For your next vacation, consider hitting the rails. The Wi-Fi might be spotty, particularly on long journeys through rural America, but some find it a welcome opportunity to unplug and take in the view.
Amtrak’s cross-country rail itineraries have been in high demand since the pandemic, says Bob Johnston, a writer for Trains magazine. As a result, long-distance train trips have become more expensive and sell out quickly.
Johnston recommends booking your trip as soon as you know where you want to go. Generally, the best fares are offered well in advance, but you can occasionally find a deal at the last minute, he says.
While Amtrak remains the primary option for cross-country journeys, several private operators offer shorter trips, often with luxury accommodations, to well-known landmarks and attractions.
Here are a few adventures for those headed to the American West:
Grand Canyon Railway. Departing from Williams, Arizona, the privately owned Grand Canyon Railway takes passengers directly to Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim, the most popular part of the park and home to some of the best views. The journey lasts about two hours, and passengers can choose from a variety of seating options, ranging from about $45–120 each way. The ride often includes onboard entertainment while you soar past grasslands, forests and wildlife. The rail line also offers packages that include accommodations at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams.
Although no train will get you directly to the Grand Canyon Railway rail stop in Williams, Amtrak offers routes that stop in Flagstaff, where you can catch a shuttle to Williams for $22–30.
Amtrak to Glacier National Park. Montana’s Glacier National Park is easily accessible by Amtrak’s Empire Builder train. The historic Glacier Park Lodge is just steps away from Amtrak’s East Glacier Park train station, so no transfers are necessary. Tour buses that take guests through the park make regular stops at the lodge. Rooms at the Glacier Park Lodge start at about $320 per night during the summer months, when the park is most accessible.
The Empire Builder, which runs between Chicago and Portland or Seattle, boasts views of the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains and Cascade Mountains. If you’re coming from California, you could first catch a ride on the Coast Starlight, which travels from Los Angeles to Seattle. It passes the Cascade Mountains, Mount Shasta and wine country before connecting to the Empire Builder in Portland and Seattle.
For the roughly 45-hour journey on the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder from Los Angeles to Glacier, you could recently get a roomette for about $1,350. A roomette on the Empire Builder from Chicago to Glacier—a ride that takes about 30 hours—was $1,220.
Rocky Mountaineer to Arches National Park. The privately owned Rocky Mountaineer train line offers luxury excursions between Denver and Moab, Utah, home to Arches National Park and the iconic Delicate Arch. Passengers spend one night in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and two days on the train, which provides views of Ruby Canyon, Mount Garfield and the Colorado Rockies from panoramic windows as well as an outdoor platform. Other amenities include gourmet meals prepared by the train’s culinary team.
The journey runs from the spring through the fall, with two excursions per week. Fares range from $1,699 to $2,269 each way per person, with discounts for members of the military.
