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The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

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You'll see nothing of America at 35,000 feet, come down to Earth and see world class scenery from an Amtrak train across the United States.  You can travel cross-country from as little as $236 (£188 or €220) if you book well in advance, one of the world's great travel bargains.  The USA has an excellent rail network for visitors, it may only be a skeleton network by European standards but it'll take you to almost all the towns & cities a visitor wants to see, in comfort at affordable prices.  It'll take you to many of the U.S. national parks, too.  Long-distance trains in the USA are operated by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, better known as Amtrak, www.amtrak.com .  This page explains what you need to know to plan and book a memorable cross-country trip by train.

Train service in the USA, at a glance    See detailed map

This route map shows where Amtrak trains run.  Each of the very long-distance transcontinental routes shown in blue has one daily train, except for New York to Florida with 2 trains a day and the Sunset Limited (New Orleans-San Antonio-Los Angeles) which runs 3 times a week.  Important short distance routes (for example, Washington-New York-Boston or Los Angeles-San Diego) have regular intercity services and are shown in red.  It's easy to check Amtrak train times at www.amtrak.com , just use their online booking system.  Click here for the official large-scale Amtrak route map .

Useful country information

Cross-country by train.

The 3,000 mile journey across the United States by train is one of the world's greatest travel experiences.  It's easy, comfortable, safe, and an affordable alternative to flying.  Free route guides are available on board each train, telling you what to look out for from the window, and the scenery on many routes is world class. 

In a nutshell

The 3,000 mile coast-to-coast train ride takes 3 nights, without stopovers.

Choose from 4 or 5 different cross-country routes, each with their own character.  I explain the most scenic routes below with train times & description.  You can stop off on the way, but remember that a separate ticket/reservation is needed for each stage.

It takes one night from New York, Boston or Washington DC to Chicago where you change trains, then two nights from Chicago to Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle on a superb double-deck Superliner train .  You can also travel coast to coast via New Orleans , this takes an extra night as you need to spend a night in New Orleans.  Most of the trains run daily all year round, although the New Orleans-LA train only operates three times a week.

Check out the cross-country train packages at www.amtrakvacations.com , they can sort packages with tickets, private sleeping accommodations on the train, stopovers & hotels included.

If you book regular tickets online at www.amtrak.com , cross-country fares from New York to Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle start at just $236 in a spacious reclining seat, surely one of the world's greatest travel bargains.  A private sleeper for 1 or 2 people can be added to your booking, the extra cost is often quite hefty but the sleeper room charge includes all meals as well as tea, coffee & fruit juice throughout the trip. Amtrak's spacious trains also have cafe & lounge cars, open to both seat and sleeper passengers.  See descriptions of the trains here .

On-time performance .  Bear in mind that these trains run for over 2,000 miles, although they often arrive on time or perhaps half an hour late, they can sometimes arrive an hour or two late or more, so don't book any tight connections.  You can see how your chosen trains have performed the last few weeks using www.amtrak.com/historical-on-time-performance and you can also see real-time train positions & performance at www.asm.transitdocs.com .

Which is the best cross-country train route?

I've crossed the United States multiple times by train, using every major cross-country train except the Texas Eagle.  Each transcontinental route has its own distinctive character even if the trains themselves are the same, but one stands out as the most spectacular for both scenery & historical significance:  I recommend the California Zephyr between Chicago and San Francisco, which you can take in connection with the Lake Shore Limited between New York or Boston and Chicago, or the Capitol Limited between Washington DC and Chicago.

The California Zephyr is one of world's greatest train journeys, in around 48 hours you will leave Chicago, roll over the vast farmlands of Nebraska, cross the Mississippi, scale the Rockies out of Denver over breakfast in the diner, snake through lovely Colorado canyons, and pass through the Sierra Nevada mountains to reach Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay area.  The route covers much of the very first historic trans-continental railroad route, and there's a commentary for the most significant section.  To give you an idea of what a cross-country train ride is like on this route, see the California Zephyr page . 

However, all Amtrak's cross-country train routes are scenic, and the Southwest Chief is another favourite.  It'll take you from Chicago to Los Angeles over the Santa Fe railroad (which used to operate the famous Super Chief) , alongside the equally famous Route 66, through Navajo Indian country.  This is another amazing trip, with a chance to stop off at the Grand Canyon .

Cross-country westbound 2024

* The California Zephyr terminates in Emeryville and an Amtrak Thruway bus transfers passengers across the Bay Bridge to the Temporary Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco.  Tickets can be booked through to (and luggage checked through to) San Francisco Transbay Terminal as if it was a rail station.

** The Chicago-Los Angles portion only runs 3 times a week, departing Chicago on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays. Daily Chicago-San Antonio.

Use these times as a guide, always check current times & fares at www.amtrak.com as they change from time to time.

Cross-country eastbound 2024

* The California Zephyr starts in Emeryville.  An Amtrak Thruway bus links the Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco with Emeryville across the Bay Bridge.  Tickets can be booked through from (and luggage checked in at) the Amtrak station at San Francisco Transbay Terminal as if it was a rail station.

*** The Los Angles to Chicago portion only runs 3 times a week, leaving LA on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays.  Daily San Antonio-Chicago.

Facilities on each train

What are the trains like.

Click here to see what the trains are actually like inside & out, and to understand the sleeping-car, lounge & dining facilities.

How much does it cost?

3,000 miles coast-to-coast overland for as little at $236 has to be one of the world's greatest travel bargains!  Railpass options .

Amtrak fares are dynamic, so you'll see various prices on various dates, book ahead for the cheapest prices - these are the cheapest examples I have found.

Round trip fares are twice the one-way fare.  Children 2-12 (inclusive) travel at reduced fare, children under 2 travel free (limit one child under 2 per adult).

There's a 10% discount for seniors over 65 on some fares.  The discount applies to the base fare but not to saver fares, flexible fares, roomette/bedroom charges.

If you choose to travel in a sleeper, the premium fare column on the Amtrak website will show the total cost for all passengers travelling in a roomette or bedroom.  This is calculated as a basic fare for each passenger plus one charge covering the whole roomette or bedroom.  The roomette or bedroom cost is the same whether it's occupied by one person or two.  So a sleeper is a lot better value if there are two of you!  The two people price in the table above is the total you pay for two people sharing a roomette or bedroom.

Tip :  You can save 10% on the basic travel fare (but not on accommodation supplements) by becoming a member of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, which at the time of writing costs $35 for an individual or $50 for a family.  It can pay for itself on one coast to coast trip.  See www.narprail.org for full details and online sign-up.

Can I stop off on the way?

Yes of course, but if you want to stop off you'll need to buy separate tickets for each leg.  To book a cross-country trip with stopovers at any cities you want, simply look for the 'Multi-City' link at top right of the booking form on www.amtrak.com .  This allows you to book a trip with up to 4 segments, and of course you can book additional segments as separate bookings.  However, if you buy a through ticket at the cheapest price between an East Coast city such as New York and a West Coast city such as Los Angeles, then no, you cannot stop off, you must travel direct on your assigned trains.  Although the several hours between trains in Chicago is often time enough to climb the Sears Tower (now owned by the Willis corporation, see theskydeck.com ) and get great views over the city, it's only 5 minutes walk from Chicago Union Station!  As you can see from the fares table above, separate tickets New York to Chicago and Chicago-Los Angeles (so you can stop off in Chicago) work out about $35 more expensive than a New York to Los Angeles through ticket.

Want to stop off at the Grand Canyon?  See the Grand Canyon section

All the trains shown here offer checked baggage.  All passengers (both coach & sleeper) are entitled to check in up to 2 large items of luggage free of charge, plus an additional 2 large items for $20 each.  Maximum 50lbs (23Kg) per item, maximum total linear dimension (length + height + width) = 75".  Oversize bags (up to a total linear dimension of 100") $20 per bag.  A name and address label must be attached to each item.  Hand luggage is limited to two items per passenger, maximum 50lbs (23Kg) per item, dimensions 28" x 22" x 14".  See www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy .

You can check bags through to your final destination, so for example if you have a New York to San Francisco ticket you can check your bags in at New York all the way to San Francisco Transbay Terminal.  They will be transferred for you from train to train in Chicago and from train to bus at Emeryville, leaving you free of it until you arrive.

How to buy tickets

Option 1, buy at www.amtrak.com

Anyone from any country can buy tickets at Amtrak's own website www.amtrak.com , which sells all types of accommodation, seat & sleeper.

Booking opens 11 months in advance.  An e-ticket will be emailed to you, you can print it out or show it on your phone.

Or call Amtrak 24 hours a day on 1-800-USA RAIL.  From outside of the USA, Amtrak's international desk is + 1-215-856-7952.  Open Mon-Fri 08:30-16:00 Eastern Time.

Option 2, buy at Omio.com

Omio.com sells tickets for Amtrak seated accommodation quickly & simply, in multiple languages & currencies.  However, it can't sell sleeper accommodation.  You print out your ticket or can show it on your phone.

Let Amtrak Vacations arrange your trip

Amtrak Vacations is Amtrak's official partner for vacations, tours & packages.

Amtrak Vacations can put a package together from anywhere to anywhere to your specification, with private sleeping accommodations on the train, stopovers at cities or national parks, hotels & transfers.

They'll also do ticket-only bookings for cross-country Amtrak journeys, and you may get more help and advice if you book through them as they specialise in Amtrak's long-haul routes.  

Click here for Amtrak Vacations' cross-country packages

Lines are open 09:00-22:00 Monday-Friday & 09:00-17:30 Saturday, Eastern Time (5 hours behind the UK).

Let Railbookers arrange your trip

Railbookers are train travel specialists with offices in the UK, Australia & United States.  They can arrange coast to coast tours by train to your own specification, with trains, stopovers, hotels, transfers and (if necessary) flights all sorted.

Escorted tours with Great Rail Journeys

Using a usa railpass.

A USA Railpass is available covering the whole Amtrak network or just parts of it, see advice on USA Railpasses here .

See it in pictures: Cross-country by train

See an illustrated journey from New York to San Francisco on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited and California Zephyr.

Back to top

Cross-country via New Orleans

This is the Southern cross-country route, a whole different flavour from the routes via Chicago.  Coast to coast via New Orleans takes 4 nights, making it slower than the more usual transcontinental route via Chicago, as you need to spend a night in New Orleans - but a stopover down south is hardly a burden!  For a taste of the deep south, this is the way to go.

Amtrak fares vary dynamically, so you'll see various fares on various dates, book ahead for the cheapest prices - these are just typical examples, assuming you book ahead.

Luggage arrangements .  Railpass options .   Can I stop off?

New York to Florida

Introducing Amtrak's Silver Service from New York & Washington DC to Orlando, Tampa & Miami.

Facilities on board

Silver Meteor:   Amfleet reclining seats ,  Viewliner sleeping-car , Amfleet cafe car .

Silver Star:   Amfleet reclining seats ,  Viewliner sleeping-car , Amfleet cafe car.

Luggage arrangements .

Anyone from any country can buy tickets at Amtrak's own website www.amtrak.com .  This sells all types of accommodation, seat & sleeper.

Omio.com sells tickets for Amtrak seated accommodation quickly & simply, in multiple languages & currencies.  However, it can't sell sleeper accommodation.  You just print out your ticket or show it on your phone.

Boston - New York - Washington

A fast and frequent inter-city service links Boston, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC.  There are two types of train: Acela Express 150mph high-speed trains with 1st class & business class (premium fares apply) and regular trains with coach class and (in most cases) business class.  There are also services from Boston to Portland (Maine) and from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. See www.amtrak.com for times, fares and online booking, or try Omio.com .

How long does it take?

New York to Washington takes as little as 2h48 by Acela Express.

New York to Boston takes 3h30 by Acela Express.

Fares vary like air fares, with cheaper prices available the further ahead you book.  Round trip fares are twice the one-way fare.  Children 2-12 (inclusive) travel at reduced fare (except on Acela Express where there is no discount for children on weekdays), children under 2 travel free (limit one child under 2 per adult).

Luggage on Washington-New York-Boston trains:   These trains don't have checked baggage, you simply take your luggage with you onto the train and put it on the racks just as you would on any European train.  You can take 2 items up to 23Kg each, plus two smaller personal bags each up to 11Kg - pretty generous, see www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy .

Omio.com sells Amtrak tickets quickly & simply, in multiple languages & currencies.  You just print your ticket or show it on your phone.

Acela Express

Acela Express is Amtrak's very own high-speed train, reaching 150 mph on certain sections of upgraded line.  It has first class & business class, there's no economy coach class.  Premium fares apply, with no discounts for children on weekdays.

Northeast Regional trains

Cheaper but slower than Acela Express, with coach class & business class between Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore & Washington DC.

Other Amtrak routes

New york - niagara falls.

Three daily trains link New York via Albany with Niagara Falls.  Journey time is a leisurely 8 hours 30 minutes, a relaxing journey along the Hudson River Valley out of New York, past Storm King Mountain and West Point Military Academy, a very scenic route, highly recommended.  See either Omio.com or www.amtrak.com for times, fares and online booking.

New York - Toronto, Montreal (Canada)

A daily train called the Maple Leaf links New York with Toronto via Niagara Falls, and another daily train called the Adirondack links New York with Montreal via the scenic Adirondack mountains.  Both trains travel along the Hudson River Valley out of New York, past Storm King Mountain and West Point Military Academy, a very scenic route, highly recommended.  See the Train travel in Canada page for train times .

Chicago - Memphis - New Orleans

Amtrak's daily City of New Orleans links these cities, with Superliner seats, sleeping-cars, sightseer lounge and dining-car .  For times, fares and online booking, see www.amtrak.com .

Intercity trains in California

Regular trains link Los Angeles, Anaheim (for Disneyland), and San Diego.  Regular trains link San Francisco (Oakland) with Sacramento, Bakersfield and San Jose.  A daily train links Los Angeles with San Francisco (Oakland).  See either Omio.com , www.amtrak.com or www.amtrakcalifornia.com for times, fares and online booking.

Seattle - Portland - Oakland (San Francisco) - Los Angeles

Amtrak's daily Coast Starlight links these cities, with Superliner seats, sleeping-cars, sightseer lounge and dining-car .  For times, fares and online booking, see www.amtrak.com .

Portland - Seattle - Vancouver

Amtrak runs an inter-city service between these cities, see www.amtrakcascades.com - Some of these services use European-design Talgo trains.

Luggage on trains without checked baggage:   Some of these trains don't have checked baggage, you simply take your luggage with you onto the train and put it on the racks just as you would on any European train.  Generous limits apply - 2 items each up to 23Kg, plus two smaller personal bags each up to 11Kg, see www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy .

What are Amtrak trains like ?

Short distance trains come in various types, all with comfortable air-conditioned seating and often with a café car.  On the Boston-New York-Washington DC route, there is now the premium fare, 150mph Acela Express high speed train, based on French TGV technology, but running on conventional tracks.

(1)  Long distance trains in the east

Long-distance trains east of Chicago (such as the New York-Chicago Lake Shore Limited , the New York to Florida Silver Star & Silver Meteor or the New York to New Orleans Crescent , but not the Washington to Chicago Capitol Limited ) have Viewliner sleeping-cars , Amfleet reclining seat cars and an Amfleet cafe/lounge car serving snacks and drinks.  If you have paid for a sleeper, meals are included in the fare.

