train trips in the

14 Best Train Trips to Take Across America for Breathtaking Scenery

Vacation in a new way to see some beautiful sights.

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While traveling by train can certainly be a more inexpensive option for a family getaway when compared to air travel or a boat cruise, that doesn't mean you'll be cramped and crowded. Many of the trips we have listed include luxury sleeper trains, amazing dining and, of course, unbeatable views. There are routes like the Surfliner, which runs along the Pacific Ocean (and would be an unforgettable destination for spring break ), the Grand Canyon Railway, a two-hour ride of bliss and tons more that are sure to pique your interest.

Let the best train rides in America also inspire you to make locomotives your transportation of choice even when you head to international destinations (we recommend you hop aboard Norway’s famous Flåm Railway ).

Still need help deciding where to go and what to pack? Check out Good Housekeepin g 's 2023 Family Travel Awards for expert advice, top-tested gear and more.

Amtrak Auto Train

If you’re traveling to a destination that requires use of a vehicle, Amtrak’s Auto Train allows you to pack it with you! It transports your car (or other recreational vehicles) as well as you and your family on a route from Washington, DC to Sanford, Florida.

Good Housekeeping’s Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab executive director, Lexi Sachs boarded the train with her family for a trip to Orlando, which she described as “just as fun of an experience for my two kids” as their trip to Disney World.

Sachs also pointed out that the train trip featured a range of seating options, from coach to bedrooms with pull down beds, lovely views of the East Coast, delicious dinner and breakfast, and allowed her to feel like she wasn’t losing a day of vacation due to travel. Plus, Amtrak offers priority offloading, “which means your car comes off first,” Sachs said, adding that “It was definitely worth it in my opinion!”

America's National Parks with Rocky Mountaineer

See eight destinations over 11 days when you embark on this incredible journey through canyons and mountains. You’ll have the chance to explore Arches National Park with its many sandstone arches, Canyonlands National Park, which is full of rock columns and original Native American cave paintings and Yellowstone National Park, where you will see its majestic hot springs and geysers. Not only does this package include multiple sightseeing tours, but it also covers 10 nights of hotel stays and three meals.

Grand Rail Experience

Visit great American cities, including Washington, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles and New Orleans, on this 14-day cross-country journey. Included in the package is six nights of hotel accommodations, seven nights onboard one of Amtrak’s sleeper trains, sightseeing tours and priceless landscape views.

You also get to take your pick from attractions such as the Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Woodland Park Zoo and Chihuly Garden and Glass for no additional cost.

Northern Rail Experience

Get your fill of adventure when you embark on this nine-day train vacation with stops in Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Muir Woods.

Amtrak offers an all-inclusive package with a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour, and breathtaking views of the great plains and the Pacific Coast. Plus you and your family will enjoy three nights of hotel accommodations and five nights on board Amtrak in private sleeping rooms. One meal is also included.

Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic

Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic departs from Anchorage and winds along the Turnagain Arm before turning off into the backcountry wilderness and eventually ending in Seward.

Look for views of the steep Chugach Range mountains plummeting right into the ocean, and the stunning shores of Resurrection Bay; wildlife sightings along the way could include beluga whales, sheep, bear and moose. Daily service is available seasonally, from mid-May through mid-September. Take a variety of tours in Seward — like glacier treks or sled dog rides — before heading back to Anchorage.

Amtrak’s famous Surfliner route runs between San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego, with multiple daily departures.

The route runs along the Pacific Ocean — almost close enough to catch a wave — for gorgeous views throughout the journey. And yes, you can bring along your surfboard; special racks are designed to hold travelers’ outdoor gear.

Napa Valley Wine Train

If you love wine and vintage aesthetics, you absolutely must experience the Napa Valley Wine Train. Century-old railcars traverse a 150-year-old rail corridor on this 36-mile round-trip journey. The railroad once transported guests to a spa resort in Calistoga and now winds its way across the pastoral California landscape from Napa to St. Helena and back, stopping at the famed region’s wineries all along the route. Four on-board kitchens provide locally sourced, top-end cuisine for a full luxury dining experience.

Grand Canyon Railway

This trip re-creates the historic voyage to the Grand Canyon by rail, which opened to its very first passengers in 1901. Passengers aboard the Grand Canyon Railway depart from Williams Depot and make their way to the Grand Canyon Depot, which is the last operating log depot in the country. The depot is located right in the middle of the National Park’s historic district, near the storied El Tovar Hotel, and merely 200 yards from the edge of the canyon’s South Rim. In all, the trip covers 65 miles of scenic terrain, with unmatched views and photo opps.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad takes passengers on a scenic rail journey through this beautiful mountain range. Choose from two versions of the trip, named for standout attractions: the Nantahala Gorge Excursion (44 miles) or the Tuckasegee River Excursion (32 miles). Both offer a range of seating classes, including an open-air gondola and first-class dining car. Specialty versions of the trip include wine and dine, fall foliage spotting, and even a Peanuts-theme Easter ride.

Cass Scenic Railroad

The steam-driven Cass Scenic Railroad takes passengers through the mountains of West Virginia on revamped flat cars that hauled lumber to the Cass mill more than a century ago. The 11-mile heritage railroad runs from May through October, offering a trip through both history and scenery. Ride to the overlook at Bald Knob, the third highest point in West Virginia, for unforgettable views and picture-taking spots.

Cape Cod Central Railroad

Cape Cod Central is a heritage railroad that operates on 27 miles of former New Haven Railroad tracks on Cape Cod. It takes passengers through marshes, cranberry bogs, dunes — places you can only access by rail. Come for a historic narrated daytime ride, Sunday brunch, sunset dinner, or a special festive holiday ride.

Sunset Limited

Travel between Louisiana and California on Sunset Limited, Amtrak’s Southernmost route. On the way from New Orleans through San Antonio, Tucson, Phoenix and Los Angeles, see diverse scenery including the bayou country, Southwestern deserts, and California mountains. Three trains depart weekly in each direction.

Coast Starlight

The Coast Starlight works its way along the west coast from Los Angeles to Seattle. On the route, pass Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Portland. Catch scenery from verdant valleys and forests to the snow-topped mountains of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta and the Pacific Ocean shoreline to boot. This striking route runs daily.

Empire Builder

Amtrak’s famous Empire Builder route runs daily between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest. It covers portions of the Lewis and Clark trail, following the route of the pioneers. Urban views include the twinkling skyline of Minneapolis and St. Paul; natural landscapes include the North Dakota plains, Big Sky country in Montana and Glacier National Park. The route runs daily.

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The best train rides in the USA for seriously gorgeous views

From coastal routes to journeys through the mountains, these train rides spotlight all of America's most stunning scenery.

