Scenic Train Travel in the U.S. and Canada

Scenic Rail Doesn't Always Mean “Luxury”

This is important because there are several very different ways to experience train travel. Some rail journeys are premium experiences with glass-domed coaches, elevated dining, attentive service, and vacation packages built around the train. Others are historic or scenic railways where the experience is more about the route and destination. There are also traditional passenger trains with sleeper accommodations that can become part of a longer vacation.

They can all be wonderful trips. They're just different trips. The question isn't simply, “What's the best train?” It's: “What kind of experience do you want the train to be?”

The Canadian Rockies

If you've ever looked at pictures of Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and the Canadian Rockies and wondered whether the water and mountains actually look like that in person... yes. They really can.

This is one of those destinations where traveling by rail makes sense because the scenery isn't something you have to wait to arrive at. The scenery is the experience.

Rocky Mountaineer is probably the name most travelers recognize. Its journeys are designed around daytime sightseeing, so you're not sleeping through the landscapes you traveled all that way to see. Depending on the itinerary and package, a Canadian Rockies vacation can also include hotel stays and time in places such as Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, or Vancouver.

This is not simply transportation between two cities. The train itself is part of the vacation.

Alaska by Rail

Alaska is another destination where I love the idea of letting somebody else do the driving. The Alaska Railroad connects several of the state's most popular areas and can work beautifully as part of a larger land vacation.

And if you're already thinking about an Alaska cruise, rail can be a wonderful way to extend the trip inland. You might experience the Inside Passage from the ship and then continue into Alaska toward places such as Denali. That's a very different experience from flying home immediately after the cruise. You're giving yourself time to see another side of Alaska.

The Grand Canyon Railway

This one is less about luxury and more about the experience. Rather than driving directly to the Grand Canyon's South Rim, you can make the journey itself part of the day aboard the historic Grand Canyon Railway.

For families, couples, multigenerational groups, or anyone who enjoys historic trains, it can add another layer to a Grand Canyon vacation. Sometimes a train doesn't need to be the entire trip. It can simply be one memorable part of it.

Glacier National Park and the American West

Rail can also be incorporated into trips through the American West, including journeys that connect travelers with areas near Glacier National Park and other spectacular landscapes. These trips appeal to me because you can combine the experience of train travel with national parks, historic lodges, small towns, and time outdoors.

If your idea of a great vacation involves looking out the window and saying, “Wow, look at that,” approximately every ten minutes, this kind of trip may be for you.

Fall Foliage by Rail

You already know how beautiful New England can be in autumn. Now imagine not having to drive while you're looking at it. Scenic rail experiences can be incorporated into fall trips throughout parts of New England and Eastern Canada, giving you a completely different way to experience the season.

And because Mother Nature does not accept reservations, exact peak foliage dates can never be guaranteed. We can choose historically favorable travel periods, but the weather ultimately decides when the leaves change. That's part of traveling for a natural event.

A Scenic Train Doesn't Have to Be Your Entire Vacation

This is something I want travelers to understand. You don't necessarily need to book a weeklong rail journey to experience train travel. A train can be:

• The centerpiece of your vacation
• Transportation between two destinations
• Part of an Alaska cruise-and-land trip
• A day trip
• A historic railway experience
• One portion of a national park vacation
• Part of a longer Canadian Rockies itinerary

Daytime Rail or Sleeper Train?

These are very different experiences. Some scenic rail journeys are intentionally operated during daylight hours so you can enjoy the scenery. You then stay in a hotel overnight and return to the train the next day. Other trains travel overnight and offer sleeping accommodations.

A sleeper train can be an adventure in itself, but it's important to understand exactly what type of accommodation you're booking. Private rooms, roomettes, bedrooms, shared facilities, private bathrooms, meals, and service levels vary considerably depending on the train and route. I don't want you picturing a luxury hotel room on rails if that's not what you're actually booking. Knowing what to expect makes all the difference.

Who Would Enjoy Scenic Rail Travel?

You may love this style of travel if you enjoy:

• Beautiful scenery
• A slower pace
• Photography
• National parks and nature
• Historic travel experiences
• Having someone else handle the transportation
• Combining several destinations without constantly flying
• Enjoying the journey instead of simply trying to reach the destination

When Should You Start Planning?

For popular rail journeys, especially during Alaska season, Canadian Rockies season, and fall foliage periods, earlier planning generally gives us better choices. Premium service levels, preferred dates, certain accommodations, and popular packages can fill well in advance.

If scenic rail is one of the main reasons you're taking the trip, I would rather start planning early than build the entire vacation around whatever happens to be left.