Amfleet reclining seats

These distinctive stainless-steel coaches have comfortable reclining seats with loads of legroom, drop-down tables & 120v power sockets for laptops & mobiles.  Drinking water is available in each coach.  Unlike in Europe, your reservation does not secure a specific seat in a specific coach, you can sit where you like once on board.  An attendant looks after each seats car, and will place a 'seat ticket' above your seat to indicate that the seat is taken.

Dining cars, cafe cars & flexible dining

Most long-distance trains have a cafe/lounge car serving hot & cold drinks and snacks, with an area with seats & tables for socialising.  The cafe/lounge car can be used by both sleeper and seats passengers.

Traditional dining-cars on all the 1-night long-distance trains east of Chicago were discontinued in 2018-2019.

Amtrak now offers sleeper passengers what it calls Flexible Dining on these trains.  Sleeper passengers are served pre-packed reheated or microwaved meals delivered to their sleeper compartments, or meals can be served in the table area of the cafe/lounge car.   The New York-Florida Silver Star and Silver Meteor retain dining-cars of the new Viewliner II type with an impressive double row of windows, but only to serve the pre-packaged Flexible Dining meals to sleeper passengers.

Latest update:   In March 2023 full dining has been reinstated on the Silver Star between New York and Florida.

Viewliner sleeping-cars

Long-distance trains in the East have Viewliner sleeping cars.  The distinctive double row of windows on these cars makes them light & airy during the day, and gives both upper & lower berths a window for star-gazing at night.  Travelling by Amtrak sleeper is a real treat.  All sleeper passengers get complimentary meals in the dining car,  and a 'coffee station' provides complimentary tea/coffee & fruit juice in the morning.  You return from dinner in the diner to find you bed made up for the night by the sleeper attendant.  A hot shower is available at the end of the corridor if you're travelling in a roomette, or en suite if you are travelling in a bedroom.  All necessary bedding, soap and towels are provided.  However, sleeper travel isn't cheap.  In Europe you can pay a small supplement for a berth in a shared couchette or sleeper compartment.  In the US, you have to pay for the whole room whether there are two of you or just one.  To give you a rough idea, some sample sleeper supplements are shown in the fares section above.   Viewliner sleeping-cars have:

(2)  Long distance trains in the west

Long-distance trains between Chicago & Los Angeles/San Francisco/Seattle/Portland, also the New Orleans-Los Angeles Sunset Limited , Seattle-Los Angeles Coast Starlight and Washington DC-Chicago Capitol Limited use impressive double-deck Superliner cars.  Superliner trains have coach class reclining seats , sleeping-cars , a dining car & an observation-lounge car .  A route guide is available free on these trains, telling you want to look out for along the way.  Watch a video guide to Amtrak Superliner trains .

Superliner reclining seats

Coach class reclining seats are spacious with lots of legroom, comparable with business class on an airliner.  Don't worry if you can't afford a sleeper, these seats recline to about 40 degrees, and are quite easy to sleep in, in fact if there is any train in the world where I wouldn't much mind not having a sleeper, Amtrak trains are the ones I'd choose.  There are 120v power sockets for laptops & mobiles at each seat, and drinking water is available in each coach.  Unlike in Europe, your reservation does not secure a specific seat in a specific coach, you can sit where you like once on board.  An attendant looks after each seats car, and will place a 'seat ticket' above your seat to indicate that the seat is taken.  You can either bring a blanket or buy an Amtrak blanket from the lounge car.  Panorama photo of Superliner coach class .

Superliner Sightseer Lounge car

On the upper deck is an observation lounge with armchairs & tables and huge windows for sightseeing.  On the lower deck is a cafe selling drinks & snacks.  All passengers can use the lounge car, whether they are travelling in coach class or in the sleepers.  You end up spending most of your day here, watching America unfold in front of you!   Seats are available on a first-come, first served basis, but it's not usually too difficult to find a seat or two free.  However, they do fill up for the most scenic sections of the journey!  See panorama of a Superliner lounge car .

Superliner dining car

Trains west of Chicago retain a proper dining-car with freshly-cooked food.  During the pandemic, the dining-car was only open to sleeper passengers, but in 2023 coach seat passengers were allowed to use the diner again on most routes.  The dining-car serves breakfast, lunch & dinner.  All the tables in a Superliner dining-car are on the top deck for great views while you eat - the kitchens are downstairs.

Meals are included in the fare if you have a sleeper, although drinks are extra.  In the sleepers, the dining-car manager comes down the train asking each passenger which sitting for lunch or dinner they'd like, and issuing table reservations.  An announcement is made at the start of each sitting. 

Note that couples and singles don't get a whole 4-seater restaurant table to themselves, you'll normally be seated with other passengers. This is a great chance to meet people, even if you're travelling solo.  Panorama photo of Superliner dining-car .

What's the food like?   The food is surprisingly good:  The Angus Steak Burger is great for lunch, for dinner the herb-roast chicken & rice is good and the garlic butter marinated New York Strip Steak is excellent.  A beer costs around $6, a half bottle of very good Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot costs around $15.  For breakfast next morning a freshly-cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon & potatoes hits the spot.  There is also a children's menu.  Credit cards are accepted.  You can find sample menus on the Amtrak website www.amtrak.com , click 'plan' then look for 'meal & dining options'.

Since 2018, sleeper passengers on the Lake Shore Limited  (NYC-Chicago) & Capitol Limited (Washington-Chicago) get a pre-packed meal either served in their compartment or eaten in a lounge area.

Superliner sleeping-car s

Travelling by Amtrak sleeper is a real treat.  All sleeper passengers get complimentary breakfast, lunch & dinner in the dining car,  and each sleeping-car has a 'coffee station' with complimentary tea/coffee and fruit juice available in the morning.  You return from dinner in the diner to find you bed made up for the night by the sleeper attendant.  All necessary bedding, soap and towels are provided.  Superliner sleeping-cars are double-deck, with 10 very compact 2-berth roomettes and 4 larger 2-berth bedrooms on the upper deck, whilst the lower deck has another 4 roomettes, 1 family bedroom & 1 special accessible bedroom.  The bedrooms have a private shower & toilet, for roomette passengers there are toilets on both upper and lower decks, and a hot shower on the lower deck.  The gangways to the adjacent cars are on the upper deck.  However, sleeper travel isn't cheap.  In Europe you can pay a small supplement for a berth in a shared couchette or sleeper compartment.  In the US, you have to pay for the whole room whether there are two of you or just one.  To give you a rough idea, some sample sleeper supplements are shown in the fares section above.   Superliner sleeping-cars offer:

Video guide: Riding a Superliner train

The grand canyon connection.

There are two main ways to reach the Grand Canyon as part of a cross-country train trip, after you get off Amtrak's Chief at Flagstaff Arizona.  The first is to use a bus between Flagstaff and the South Rim of the Canyon, journey time 1 hour 45 minutes each way.  The other is to take a connecting Amtrak Thruway bus to the nearby town of Williams and use the historic Grand Canyon Railway to the Canyon, journey time 2 hours Williams to the South Rim.

Option 1, Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon by bus

Scheduled buses link Flagstaff's Amtrak station (which also incorporates the excellent local Visitor Centre) with the Grand Canyon's South Rim, with an 8am bus departure from Flagstaff conveniently connecting out of Amtrak's Chief from Los Angeles arriving at the Grand canyon around 1 hour 45 minutes later.  A bus returns from the Grand Canyon at 6.15pm (also at 4.15pm from March to October), arriving back in Flagstaff 1 hour 45 minutes or so later.  It can easily be done as a day trip, returning to Flagstaff in time for the evening Chief to Los Angeles, although you can of course choose to stay overnight at the hotels at the Grand Canyon.  For bus times see groometransportation.com/grand-canyon .  The bus fare is around $34 each way.

Grand Canyon Tours from Flagstaff:   Alternatively, take a tour.  A company called The Grand Canyon Store http://grandcanyoncustomtours.com   offers 1-day tours from both Flagstaff & Williams to the Grand Canyon, including a tour to the Grand Canyon Village & South Rim, and the more extensive Inner Canyon Tour that actually takes you to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon, not merely to the South Rim as with other tours and the scheduled bus - not surprisingly the Inner Canyon Tour is their most popular!  They also do a tour from Flagstaff to the South Rim using the Grand Canyon Railway, see the section below.

www.amtrakvacations.com can put together an Amtrak coast-to-coast package for you with a stopover at the Grand Canyon, or a tour from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon and back, customised you your specification.  See Grand Canyon packages .

Option 2, Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway

The more interesting way to reach the Canyon is on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the Canyon's South Rim.  This is the original Santa Fe railroad branch line, Williams Junction just outside Williams town is where the line diverges from the Chicago-LA main line.  However, Amtrak's Southwest Chief no longer calls at Williams Junction (it called there at uncivilised times in any case), you now use Flagstaff as the stop for the Grand Canyon with Amtrak bus connection to Williams.

To reach the Grand Canyon by train, get off the Amtrak's Chief at Flagstaff and take the connecting Amtrak Thruway bus to Williams.  The buses are timed to connect with train's arrival & departure to and from both Chicago and Los Angeles.  Williams is a pleasant town with plenty of motels, shops & diners.  The Grand Canyon Railway runs a daily morning train some 65 miles over the Santa Fe's historic railway from Williams station to Grand Canyon South Rim station in the Grand Canyon Village, right on the edge of the Canyon's South Rim.  The train returns in the afternoon, arriving in time to have dinner then catch the shuttle bus to Flagstaff for Amtrak's Chief onwards to Los Angeles.

The Amtrak reservation system at www.amtrak.com will actually let you buy through tickets between Los Angeles and Grand Canyon in either direction, although if you want to book through tickets between New York or Chicago and Grand Canyon this involves an overnight stay in Williams so you'll need to use the multi-city booking feature.  But you can book your Amtrak trains at www.amtrak.com then book the Grand Canyon train at the GCR official website, www.thetrain.com .

You can also book Chicago-LA packages with Amtrak travel and a trip to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway at www.amtrakvacations.com , Amtrak's official partner for tours and packages involving Amtrak travel.  See Grand Canyon packages .

The fare includes entry to the Wild West show at Williams station in the hour before departure, and some Wild West entertainment on board!

USA rail passes

One of the best ways to see America is with an Amtrak USA rail pass, but be aware of its limitations before you invest in one.

A 30-day 10-segment rail pass costs around $499.

That's 10 train rides, enough to travel coast to coast 5 times, at €49.90 per train ride!  Children aged 2-12 get passes for half price, under 2's travel free.

Segments:   Sadly, since 2008 Amtrak's USA railpass no longer gives unlimited travel, it only covers a maximum of 10 'segments'.  This is the maximum number of individual train rides you can take during your 30 day pass duration.

A segment is one train ride on one train:  So a 2-day 2,200-mile trip from Chicago to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief counts as one segment, and a 30-minute ride on a Northeast Regional train is also one segment.  Go figure!  A journey involving a change of train (for example, New York to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited then Chicago to San Francisco on the California Zephyr ) counts as two segments.

Will a railpass save you money?   Very probably, if you intend making 8, 9 or 10 long-distance train rides.  10 rides for $499 is €49.90 per train ride, if (say) you only used 7 segments it'd work out at $71 per train ride.  Now use the journey planner at www.amtrak.com to see what normal fares would be, to compare.  But read the bit about passholder quotas below!

Reservations, upgrades & quotas

Railpasses are valid for any Amtrak train in the USA except Acela Express high-speed services and the Auto-Train car-carrying service.

Reservations are required!   The railpass is not a ticket, you must make a (free) reservation before boarding any train.  You can make reservations online at www.amtrak.com after buying your pass.  Alternatively, you can make them at stations as you travel around or by calling Amtrak's 24 hour freephone number, 1-800-USA RAIL (from outside the States call Amtrak on (001) 215-856-7953, not free).

Upgrading to a sleeper is no longer possible:   It used to be possible to upgrade to a private sleeper when using a pass, simply by paying the appropriate room charge.  For an idea of sleeper room charges, see the fares section above .  However, in 2021 this has changed, though it's not clear if this is permanent or temporary.  At present you cannot upgrade to a sleeper (or to business class) with a pass.  So only buy a pass if you're happy using a seat, even overnight.

Warning about passholder quotas:   After buying your pass, you can make reservations online, or at stations as you go, or by calling Amtrak.  However, with a pass you can only book trains on which a Value or Saver fare is available.  If only the most expensive Flexible fare is showing, you cannot use your pass on that train, even if there are seats still available for customers paying cash.  Many trains have Value or Saver fares available even on the day before departure, and sometimes even on the day of travel itself, but not always.  Trains get busy in summer, Value and Saver fares have limited-availability and often sell out.  When they sell out, you can't use your pass on that train.  So don't buy a pass only to find you can't travel on the trains you need.  Before buying the pass, use the journey planner at www.amtrak.com to get a feel for how fares work, and to see if your chosen trains have Value or Saver fares left.

How to buy an Amtrak Railpass

Check prices in pounds & buy a USA railpass (UK-based company, but passes sent to addresses worldwide)

Check prices in Australian dollars & buy a USA railpass (Australia & NZ residents)

Tours by train across America

Amtrak vacations, www.amtrakvacations.com.

Amtrak Vacations is Amtrak's official partner.  They can put a package together to your own specification, from anywhere to anywhere, with private sleeping accommodations on the train, stopovers at cities or national parks, hotels & transfers.  They'll also do ticket-only bookings for cross-country Amtrak journeys, and you may get more help and advice if you book through them as they specialise in Amtrak's long-haul routes.

Railbookers

Train travel specialist Railbookers have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.  They can arrange a tour by train across the United States on Amtrak, starting any date you like, to your own specification with hotels and train reservations all made for you, hassle-free.  They know what they're doing, and take good care of their clients, and I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Escorted coast-to-coast tour with www.greatrail.com , 01904 527 120

G uidebooks, click the images to buy at amazon.co.uk or amazon.com.

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Hotels in the USA

New York:  The Algonquin is New York's oldest operating hotel, opened in 1902, and a designated New York City Historic Landmark.  Perfectly located in mid-town Manhattan, a block or two from Times Square one way and Grand Central the other, with a lovely wood-panelled lobby and even its own hotel cat, which you may find wandering the corridors or sitting on the reception desk.  To check prices & book, click here .  For the Algonquin's history see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Hotel .

Washington DC:   Phoenix Park Hotel .  A great choice, directly across the road from Union Station so handy for arrivals and departures by train, with an excellent Irish Pub doing great food & Irish beer on the premises, and just 2 minutes walk from the capitol.  From around $154 for a double.

Los Angeles:   Hotel Queen Mary (closed for refurbishment in mid-2022, but reopened in April 2023).  This has got to be of the most fascinating places to stay, anywhere.  If you go to Los Angeles, consider making the Hotel Queen Mary your base to explore the Los Angeles - Hollywood - Disneyland area.  The original Queen Mary of 1936 has been permanently moored at Long Beach in California since the late 1960s, some 25 miles from Los Angeles Union Station (about a $90 taxi ride), and it's undoubtedly the most wonderful place to stay in LA.  The hotel consists of most of the original first class cabins on board the Queen Mary, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars available on board, too.  Hotel guests can more or less wander the ship at will, and even sign up for ghost hunts at night on board (and yes, from my own experience there is something going on aboard that beautiful ship!).  Wood panelled art deco interiors have been preserved, although a few modern items have been installed such as televisions, and (as we worked out from a historic deck plan) in some cases two of the Queen Mary's original cabins have been knocked into one hotel suite by turning one of the en suite bathrooms into a connecting corridor.  She is one of the most atmospheric places I have ever stayed.