From redwood groves to sprawling desert landscapes to miles of picturesque countryside, America has no shortage of stunning scenery across its 50 states. One of the best ways to take in all the beauty is by hopping aboard a train. 

While a road trip through America is always a great choice to see the country's sights, we'd argue train travel is even better. Not only is riding  on a train a timeless experience with notes of romance and nostalgia, but there's no airport stress or need to be at attention behind the wheel. Instead,  you can sit back, relax and simply stare out the window as you take it all in. 

Below, you'll find the best and most scenic train rides across the country. On the West Coast, take in ocean views aboard the Coast Starlight (from Los Angeles to Seattle ) or the Surfliner, which hugs the California coast for miles. On the East Coast, the Mount Washington Cog Railway takes you through the Mount Washington area in New Hampshire. Looking for something even more adventurous? Head to Alaska  to catch the Denali Star’s 350-mile trek from Fairbanks to Anchorage.

Whether you're looking for a multi-day adventure or a route that only lasts a few hours, these train rides won't disappoint.

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Best train rides in the USA

1.  Rockies to the Red Rocks

Denver, co to moab, ut.

Trip length: Two days

The first U.S. offering from luxury Canadian company Rocky Mountaineer, the ' Rockies to the Red Rocks ' trip takes passengers on a two-day ride from Denver to Moab—passing through stunning Rocky Mountains and southwest scenery along the way. Best of all? Passengers will witness all that gorgeous nature from the train's glass-dome top! That's right, we're talking about unobstructed views of some of the most gorgeous scenery in the USA . The 2024 season runs from April 14 through October 9.

2.  Coast Starlight

Los angeles, ca to seattle, wa.

Trip length: 36 hours

Traveling by train instead puts a spin on the classic left-coast road trip. The advantages? There are zero wrong-turn fights and way more photo ops. The 1,377-mile Coast Starlight route hits the best of the West: Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, and more. On the 36-hour trip, bounce from your seat to the dining car and the 'sightseer lounge car,' where all the seats face the panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows. 

3.  Pacific Surfliner

San diego, ca to san luis obispo, ca.

Trip length: 8-9 hours

If you're looking for a train ride with ocean views, you can't beat Amrak's Pacific Surfliner , which travels along a 351-mile route, many of the trip is directly along the California coast. The route starts out in San Diego before meandering up through Anaheim, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and other stops before ending in San Luis Obispo in the central part of the state. 

4.  The Grand Canyon Railway

Williams, az to the grand canyon, az.

Trip length: 2 hours 15 minutes

Sure, you may have been to the Grand Canyon already, but have you ever admired Grand Canyon country by train? On The Grand Canyon Railway , you’ll depart from Williams, Arizona, and roll through pine forests and prairies, spotting pronghorn and bald eagles, before arriving two hours and 15 minutes later at the epic South Rim. All of the historic cars of the Grand Canyon Railway have fascinating former lives and some have glass-dome ceilings for unstoppable panoramas. 

5.  The Empire Builder

Chicago, il to portland, or.

Trip length: 45–46 hours

There is only one word to describe this journey: epic. The Empire Builder runs daily between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, mirroring much of Lewis and Clark’s original expedition. It passes through a greatest-hits list of must-see sites, from the urban (St. Cloud and Minneapolis) to the great outdoors (big-sky country and Glacier National Park ). The trip totals 46 hours, which warrants booking at least a roomette with seats that convert to beds so you can fully stretch out once you’ve gotten your fill of landscapes under the moonlight. 

6.  The Alaska Denali Star

Anchorage, ak to fairbanks, ak.

Trip length: 12 hours

This 350-mile stretch through the heart of Alaska highlights the state's beautiful, rugged wilderness. Between the birch forests, rushing rivers, caribou- and bear-spotting, views of Mt. McKinley and a stint through Denali National Park, there’s a reason this is the Alaska Railroad ’s flagship sojourn. If you can swing it, splurge on a GoldStar upgrade and take in the spectacular scenery from an open-air viewing car, with absolutely nothing between you and the wild. 

7.  Skunk Train

Willits, ca.

Trip length: 2 hours

Hopping aboard  Skunk Train  is like traveling back in time—this historic train has been traversing Mendocino County in California since 1885. Today, you can choose from a variety of routes and experiences. The most popular journey is Wolf Tree Turn. This 16-mile route will take you through old-growth redwood groves within Noyo River Canyon, over trestle bridges, and under tunnels, ending with a stop in Crowley, where you can take in the majesty of one of the oldest trees in the area, the Wolf Tree. Enjoy snacks and beverages (including alcoholic ones) before heading back toward Willits.

8.  The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Bryson city, nc.

Trip length: 3.5 hours

It may be pint-size, but Bryson City, the departure point for this rail-riding adventure, is rich with local gems like barbecue joints, a soda fountain and a brewery. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad has various routes, but the four-and-a-half-hour Nantahala Gorge excursion is a scenery-serving star, snaking along the forested Nantahala River and crossing the Fontana Lake by bridge. Foliage lovers, take note: The leaves here are breathtaking during the fall.

9.  The Mount Washington Cog Railway

Bretton woods, nh.

Trip length: 3 hours

Like the Little Engine That Could, this antique train chugs daily up Mount Washington , depositing its passengers at the 6,288-foot peak, the highest in the Northeast. A working museum of sorts (the track dates to 1852), the Cog has the elevated feel of a gondola, only you’re in a sturdy little train. At the top, take in the sweeping views of Canada and the Atlantic on a clear day. 

10.  The Napa Valley Wine Train

Napa valley, ca.

Trip length: 3 to 6 hours on average

On this California Wine Country track, you can get intoxicated by the scenery alone: picture-perfect wineries and hills carpeted in lush rows of vines. But you’ll have a little help, what with all the vino you’ll be sipping alongside your onboard multicourse meal—both lunch and dinner are options. The roving restaurant aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train comprises a collection of vintage Pullman railcars complete with mahogany panels and brass hardware. So go ahead and soak it all up—you’re not behind the wheel, after all.

11.  California Zephyr

Emeryville, ca to reno, nv.

Trip length: 6 hours 45 minutes

At more than 2,400 miles long, the  California Zephyr —stretching from San Francisco to Chicago—is Amtrak's longest route. While we don't recommend you do the route in its entirety (unless that floats your boat), we highly recommend the route stretching from the Bay Area (hop on in San Francisco or Emeryville) to the Lake Tahoe area (get off in Reno or Truckee). This scenic journey is an ideal way to get to Tahoe, beat the traffic, and take in dreamy views.  

