafe services if you get hungry. Pro tip: make sure you get there early so you can get a seat on the left hand side of the train since that’s where the spectacular views are.
The Coach car’s seats are a little bit smaller than Business Class but other than that it doesn’t look that much different.
Business Class includes bigger seats, a snack box and free alcoholic beverages.
Europe and Beyond
Glacier Express – Switzerland
Runs Year Round
Tickets $133.50
Excellence Class $300
Nominal Reservation Fee
The Glacier Express is the most iconic train ride in Switzerland and give spectacular views of snow capped mountains. The route is eight hours and travels between St. Moritz and ends in Zermatt, Switzerland. In 2019, the cars were totally renovated to give panoramic views and a more comfortable ride to every passenger. It’s especially pretty in December-February and as an added bonus the prices are cheaper.
Every seat has a power socket and free WIFI and a guide that you can access through your phone to tell you all about the scenery as it goes by. They even have a choice of seven languages. Food is available to purchase, but the Excellence Class has the food included in the fare.
Here’s the regular class of cars. Since they have been renovated, you can see how everyone gets a view.
This is the Excellence Class where each person gets a window seat. There’s also a bar and dining area, a lounge and a personal travel guide. Each coach seats 20 people.
Venice Simplon Orient Express –
Runs from mid-March to early November
Fares – $2,920-$4,200 (Historic Cabin)
This train inspired Agatha Christie’s novel, “Murder on the Orient Express”. The original Orient Express train ran from 1881 to 2009 and at its peak was the most glamorous train ride in the world. The 1920’s was called the Age of Travel and the train was synonymous with mystery and intrigue because it was famous for carrying famous passengers from around the world, including Agatha Christie.
The two-day train ride will transport you from your hotel in Venice by boat to the train station, head to Verona and then London..Everything is aboard including sleep cabins, a bar car and a lounge. All meals are included but not beverages.
The Historic Cabin converts from a lounge in the day to a double twin sleeper at night and the stewards do the turn down service while you are at dinner. There’s a sink, but no toilet so you have to the the water closets on each end of the sleeping cars.
The Restaurant Car
The Bar Lounge
Rovos Rail – Southern Africa
Runs Year Round
Fares – Starts at $3,968
Rovos Rail makes you think back to a simpler time and the romance of African exploration. Formerly the Witbank Steam Railway, which was built in 1890 to haul coal, it was the brainchild of Rohan Vos who ran an auto parts business. On his own he bought a few coaches with an investor and the rest is history. Rohan was finally able to run his train on April 20, 1989.
Victoria Falls to Cape Town is an 8 night combo trip that starts in Victoria Falls and ends in Cape Town. It is one of the most unique ways to experience a safari. All meals and beverages are included and any guided tours. They also have an observation car with an open air balcony and a gift shop. There are so many excursions that you can choose from on the way that you head will be spinning.
The Pullman Suites convert to sleeping quarters at night.
The Dining Car
The Bar and Lounge
Hiram Bingham Peru Trail – Peru
Runs July 26 – December 31
Fares – $1,399 but varies by group size
Hiram Bingham re-discovered the lost city of the Incas (Machu Picchu) in 1911 and it’s one of few pre-Columbian ruins found almost intact. The train was originally named The Orient Express Machu Picchu in 2003 and sometime after that was named after Bingham. The luxury train takes guests in high style through the Andes.
Travel 3.5 hours from Cusco through the Andes with brunch fare and an open air observation car on your way to Machu Picchu. A guided tour through the ruins is included and you will have tea in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. Afterwards you will board the train and head back while enjoying drinks and a four course dinner. Musicians are also on aboard which makes for a lively and entertaining trip.
This lovely lounge with a bar is very luxurious.
This is the dining car where you will have brunch going to Machu Picchu and dinner on the way back.
So between trains, planes and automobiles, I would choose a train every time. Some of these are still on my bucket list and I’m so excited about trying an overnight cabin.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever gone on a train ride and what your thoughts are.
See ya.
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