Backpacker hostels in the USA: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in many places across the States at rock-bottom prices.

Flights to the USA

1)  check flight prices at opodo, www.opodo.com, 2)  use skyscanner to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines....

3)  Lounge passes

Make the airport experience a little more bearable with a VIP lounge pass, it's not as expensive as you think, see www.loungepass.com .  I have found that having lounge access with complimentary tea, coffee, food and wine makes all the difference to an economy flight.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  W hy you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com .

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Meet the U.S. Tourists Who Only Travel by Train

By Julia Ries

When you hear someone talk about a train ride, they’re most likely talking about it as a means of getting from Point A to Point B. But for many people, a train ride is a vacation in itself.

Today’s railroads can take you to pretty much every corner of the country—from lakes in Louisiana to the mountains in Montana, forgotten towns in the midwest, the Pacific Ocean, and everything else in between—and loyal train travelers tend to love them for the same reasons: the people you meet, the scenery you see, and the ease and convenience with which you can pop out and explore new places. We spoke to four people who plan their vacations around the rail system. They opened up about their love for the rails, what ignited it and what keeps them coming back for more. Here’s what they said.

“There is no better way to see the vastness of the United States.”

Jim Loomis lives in Hawaii, so the first 3,000 miles of any trip has to be by air. But once he makes it to the mainland, it’s all trains from there on out. Throughout the course of his rail travels, which have encompassed over 300,000 miles, Jim has written books on what it’s really like to travel by train and continues to post tips and stories to his blog Trains & Travel .

My love for trains really began when I was a kid growing up in Connecticut. At the time, my grandparents lived in Ft. Myers, Florida, so every couple of years my family would book a train trip and travel all the way down the East Coast from New York to Florida.

I loved it, and as a kid, I found it to be the greatest adventure. At 22, I moved to Hawaii and didn’t have the money to get back to the mainland for several years. In the late ‘90s, when I could finally afford to fly to the West Coast and take some train trips, I convinced my wife and daughter to accompany me on a cross-country train ride to Florida. But when I went to find literature on North American train travel, there was nothing—and I realized this was a big space I could tap into. I’ve been traveling by train ever since.

All in all, I’ve train-traveled over 300,000 miles. To me, there is no better way to see the vastness of the United States. There’s such variety in the country’s landscape; in the midwest, you’ll see fields of corn and soybeans before the train climbs mountains and shoots across the desert.

My favorite trip, by far, has been Amtrak’s very popular California Zephyr , which goes from Chicago to Denver to Salt Lake City to the Bay Area. The ride climbs up 9,000 feet in Denver and passes through the Moffat Tunnel before following the Colorado River for a couple hundred miles. From there, it goes through several gorges as it makes its way to Salt Lake City. Then it climbs over the Sierras—where you can look down and see the Donner Pass—and chugs on through to Sacramento. It’s spectacular.

If you’re traveling a long distance, my number one tip is to get a sleeper car if you can afford to do so. Get to know some other people on the train—learn about their lives, and what brought them to the rails. That, to me, is the most interesting part of long distance train traveling. I’ve had many wonderful conversations with fascinating people, some of whom have become lifelong friends.

Madison Butler

“You really get to see so many different people and ways of life.”

Madison Butler lives in Minneapolis and is a communications manager with the non-profit Rail Passenger Association . Growing up in central Kentucky, there weren’t many trains around, but Butler quickly fell in love with the rails, and the convenience they offered, when they took a 50-day, 25-city trip in 2019.

My biggest train trip has definitely been my favorite. In 2019, right before the pandemic, I traveled to 25 cities in 50 days through an internship with the Rail Passenger Association. I grew up in a rural town in Kentucky where we didn’t have much public transportation. As a teenager, I took a train ride from Chicago to New York and to Canada and saw the potential of what rail infrastructure could look like in smaller communities such as the town I grew up in.

As I got older, the high cost of flying and hassle of moving through TSA at the airport definitely pushed me to explore train travel a bit more. Not to mention, driving—and going on road trips—was a big part of my childhood, and I found rail travel to be much more invigorating and convenient. When you travel by train, you get to travel from city center to city center. The train literally drops you off right where you need to be. To me, the reduction in stress the train offers is revolutionary.

Jessica Puckett

Alex Erdekian

What has caught my attention the most is the differences in train travel across the country. When you travel on the ground, you really get to see so many different people and ways of life.

I definitely recommend the Empire Builder , which runs from Chicago to either Seattle or Portland. You get to go through Glacier National Park and Montana, and see all the wilds of the greater north and Northwest. It’s stunning. I love to go to the sight-seer lounge and look out the big glass windows. Gather up your friends, take some snacks, a board game, or a bottle of wine, and have happy hour as you take in the sights.

For anyone looking to get into train travel, start with a day ride. Take a trip from your hometown to another downtown station a few hours away. I think you get the best of both worlds—you can watch things go by on the train, then go explore a new place. If you want to take a longer ride, look for trips out of Chicago, which is a major rail hub. If you can afford it, splurge on a sleeper car. You can also buy Amtrak’s Rail Pass, which gives you the opportunity to hop on and off at various locations throughout the trip so you can get some exploring in.

“The people you meet in the dining car or the scenic car make for lasting memories.”

Dale Buss has been traveling the rails for 23 years, mostly doing solo adventures all over the U.S. Now that he’s retired, Dale goes on a train trip each year with his buddy. Together they’ve seen it all, from Arizona and Utah all the way to Canada, New England, and West Virginia.

I took my first train trip back in 1998—I booked the Southwest Sheep down to Flagstaff, Arizona, and was fascinated with steam locomotives and the whole experience of traveling by train. Since 2013, I’ve been taking an annual train trip with my friend. That first year, we traveled to Arizona, Utah, and Wisconsin. The next year we traveled to the Calgary Stampede, an annual rodeo and festival up in Canada. We also did a trip around New England, one all throughout the West Coast, and another down south through West Virginia.

Of all the trips, my vacation to New Orleans really stood out to me. The sights and scenery around New Orleans—specifically Lake Pontchartrain—are breathtaking. The train goes right across the lake through the swamp area along the shore.

There’s a lot to love about train travel. First, the vehicle itself—I’ve always been fascinated by steam locomotives. There’s also the scenery that you don’t get to appreciate when you’re flying or driving. The people you meet in the dining car or the scenic car make for lasting memories. Traveling by train is inherently a leisurely trip, you take your time to get to your destination and take in a ton along the way.

If you’re going long distance, I recommend booking a sleeper car (and grab the bottom bunk if you can, it’s larger!). Don’t skip out on the dining car as it’s a great way to meet people and make new friends. Try to stop at different cities and towns along the way. And if you really want to splurge on an experience or get some inspiration, look at the trips planned out by Vacations By Rail —they have a lot of unique journeys all dependent on where the train goes next.

“I fell in love with this old-fashioned idea of the rails.”

Joe Aiello grew up in Chicago, and though he occasionally took the train up to Milwaukee, it wasn’t until graduate school that he became fascinated by train travel and all the small towns he would stumble upon between stations. He now works as a field coordinator with the Rail Passengers Association.

I was born and raised in Chicago, which was considered the epicenter of trail travel. Growing up, though, I only sporadically traveled by train—mostly up to Milwaukee to catch a ballgame or concert. In graduate school, where I studied transportation development, I fell in love with this old-fashioned idea of the rails.

I adore the idea of the train being the vehicle to your destination. So many towns and cities across the country have built up their downtowns and local ecosystems around the train station. Some of my favorite places to travel to by train include Meridian, Mississippi; Havre, Montana; and La Junta, Colorado. If not for the train service, some of these downtowns might not even exist.

For example, I really enjoy visiting Essex, Montana—a place that has a year-round population of about 140 people. There, you can find the Izaak Walton Inn, where you can sit on the porch and grab a great meal. You can also easily get to Glacier National Park. As a city kid, I never would have stumbled upon a place like that if not for the rails.

My big tip: don’t be afraid to try out other people’s stuff. Go to a place like Meridian. Go to Yuma, New Mexico, or La Junta, Colorado. Look at the map, get off at these stations, and go explore and enjoy them.

These conversations were edited and condensed for clarity.

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16 tips for travelling by train in the USA 2021

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written by Joanne Owen

updated 06.02.2024

Travelling by train in the USA is an excellent way to see vast swathes of this vast country, especially if you're on a budget. While the USA 's national rail operator Amtrak won’t get you everywhere, it's pretty darn extensive, with thirty routes throughout travelling to over 500 destinations across 46 states. What's more, travelling in the USA by train offers the exhilaration of seeing incredible landscapes zoom by, with tasty slices of Americana served up when you slow through quirky little towns. There’s also no better way to meet (or people watch) the huge range of locals who'll hop on and off during your journey. Tempted? Then read on for our 16 tips for travelling by train in the USA, covering everything from what to know before travelling to the USA for a railroad adventure, to practical booking advice - all of them top tips for USA train travel.

1. Research routes

2. research rail passes, 3. book ahead, 4. relish road-trip reads, 5. pack like a pro, 6. consider kipping options, 7. plan for delays, 8. safety first, 9. check in your bags, 10. chow down and chat, 11. chill in the bar car, 12. discover the dome car, 13. stretch without stress, 14. lounge around, 15. map transit options, 16. get more guidance.

Amtrak’s  interactive route planner  will help you choose a route - checking out this tool is definitely one of our most useful tips of USA train travel. But even before you get into the nuts and bolts of route-planning, you'll probably want to dig deeper into where you might want to end up - while the journey can sometimes be the destination, you won't want to miss out on the good stuff once you get wherever you're going. Here's an overview of a few of  many route examples  to consider:

City of New Orleans route - music-lovers might want to investigate the 19-hour Chicago-Memphis-New Orleans route that takes in 900 miles of US music heritage. Our guide to New Orleans will fill you in on what to see and do once you arrive.

Bourbon St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Texas Eagle route - this epic 32-hour-trip from Chicago to San Antonio crosses the Mississippi River, traverses the piney woods of East Texas, and passes through Dallas before winding up in stunning San Antonio .

Pacific Surfliner route - at under six hours, this 351-mile route takes passengers through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles , Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with portions of it tracking Southern California's coastline.

If, having done your route research, you decide to take a seriously long-distance trip, it will be worth looking into booking a USA Rail Pass . These start from $499 for a maximum of ten journeys (called segments in Amtrak speak) taken over 30 days to over 500 destinations. For comparison, here are some sample one-way fares:

Atlanta - New Orleans $39

Chicago - Washington $84

New York - Chicago $90

Los Angeles - Seattle $101

New York - Orlando $123

Chicago - Los Angeles $146

The Pacific Surfliner serves up seriously stunning views © Hilo Pictures/Shutterstock

Once you know where you want to go, you'll want to book tickets well in advance - all passengers must have seats, and some trains (especially those travelling between major East Coast cities) can be booked solid. In addition to the rail passes covered above, here's a run-down of the different ticket types:

Saver Fares: the lowest available fares, with limited availability, so book early to secure the best deals.

Value Fares: available on all routes, with some change and refund options, limited availability.

Flexible Fares: fully refundable with no cancellation fees, with reservations easily modified. This is your best option if you're given to travelling by instinct and on impulse - you might want the flexibility to hop off and explore those must-visit nuggets shared by locals during your journey.

Business Fares: located in a dedicated car or section of the train, Business Class offers an "affordable, enhanced travel experience", as Amtrak describe it. These enhancements vary by train and route, but include the likes of extra legroom and complimentary (non-alcoholic) drinks.

Premium Fares: there are two premium services - Acela First Class (complimentary onboard food and beverage services, plus privileged access to Club Acela lounges) and Sleeper, with rooms and roomettes available on most long-distance routes. Prices for these accommodations are included in your Premium Fare.

Going on a solo trip? Check out our guide to the best places to travel solo in the USA .

OK, so you might not be on the actual road, but reading novels about adventures across the US will do wonders to fire up your pre-trip excitement. In fact, this is one of our favourite general  USA travel tips - whether you’re travelling by train or not.

Read to ready yourself © Shutterstock

Related articles from the blog

While we're not going to run through everything you might need (we have a whole feature dedicated to packing ), we do want to share one of our top practical tips for USA train travel - take your own climate control. That is to say, keep a cardie or jumper to hand - the temperature in Amtrak's coaches is uniformly regulated year-round, meaning that even if you're winding through the scorching Arizona desert, your car is likely to be on the chilly side. You can thank us later. 

In addition, depending on what you decide to do about accommodation options (see below), you might also want to pack a pillow and something to snuggle under.

If travelling overnight, you have a few accommodation options to consider - either book a roomette or bedroom, or rough it in coach. Having said that, if you've packed like a pro, it needn't be that rough.

Roomettes are compact double cabins, some of which include an in-cabin toilet – only recommended for those who are very well acquainted with their travel partners.

Bedrooms are significantly bigger with more room to stretch out when the seats are arranged for day travel. They also have a more conventional, private enclosed toilet. Some even have showers.

Coach seats, despite being the cheapest option, have generous proportions, ample legroom (often superior to many airlines' business class seats) and recline pretty far back. Plenty of people do sleep in coach cars - you'll see whole families preparing to camp down with their own duvets and pillows.

When visiting the USA while travelling by train, it's worth knowing that Amtrak trains often share their tracks with massive, mile-long freight trains that are given priority. This means that delays on longer routes are pretty much inevitable. To be notified of delays on the move, get the Amtrak App or sign up for email notifications, which could save you from kicking your heels at your departure station.

The Rough Guides to USA and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Also bear in mind that your two-hour journey might just be a small section of a much longer, multi-day route, so try to avoid any tight connections - one of the most essential tips of USA train travel if you want to avoid any unexpected bumps in the road (or tracks).

Don't get left behind - plan your connections and be mindful of delays © Shutterstock

Statistically speaking, rail travel is still one of the safest modes of transport, and providing you take all the usual common-sense precautions, travelling in the USA by train is generally safe, but it pays to be vigilant at major stations, especially at night. As always, having insurance is a smart idea too.

Be sure to keep an eye out for your bags, stowing away all valuables. If you're using night trains it might be worth investing in a basic bike lock to tether your luggage to something sturdy for total peace of mind, as opportunistic bag theft is probably the greatest threat you'll face. Alternatively...

Stations vary in size from huge complexes with multiple bars, shops and cafés to a single platform with a station sign and a bench. Most cities will let you check your baggage for free - get to your station 40 minutes before departure to take advantage of this. Having said that, all coach cars have ample overhead storage if you prefer to keep your case with you.

Checking your bags is certainly worth it on longer journeys - it frees you up to wander off to the dining car, Bar Car or vestibules without worrying about your valuables.