12.  The Hawaiian Railway Society

Trip length: 1.5 hours

Train travel takes a turn for the tropical on this 90-minute jaunt across Oahu in an old sugar-cane hauler traveling at the lickety-split speed of 15 miles an hour. The ride aboard the Hawaiian Railway Society shows you a rarely-seen version of Hawaii, filled with old sisal plantations and ghost towns. Time your trip for the second Sunday of the month and you can book a seat in the elegant 1900 parlor car that was the personal ride of Oahu Railway & Land Co. founder Mr. Dillingham. It's worth noting, however, that reservations are now required to ride the train. 

13.  Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad

Durango, co to silverton, co.

Trip length: 3.5 hours

One of the most scenic ways to experience one of the most scenic states; a ride on the Narrow Gauge Railroad isn’t merely photo fodder, but a full immersion into the wild, wild west. The train has been rolling between Durango and Silverton since 1882, when it was tasked with transporting silver and gold out of the San Juan Mountains. The 45.4-mile route runs in both directions along the Animas River, crisscrossing it five times, and passing by old stagecoach trails and long-deserted mining camps as it winds between 14,000ft high peaks.

14.  The Ethan Allen Express

New york city, ny to burlington, vt.

Trip length: 7 hours 35 minutes

While the destination is a major draw, getting there is half the fun on this five-and-a-half-hour journey from New York City to Vermont. On the Ethan Allen Express , you’ll cruise through the postcard-perfect towns of New York’s Hudson Valley; hit Saratoga Springs, as famous for its horse races as its hot springs and snake around Vermont’s fittingly named Green Mountains, before landing in charming little-big city Rutland, with its historic downtown and one helluva farmers' market.

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4 great scenic train rides across the US

Want to truly immerse yourself in the vastness of the USA? There's no better way than to take a scenic cross-country train trip.

During these long-distance train rides, the journey is just as exciting as the destination itself. Relaxing in your seat as you watch the U.S. landscape out your train car window slowly change from cities to farmlands or from wide-open plains to towering mountains is an experience that's worth the extra transit time.

Amtrak offers many overnight and multiday scenic train rides across the U.S. from the East Coast, the West Coast and everywhere in between. Route names like the Empire Builder, the Coast Starlight and the California Zephyr are enough to inspire wanderlust for any traveler.

Whether you're new to train travel or an avid rider of the rails, here are four bucket list-worthy U.S. train rides to take for stunning scenery, plus some tips on how best to book and enjoy them.

Tips for cross-country train travel

While taking a cross-country train trip can be a rewarding experience, as it offers days to leisurely sit back and enjoy scenic landscapes, many people have worries about how best to book such a long trip and what to expect when it comes to sleeping arrangements. TPG has a few tips to help you get on board with the concept and easily plan your journey.

Browse routes by region

A good first step to take when looking for a route that's right for you is to search Amtrak's "Browse by Region" menu. You can pick a large area of the country from which to start or finish your trip.

Once you click on an area, Amtrak will provide lists of highlighted long-distance routes, as well as shorter point-to-point trips. You can then select a route like the Capitol Corridor in California before being directed to ticket purchase menus.

Explore Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak offers curated vacation packages to rail travelers via its Amtrak Vacations website. These tours can include side trips (via bus) to national parks , sightseeing tours in cities and hotel lodging on stopovers along the route. You can search for packages around vacation themes like "Fall Foliage" and "Multiple National Parks."

Amtrak's set of "Most Scenic Journeys" vacation packages include trips lasting up to two weeks that combine rail travel and additional tours. Think of these trips like cruises with shore excursions . Some of the scenic journey-designated options focus on national parks, while others are big-city oriented.

You can click on each option's details to find itineraries, dates and prices. Then, all that's left to do is book your rail vacation.

Consider famous routes

A shortcut to finding scenic cross-country rail routes on Amtrak is to visit its Amtrak Vacations website and click on "Famous Rail Routes." This set of approximately 20 different overnight train routes gives you a great set of suggestions for your own potential cross-country journeys.

For more details on the fixed routes, click on any of the tabs. Once you've chosen a route, you can either book a package tour with Amtrak Vacations or go to the regular Amtrak website and book a point-to-point trip.

Weigh your accommodation options

Taking an overnight or a multiday train trip means you'll need to sleep aboard the train. All of Amtrak's long-distance train trips provide a variety of seating and room arrangments.

The cheapest way to travel is to simply book a seat on the route. While Amtrak's seating is comfortable, with more legroom than you'll find in an airline's business class, it may not be the way you want to travel for many hours. You can get up, walk the train and stop in the cafe car, but this can still be a tough way to travel during a multiday journey.

Fortunately, Amtrak provides several classes of accommodations on cross-country trips, ranging from shared roomettes with fold-out bunks to bedrooms, larger family bedrooms and suites complete with private bathrooms and showers. Should you book one of these rooms on a cross-country itinerary, you'll enjoy access to a separate dining car.

Prices for the various ticket classes vary widely between routes and dates, so check potential itineraries to find the best option for you.

4 scenic train trips to take in the US

Now that you know the basics when it comes to picking a long-distance train route, you'll want to narrow down your options. Although there are many scenic routes in the U.S., here are our four favorites.

California Zephyr: San Francisco to Chicago

Amtrak's California Zephyr route travels between San Francisco and Chicago on a three-day journey. The 51-hour trip (on the west-to-east path) begins in nearby Emeryville, California, then travels through central California farmlands up into the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Along this part of the route, you'll enjoy spectacular panoramas from glassed-in viewing cars.

The train continues through Reno and the Nevada deserts into Salt Lake City before traveling up into the Rocky Mountains to reach Denver . You'll descend into the wide-open plains of Nebraska and eventually wind your way into the Windy City.

This trip is a great way to immerse yourself in the American West, as you'll get a true feeling of the vastness of the region and the variety of terrain that makes up the country.

One-way prices start at $141 per person for a seat in coach and $688 for a room.

Empire Builder: Seattle to Chicago

The Empire Builder train route connects Chicago and Seattle on a 46-hour journey connecting the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. The train loosely follows the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, the route the explorers took to map out the region acquired during the Louisiana Purchase.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark would have appreciated sitting back in the train's viewing cars to enjoy eyefuls of Montana 's Big Sky Country, Glacier National Park , the Cascade Range and the vast plains of North Dakota. Additionally, the explorers would have marveled at the metalwork of North Dakota's towering Gassman Coulee Trestle bridge.

Should you wish to depart or arrive in Portland, Oregon, instead of Seattle, know that there's an alternate route of the Empire Builder from this Pacific Northwest city, so you can plan your itinerary based on your preferences.

