I don’t know about you, but I don’t usually equate the USA with trains (at least passenger trains). But hang on a second! There are actually quite a few scenic trains throughout the United States, many of which give you an incredible way to see all those breathtaking sites that are simply everywhere in North America!
You know what they say: it’s about the journey, not the destination. So, don’t just think about the beautiful things you’ll see, but the luxurious train you can also ride while seeing these sights!
I’ve compiled a list of 10 luxury train rides in the USA with breathtaking views to help you plan your dream train trip right here in America.
Table of Contents
1. Rocky Mountaineer
Route: Rockies to the Red Rocks
Duration: Two to four days
Highlights: Iconic views of the American Southwest from a dome train car
Cost: Starting at $1,456
Rocky Mountaineer’s “Rockies to the Red Rocks” travels between Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah via Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
The Rocky Mountaineer only travels during the day so you don’t miss any views (with a hotel in Glenwood Springs included!) and serves incredible, locally-sourced meals, accompanied by sights such as Arches National Park and the Rocky Mountains.
2. The Grand Canyon Railway
Route: Williams, AZ to Grand Canyon Historic Village
Duration: One day
Highlights: Traveling in a dome car with views of the Grand Canyon that are only accessible via rail
Cost: First class & luxury starts at $159
For a true rail baron experience, the Luxury Parlor car on the Grand Canyon Railway is where it’s at! The stunning views of this world wonder will be accompanied by history luxuriousness, with a panoramic dome car, access to outdoor space, and complimentary cocktails and snacks.
It’s just a one-day trip to the South Rim, where you’ll have several hours to explore the Historic Village before your return trip, but it’s a day of grandeur and life-changing vistas.
3. Alaska Railroad
Route: Alaska by Daylight
Duration: 10 days and nights
Highlights: The only outdoor, upper-level viewing platform in the world gives you breathtaking access to Alaska
Cost: Starting at $4,735 for GoldStar Service
Starting out in Anchorage, the Alaska by Daylight route on the Alaska Railroad takes you past glaciers and fjords, through tundra and meadows, and deep into the wilds of Denali National Park. This trip includes several excursions as well as luxury train travel, such as cruises and wildlife tours.
The GoldStar Service includes meals, drinks, a guide, and panoramic views of Alaskan scenery through the glass dome ceiling.
4. Napa Valley Wine Train
Route: Round trip from downtown Napa to St. Helena, in Napa Valley
Duration: 3-6 hours
Highlights: All experiences include wine tasting and locally-inspired, gourmet food, within a beautifully restored train car
Cost: Starts $200, depending on the experience you choose
The historic Napa Valley Wine Train is a unique way to tour one of the world’s most famous wine countries—and is practical, too, so you don’t have to drive between wineries (lots of wine tastings + driving is not a good look).
Experience packages start at $200 and include stops at wineries, wine tastings on the train, a gourmet meal, and even an afternoon tea service. Incredible food with a view of incredible vineyards (and wine, of course)? Sign me up.
5. Coast Starlight
Route: Between Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington
Duration: About 35 hours
Highlights: Sightseer Lounge Car provides floor-to-ceiling views of the most stunning West Coast scenery
Cost: Starts at $700 for a roomette
Considered one of the most spectacular scenic train rides in the United States (and maybe the world), Amtrak’s Coast Starlight travels between Los Angeles and Seattle.
The scenery, as you can imagine, is stunning, through redwood forests, along the Pacific coast, through dense forests, past mountains, and rivers and canyons. Book a suite for a more luxurious version that includes meals and your own attendant.
6. California Zephyr
Route: Between Chicago and San Francisco (Emeryville, CA)
Duration: 52 hours
Highlights: Crossing both the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada range
Cost: Starts at $2,000 for a bedroom
See unforgettable parts of the United States on the cross-country Amtrak train, the California Zephyr. Traveling between Chicago, with stops in Omaha, Denver, and Salt Lake City, you’ll see some of the greatest American landscapes: prairies and mountains, plains and canyons, wild forests, and sweet farmland.
Relax in the luxury of your own bedroom with room service, your own attendant, first-class dining in the Dining Car or from the comfort of your own suite, and incredible views from this overnight scenic train ride.
7. Strasburg Rail Road
Route: Amish Country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Highlights: Views of the picturesque and unspoiled Amish Country from the comfort of a historic and luxuriously restored parlor car
Cost: First-class tickets start at $32
For a luxury experience on the Strasburg Rail Road, America’s longest-running railroad, you don’t have to spend too much of your precious dollars.
However, to really class up the experience, you must book a special train, such as the “Elegant Express,” for a sophisticated dining experience (with the views included, of course!).
8. Conway Scenic Railroad Mountaineer
Route: Round trip from North Conway, New Hampshire
Duration: 4-6 hours, depending on the trip
Highlights: If you go in the fall, leaf-peeping from the upper dome is a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment!
Cost: Starts at $165 for the Mountaineer Dome Dining Class
When a heritage railroad known for its scenic trips is crowing about the scenery on one of its routes, you know you’ve found some views with a capital ‘V.’ The Mountaineer, Conway Scenic Railroad’s most luxurious (and yes, most scenic) train ride, winds through the Mount Washington Valley and around Crawford Notch.
All of their cars are nice, but the Mountaineer Dome Dining Class will give you views guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye—along with some amazing food, as well.
9. Southern Comfort
Route: Between New Orleans and Fort Worth, TX
Duration: 7 days & 6 nights
Highlights: This one is all about the luxury in your private, lush rail car, accompanied by gorgeous views of the American Southeast
Cost: Suites start at $7,560
Combine some of the most iconic cities in the American South with some incredible views—Mississippi River, anyone? For that matter, New Orleans, anyone?—all while in your own moving luxury hotel, and you have the Southern Comfort train.
The private, luxurious cars (staffed, of course) will make you feel like a true Southern gentleman or lady. During the day, take in the views, visit the parlor or dining cars, or disembark to visit some classic cities, such as San Antonio and the Big Easy.
10. The Empire Builder
Route: Between the Pacific Northwest (Seattle or Portland) and Chicago
Duration: 45 hours
Highlights: The scenery, you guys! The Cascades, Glacier National Park, Puget Sound, the Columbia River Gorge…you get it.
Cost: Starts at $1,500 for a bedroom
Although Amtrak’s “The Empire Builder” sounds sort of like an evil genius’ plan to take over the world, really, it’s just an incredibly gorgeous train ride from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest.
For the best chance at views, take the train near the summer solstice (you know, more daylight). For the most luxury? Book a bedroom or a bedroom suite, to enjoy the views in pure comfort.
Conclusion
Luxury train trail is possible here in the United States, whether you want a short excursion through pretty farmland or an epic, multi-day adventure through some of the wildest lands around (ahem, Alaska).
I have a feeling that once you start traveling by train, you’ll be hooked! Trains take you far from normal roads and paths, giving you truly unique views, and this is especially true in the United States. This country is so vast, and train travel ensures you see all the beautiful places you can!
And although trains aren’t always known for their creature comforts, luxury trains also exist, proving that you can have the experience of timeless train travel in timeless luxury.
So, what do you think? Which of these luxury train rides in USA sounds most enticing to you? Let’s discuss in the comments! And if you’re thinking of experiencing luxury train rides outside the USA, check out these Swiss train rides!