Check-in to be able to check-out the train with peace of mind © Shutterstock

Feasting on a whole lot of  food  is an essential experience of travel to the USA, so it goes without saying that when travelling in the USA by train, a meal in the dining car is a must-have Amtrak experience. The Dining Car opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and usually for multiple sittings. To reserve in advance, keep an eye out for attendants.

That said, don't expect fancy Pullman-style dining. Options are fairly limited and the menu changes about as often as the timetable. But it's not all about the food - if you're travelling solo or as a pair, you'll likely be seated with fellow passengers, offering the chance to chat with locals and fellow travellers, exchange travel tips, and make new friends, with a backdrop of all-American scenery providing plenty to talk about.

US railway station with rustic charm © Pixabay

Most trains will have a Bar Car. They’re usually next to the dining car, with tables and comfy leather booths for four where you can play cards, enjoy a coffee, and chat to fellow passengers, which makes visiting the Bar Car one of the best tips for USA train travel if you're the gregarious type.

The Bar Car is also where you'll find the National Park Guides, who ride the trains in their smart Scout-like uniforms during the summer months as part of Amtrak's Trails on Rails programme. They'll happily give you educational leaflets about the journey and point out interesting aspects of the passing landscapes.

Be sure to head to the bar car for coffee and chat © Shutterstock

Some of the more scenic routes will also have a Dome Car, with seats facing out with views through panoramic windows designed to make the most of the sublime scenery you'll be passing through.

These tend to fill up quickly on iconic routes like the California Zephyr, which passes through spectacular and otherwise inaccessible stretches of the Colarado Rockies , so be sure bag a seat early.

Not all stops are created equal. If you're a smoker, or just fancy stretching your legs and sampling the air outside on longer journeys, it pays to know if a stop is a designated 'rest stop', which means you're allowed to get off. If it's not, don't even try it - this rule is strictly enforced across the Amtrak network.

Sit back and soak it up © Khanh Le/Shutterstock

If you're travelling in a sleeper cabin (or in business class), you can make use of lounges in some of the bigger city stations, which offer complimentary wi-fi, newspapers, drinks and snacks before or after your train.

It's a great way to relax if you get to the station early, or want to kill a bit of time after 'detraining' (as Amtrak call it) on routes that arrive in the small hours of the morning.

Amtrak stations aren’t always slap-bang in centre of town. Most will have metropolitan transport links, of course, but some - like Atlanta , for instance - will be a cab ride away, so plan your accommodation and onward travel accordingly.

Map it out to make the most of your trip

Lastly, if you’re wondering how to travel to the USA in the first place, or keen to plan where to go and what to see in more detail, check out our  USA guide book , and read our USA travel tips for getting around more generally - by train, plane, automobile, bus and bike.

Alternatively, if you prefer to skip the planning all together, our  tailor-made USA trips might be exactly what you’re looking for.

At Rough Guides we’ve always taken pride in telling it like it is - whether we’re updating details in our guide books, or researching emerging destinations. With that in mind, we want you to know that when you click on links that lead to our affiliate partners’ sites, we can earn a small commission (at no cost to you). This is one of the ways we’re able to keep doing what we do best - provide you with travel advice and inspiration you can trust. Speaking of which, you can trust what we link to - our travel writer experts are exactly that (experts) and have highlighted them to share ideas that might make your trips all the more satisfying.

Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.

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My family tried traveling by train instead of car, and I get the hype. Here are 6 ways rail travel is better.

Posted: May 12, 2023 | Last updated: July 12, 2023

• After taking road trips throughout the US, I tried traveling by Amtrak train instead. 
• My experiences on the rails have been comfortable and hassle-free, albeit not the most efficient.
• Trains aren't the answer for every trip, but I've begun to incorporate them into more of my travels.

Ahead of my family vacation to California, I dreamed of cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway . There was just one problem: My son suffered from terrible car sickness. 

To avoid scrubbing vomit out of a rental car's upholstery, I booked tickets on the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Oakland to Santa Barbara.

The smooth, nine-hour journey offered all of the magnificent ocean views I would've wanted to see on the road trip, with none of the upset stomachs.

Since that trip, my son has found ways to manage his car sickness, and we've successfully traveled to 44 states by car. But there's a host of reasons my family is still choosing to return to rail travel .

Many Amtrak trains offer scenic views of some of the country's most beautiful locales.

When it comes to spectacular views , there's a lot to see from train windows. 

Though not all of Amtrak's routes pass idyllic settings, some journey through the US' most beautiful landscapes. I've enjoyed gazing at vineyards, mountains, harbor seals, and more on my rail travels. 

Many Amtrak trains, including the Coast Starlight, have observation cars with giant picture windows designed with sightseeing in mind.

As someone who's generally the designated driver on road trips , I savor the ability to sit back and take in the stunning scenery without the fear of taking my eyes off the road for too long.

Some trains also stop in underrated destinations I wouldn't have otherwise visited.

Amtrak offers picturesque long-haul journeys through the Rockies , the American Southwest, and beyond.

The prospect of gazing at snowcapped mountains and soaring red-rock formations is exciting, but these journeys also offer a compelling opportunity to stop and explore less-touted areas along the way — ones that I probably wouldn't go out of my way to visit otherwise.

Though some of the highlights from my road trips have been stumbling upon hidden gems in locales often labeled as flyover states (like spots in the US' heartland), driving through the Midwest's flatlands can feel like a bit of a slog.

However, I find stretches of farmland infinitely more charming when I view them out of a train window instead of a car dashboard.

Depending on the itinerary and season, traveling by train can be more affordable than driving.

Between gas prices and rental-car charges, road trips can be expensive ventures.

When it comes to Amtrak trains, you can expect to pay a premium for a private room in a sleeping car or a coveted last-minute ticket. However, you can usually find reasonably priced tickets with some advance planning.

On a trip my family recently took from New York to Pennsylvania, all three of our tickets for the Amtrak Keystone Service cost me a total of $47.50 — an absolute steal considering our trip fell during a peak travel period.

In many major cities, I probably would've paid the same amount for a few hours of parking. 

I feel safer traveling by train than by car, especially in poor weather conditions.

It gives me peace of mind to know that taking a train is statistically safer than driving a car . Plus, Amtrak has a lot of safety standards in place .

Though I feel confident in my driving abilities, I prefer not to be behind the wheel in certain situations, like when I have to navigate Manhattan streets or battle icy road conditions.

Trains are usually less impacted by weather, making them a solid transportation option in less-than-ideal conditions.

Amtrak's seats feel wider and more comfortable than the ones in most cars.

It's no surprise that traveling can make you feel a bit cramped, especially if you're constricted to a car seat for a long drive.

Regardless of how I travel, I'm always very eager to reach my destination and stretch my legs. In my experience, I've found that even the most bare-bones Amtrak trains offer wider seats than I've seen in most cars and a reasonable amount of legroom.

The trains' observation and dining cars are a real treat for my family since they allow us to enjoy peaceful moments, play a rousing game, or simply take advance of the freedom that comes with not being strapped in one place.

Rail journeys give me time and space to work, spend time with family, and rest.

Train travel isn't always the fastest way to reach my destination, but I've found that it's the mode of transportation that gives me the most time to be productive .

As someone who works remotely, trains are the perfect place to multitask and catch up on my to-do list, something I can't accomplish as easily in cars.

I obviously can't use my computer while driving, and attempting to do so in the passenger seat makes me queasy. However, traveling by train gives me an easy way to knock out work, help my son with his homework, read a book, or take a nap.

Trains aren't the right option for every trip, but I look forward to incorporating more of them in my future travels.

Amtrak trains have provided a lot of benefits for my family, but like any mode of transportation, they come with their own set of downsides. Trains, especially long-haul ones, are known to be plagued with delays. So you do have to pack some patience and be flexible. 

The routes Amtrak offers can also be limiting and inconvenient, with the journey between some destinations requiring multiple train changes that take you hundreds of miles and many hours out of the way.

I've decided that they're a great way for my family to travel in addition to road trips, but not in place of them.

I adore the spontaneity and impulsiveness that comes with traveling by car  and wouldn't trade the experience of pulling off the road to explore a quirky roadside attraction or stop for fresh baked goods at a local vendor's stand. 

I'm already plotting future trips and can't wait to see what's ahead on the rails and on the road.

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Traveling by Train: 6 Reasons Why I'll Always Opt for Trains Over Planes

“Vodka or choy?” he called across the carriage, a hand-painted floral teapot in one hand and an unmarked bottle of liquor in the other. Rising from my lie-flat bed, I gratefully accepted a cup of fragrant green tea, sharing a smile and a handful of sunflower seeds in return. “Cards?” he boomed with a childlike grin, and quickly our berth was rife with activity, the robotic voice of translation apps carrying the conversation long into the dark desert night.

Had I been traveling by air, the first question would have been similar, though perhaps I would have been offered free coffee rather than vodka. But I’m not sure that would have even registered as a memory.

Unlike a quiet plane with noise-canceling headphones on most ears, aboard the sluggish sleeper train linking the Silk Road cities of Tashkent and Khiva, the carriages were alive with everything that makes travel so exhilarating: unforgettable people, unplanned moments, and those stories that turn travel journals into travel treasures.

The views afforded by train travel can’t be beat. Photo: Igor Bukhlin /Shutterstock

In Uzbekistan, it was shepherds and off-duty staff who showered me with samsas (flaky, meat-filled dough pickets) and stories of Soviet times. Onboard China’s night crossing, my memories are of a woman who offered spontaneous language lessons and gifted our group with instant noodles. And while traveling by train through Australia’s dusty interior, I remember the fellow bored backpacker who shared his single contraband can of warm beer.

These odysseys and kind people – Otabek, YoYo, Ollie, and many more – are why I now always opt for traveling by train when possible. I’ve learned that rarely is rail just about getting there; it’s a microcosm of travel itself. Sure, the journey can sometimes be slower or more costly, and at times it may demand a detour or difference in plans, but these challenges have brought me far closer to a country and its people, both literally and metaphorically, than flying ever could.

You can find camaraderie in the carriages

Photo: Daniel James Clarke

Aboard a train, especially those that sometimes seem endless, you’ll find a camaraderie it’s difficult to find elsewhere. Forgot your snacks? Someone’s got you. Out of toilet paper roll? Seat 27A has plenty. Bored with nothingness? That card-playing group in the vestibule will deal you in. On board Sri Lanka’s iconic blue train, which unhurriedly traverses the tea plantations and lush hill towns of the country’s interior, I even briefly became a babysitter while a local mother dashed off to find the roti seller mid-journey.

But it’s easy in the modern world to forget both the pleasures of riding the rails and how thoughtful strangers can be. Overcrowded or delayed commuter services are certainly not the best advert for selling the allure of traveling by train, leading many to have scheduling or personal space concerns about taking trains when traveling abroad.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Amtrak (@amtrak)

The Pacific Surfliner, which partially tracks South California’s scenic coast, is a perfect example. For me, it was a highlight of my West Coast trip, partially due to a friendly couple from Austin recounting childhood tales from Texas – yet my LA friends were baffled as to why I’d pick a slow Amtrak ride over driving with them.

However, part of the allure of traveling is understanding and expecting everything to be decidedly different and new, which often also extends to the railroads. Even the train’s ancient predecessor – a Greek boat-pulling system called a diolkos – involved a crew working concurrently to pull the chariots across a land shortcut. It’s a testament to how teamwork has powered train travel for millennia.

Traveling by train? Hello, Wi-Fi and better meals

The author’s on-the-rail work set-up. Photo: Daniel James Clarke

Conversations with citizens and fellow travelers aside, traveling by train brings plenty of other connection-based benefits – the most notable of which is Wi-Fi.

Unlike the shaky, sporadic, or often non-existent service on planes, when you stay on land, you can connect to the onboard service or tether from your cell phone’s hotspot (just remember to pack that power bank). Wi-Fi will come in handy when you want to watch movies, listen to music, or download a translation app to chat in real time with your seatmates. There are as many reasons to be online as to disconnect while traveling.

But Wi-Fi is far from the only advantage of staying grounded, though. The ability to roam freely at all times (with no little lights dictating when you are and aren’t allowed to visit the restroom), that much-needed extra legroom, and the possibility to step off and breathe fresh air whenever a station tumbles into view are many of the little pleasures of traveling by train. And connecting two amazing cities without any airport lines or waits is usually equally welcome.

Arguably, though, there’s one part of the train where the ability to move freely, to connect with other travelers, and to stretch your legs all meet up to create the best place on board: the dining car.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Journey Beyond Rail (@journeybeyondrail)

A meal in these mingling spaces can be as eclectic as surprisingly varied dishes, providing the perfect intermission to any prolonged journey. Whether it was charcuterie while crossing Spain’s agricultural forests, or tangy chicken noodles against the backdrop of Southern China’s rice paddies, I’ve found that meals while traveling by train offer the chance for the perfect travel pairing: beers and banter with strangers.

Even if you’re more of a “first-class bar in the Airbus 380” type of plane traveler (lucky you), these restaurants on wheels often surpass all expectations. Dining cars allow travelers to sip pisco sours in the observatory car of Peru’s luxury Andean Explorer or indulge in a four-course wine-pairing meal aboard the Rovos Rail. After that, it’s hard to go back to microwaved, pre-packaged airplane food – and that’s not even considering the cinematic scenery that serves as your backdrop.

Enjoy the scenery while someone else does the work

When it comes to scenery, trains can’t be beat. Photo: Daniel James Clarke

It’s not just epic overnighters and border-hopping adventures that make traveling by train so addictive. It’s also the chance to forgo any work, leaving the satellite navigation and stick shift behind. Someone else does the driving; you simply soak up the scenery.

Some of the most memorable train trips I’ve taken haven’t really gone anywhere, allowing the panoramas to take priority. That’s the case with the expansive windows of Portugal’s Douro line, which frame the steep vineyards of the world’s oldest wine appellation as it trundles along, pausing for wine tastings and river walks before returning to the station. Ditto for Italy’s Cinque Terre train line , linking five of Italy’s most spectacular coastal cliffside towns with ease. Both allow would-be designated drivers to avoid dashing their romanticized Portugese or Italian road trip dreams.

After your first introduction to riding the rails, you’ll likely be hooked and ready for more grand scenic adventures. Whether it’s the mountain-hugging Machu Picchu Rail, the Rocky Mountaineer’s glass-roofed train cars through the Rocky Mountains or the Glacier Express as it crosses the Swiss Alps, I promise there’s nothing more timeless than watching from your seat as a country’s landscape slowly shift from one beautiful scene to the next.

Train travel reduce your carbon footprint

Photo: ViiviienM /Shutterstock

Looking out at the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes from the comfort of your seat leaves time to study and contemplate the beauty of the natural world. And for most people, that leads to an increased consciousness of the need to help preserve those delicate and extraordinary environments.

For me, the most notable sustainability shift came at the end of my unhurried night train in Uzbekistan, when I found myself standing where the Aral Sea – once the world’s fourth-largest freshwater lake – should have been. Yet, rather than having wet feet, I was surrounded by endless sand and shipwrecks no longer anywhere near water.