One-way train fares from Chicago to Seattle begin at $150 per person, while rooms cost at least $651.

Southwest Chief: Los Angeles to Chicago

Traverse the American Southwest on a southern route between Los Angeles and Chicago. The Southwest Chief route departs daily and takes roughly 40 hours to cross eight states.

For some of the journey, the train follows the classic American road trip thoroughfare of historic Route 66 . However, unlike its car-friendly neighbor, the train route offers views you won't find while driving the highway, as it winds on twisting tracks that travel through narrow red-rock canyon passages before offering wide-open vistas of mountains and deserts.

The train's main stops include Kansas City, Missouri; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Flagstaff, Arizona. You can also take advantage of excursions from the train when you purchase one of Amtrak's vacation packages. For example, you can visit the Grand Canyon (by train or bus) while the train is stopped in Williams, Arizona.

Even if you never leave the train, the views along the way are enough to create lasting memories.

Expect to pay at least $146 per person for a coach seat on this one-way route or a minimum of $899 for a room.

Crescent: New York City to New Orleans

See the American South on this 30-hour journey between New York City and New Orleans . Departing the urban landscape of the Big Apple, this route will take you through the Northeastern cityscapes of Philadelphia , Baltimore and Washington, D.C. , among other destinations.

Once it exits the urban corridor, the train winds through the countryside of Virginia and the Carolinas, offering stops in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Greenville, South Carolina. Then, it continues through the Deep South states of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi before reaching its final stop in New Orleans.

Tickets for this one-way route start at $139 for a seat in coach and $580 for a room.

Bottom line

Traveling by train across the U.S. gives you a unique perspective of the scale and scope of the American landscape. While it may be slower than flying across the country, rail travel gives you the opportunity to sit back and savor the journey, appreciating the changing views as the hours roll by.

The four scenic cross-country train trips highlighted here are only some of Amtrak's many long-distance journeys available to book. By exploring Amtrak's website, you can find many different rail journeys in nearly every part of the U.S. Best of all, most offer an array of seating options, so you can choose the ticket that best suits your travel preferences and budget.

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Amtrak Is Expanding Its Midwest Service — and Tickets Start at $41

The new Amtrak Borealis train will launch May 21 with afternoon departures from St. Paul and late morning departures from Chicago.

Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure

Amtrak will launch a new train service later this month, expanding access between the Twin Cities and Chicago.

The new Amtrak Borealis train will launch May 21 with afternoon departures from St. Paul and late morning departures from Chicago, according to the rail company . The train will represent a second daily option to travel between the two major cities.

Tickets start at just $41 for coach fares.

“A second daily passenger rail service connecting St. Paul to Chicago via Milwaukee is a welcome addition to our transportation system, providing more choices and travel flexibility for passengers,” Nancy Daubenberger, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, said in a statement, adding it will “provide another safe, reliable transportation option.”

When it starts, the Borealis train will make the current stops on the Empire Builder line between St. Paul and Milwaukee as well as the stops on the Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago, according to Amtrak. The train will feature several stops in Wisconsin, including in the popular Wisconsin Dells .

The entire ride will take just under 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Each Borealis train will feature both coach and business class seats, a cafe car complete with regional items, and views of the Mississippi River between St. Paul and La Crosse, WI. The new service was sponsored by each of the states it crosses: Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, according to the rail company.

“This is a win for passenger rail expansion in America, and more importantly, it’s a win for a growing number of Americans who rely on passenger rail and benefit from it,” Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose said in the statement. “Investments in rail have long helped Midwesterners and the region’s economy, and this new service will mean additional access for people traveling between Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois while contributing to economic growth.”

Travelers heading on from Chicago will be able to get to their destinations quickly since Amtrak increased the speed limit last year along the Chicago to St. Louis corridor to as fast as 110 mph.

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How to Get Cheap Train Tickets in China with Trip.com: Easy Train Booking

by Trip.com

May 8, 2024

How to Get Cheap Train Tickets China

👀Discover more about China Train Booking:

10 tips for purchasing cheap train tickets china.

1. Book in Advance

Train tickets in China typically go on sale 15 days before the departure date. Booking your tickets as soon as they become available increases your chances of getting the cheapest seats, especially for long-distance trains.

2. Use Trip.com

Trip.com is the cheapest web to book China bullet trains, which have user-friendly interfaces and sometimes offer discounts.

3. Choose a Date with Cheap Ticket Price

If possible, try to be flexible with your travel dates. Train ticket prices can vary depending on the day of the week, time of day, and proximity to holidays. Mid-week travel is often cheaper than weekend travel.

4. Compare the Price between Bullet and Slower Trains

High-speed trains (G, D categories) are more expensive than the slower ones ( Z, T, K categories). If you're not in a rush, opt for a slower train to save money.

5. Choose Hard Seats or Standing Tickets

For shorter journeys, consider buying a hard seat or even a standing ticket, which are the cheapest options available. However, be aware that these options might not be comfortable for long distances.

6. Avoid Peak Travel Times

Traveling during peak periods, such as national holidays (e.g., Chinese New Year, National Day) and school vacations, can be more expensive. If possible, plan your travel outside of these times.

7. Look for Discounts

Students, children, and seniors may be eligible for discounted tickets. Make sure to check if you qualify for any discounts and have the necessary identification to prove it.

8. Travel in Off-Peak Hours

Tickets for trains that depart very early in the morning or late at night may be cheaper than those during peak hours.

9. Use a Chinese Bank Card

Some discounts or promotions may only be available to those using Chinese bank cards or payment systems like Alipay or WeChat Pay.

10. Check for Promotions

Occasionally, the railway companies will offer promotions or last-minute deals. Keep an eye on the official train ticket booking platforms or sign up for alerts.

*Remember that while saving money is important, you should also consider the overall travel experience. A slightly more expensive ticket for a faster or more comfortable train might be worth the extra cost, especially for longer journeys.

Price Comparison of Cheap Train Tickets China

Plan Your China Railway Trip with Trip.com

FAQs about Cheap Train Tickets China

How far in advance should i book cheap train tickets china to get the best price, can i change my train ticket after purchase, is it possible to get refunds on train tickets in china.

• Cheap Train Tickets China
• 1. How to Get Cheap Train Tickets China
• 2. 10 Tips for Purchasing Cheap Train Tickets China
• 3. Price Comparison of Cheap Train Tickets China
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Ditch the car, catch the train: 7 day trips you can take by Amtrak from L.A.’s Union Station

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Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter . It’s Saturday, May 4 . Here’s what you need to know to start your weekend:

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• Seven day trips to take by train from Union Station.
• Who were the masked men behind the UCLA camp attack?
• Peruvian sushi blooms in Long Beach.
• And here’s today’s e-newspaper

Ditch the car, catch the train

The stress of traveling out of L.A. takes many forms: high-priced gas pumps, bumper-to-bumper traffic and a constantly crowded LAX. One way to minimize that stress is taking an Amtrak train for a day trip.