At that moment, I pledged to fly far less often. I’m currently on a 13-country, flight-free trip inspired by that haunting Aral Sea experience. And I’m not alone. The realization that we need to rethink travel has become an everyday conversation for many. Traveling by train releases between 6 and 42 times l ess CO2 than flying per person per kilometer traveled. That makes it the mass transport option with the lowest CO2 emissions, so shifting to trains instead of planes is one of the easiest and most impactful travel changes you can make.

Traveling by train can be faster than flying

A high-speed train in China. Photo: Daniel James Clarke

But even if saving the world isn’t top of your agenda, traveling by train delivers plenty more savings.

With more high-speed train routes launching around the world, particularly across Europe but also in countries like India , train travel can sometimes be quicker than flying, especially when you account for transfers, check-in lines, airport security, and delays at chaotic airports. In recognition of this, France has even gone so far as to recently ban short-haul domestic flights, raising the question of whether more nations will follow suit.

Traveling by train is a better bang for your buck

Photo: Flystock /Shutterstock

In some countries, traveling by train saves not just time, but also money, with the added perk of waking up where you need to be. In many countries, you can book a ticket for a lie-flat bed for a price closer to a cup of coffee than an eye-watering red-eye flight, or even a moderately priced hotel room. My sleeper train across the Silk Road set me back about $14. Overnight sleeper trains mean you can avoid expensive hotel fees, check-in luggage charges, and the cost of getting to and from an airport. Train stations are usually much closer to city centers than airports, making getting to your train usually much easier than getting to the airport.

That said, of course, it’s not always smiles and smooth sailing.

Tips for traveling by train: mitigate the negatives and temper your expectations

The author in front of a budget car on the otherwise luxurious Ghan in Australia. Photo: Daniel James Clarke

I’ll be the first to put my hands up and admit there’s a temptation to romanticize train travel and see it through rose-tinted glasses, even as someone who spent many years suffering overflowing rush-hour train commutes around London.

But as with all things travel, the remarkable must be balanced with the bad, or at least the uncomfortable. Rail isn’t immune to delays and cancellations, and the lack of speed, indirect routes, and occasionally higher prices are just some of the factors stopping train travel from becoming mainstream for many travelers.

I’d also love to say that traveling at ground level is the great equalizer, but different classes and cars do sometimes mean that tourists and visitors are separated from locals, especially if you’ve got a private cabin to cocoon yourself in.

Higher classes and more acceleration don’t always translate into better experiences. On Sri Lanka’s Blue Train, the air-conditioned tourist cars lacked both local conversation and oversized windows, the very things that could make that journey so remarkable. In Japan, the ubiquitous high-speed Shinkansen means travelers might opt to skip some of the side journeys I found most special, like riding on the open-sided cars on the coastal Gomen Nahari Line.

Opting only for high-speed trains means you’ll miss some slower sights along more winding, less-direct lines. Photo: Jumpei Hosoi /Shutterstock

I’ve also been on train rides that were long and painful, such as in Australia, on the famous Ghan . But with the Ghan’s legendary service very much limited to the luxury cabins, by the 20th hour of my trip in a budget backpacker seat, I was swearing I’d never board a train again.

Research, planning, and packing your patience and conversation skills alongside a good book will mitigate most of these negatives, while a slight shift in perspective can also work wonders. Now I see random new destinations as a reward for any indirect routes and horrifically early-morning arrivals as opportunities for sunrise photoshoots. And I’ve learned that the slower the ride, the more epic the stories are sure to be.

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The Ultimate Guide To Traveling By Train

This page may contain affiliate links which means I get a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase with them. This helps keep the site running and the travel tips coming! For more info, check out my Privacy Policy & Disclosure .

Commercial rail travel has been around since the 1800’s and with the hyperloop around the corner, innovations in this method of transportation are still being made to this date.  The current fastest commercial train in the world can be found in China traveling between Beijing and Nanjing, reaching top speeds of 350 km/h (218 mph)!  

The train has become a very useful way of traveling in many countries around the world, especially in Europe and East Asia, and one that you should definitely consider using on your next trip.

On this page, I will tell you everything you need to know about traveling by train so that you know exactly what to expect when you book your ticket.  I will focus on trains that travel between different cities.  

If you’re looking for information on metro/subway systems and other inner-city rail travel, check out my Guide to Public Transport .

So without further ado, here are the top 8 things you need to know about traveling by train:

1. Your experience will vary widely depending on the country

If you’ve never been on a train before, you’re in for a treat.  There’s a reason people like to collect and build model train sets.  It has captured the imaginations of many and can be a magical experience if you’re prepared, but it can also be a stressful and uncomfortable one if you’re not.  

This because while many countries have rail systems, it doesn’t mean that you will have the same experience everywhere.  Even within Europe, the birthplace of commercial rail travel, the level of service you get from each country can vary widely.

The experience usually involves getting assigned a seat (or maybe not) and getting taken to your destination via rail.  Some trains will come with air conditioning, but some will not.  The long-distance trains will have a toilet on board, but the regional trains probably won’t.  Some fancier trains might offer wifi, but it’s not a guarantee.  Changes and cancellations also depend on the country and service as there is no standard that exists for this sort of policy.

In developed countries that invest a lot of money into their rail system, you can probably rest assured knowing that it will be an enjoyable experience, but I can’t say the same for others.  For example, have you ever seen those photos of trains in India that are so overcrowded that there are people hanging onto the train from the outside?  

I don’t think most travelers are looking to have that type of experience so it’s important to do your research and be well-informed so you know what you’re getting yourself into.  Do a Google search for “train travel in ____” to get an idea for what it’s like in your destination.

2. Trains are usually cheaper than flights, but more expensive than buses

But not always.  There are also times when it goes the other way too.  

With the rise of budget airlines these days, many flights between nearby cities can be cheaper than traveling by train.  And in some countries, the rail system is subsidized enough by the government that it can be cheaper than traveling by bus.  This makes comparing all the options available even more important.

In addition, trains are usually slower than flights, but faster than buses, but again, not always.  Sometimes a high-speed train can get you to your destination faster than a plane can if you factor in the amount of time it takes to get to and from the airport, check in, go through security, board, etc.  

And on the other end, sometimes a train service is so slow that even a bus can get you to your destination faster so it’s important to look at all the details.  Check out my Guide to Bus Travel if you want to learn more about traveling by bus.

3. There is no such thing as Google Trains

Unlike Google Flights, there is no one website that exists that will let you see the schedules and book trains for every country in the world.  Depending on the country and region, you will either have to go to the national railway’s website for that country to get that information or go to the local train station in person.  

I provide links to each country’s national railway website in its Destination Guide  as well as other information if there is no website.

That being said, a good way to see what train operators there are for any route you’re looking for is to check Rome2Rio .  The best thing to do is to note down the train operators it finds and then check out their specific websites to see schedules and pricing. 

And if you’re traveling in Europe, a great resource for seeing train schedules for any European country and itinerary is bahn.de/en .  It has schedules for every country in Europe, but it won’t show you fares unless the ticket originates in Germany.  

To see fares, you’ll have to use the national railway’s website for that country or an online travel agency (OTA), although OTAs usually charge more.  A good OTA for Europe is Omio and for Southeast Asia, East Asia (not including South Korea), Australia, New Zealand, and some destinations in South Asia, try 12go . 

4. Booking in advance isn't always necessary, but it is advised

Some train companies have caught on to the airline pricing model and have started to price their train services in a similar fashion with cheaper prices if booked early and expensive prices if booked on the same day, but this doesn’t apply to every company and every service.  

You will typically only see this from long-distance, international, or high-speed trains, sometimes labeled “inter-city”.  The best time to start looking for tickets for these types of trains is no sooner than 3 months in advance because that’s when most train operators start selling them.

But if your train isn’t a high-speed one and is traveling to another destination within the same country that isn’t too far away, the price will be fixed and they won’t sell out of tickets (assuming there isn’t some massive event happening at that time) so you don’t have to buy your ticket in advance.  

You can just show up to buy your ticket from the ticket office or ticket machine 15 minutes before your train is scheduled to leave for the same price as if you buy it months in advance.  This type of service is typically for trains labeled “local”, “regional”, or “suburban”.

5. You aren't always guaranteed a seat

Unless your booking gives you a seat number or you choose to reserve a seat for an additional fee, you aren’t guaranteed a seat on the train.  This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to take that train even though you have a ticket.  

What it means is that you’ll be able to choose your own seat that isn’t already reserved once you get on board and if there aren’t any seats available, then unfortunately you’ll have to stand or sit against a wall for the duration of your train journey.

Some long-distance, international, and high-speed trains will assign you a seat so you won’t have to worry about this, but if it doesn’t and you choose not to reserve one, most trains around the world operate on a first-come, first-serve basis so you take whatever seat you can find and if you can’t find one, then you’ll have to prepare to stand until one opens up.

6. You don't need to check in for your train

This is one way that train travel differs greatly from air travel.  When you go to an airport, you have to show up at least an hour early, if not more, to give yourself time to check in, drop off your luggage, get through security, find your gate, and board the plane, but with train travel, it’s much easier.  

Most of the time, as long as you have your ticket, you could theoretically show up at the station just 5 minutes before your train is scheduled to leave and have no problems catching it (although I do recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before just to be safe).

Sometimes you will have to go through security if that country has implemented such policies, but it’s usually quite swift.  And if you’re traveling on an international train, then you might have to go through passport controls too, but other times that happens on the train by border control that comes on board and checks everyone’s passports.  

You carry your luggage on with you and store it above your seat or in a special little section of your train car for luggage.

7. Eurail/RailEurope passes offer flexibility, but at high prices

There’s a pass you can get for train travel in Europe that lets you travel on an unlimited amount of trains for a set amount of days ranging from 3 days to 3 months and it’s called the Eurail / Interrail (for Europeans) or RailEurope pass.  

It essentially offers you maximum flexibility if you want to travel by train in Europe without planning ahead for it because all you have to do is show your pass and you can board any train you want (except for high-speed and night trains).

Here’s the catch: the pass is more expensive than simply booking the train tickets separately by yourself in advance and there is also an extra cost if you do want to take high-speed or night trains as they require seat reservations which can cost between $7-$30 per seat.  

The pass is good for people who simply want the easiest way to explore Europe by train only and who don’t really care about their budget, but if you’re okay with taking different methods of transportation or you want to save money, I do not recommend it as there are better ways to get from one destination to another.

8. Trains can go to places cars can't reach

Some train routes pass through areas that are inaccessible by cars which can lead to some marvelous and spectacular views.  Just think of Switzerland.  It has a very well-developed rail system that connects every town and village in the country.  Train rides there can be so spectacular because they pass alongside mountains where there aren’t any roads, giving you unparalleled views of the scenery.

Similarly, the Rocky Mountaineer in British Columbia, Canada offers a memorable way to experience the Rocky Mountains.  Starting in Vancouver, the train passes through the Rocky Mountains with glass ceilings that let you look up and admire the natural beauty as you make your way to the world-famous cities of Banff or Jasper.  It’s a different and unique way to experience the Rocky Mountains that you won’t get from simply driving.

And that’s it!

There’s only so much I can write about trains that either hasn’t already been written or that you just need to experience for yourself, but I hope that you got a better general understanding of them from this guide.  

Let me know in the comments below about some of your train experiences and if you’re looking to learn about buses and how they differ from trains, check out my Guide to Bus Travel .

About The Author

Hi there,  I’m Sebastian , founder and creator of Travel Done Simple. Since I turned 20, I have lived in 5 different countries and traveled to over 40 others! You can learn more about me on my  About page   and find me on social media.

Hi there, I’m Sebastian , founder and creator of Travel Done Simple. Since I turned 20, I have lived in 5 different countries and traveled to over 40 others! You can learn more about me on my About page   and find me on social media.

I’m Sebastian , the founder and creator of Travel Done Simple! I was born in Europe and raised in Canada, but I now consider myself to be a citizen of the world. When I’m not busy exploring new destinations, I’m here giving you the best travel tips so you can do the same! 

You can learn more about me on my About page and if it’s your first time on my site,  start here !

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Top 10 Reasons to Travel by Train

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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Taking the train has long been popular in Europe — it’s almost considered a rite of passage for young backpackers. But while trains have been under-appreciated in the U.S., they’re gaining popularity here as well. Amtrak ferried 31.6 million passengers around the country in its last fiscal year, an all-time record for the railroad. With the economy still slumping, train travel is looking increasingly attractive to budget-conscious travelers. Plus, a scenic train ride can even be a vacation in itself. Need more reasons to take the train? You’ve come to the right place.

1. Money Savings

Trains are an increasingly cost-effective alternative to planes, particularly if you’re going a relatively short distance or if you’re traveling in the busy Northeast Corridor, where train service is fast and frequent.

While some rates are quite competitive ($104 on the train vs. $108 by plane between New York and Boston in a recent search), you’ll sometimes see dramatic fare differences. For instance, we found a $134 roundtrip fare on Amtrak between New York and Montreal, as compared to $294 for the cheapest roundtrip airfare. The train ride will be longer than the corresponding flight, but for travelers looking to cut costs, the train often wins out — and you’ll get to see some scenery along the way.

Unlike airlines, Amtrak and other rail operators often give discounts to children, seniors, students, AAA members, military personnel and other key demographics.

2. Stable Fares

Anyone who’s agonized over when to purchase airfare knows how arcane and frustrating the airlines’ pricing structures can be. (We’re still waiting for a logical explanation of why a one-way ticket often costs so much more than a round trip. Anyone? Anyone?) Train fares tend to be the same day after day on any particular route, whether it’s Monday or Saturday, April or August, two months in advance or two days before departure. While some increases may occur (particularly at peak times or over the holidays) and occasional sales may be available, you can usually count on the stability of train fares, even at the last minute.

3. Flexibility

While many long-haul trains require reservations, many short trips don’t, so you can simply show up at the station the day of your trip and grab a ticket for the next train — without paying an exorbitant last-minute fare.

4. More Baggage…

These days, nearly all the major airlines charge travelers a fee to check a bag or two — and a few (Spirit, Alligiant, Frontier) now charge for carry-on bags as well. Compare these stingy policies to Amtrak’s baggage allowance: two carry-on items up to 50 pounds each (as well as personal items such as purses, strollers and diaper bags) and up to four checked bags up to 50 pounds each, the first two of which are free. Third and fourth checked bags cost $20 each.

In short, Amtrak allows you to bring 200 pounds of luggage — plus personal items — for free. Try bringing that on a plane!

5. …Less Hassle

Imagine taking a trip and not having to arrive two hours early, wait in a long security line, take off your shoes for inspection, or ration out your liquids and gels. Welcome to the world of train travel. In most cases you can arrive 30 minutes ahead of time and walk straight to your platform.

6. Door-to-Door Convenience

Unlike airports, most major train stations are located right downtown in the heart of the cities they serve. Instead of taking an expensive airport cab ride from miles outside of town, you can step off your train and be just moments from your hotel.

7. Eco-Friendliness

Trains are more energy-efficient per passenger mile than planes or cars, making them one of the most eco-friendly transportation options around (short of walking or riding your bike !). Carbon emissions from trains are less damaging to the environment than those of airplanes because train emissions are not released directly into the upper atmosphere. As a bonus, the relative energy-efficiency of trains means that the industry is less vulnerable to increases in fuel prices — making train fares more stable in an unstable economy.

8. Old-Fashioned Charm

There’s something refreshingly traditional about taking a train, particularly if you’re traveling over a long, multi-night route. The days of silverware and fine china in coach class may be long gone in the airline industry, but on overnight trains you’ll still find dining cars with full-service meals and uniformed wait staff. During the day, many train travelers choose to read books, play cards or simply enjoy the scenery rushing by.

9. Comfort and Relaxation

Rather than cramming yourself into an ever-shrinking airplane seat or squinting at road signs trying to figure out where to make your next turn, why not relax on a train? It’s one of the least stressful forms of transportation out there: someone else does the driving, you’ll have more legroom than you would on an airplane and you’ll be able to move around at will — not just when the captain turns the seatbelt sign off.

10. Beyond Just Transportation

Unlike airplanes, which whisk you from point A to point B with barely a glimpse of what’s in between, a train ride can be a destination in and of itself. Consider the California Zephyr, a dramatic route that wends its way through the Rocky and Sierra Nevada Mountains from Chicago to San Francisco. A ride on this popular Amtrak service offers spectacular scenery. During fall foliage season, try a ride on the Ethan Allen Express from New York to Vermont and enjoy the autumn colors.

For more route ideas, see U.S. Train Travel .

More Resources for Train Travel

Amtrak.com : Train travel across the U.S.

ViaRail.ca : Train travel across Canada

RailEurope.com : Everything you need to know about European rail travel, including schedules, ticket prices, rail passes, scenic train rides and tips

TrainTraveling.com : The most comprehensive site we’ve found for worldwide train information

You May Also Like European Train Tips 8 Things Not to Bring Home from a Trip

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• A2 listening

Trains and travel

Listen to five different conversations at a train station and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise before you listen. Then do the other exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

Do this exercise before you listen.

Passenger:  Excuse me? Which platform does the train to Cambridge leave from?

Train station attendant:  The 10:15 train or the 10:40?

Passenger:  The 10:15.

Train station attendant:  The 10:15 train leaves from platform 3.

Passenger:  Thanks.

Passenger:  Hi. Could I have a ticket for the next train to Manchester, please?

Train ticket vendor:  Single or return?

Passenger:  Errr, single please.

Train ticket vendor:  The next train is at 12:30pm, leaving from platform 2.

Passenger:  And how much is it?

Train ticket vendor:  £13:50

Ticket inspector:  Tickets, please. Can I see your ticket, please?

Passenger:  Yes, here you are.

Ticket inspector:  This ticket is for Oxford.

Passenger:  Yes, that's right.

Ticket inspector:  But this train doesn't go to Oxford, it goes to Liverpool.

Passenger:  What? Liverpool? Oh no!

Train station announcement:  The next train arriving at platform 1 is the 15:45 train to Exeter, stopping at Bristol Temple Meads and arriving at Exeter St David's at 18:30.

Harry:  What time is our train back to London? 

Angel:  It leaves at 4:30. We've only got 5 minutes.

Harry:  What platform does it leave from?

Angel:  Platform 2. Look, over there. 

Harry:  I can't see our train anywhere. Let me see the ticket. Look, it says 4:20, not 4:30!

Angel:  Oh no, we've missed it.

Harry:  No we haven't, it's late. Look, here it is now.

Angel:  Phew, that was lucky!

Check your understanding: matching

Check your understanding: question and answer, worksheets and downloads.

Do you often use a train? What is your favourite type of public transport? Why?

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What’s it like to travel by train in the USA?

Travelling by train in the usa is an amazing adventure. although american road trips are more famous, train journeys in the usa can show you a different side to usa travel. here’s my guide to what it’s like to travel by train in the usa., disclaimer: some of the links below are affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and make a purchase, i’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you. please note that all sales are processed by the linked website, not rays of adventure, so you’ll be subject to their privacy policy., where can i get the train in the usa.

When you’re looking at what it’s like to travel by train in the USA, it’s best to start by looking at the different train routes the USA offers. There are a variety of train routes. The East Coast offers some more local train services, connecting some of the bigger cities. You can get the train from New York to Boston, or New York to Washington DC. Travelling by train is a more environmentally friendly option than driving or flying between these cities. Plus, you can look at the view out the window, without having to worry about navigating airports or finding the way when you’re driving.

There are also a number of longer train routes in the USA. Some of these trains cross the entire country, taking days to travel. You can sleep on the train, enjoy food in the on-board restaurant, and just sit back and enjoy the view. One train route goes from East to West, linking Chicago to San Francisco. Or another train run downs the whole Pacific coast, from Seattle to San Diego.

The main train company in the USA is called Amtrak. Check out their website here for more information about all the routes they offer. And this is a great guide as well for lots more information about travelling the USA by train (affiliate).

Different travel styles on longer trips

There’s a variety of different ways to travel on Amtrak trains, depending how long the train is. For some of the longer journeys that travel overnight, you can get yourself a private room. Some of these have a private bathroom as well, whereas others offer you just the room and a shared bathroom in the train carriage. The rooms are set up as seats during the day, then convert to bunk beds for the night. It’s perfect if you’re willing and able to spend a bit of extra money. You can get a perfect night’s sleep as you’re rocked to sleep on the train. Then enjoy the view as you wake up. For a lot of Amtrak routes, you might also get some meals included or discounted in the restaurant carriage if you’ve booked a private room.

Of course, you can always choose the standard seating as well. These seats are spacious and comfortable. They’re perfect for train trips that will only last during the day. Or you can sleep here as well. It’s not quite as comfortable as having a private room with a bed, but it’s a lot more affordable if budgeting is your priority. You can still go to the restaurant carriage at anytime as well to get food, or bring your own snacks.

What’s good about USA train travel?

If you’re wondering what it’s like to travel by train in the USA, my answer is that it’s great! I’ve done several long-distance train trips across the USA, and I’ve loved it. My favourite part is the views from the train. I love just sitting back, listening to music, and enjoying the views from the train. This is something you miss when you fly between destinations, even if it can be quicker. My favourite views were on a trip between Denver and San Francisco, where the train went through the Rocky mountains and then through the Nevada desert. It was just amazing. Another highlight was the train from San Francisco down to Los Angeles, where the train went right next to the Pacific coastline giving amazing sea views.

I also love train travel in the USA because it is really easy to meet other travellers and make friends. Everyone has time to chat, so it’s really easy to meet people. Everyone has their own unique story about why they chose to be on that train, and soon you can be swapping travel stories with your new friends. The restaurant carriage has shared tables, so you can talk to the other people at your table. The trains sometimes offer social events as well, especially on longer trips for people who have booked the private rooms. On my train journey from San Francisco down to Los Angeles, they ran a cheese and wine afternoon in the restaurant carriage. It was great to try the local Californian wines while talking to other passengers. Train travel can be great for solo travellers looking to meet people on their travels.

What’s not so good about USA train travel?

Although I love the long train journeys I’ve taken in the USA, it’s important to be realistic about some of the downsides. Firstly, the trains are often delayed, especially the long distance routes. So if you are planning a long train journey, be aware that you may not arrive at your destination at the time planned. But you can easily manage this by not booking anything for too soon after you arrive. It’s best to just book your accommodation for that night, and then book any other activities for the next day. That way, if the train is delayed, there won’t be any stress.

Another downside of USA train travel is that the food may not always be the best. It’s perfectly fine, but it may not be the posh cuisine you might be hoping for. You can take snacks and drinks onto the train for your trip if you’re not keen on the restaurant food, but it really isn’t that bad.

The best train journeys in the USA

I really love the long train journeys in the USA, and hopefully you’ve been inspired to try one! There are plenty of different Amtrak routes to choose from. Check out my blog about the best train journeys in the USA to read more about my favourite trips and the amazing views from these trains.

Hope you enjoyed reading my guide to what it’s like to travel by train in the USA! Remember to buy this great guide as well to help you plan your trip (affiliate). If you’re planning to stop off at some USA destinations, check out my guides to other places in the USA. California has some great sights, with the fun city of San Francisco , amazing views in Yosemite and Big Sur , and visiting Hollywood in Los Angeles . Further north, explore Seattle and take a trip into the Olympic Mountains .

14 thoughts on “ What’s it like to travel by train in the USA? ”

super interesting post!! I have only taken the train once in the US and loved it but there’s so much that I don’t know! Thanks for this super informative read with helpful tips!

I never considered travelling the US by train – I’m sure there’s so much to see! I’d love to take one through Yosemite.

A lot of people don’t think about train travel in the USA, but I really enjoyed my trips and would definitely recommend it. Yosemite would be great!

Great post and so interesting! They’re building the Amtrack from Phoenix to California and I’m really excited to see if it gains some popularity.

Oh wow, that sounds like a great route! I’d definitely love to do that one.

Oh I bet a train journey through the US must be such an incredible experience! All the different landscapes passing by …

It is, I just love seeing all the scenery out the window!

Nice post! I’ve taken a couple train rides on the US east coast and they were ok. It always amazes me how far behind the system is when you compare it to Europe. Maybe we’ll get there someday!

Yeah I definitely agree train travel in Europe is a lot more established, but there are still some nice routes in the US so hopefully they’ll keep developing it!

I’ve never really considered train travel in the US, so this is super helpful!

I think train travel in the US is great, I’d definitely recommend it!

I love train travel and I’ve done it a few times in Europe, so I find this post very interesting. Thank you for sharing it!

I have never done a long train trip but it does sound like a great way to see the sights. .

It’s definitely a great way to see the scenery!

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How to Travel Europe By Train: The Ultimate Guide (+ Tips!)

Beautiful views, comfortable train cars, the bustle of busy platforms, and the thrill of a new adventure: there are a lot of good reasons to travel Europe by train!

But, for those of us who grew up in a place where traveling by train isn’t common, the prospect of train travel in Europe can be as intimidating as it is exciting.

Thanks to traveling Europe extensively for years (including with our dog!) and spending more than a year living in Portugal, we’ve had a chance to appreciate countless train rides through and across Europe.

From the mind-boggling efficiency of Swiss trains to overnight train rides through Eastern Europe (Sofia to Istanbul was a particularly memorable ride) to simple jaunts across Italy, we’ve experienced just about every form of train travel in Europe.

And along the way, we amassed a huge number of European train travel tips !

This train travel guide is a culmination of everything we wish we would have known before we started traveling Europe by train , plus why we think it’s worth a try.

Table of Contents

Who is This Guide to Train Travel in Europe For?

Is train travel in europe right for you, different kinds of train travel in europe, different kinds of european train tickets, how to buy train tickets in europe, how to receive your tickets to travel europe by train, how to travel europe by train: step-by-step trip guide, useful tips for train travel in europe.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

If you’re planning an epic, multi-destination trip and are hoping to travel by train through Europe but aren’t already comfortable with train travel on the continent, then this guide to traveling by train across Europe is for you!

We grew up in suburbs in the USA, and until we started traveling internationally in adulthood (4+ years of full-time travel , more than a year living in Lisbon, many trips across Europe, and counting!), we had virtually never taken a train.

W hile that’s certainly not the case for many people around the world, it is for thousands of our readers who grew up in similar environments to us!

If you’re excited to travel Europe by train but are learning the whole process from scratch like we once did, you’re exactly who we wrote this guide for.

While train travel in Europe isn’t exactly the same everywhere–with over 50 countries and therefore over 50 train systems, there are plenty of quirks based on location–this guide to train travel in Europe will give a solid overview that will help you start your travels with confidence.

Planes, trains, buses, rental cars, river cruises–with plenty of transportation options for getting around Europe, how do you know if train travel is for you?

In this section, we’ll break down the pros and cons of traveling Europe by train to help you decide if it’s the right transportation option for you.

Pros of Traveling Europe By Train

Taking a train across europe is a bucket-list-worthy experience..

For most of us who hail from other places, this is the number one reason to book that first train in Europe, right? 

Traveling by train through Europe tops plenty of bucket lists around the world, and for good reason: it’s an incredibly fun way to explore the continent.

On some routes, the train ride is a travel destination in its own right–and even when it’s not, it’s a cultural experience to remember.

… and can allow for spontaneity.

For some routes, especially those with fixed ticket prices (more on that in another section of this Europe train guide), traveling by train allows you to be spontaneous, coming and going from destinations with much less foresight than is required when taking planes.

Depending on where you are, it can be very scenic.

If you have daydreamed about staring out train windows in Europe as you watch mountains, streams, seas, villages, castles, and vineyards go by, let me tell you… that’s pretty much exactly what it’s like a lot of the time!

Obviously not everywhere on the continent is scenic, but if you travel Europe by train, you’re likely to experience some truly incredible views along the way.

Most train stations are in the center of the city.

In our opinion, this is one of the biggest benefits to train travel in Europe!

W hile most airports (especially airports servicing budget flights) are located far outside the city centers, train stations are generally located right in the heart of the action.

Step outside the train station in Cologne, for example, and you’ll be looking at the cathedral.

In Florence , you’ll arrive less than a 10-minute walk from the Duomo . 

In some places, like in Milan, Antwerp, Porto , and Paris’ Gare de Lyon, the opulent central train station is practically a tourist destination in its own right, so you’ll be exploring the minute you arrive, rather than spending hours getting into the city center from the airport.

No luggage limitations!

No one is going to weigh your luggage or make sure it is only a certain size on a train, so you can bring whatever you like (sports equipment and generally pets included).

Train travel in Europe is generally far more comfortable than flying.

At the end of the day, traveling Europe by train is immensely more comfortable than flying.

There’s less hassle, more comfortable seats, more ease of moving around, often better views, and more control over your environment.

If all else (price, time, etc.) were equal, we’d personally choose to take a train across Europe over a plane any day of the week.

Cons of Traveling by Train Through Europe

It can get pricey..

When you first set out to travel Europe by train, you may assume that it is more affordable than flying–but thanks to a combination of several factors, including incredibly inexpensive budget flight carriers in Europe, that’s actually not the case.

Typically, it’s cheaper to hop on a budget flight between two major European cities than take a train.

The severity of the difference, though, can vary dramatically, and there are lots of tips you can apply to your train travel in Europe to mitigate the cost, which we’ll cover in this blog post.

If you’re traveling long distances, train routes can take a prohibitively long time.

For example, when traveling from Paris to Venice , a route we’ve traveled by train, the train can easily take upwards of 10 hours, while the flight time is under 2 hours.

Now, that doesn’t account for getting to and from the airport, checking luggage, or going through security, all of which increase the amount of time a flight actually takes, but it’s still a large difference.

Train travel in Europe isn’t available everywhere.

As you move further into eastern Europe and the Balkans, train travel becomes much less prevalent (even popular Dubrovnik isn’t connected to the rest of Europe by rail).

A nd, when it does exist, can take longer and be less comfortable than planes or even buses depending on the destination.

Rail strikes can derail plans to travel Europe by train.

Generally, these are planned in advance, so you’ll know what you’re getting into before arriving, but they can be a bit of a hassle.

W e’ve had trips to both Italy and France impacted by rail strikes in the past.

If you have mobility issues, train travel can be difficult.

Lifting and storing luggage, navigating small staircases and bathrooms, and making your way through crowded train stations can be difficult if you struggle with mobility, so keep that in mind when deciding whether to travel Europe by train.