Snag a seat on the left side if you’re heading north to get the best view of lush valleys and agricultural land, plus breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean and beaches.

Similarly heading south, sitting on the ocean side will also get you some great views once you pass San Juan Capistrano. You might even recognize the Mediterranean-style station in Santa Ana from the TV series “True Detective” and the movie “Rain Man.”

Times contributor Marsha Takeda-Morrison compiled seven day trips that start at Union Station and take three hours or less each way. Each includes plenty of activities within walking distance of the destination stations.

Unlike with air travel, you can bring your own food and an upgrade to a business class seat won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Here are a few destinations Marsha features:

This station is only a 10-minute walk from downtown Ventura. Known for its sprawling beaches that have long been popular for surfing, windsurfing, fishing and biking, Ventura also offers a charming and highly walkable downtown.

To truly take in the scenery of Ventura and its surrounding areas, Marsha recommends bringing your bike (see rules for transporting a bicycle on the train here ) to ride the popular Ventura to Ojai bike route .

Carpinteria

Called “one of California’s last great beach towns” by Times writer Christopher Reynolds, Carpinteria has an eclectic collection of restaurants and shops, and touts a hefty reputation among surfers.

Rincon State Beach is one of the most popular surf spots in California and holds the annual Rincon Classic Surf Competition.

The train station is located on the town’s main street, Linden Avenue, which makes for an easy walk to the beach or to grab food. Dog lovers are in for a treat as Island Brewing Company , a dog-friendly microbrewery, is directly across the street from the station. In case you’re wondering: yes, you can bring your pet on an Amtrak train with a reservation and a fee.

San Juan Capistrano

Known for the Mission San Juan Capistrano , this beautiful small town is also home to the Los Rios Historic District , considered the oldest neighborhood in California. The area is across the tracks from the train station.

But if you happen to be traveling to San Juan Capistrano on the second Saturday of July, you may be treated to another one of the town’s historical assets: mooning of the Amtrak . Throughout the day, hundreds flock to the fence lining the tracks and moon the passing trains. The annual tradition apparently started in 1979 when a patron at a nearby saloon offered to buy a drink for anyone willing to run outside and moon the next train … Cheers, San Juan Capistrano!

The week’s biggest stories

Campus protests

• Dueling Gaza protests at UCLA draw hundreds as USC sees peaceful demonstration.
• UCLA struggles to recover after 200 are arrested, and a pro-Palestinian camp is torn down.
• After a violent night at UCLA and classes were canceled , UC president launches an investigation into the response.
• Who were the masked men behind the UCLA camp attack? Online sleuths vow to find out.
• Police report no serious injuries. But scenes from inside UCLA camp, protesters tell a different story .
• ‘Unacceptable’: Why it took hours for police to quell attack at UCLA pro-Palestinian camp .
• Jailed students, a canceled commencement, angry parents: USC’s Carol Folt takes on critics .
• L.A. gangsters used painter suits, assault rifles and zip ties for brazen armored car heists .
• Three friends drove from California to Mexico for a surfing trip. Then they disappeared .
• ‘Someone stole her dreams’: A serial killer in Mexico killed her niece , an Orange County woman says.

Lakers fire head coach

• Lakers fire coach Darvin Ham in the wake of first-round playoff loss.
• Hasty firing of coach Darvin Ham is more Lakers madness.
• Lakers’ next coach? Here’s a rundown of the potential candidates .
• Amid Lakers coaching speculation, Clippers hope to keep Tyronn Lue for a ‘long time.’

More big stories

• After canceling commencement, USC will host event at L.A. Coliseum , rolls out new campus security.
• A law that ended single-family zoning is struck down for five Southern California cities.
• Stagecoach and Coachella fans leave behind tons of camping gear, clothes, food. Here’s what happens to it .
• What are the blue blobs washing up on SoCal beaches? Welcome to Velella velella Valhalla.
• A first view of what the high-speed rail to Las Vegas might look like.
• ‘Folks, it’s bad’: Merced sheriff warns of public safety crisis as deputy vacancies mount.
• ‘Unseasonably cold’ storm driving another chilly, damp weekend for Southern California .
• California roads damaged by storms could get help with Newsom’s emergency declaration.
• Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom.
• Sam Ash, iconic retailer to musicians, plays its last notes .

Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here .

Column One is The Times’ home for narrative and longform journalism. Here’s a great piece from this week:

Feds say he masterminded an epic California water heist. Some farmers say he’s their Robin Hood . Stolen water is an indelible part of California lore. But the federal case against Dennis Falaschi, longtime head of the Panoche Water District, alleges one of the most audacious water grabs in modern history.

More great reads

• California climbers train for Mt. Everest from the comfort of their own beds .
• The longest, strangest trip: Some psychedelic drug users are stuck with unwelcome highs.
• Palos Verdes Peninsula landslides can tell us a lot about L.A. history.
• ‘The Phantom Menace’ dominated 1999’s box office. History has been kinder to it .

How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to [email protected] .

For your weekend

• 🎨 Meow Wolf supercharged the way we experience art. Is L.A. ready for the wild ride?
• 🍣 A generation after Nobu, Peruvian sushi blooms in Long Beach .
• 📺 How to watch the 2024 Met Gala and everything else you need to know.
• 🥧 Here’s a recipe for blueberry biscuits, muffins and pie .
• ✏️ Get our free daily crossword puzzle, sudoku, word search and arcade games .

How well did you follow the news this week? Take our quiz.

Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team

Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor Christian Orozco, assistant editor Defne Karabatur, fellow Ryan Fonseca, reporter Andrew Campa, Sunday reporter Stephanie Chavez, deputy metro editor Karim Doumar, head of newsletters

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Kevinisha Walker is a multiplatform editor for newsletters at the Los Angeles Times. She previously worked as a social media editor at the Daily Beast and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans and a master’s in journalism from Roosevelt University. Walker is a proud New Orleanian, but currently calls Long Beach home.

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May 9, 2024

I moved using the Amtrak Auto Train, where you bring your car with you. The 17-hour ride went by fast and we avoided tons of traffic.

• My mom and I spent 17 hours on the Amtrak Auto Train from Florida to Virginia when I was in college.
• I saved time and stress by not having to drive 900 miles and had access to Wi-Fi and roomy seats.
• Riding the train and taking a car on the Auto Train can cost over $600, but the price is worth it.

My mother and I took the Amtrak Auto Train back in August 2017 when I was in college and needed a way to move all my belongings and bring my car with me from Florida to Virginia.

When it comes to traveling from Florida to Virginia, the Amtrak Auto Train is one of the best ways to get around. By riding the Auto Train, I saved over 900 miles on my car and skipped all of the traffic on Interstate 95. 

So, we packed my car up and took the 17-hour ride from Sanford, Florida, to Lorton, Virginia .

Here's what taking the Amtrak Auto Train was like and why I think it's worth every penny. 

Before the trip, I tried to get the best ticket price I could

Taking the Amtrak Auto Train cost me a fraction of what it would've been to ship my car, and this way, I had access to Wi-Fi and ample legroom.

When it came to purchasing tickets for the Amtrak Auto Train, I tried to pick the cheapest option, which was in the coach section. A coach ticket from Sanford, Florida, to Lorton, Virginia, currently costs about $100 to $120, and loading a standard vehicle costs $510.

I've noticed that the earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets usually are. And if you need to change the date of your trip, Amtrak doesn't charge a ticket-change fee .

Related stories

I also took the opportunity to join the Amtrak Guest Rewards program early on so I earn points from all my trips. So far, I've accumulated 2,500 points, which is enough to upgrade my seat by one class. 

We loaded the car with my college essentials and drove to the station

Per Amtrak's instructions, I packed my car like a suitcase, distributing the weight of my belongings by placing heavier comforters, sheets, and pillow sets in the back and lighter toiletries in the front.

Once my car was loaded, my mother and I drove three hours from Miami to the Sanford, Florida, station. We had a window from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. to load our car, so it was important to be on time.

Upon arrival, Amtrak staff members gave us a number to place on our dashboard as well as a numbered ticket to show at the Lorton, Virginia, station. The employees inspected the exterior of my vehicle, taking pictures to document any damage, and loaded my car.

Overall, the process was pretty smooth, and checking in took a little less than half an hour. 

I really enjoyed my experience in the coach section

After loading my car, my mom and I made our way over to coach . When I reclined my seat and put the footrest up, it felt like I was lying on a bed, and I had room to bring pillows and blankets. 

Each seat on my train also had an outlet to charge electronics and stow-away room for bags underneath the chairs.

I watched some of my favorite Netflix shows to unwind for the night. Eventually, the cabin lights were dimmed and I noticed other passengers falling asleep.

Unloading my car was a pretty simple process

We arrived at the Lorton, Virginia, station around 9 a.m. and headed to the lobby, where Amtrak staff members called out the numbers for our cars on the intercom. During this time, Amtrak employees drove each vehicle off of the train cars down a yellow ramp and pulled up to the lobby driveway for passengers to claim their cars.

The entire process took about an hour, but eventually, my number was called. I gave the Amtrak staff member my ticket so they could make sure I was claiming the correct vehicle. Once everything was verified, we got in the car and started to make our way north.

Our Amtrak trip went by so fast , and loading and unloading my car was pretty simple. Overall, I thought the train ride was worth the landscape views and the time we saved by not dealing with traffic on I-95.

This story was originally published on October 18, 2023, and most recently updated on May 8, 2024.

Watch: The true cost of turning America's school buses electric

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Tram and rail passengers face a week of disruption as strikes get underway

• rail strikes
• Monday 6 May 2024 at 9:20am

Rail and tram passengers face a week of disruption because of strikes which will lead to some parts of the country having no trains on days of industrial action.

Members of the train drivers’ union Aslef at 16 operators will launch a six-day ban on overtime on Monday, which is expected to cause short-notice cancellations.

They will also stage three, one-day strikes across different operators between May 7 and 9, as part of a long running dispute over pay.

Passengers are being urged to check before they travel, with services that do run on strike days starting later and finishing earlier than usual.

Have you heard our new podcast Talking Politics? Every week Tom, Robert and Anushka dig into the biggest issues dominating the political agenda…

No talks have been held between the union and train operators for more than a year, and for longer involving the government.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train operators, wrote to Aslef last week suggesting informal talks which could result in more formal negotiations.

A spokesman for the RDG said the rail industry is "working hard to keep trains running" but "it is likely that services on some lines will be affected on the evening before and morning after each strike between May 7 and May 9" as trains will not be in the right depots to start services the following day.

“We can only apologise to our customers for this wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aslef leadership which will sadly disrupt journeys once again.

“It will also inflict further damage on an industry that is receiving up to an additional £54 million a week in taxpayer cash to keep services running, following the Covid downturn.”

Train drivers will strike on the following days:

Tuesday May 7: c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR’s Great Northern, Thameslink and Southern (including Gatwick Express), Southeastern, and South Western Railway;

Wednesday May 8: Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway, Chiltern, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, GWR, and West Midlands Trains;

Thursday May 9: LNER, Northern, and TransPennine Express.

Aslef said its members have not had a pay rise for five years and has accused the government of “giving up” trying to resolve the dispute.

Meanwhile, engineers on the Croydon Tramlink will strike from 8pm on Sunday to 6am on Thursday in a separate pay dispute.

Unite said its members are paid up to £10,000 a year less than similarly qualified workers on London Underground.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said it is "outrageous" that Transport for London "somehow thinks it is acceptable to be systemically underpaying highly skilled workers who are essential to keep the tram system functioning.”

Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The Transport Secretary and Rail Minister have already facilitated a pay offer that would take train drivers’ average salaries up to £65,000 – almost twice the UK average salary. “Aslef are the only union left striking after the government oversaw deals with all the other unions. “Instead of causing passengers disruption, they should put this offer to their members and work with industry to end this dispute.”

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Rail strikes restart as Aslef train drivers embark on new action

Union to roll out 24-hour strikes across England’s train operators for three days this week and six-day overtime ban from Monday

Rail passengers face a week of disruption as train drivers embark on another round of industrial action on Monday, despite tentative attempts by the industry to restart talks.

Drivers in the Aslef union will strike for 24 hours at each of England’s national train operators over the course of three days from Tuesday until Thursday, while an overtime ban will apply nationwide from Monday until Saturday.

Most operators will not run any trains on their strike days, affecting some cross-border services to Wales and Scotland. The overtime ban will also reduce schedules and severely disrupt some operators who depend on voluntary shifts to run their services.

On Tuesday 7 May, the first wave will affect commuter routes into London, with drivers striking at c2c, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.

It will be followed on Wednesday by a 24-hour strike at Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains; and at LNER, Northern and TransPennine Express on Thursday.

The union said it would continue to strike for an improved pay offer, with some of its members now going five years without a pay rise and the last talks breaking down a year ago.