This is especially true with a short connection–we once had to literally sprint through the station to make a connecting train on time in Germany!

Traveling Europe by train can be a bit intimidating.

This isn’t a con, exactly, but there’s no doubt that the confusion surrounding train travel in Europe can prevent new visitors to the continent from trying it out, especially if they’re concerned about language barriers or navigating multiple countries.

If that’s your only hesitation, though, we urge you to set those concerns aside.

T raveling Europe by train is an incredibly rewarding experience, and well worth stepping a bit outside of your comfort zone for !

When discussing train travel in Europe, it’s important to remember that not all trains are created equal, or exist for the same purpose.

Here are a few general train categories to keep in mind as you plan your trip.

Metro/Intra-City Transport

Metros, aka subways (though some do run above ground) are public transportation used by a certain city.

While they are technically trains, metros are their own category entirely and this Europe train guide doesn’t cover them any further.

Commuter Rails/Regional Trains

Commuter rails and regional trains aren’t exactly synonymous, but for the purposes of this guide, they’re similar.

T hese are slower-moving trains used to connect surrounding villages to a major city (for example, Versailles to Paris) or trains that go within a certain country or region (for example, from Siena to Florence in Tuscany).

Most of the tips in this guide to train travel in Europe apply to these trains, but they sometimes have fewer amenities (like snacks/drinks available for purchase, for example) than high-speed or long-distance trains.

High-Speed Trains/Long-Distance Trains

These are trains that cover long distances within a country (for example, from Florence to Venice ) or cross borders (for example, from Paris to Amsterdam).

Since each country runs its own train system (often with a national carrier option and private carrier(s) mixed in), booking a ticket between countries may mean changing train companies at a city near the border.

For example, when we traveled from Paris to Venice by train, we took a French SNCF train from Paris to Turin, Italy, and then boarded an Italian Italo-branded train to travel from Turin to Venice–all booked on the same ticket.

These high-speed and long-distance journeys are the primary focus of this guide on how to travel Europe by train.

Tourist Trains

These are trains that, while technically public transportation, are typically used as tourist attractions for sightseeing purposes, and are priced accordingly.

Examples include the Glacier Express or Schniyge Platte in Switzerland, or the Jacobite Steam Train (aka Harry Potter train) in Scotland.

Sleeper Trains

Technically, sleeper trains aren’t their own category–they’re just long-distance trains with sleeper carriages in them–but they’re worth calling out separately in this guide to train travel in Europe because they’re particularly interesting for travelers.

Not only are sleeper trains a great way to save on hotel costs for a night of your trip, but they can also be quite the travel adventure in their own right!

Before you start looking into buying train tickets, there are a couple of terms to be familiar with:

First vs. Second Class Tickets

When traveling via train in Europe, you’ll generally have a choice between first and second-class tickets.

Buying a first-class ticket generally comes with slightly larger seats, sometimes the ability to reserve your exact seats when you can’t in second class (both of those facts vary based on the company you travel with), and possibly a small snack like a water bottle and a pack of cookies.

In our earlier travel years, we never used to consider these perks worth the money–but I’ll admit, as we started traveling with more luggage and most importantly, our dog Ranger, we started splurging on first-class more frequently.

The extra space can definitely come in handy if you have more than a suitcase with you!

Variable vs. Fixed Price Tickets

Variable-price tickets, as the name implies, tend to increase in price the closer your date of travel gets.

T hese tickets are generally used for high-speed trains and long-distance journeys and will be the most common form of ticket you see when traveling between countries by train in Europe.

Fixed-price tickets are more typical for regional (aka “slow”) trains and can be booked at any time–so you can just show up at the station and buy them from a kiosk without issue.

For example: if you travel from Florence to Bologna on a high-speed train, it will take around 30 minutes and that ticket has a variable price.

If you travel on the regional train that takes around an hour, the price is fixed and you can book it at any time.

When you travel Europe by train, one of the first things you’ll need to get the hang of is exactly how and where to buy European train tickets–and you have plenty of options!

Here are different ways to obtain train tickets in Europe.

Online (Via a Third-Party Site)

Third-party booking sites are incredibly useful when preparing to travel Europe by train, especially when you’re planning to travel between countries.

We use and recommend Omio , which will allow you to easily compare prices between different routes, show you the most efficient path, and allow you to book trains across Europe with no concerns about language barriers, iffy online translations of national websites, or issues with payment (some company websites struggle to process foreign credit cards).

Omio is a ticket aggregate, and searches multiple companies and routes at once, which makes it very handy for checking train timetables and possible routes as well as for booking tickets!

Search  train routes and tickets prices in Europe today!

Online (Via the Company Directly)

Alternatively, if you’re looking for the best possible deal, you can book tickets online through direct websites for most countries in Europe.

For example, here are the national train company websites for Italy , France , and Germany .

We tend to book directly whenever we’re traveling domestically in a place we’re very familiar with, like Italy.

At the Train Station

If you’re traveling a short distance on a regional or commuter rail (like to take a day trip, for example), you can also buy tickets directly at the train station.

If you’re buying train tickets in person, we recommend using the kiosks available whenever possible.

Not only do they tend to have language options that make things much easier, but they also tend to take a fraction of the time of waiting in line to be helped by a person directly.

With a Train Pass

The final option for booking tickets to travel Europe by train is to do it in one fell swoop with a Eurail pass (for non-European residents) or Interrail pass (essentially the same thing, but for European residents).

Essentially, a Eurail pass will allow you to buy a certain number of train rides (or an unlimited number) in advance, allowing you to be more spontaneous in your travels.

However, there are limitations–for example, some routes still require advance reservations and charge additional fees.

G enerally speaking, the average user will end up spending more on train travel in Europe with a pass than without one.

There are cases where a train pass makes sense, though, so if you’re planning lots of European train travel, especially in Western and parts of Central Europe , be sure to run the numbers to see if a European train pass is right for you!

Once you buy your tickets, the next step is to actually receive them!

Here are the three main options.

Most European train tickets these days can be received online and downloaded to your phone. 

When available, this is by far the easiest and quickest way to receive your tickets.

At the Station

You can also choose to receive your (paper) tickets at the station you’re departing from, either by purchasing them there as mentioned above, or by picking up tickets you bought online.

In most cases, there’s no real reason to pick up paper tickets you bought online as opposed to simply downloading them, but most countries do still have the option.

If you book tickets to travel Europe by train well in advance of your trip, many countries do also have a home delivery option where they can be mailed to you before you travel.

We took advantage of this for our very first multi-country trip to Europe and had our train tickets for our overnight route from Krakow to Budapest mailed to our then-home in San Antonio.

Honestly, it was complete overkill, even as the novice travelers we were then, and we don’t necessarily recommend doing this–but some places do have the option available.

If you’re confused, concerned, or just slightly intimidated by train travel in Europe but are ready to book your first journey, this section is for you!

Follow these instructions step-by-step, and you’ll travel Europe by train with ease.

Book your ticket.

Generally, for long or inter-country journeys, booking online is the easiest option as we outlined above.

We use and recommend Omio for booking train tickets in Europe.

Shop train tickets across Europe today!

Make sure your ticket is in hand.

This can mean downloaded onto your phone or printed onto a piece of paper in your hand.

E ither option works in most places, but whichever you choose, make sure you have your ticket handy when you board.

Head to the (correct) train station.

Most major European cities are home to more than one train station, so be sure to double and triple-check that you’re going to the right one before you set off.

Find your platform.

Much like in an airport, your first step to finding your train platform will be to check the (often large, sometimes confusing) boards bearing destinations and times.

It’s best to search for your train based on a combination of the train number, company, and departing time– not the destination. 

If your train is continuing past your stop, for example, searching by destination can get very confusing, very quickly.

European trains (and Europe in general) also use the 24-hour clock (so 3:00 PM will be displayed as 15:00, etc), so keep that in mind when looking for your train on the departures board.

Validate your ticket.

If you have a paper ticket, you’ll need to validate it before you board.

T he kiosks to validate your ticket are generally placed just before you reach the platform, but can sometimes be easy to miss if you’re not looking for them.

(As far as we’re concerned, this hassle is another point in favor of online/downloaded tickets.)

If applicable, find your train car and seat number.

If your train has reserved seats, you’ll need to find the exact train car number and seat number to sit in.

T his is most common on long-distance, high-speed trains.

… Or just look for the appropriate class.

If your train has open seating, the only seating concerns will be whether you sit in the 1st or 2nd class.

The “1” or “2” denoting whether it’s a first or second-class train car is generally marked obviously on the side of the train, near or on the door itself, so it’s fairly easy to make sure you’re in the correct place.

Stow your luggage.

In some trains, this will mean storing your luggage in the racks provided at the ends of each train car, in others, it will mean in the racks above the seats, and in still others, there are even places to store bags between the seats.

Keep an eye on what others are doing, but keep in mind that as long as your luggage isn’t in anyone else’s way, there’s generally some flexibility to the process.

Settle in and enjoy the views.

Once you’ve found your seat and stored your luggage, it’s finally time for the best part of train travel in Europe: kicking back and enjoying watching the world go by.

No matter how many times we ride trains through Europe, we never stop getting a little thrill during this part of the process!

Keep your ticket handy for when the conductor comes by.

At some point, as you travel Europe by train–and it could be 5 minutes into your ride, 5 hours into your ride, or both–a conductor will come by to check your ticket.

Be sure to have your ticket in a convenient place so that you’re ready when this happens!

Listen carefully as you get close to your destination.

As you begin to get close to your destination, it’s time to pay very close attention to the announcements.

Many European cities have train stations that sound very similar to each other, especially to those not familiar with them (for example Roma Tiburtina and Roma Termini), and you’ll want to be certain to exit the train at the correct stop.

O therwise, you might accidentally find yourself deep in the suburbs instead of in the center of the city!

In many places, especially along routes popular with tourists, arrival announcements for each station will be repeated in English, but that’s not a guarantee.

Exit the train quickly and smoothly.

When you reach your stop, be ready to exit immediately–that means luggage in hand and waiting at the end of the train car to exit.

You’ll generally see people start to queue up a few minutes before arrival.

The train stops long enough for everyone to exit comfortably, so you don’t need to push past other people or even hurry if you’re prepared.

However, if you wait until the train stops before even getting your luggage together, well–if your station isn’t the final stop, you might find the train moves on before you have time to get off.

If you have your heart set on traveling Europe by train, plan ahead.

As you plan your Europe itinerary , you’ll likely find that some destinations are better suited for traveling Europe by train than others, and it definitely pays to know which destinations require a train, plane, or bus before arriving in Europe.

Train travel in Europe is generally best suited for certain Western and Central European countries–the further you move into the Balkans and Eastern Europe, the more limited (and, shall we say, adventurous) it becomes.

And, despite being situated essentially as far to the west of Europe as you can get, Spain and Portugal are surprisingly isolated from the perspective of train travel (this is due to having a different size of railroad gauge than other countries in Western Europe).

Distance also plays a key role.

Traveling from Paris to Venice by train is a long but completely doable day, but Paris to Zagreb , not so much–that route is better suited to a plane.

Add in the fact that you’ll want to book your variable-price tickets in advance, and the bottom line is that you should definitely bank on planning at least the most important routes in advance.

Definitely book complex routes for train travel in Europe in advance.

If you’re traveling from Rome to Florence or Madrid to Barcelona, especially if you don’t mind taking a regional/slow train, you can book your train tickets once you already arrive in Europe.

For more complex or longer routes, though, you’ll make things much easier on yourself if you book before you start your trip abroad.

Bring snacks and drinks along for the ride.

While most long-distance routes will sell simple food on board like sandwiches, drinks, and pre-packaged snacks, the selection is generally about on par with airplane food, in other words, expensive and unexceptional.

Commuter and regional trains are much less likely to sell food on board.

On long-distance trains, there’s typically a dining car you can visit to make purchases, and on some routes (especially in first class), a restaurant cart will come around offering a few items, similar to a flight attendant.

Better not to worry about it, though: we recommend packing plenty of snacks (or even a full meal) and drinks to bring along, which is completely typical on trains in most places in Europe.

If you have a long train ride ahead, consider packing cards or a game.

Not only will this help entertain you throughout the journey, but it’s also a great way to meet other travelers!

Don’t count on having internet access onboard.

Even if you have a European SIM card and are traveling within the Schengen Zone (where SIM cards are supposed to work across borders), maintaining an internet connection on a European train ride is iffy.

B etween tunnels, remote countryside, border crossings, etc., it’s best not to count on having access.

If the train advertises wifi, don’t count on that either–some of them require a local tax ID number or phone number to access.

We’ve found that our best bet for internet access during train travel in Europe is whenever the train briefly stops at a station.

If you have a SIM card that works for that destination, you can usually expect at least a few minutes of connectivity there.

Make sure you go to the correct train station.

We mentioned this above, but it bears repeating: be very certain that you go to the correct train station when traveling by train through Europe… and that goes for when you get on and when you get off! 

… And show up early.

Some train stations in major cities are enormous, and can almost resemble airports, with 30+ platforms, various levels, and in some cases a mall inside them (like Roma Termini, for example).

If you’re not familiar with the station in question, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to find your way to the correct platform once you arrive!

If you have an opportunity to take an overnight train, do!

Not only is it a great way to save on the cost of a hotel for the night , but spending the night in a sleeper car can be quite a travel adventure!

(Though in the interest of full disclosure, I have never once gotten what I would call a good night’s sleep on a train. No regrets, though, and we’ll do it again!).

Toilets are plentiful, but their quality is questionable.

In other words, bring some toilet paper (I usually keep a small packet of tissues handy for that purpose) and hand sanitizer. 

Also, wet floors aren’t exactly unheard of, so you might want to stick with close-toed shoes.

Most high-speed trains in Europe have a toilet available in every train car, so you typically won’t need to go far to find one.

If you’re a student and/or under 26, you might qualify for discounts.

Keep that in mind when booking your train tickets for Europe, and if you do book a discounted fare, be sure to keep your ID handy (it’ll likely come in handy in many other places during your trip, too).

Keep in mind that some under-26 discounts are only available to EU residents, so be sure to verify that before counting on them if you aren’t European.

You can generally bring dogs (and cats) with you on trains in Europe!

This is a bit beyond the scope of this blog post, but given that we have several photos of Ranger in here, I’m sure at least a few readers are curious!

The vast majority of trains in Europe allow well-behaved companion animals on board, with varying requirements and costs (generally either free or the price of a child) based on the animal’s size, whether it’s confined in a carrier, etc.

It’s best to check the expectations for each route in advance, but with a little planning and flexibility, your furry friends are generally welcome.

Ranger is quite the traveler and has visited 8 countries and counting with us, many of them by train!

Keep an eye on social norms.

Cultural expectations around eating, talking loudly, and storing your luggage can and will vary depending on where your train travel in Europe takes you.

B e sure to keep an eye on what everyone else is doing to ensure you’re not inadvertently committing a faux pas !

For example, if you take a train, say, in Italy and then later in Austria as you travel Europe by train, you’ll likely notice a huge difference in the noise level on the train!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

64 thoughts on “How to Travel Europe By Train: The Ultimate Guide (+ Tips!)”

We are senior citizens planning a trip to Italy and surrounding areas in September 2022. Looking at some train travel, multiple cities for sight seeing. We like the smaller, picturesque, historical cities. What advice can you offer?