A hint of movement came when the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators, emailed Aslef late last week to suggest discussions about a framework for formal talks, which the union said it welcomed.

An RDG spokesperson said it had “written to the Aslef leadership to try and find areas of common ground that will allow us to move to formal negotiations”.

The Aslef general secretary, Mick Whelan, told members he would “explore this avenue in an effort to resolve this dispute”.

The drivers’ union rejected a two-year deal in early 2023 worth 4% annually, but with changes to working conditions attached. In percentage terms, the rise was less than that offered to other parts of the industry.

Speaking before this next set of rolling strikes, Whelan said: “We don’t want to be doing this. Nobody wants to be losing money, but unless we do this, nobody is going to come to the table and talk to us. So we’re left in a position whereby the only way that we can articulate our voice is to take action.”

Aslef members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue industrial action.

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Whelan added: “I’m out there talking to my people most nights of the week in branch rooms and elsewhere, and they want to keep going. They want a resolution. And after 22 months, why would you stop? We have to believe there will be an endgame; we have to believe there will be a resolution to this.

“After half a decade without a pay rise, should we stop and go another half a decade without?”

The government has argued that the offer would take the average pay of a train driver to £65,000, but it also demanded “modernisation” and workplace changes as part of the settlement.

Whelan said: “There was no workplace reform. Nobody could explain to me how cutting people’s sick pay makes a railway run quicker, or more resilient, or improves performance. It was a land grab for Ts & Cs [terms and conditions].

“We’ve done 17 pay deals in the last 12 months across the rest of the rail industry,” including in Scotland and Wales, the Elizabeth line, and for freight and open access rail operators . “None of them required any of these changes – this has got nothing to do with running a railway.”

An RDG spokesperson said the strikes would “inflict further damage on an industry that is receiving up to an additional £54m a week in taxpayer cash following the Covid downturn”.

They warned there would be reduced services from Monday, with the overtime ban’s impact varying across the country, and advised passengers to check before travel.

The wave of action is the fourth week of rolling strikes staged by Aslef since December, after it altered its tactics in a dispute that has lasted almost two years.

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May rail strikes: How is the latest train drivers’ walk-out affecting passengers?

In three days of ‘rolling’ walk-outs, most train operators involved have cancelled all services, article bookmarked.

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National rail strikes by train drivers have entered a third summer with a series of “rolling” walk-outs, one region at a time, during May .

Members of the Aslef union are halting thousands of trains on 7, 8 and 9 May 2024 – with commuters who normally go to the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday among the targets.

The aim is to disrupt services on the 14 rail firms in England that are controlled by the UK government and represented by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG). Rolling strikes cause maximum disruption for minimum loss of pay.

In addition, six days of overtime bans are causing further cancellations from 6 to 11 May.

The previous national industrial action by train drivers, comprising an overtime ban and rolling regional walk-outs, hit passengers in April .

Industrial action by Aslef train drivers in their dispute over pay and working arrangements began in July 2022. The union is demanding a no-strings pay award, but rail firms – directed by ministers – say any increase is contingent on radical reforms to working practices in order to reduce public subsidies.

During the dispute, hundreds of millions of journeys have been cancelled. Billions of pounds have been lost to the UK economy – particularly to hospitality businesses.

Taxpayers are pumping cash into an increasingly decrepit and unreliable railway to the tune of £90 per second on top of the normal subsidy. Over the course of a year, that amounts to £2.8bn in addtional public cash.

The quarrel has become increasingly bitter, with no sign of any progress towards a settlement. Negotiations were last held on 26 April 2023.

Caught in the middle of a seemingly intractable dispute: the passenger. In a snap social media poll for The Independent that garnered 2,142 responses, one in three rail travellers say they will permanently travel less after the industrial action finally ends.

For passengers, these are the key questions and answers.

Which rail firms are involved?

Aslef is in dispute with the train operating companies (TOCs) that are contracted by the UK government to provide rail services. They are:

Intercity operators:

Avanti West Coast

CrossCountry

East Midlands Railway

Great Western Railway (GWR)

TransPennine Express

Southeast England commuter operators:

Greater Anglia

GTR (Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink)

Southeastern

South Western Railway (including the Island Line on the Isle of Wight)

Operators focusing on the north of England, the Midlands and links from London

Chiltern Railways

Northern Trains

West Midlands Railway (including London Northwestern Railway)

When are the train drivers walking out?

Drivers belonging to the Aslef union are striking in the following pattern:

Tuesday 7 May

C2C, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, South Western Railway.

Commuters around London comprise the main target.

Wednesday 8 May

Avanti West Coast , Chiltern, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry.

The aim is to cause maximum disruption on key intercity lines as well as Midland commuter services.

Thursday 9 May

LNER , Northern and TransPennine Express. This is aimed at users of the East Coast main line and passengers in the North of England and southern Scotland.

What are the predicted effects at each operator?

GWR’s Night Riviera sleeper train from London to Penzance is cancelled until Sunday 12 May.

The Gatwick Express from London to the Sussex airport will be cancelled throughout the industrial action period.

For other operators, these are the probable service patterns – though travellers should check shortly before their planned journeys. Where trains are running, the normal hours of operation are likely to be curtailed.

Disruption is also likely on days before and after strike days. TransPennine Express says: “Plan carefully for any rail journeys as services may start later and finish earlier than usual.”

Greater Anglia is running to and from London Liverpool Street to Stansted airport, Southend, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich.

Southern is running a shuttle service between London Victoria and Gatwick airport.

Thameslink is running a shuttle service between London St Pancras and Luton (town and airport stations).

Great Northern is running a shuttle service between London King’s Cross and Cambridge.

South Western Railway is running between London Waterloo, Woking and Guildford, with some other suburban services likely.

Southeastern urges passengers not to travel, but is running services between London St Pancras and Ashford on the high-speed line; Charing Cross and Orpington; and London Bridge and Dartford.

C2C has cancelled all services.

Five train operators – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry – have cancelled all train services.

GWR will run no long-distance trains, but will connect Reading with Oxford and Basingstoke, as well as a link from Bristol to Cardiff and some branch routes in Devon and Cornwall. The company says: “Many parts of the GWR network will have no service at all and trains that are running will only be operating for a limited period during the day.”

Northern and TransPennine Express has cancelled all services.

LNER is running a skeleton service on core lines between around 7am and 7pm, with about 25 per cent of the normal schedule. Its main Edinburgh-Newcastle-York-London line will have at least one train an hour, with some additional trains on the southern part of the network.

What about the overtime ban?

Members are also refusing to work their rest days from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 May, inclusive. As many rail firms depend on drivers working overtime, hundreds – possibly thousands – of trains will be cancelled.

On the first day alone, LNER cancelled or curtailed at least a dozen trains “due to a shortage of train crew”.

Greater Anglia, Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Railway will run a reduced timetable on each day of the overtime ban.

Avanti West Coast says: “On Tuesday 7, Thursday 9, Friday 10 and Saturday 11 May, a number of services will be removed from our timetable due to the overtime ban and Wednesday’s strike action. These are mostly on our Manchester and Birmingham routes, but removals have been spread throughout the day to keep people moving.”

GWR says the overtime ban will cause “some short notice cancellations or alterations to services across the GWR network”.

But Southeastern says: “We expect to run our full service during this time, except for Tuesday 7 May, which is the strike day on our network.”

Which rail firms are not involved?

Some publicly funded train operators will run normally: ScotRail, Transport for Wales, Transport for London (including the Elizabeth line) and Merseyrail.

“Open-access” operators on the East Coast main line – Grand Central, Hull Trains and Lumo – are unaffected. But many of their services will be crowded on days of industrial action. They duplicate some routes of strike-hit companies, including LNER, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry and Northern.

What is at stake in the dispute?

The train drivers demand a pay rise to reflect high levels of inflation since they last won a pay award; Aslef says some members have not had an increase for five years.

But the government insists that even a modest pay increase is contingent on radical changes to long-standing working arrangements in order to reduce costs – and the huge subsidies the railway is currently receiving from the taxpayer.

Since the pandemic, travel patterns have changed. Ticket revenue is about one-fifth down on pre-Covid levels. As taxpayers will foot the eventual bill for the train drivers’ pay rise, the Treasury as well as the Department for Transport will sign off any deal.

Ministers believe train drivers’ terms and conditions are part of the problem. To keep costs down, they must accept changes to how they work, such as making Sunday part of the working week everywhere.

On 27 April 2023 the Rail Delivery Group offered a pay increase of 4 plus 4 per cent over two years covering the 2022 and 2023 pay awards. The deal required the union to accept a host of changes on terms and conditions, covering a wide range of issues including driver training, Sunday working, sick pay and new technology.

The union says this offer is unacceptable, calling it “a land-grab for terms and conditions”, and that the employers knew it when they tabled it.

Union leaders believe the money will be found to meet their demands, as it always has been in the past. Aslef has also always “sold” reforms to working arrangements for an extra few per cent on their pay and does not intend to change that process.

Meanwhile, the corrosion in confidence among travellers continues, with no rail passenger able to plan journeys more than two weeks ahead – that being the minimum notice the union must give for industrial action.

What do the employers and government say?

A spokesperson for Rail Delivery Group said: “This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aslef leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54m a week just to keep services running.

“We continue to seek a fair agreement with the Aslef leadership which both rewards our people, gives our customers more reliable services and makes sure the railway isn’t taking more than its fair share from taxpayers.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The transport secretary [Mark Harper] and rail minister [Huw Merriman] have already facilitated a pay offer that would take train drivers’ average salaries up to £65,000 – almost twice the UK average salary.

“Aslef are the only union left striking after the government oversaw deals with all the other unions. Instead of causing passengers disruption, they should put this offer to their members and work with industry to end this dispute.”

What does the union say?

The general secretary of Aslef, Mick Whelan, said big majorities in ballots for industrial action show the strength of feeling among train drivers – and that it would be pointless to put last year’s offer to a vote.

“We’re 22 months into this – the longest rail strike in history,” he told The Independent . And we’re still getting mandates of 94 to 99 per cent. Drivers would not vote to strike if they thought an offer was acceptable. They don’t. And that offer – now a year old – is dead in the water.

““Our pay deals at these companies ran out in 2019. Train drivers at these TOCs have not had an increase in salary for five years.

“It is now a year since we sat in a room with the train companies – and a year since we rejected the risible offer they made and which they admitted, privately, was designed to be rejected.”

When will the strikes finally be over?

Mick Whelan says: “In the words of Tom Petty, we won’t back down.” The working assumption is now that it will take a change of government before the dispute is settled.

No prime minister since Margaret Thatcher has demonstrated such contempt for Britain’s railway as Rishi Sunak. On the eve of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow , he announced the halving of Air Passenger Duty on domestic routes – encouraging travellers to switch from rail to air and triggering a surge of new flights within the UK .

Tearing up years of cross-party agreement, the prime minister then scrapped plans for HS2 north of Birmingham and demanded a swift sell-off of protected land to ensure the project could not be resurrected. And Mr Sunak has tolerated 18 months of intermittent strikes by train drivers with no apparent appetite for a settlement.

What does the Labour Party say?

Louise Haigh, the party’s shadow transport secretary, said: “Labour will take an unashamedly different approach to the Tories, and will work with both sides to reach a deal in the interests of passengers and workers.

“If the transport secretary took this sensible approach then perhaps we wouldn’t still be having strikes on our railways.”

The transport secretary, Mark Harper , posted earlier this month on X (formerly Twitter) : “Buried in Labour’s rail nationalisation plan: greater control for the unions, more ministerial meddling,leading to fewer services. Making things worse for passengers.”

How much has all the disruption cost?

According to the RDG, industrial action from June 2022 up until mid-January 2024 cost the rail sector around £775m in lost revenue. That does not include the impact of the most recent strikes and overtime bans, which probably takes the total to around £1bn.

UKHospitality estimates the lost business for places to eat, drink and stay amounts to around £5bn. Kate Nicholls, the organisation’s chief executive, says: “Ongoing strike action hurts businesses, prevents people from getting to work and significantly erodes confidence in the rail network.”

In addition, there is an unknowable loss of revenue from passengers who have adjusted their lifestyles or found alternative forms of transport; businesses that have stopped making trips and are using online communication instead; and people trimming back on travel because of the lack of certainty.

What about the new minimum service levels law?

Legislation now allows the transport secretary to stipulate minimum service levels (MSLs) on strike days amounting to 40 per cent of the normal service.

The government says the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 aims “to ensure that the public can continue to access services that they rely on, during strike action”.

No train operator is seeking to impose the new law on the train drivers’ union. LNER said it might do so earlier this year, and opened consultations. Aslef immediately called a separate five-day strike on LNER alone. Then the train operator said it would not require drivers to work, and the strike was called off.

The Transport Select Committee has previously warned of potential unintended consequences of the legislation. The Conservative chair, Iain Stewart, said: “There is a risk of MSLs worsening worker-employer relations and that, as a result, MSLs could end up making services less reliable.”

The minimum service level rules do not apply to union bans on non-contractual rest-day working – so there would be no benefit in imposing the law when an overtime ban is in force.

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