I definitely recommend searching “Italy” on our search bar (top right of the site on desktop, part of the menu on mobile). Italy is one of our favorites and we have (literally) about 100 posts about it!

For small, picturesque, historic cities, Siena, Venice (it is pretty small!), and Verona come to mind. Florence, too–surprisingly small in some ways!

For even smaller hilltop villages like Montepulciano, etc, in Tuscany, be aware that many of the train stations aren’t in the town center, so you’ll likely want to catch a taxi in many of them to avoid hauling luggage up a hill.

Two years ago we had a small villa in a very small town in Italy. We trained to a new place everyday. It was funned and easy. We took the local bus into the next target town, bought our tickets at the station and took off for the day. We went to Florence, Pizza, and several smaller towns. We are mature seniors and had no trouble getting around. Only a couple of people spoke english in a small town, but, we managed easily.

Your comments encourage me to locate a home base in Italy and take a train or bus to the surrounding suburbs etc. I’m no spring chicken nor my husband but we get around easily. Thank you

Thanks for the helpful information. Appreciate it!

My boyfriend and I just booked our first train tickets in Europe thanks to you!!! I’m so happy we found your blog. We’re going to France and Spain this summer!

Ahhh that is wonderful to hear! Have a fantastic time!

My wife and I, both 70 are taking a cruise from Budapest to Passau and plan on taking trains to Birmingham England from Passau. I’ m planning about 5 stops. First Venice then Tirano, St. Moritz, Sion, Strasbourg and finally Birmingham. I plan on a Eurrail pass. do you have any advice, help or suggestion. Thanks

Hi Wayne! If you’re planning on an Eurail pass, my best advice is to research your routes, dates, and times in advance–many popular routes will still require advance reservations even with a pass.

Kate, my wife and I are planning our first cruise in Europe, and are thinking about taking the train from Barcelona to Rome (cruise departure). Your blog was a great overview. My question has to do with ability to get off and on a subsequent train, for day visits on the way. Is switching covered or individually arranged ahead of time, and is it a good or bad idea for novice mostly monolingual travelers to Europe? Advice? Thanks,(Chuck)

If you book a ticket from Barcelona to Rome, your ticket will be good for that specific train/departure only, so you can’t get off and back on at various stops. If you want to stop places along the way, you’ll need to book individual tickets between each destination you plan to visit.

If you have your heart set on that, look into an Eurail pass–it does what you describe, however, it can get confusing (some routes still require advance reservations) and will usually be more expensive than booking tickets individually.

Traveling by train is absolutely doable as a novice traveler, but be sure to be careful when you’re booking your tickets (to ensure they’re the right dates/times/train stations you expect), and pay close attention to the stops to ensure you don’t miss yours.

Another option, if you’re traveling during the summer and want to get from Barcelona to Rome quickly without flying, would be to take a ferry to Rome and then train to a few places around Italy from there.

Hope you guys have a great trip!

My family is looking to travel from Lille to Amsterdam. My question is: when we depart out train that originated in Lille and transfer to a new train in Brussels, will we need to go through some form of customs before we board the train for Amsterdam? I just want to get an idea of how much time to leave for connecting trains.

Hi Matt! No customs required–all of those countries are part of the EU Schengen Zone, so moving between them via train is generally as seamless as road-tripping between US states.

And, is 33 minutes to connect from one train to another a lot of time? We have never done this type of thing before so I’m not sure if that is cutting it too close

33 minutes should be okay! Definitely move with purpose to find your next platform once you arrive, but you shouldn’t be in a huge hurry as long as everything is on time.

Kate- I am considering coming to Europe early for my Christmas river cruise heading out of Brussels. I was thinking of taking the train from the Brussels airport to Koln to see their markets and explore, and then doing a day train up to Dusseldorf to see their Christmas markets. It looks like about a 2 hour train ride on Thalys to Koln and then only about 30 minutes from Koln on to Dusseldorf. I will then take the train back to Brussels for my riverboat cruise. Does this sound feasible?

As long as the timetables work in your favor, I don’t see why not! Germany and Belgium are both great countries for exploring by train.

Hello Kate, We are looking to visit Italy for the first time in December/2022, I was looking in the train tours, visiting 4 cities (Rome, Florence,Venice & Naples). Your thoughts on train tours? Thank

Hi Sharon! I’m not sure what you mean by tour–if you mean a guided trip, they can of course be very fun with the right group, but I wouldn’t say you need one for this route.

All of those cities are very simple to visit independently by train, and we have taken trains to and from all of them many times (I’m actually typing this on a train to Venice).

Hi Kate, my husband and I are planning to fly in to Italy and travel by train to the following places: 1) Milan 2) Switzerland 3) Vienna 4) Prague 5) Paris

May I know if these places can be connected by train. If yes which train will you recommend, please. We are actually thinking about 15-20 days to cover these areas. As it’s our first Europe trip, do you think it’s sufficient and is there any place along the way that you would encourage to go. Thank you.

Yes, those are all excellent destinations to visit by train, so you’re good to go there. As far as specific trains, you’ll need to pull up the individual routes to check (we recommend Omio for this, especially with cross-border trains).

That’s definitely too many places for 15 days, though, and still pushing it at 20. I’d recommend trimming the itinerary a bit if you can (or adding on extra days, of course!).

Hi there This was so helpful. My husband and I are going to Amsterdamin September and then 3 nights in Bruges. All us booked but I’m overwhelmed but the trains websites. Omio is the easiest but I’m still leary. Is it legit and a decent safe way to book trains? We are only going to Belgium. Then two days to the countryside in The Netherlands which we will just grab a regional train. Everyone is telling us to book the train to Bruges. Any helpful advice would be great. We would go to Antwerp and take an IC train to Bruges an hour later,as my husband does have hip and knee problems. Thanks in advance.

I understand, it’s a lot to take on the first few times!

We use Omio regularly, as do many people we know, it’s perfectly legitimate.

The Antwerp train station will be a beautiful place to rest for an hour. It’s absolutely stunning, especially the front foyer, and often pops up on lists of the best things to see in the city!

Hi Kate, My husband and I will be traveling from Prague to cities in Austria and Germany by train next month. We have used trains a few times in Europe before, but it was pre Covid. It looks like most Covid restrictions have been dropped, but I wondered if you have to show Covid vaccination cards on the trains?

Thank You, Jaymie

I’m always hesitant to answer questions like this because I feel like I’ll be summoning disaster with how quickly things can change, LOL.

But at the moment, no, you won’t need your vaccination proof in either place as far as I know.

Life is pretty 2019 these days when it comes to the logistics of traveling around Europe as a visitor, though a handful of places still require masks on public transport (I think Vienna is one of them, but again–things change!).

This is so helpful, but I’m striking out with trains from Naples to Rome? It says that there aren’t any? Why would they list it as an option if they don’t travel to there? Also, is there a way to preview how long the train rides are to decide if we want to travel to certain cities? Cannot find any train tables. I find the Omio and Eurail sites to be difficult to navigate and I can’t get enough information to plan! 🙁 Does it make sense to buy a eurail pass first and then research times and etas? Any help is appreciated!

Trains from Naples to Rome definitely exist! It’s possible you’re looking too far in advance to book the tickets–on Omio right now, it looks like I can purchase Naples to Rome tickets up to about 6 months out.

When you search for a specific route on Omio, Trenitalia, etc, it’ll show you how long the train is and how many changes there are, if any, much like searching for a flight.

We don’t recommend using the Google tool for this, as it tends to default to how to get somewhere if you leave at that second, which can be confusing and normally involves a more complicated route than you need.

Personally, we don’t generally find Eurail passes to be worth it in terms of cost-savings for most travelers, but in terms of research, you’ll be working with the same information either way. 🙂

Hope that helps! It can be a bit confusing at first, but if you try practicing by looking at dates sooner than when you actually plan to travel, I think you’ll find the information you’re looking for.

Thank you for taking the time to write all that useful information. It is so much appreciated by many of us! 🙂

Like many of your readers, we are (two young adults) planning to visit Europe for the first time this upcoming May. We are currently looking at: Landing in the morning in Prague, spend 1 or 2 nights, then Vienna, one night, leave following morning for Bratislava (this one is a maybe, it’s so close!) OR Vienna to Venice. Spend 1-2 nights, then Zurich, and finally Munich, before we make it back to Prague to catch our returning flight. We are looking at 9 days from the morning we land. 🥴 We figured it would be more efficient to travel in a circle, as some destinations -like Paris- will be out this time around. 🙁

Thoughts on that? I will look into Omni regarding trains, but our plan is to travel only by train, if possible.

I know that’s a lot of questions, but THANK YOU so much for your help! 😊

Thanks so much, Al! So glad to be helpful. 🙂

You definitely have the right idea with traveling in a circle, though I definitely recommend trimming some destinations!

With 9 days, I’d suggest no more than 3 base cities (and that’s pushing it), and you can add a day trip or two from there if you like.

I know it’s SO tempting to add more places (I have this problem constantly myself lol) but you’ll have much more fun with a bit of time to explore each place!

I’m not sure what your priorities are or what your budget is, but based on the cities you listed, I’d cut Zurich (Switzerland is amazing, but you don’t have time) and Bratislava. Ideally, I’d suggest cutting one more city as well.

If it were my trip, personally, I’d do a Prague – Venice – Munich triangle, and potentially day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle or somewhere else in the Bavarian Alps with one of the days in Munich. That’s just personal preference, though!

You can definitely do all the destinations you listed by train, no issue there at all. 🙂

That recommendation sounds amazing. The two big ones are Prague (#1!) and Venice, but really hoping to do Munich as well.

I will look into the Bavarian Alps, as I am not familiar with them 🙂

Thanks again. Really enjoy reading through your content! 😊

If you love mountains and/or castles, you’ll definitely love them!

Enjoy some Czech beer for us 🙂

Hi, we are doing Europe by train in June. Is there a way to determine: a. which direction the train(s) are going, so we can face forward? b. Which side is considered the right side (vs left side) for best views when recommended? Thanks for your perspective.

Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut way to determine which way trains are facing, especially because they often turn around during the route, depending on how they pull into/out of various stations. On long journeys, it’s not uncommon to find yourself facing forward part of the time and backward part of the time.

If you’re starting from the beginning of the line, you can sometimes tell which way you’ll be facing at the beginning based on the route, but not always.

The same goes for the views–for very specific routes, you can sometimes get personalized recommendations from others who have traveled the route (especially for particularly scenic ones), but there’s no simple solution to figuring it out beyond just recommendations.

It’d certainly be easier if that were the case!

Hi Kate, Really enjoying your posts, photos, and appreciate the helpful advice. I am planning a trip in Sept/Oct to visit Scotland for a week before traveling in southern Germany and Austria. What would you recommend about getting from Scotland/London to Koln, Munich or Frankfurt? Is there a good train route to take? Or is this a case where flights make more (economic or time) sense? Thanks for any pointers!

That’s definitely a route that is better served by flight, both from an economic and time perspective! 🙂

Is there something I am missing about Omio, the booking site that you recommend?

My wife and I are moving to Lyon in April and plan to go to Amsterdam in May. I went on the Omio site just to get a sense of what was available from Lyon (Gare Part Dieu) to Amsterdam (Centraal) on a random date (I picked May 9) and the site told me it could not find any trains between these places. But on the Rail Europe site, it showed a slew of trains available throughout the day.

I am confused.

I am too, I’m not sure why it’s not coming up! I just did the search myself and played around with dates, destinations, etc. Paris – Amsterdam, for example, seems to be pulling up just fine.

Could be as simple as a bug, but I just shot Omio an email asking for clarification.

Hi Kate I am Josh from KL Malaysia looking forward for europe trip in september 2023. I would like to start trip from berlin to budapest for 15 to 17 days.how to go about it by using eurorail?

Eurail has a website with a planning tool that can help you sketch out your journey.

Generally, you’ll buy either a set number of travel days within a given time period (like 7 days to be used in a month) or an unlimited pass.

Many routes do still require advance reservations (with additional fees), so be sure to check each route individually so you don’t miss anything!

Hi! I would love to travel as comfortably with my dog as you have, seeing from the pictures. I have a couple of questions: 1) what’s the name brand of that pet carrier. Looks perfect for mine. 2) Could you post tips on hoe to travel with your pet successfully.

Thank you for your content!

Yes, absolutely–with a catch (if you’re in the US). We bought the bag on Amazon Spain when living in Portugal and don’t know of an equivalent here. But this is the link: https://www.amazon.es/-/pt/gp/product/B00XR2D94W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&fbclid=IwAR3p0Ihrxf6e1yL4nJv5pJBK0GXmOIVIqXL97ov77VRuxSIvm61M2-NbfQE&th=1

Here’s Ranger’s backpack that he gets carried in as well (size large): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C9XLXVH?ie=UTF8&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=ourescapeclau-20&linkId=813c9a64c05de1faef0162cbed102f22&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

He absolutely loves both–gets so excited when we get his bags out, and climbs right in when we get onboard!

Traveling by train in Europe with a dog is usually pretty simple, but you’ll always want to look up requirements for the specific country/train company (some require dogs not in a carrier to pay a half-fare or child’s ticket, etc).

If your dog is very small (like a yorkie or similar) they’re usually free, though again, be sure to check in advance.

I have it on my list to write a whole blog post on this topic eventually, but I hope that helps get you started! 🙂

Just wanted to say thank for you for such amazing content. We are starting to plan a 5 week trip to Europe for Summer 2024 with our 4 kids and your site and recommendations are beyond helpful.

Thank you so much, Megan! That’s wonderful to hear. 🙂 Hope you guys have an incredible trip!

Hi, planning a trip to Europe with the family. Have been to Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and UK so we are looking for something different. Like Berlin, Prague and Vienna or Amsterdam, Berlin and Brussels. Love to get your thoughts on these routes and would you recommend taking the train between these cities? Or any other 3 cities you recommend we do over 10 days.

Sounds like a very fun trip! All of the cities you mentioned are definitely doable by train, but Berlin-Prague-Vienna is more cohesive than Amsterdam-Berlin-Brussels (I also personally would put a couple of dozen other cities in the region ahead of Brussels, though it definitely has things to offer!).

Since it seems like Berlin is a priority for you, I’d recommend using that as your anchor and spanning out from there.

A few other places that could make sense, if you want to add more options to your list, could be Krakow, Budapest, or Bratislava.

If you want to start in Berlin and include Amsterdam, you might look into Hamburg, Cologne, or Bruges.

You could also head south from Berlin, and do a Berlin-Munich-Switzerland (Zurich or Lucerne if you’re looking for cities) route.

Really, the possibilities are endless, so it just comes down to the cities that call to you the most!

We are seniors, experienced travellers but novice on trains. We have 3 weeks to visit Paris, Prague, Vienna, Bern, Marseilles, Barcelona, and Lisbon. What suggestions can you offer us Thanks

My first recommendation would be to trim a city or two–3 days per city is a very fast pace to keep up for 3 weeks!

Lisbon and Barcelona are of course the biggest geographic outliers. Lisbon is a non-starter as far as train travel to the rest of these cities is concerned–realistically, it’ll make more sense to fly to and from there.

Barcelona is a bit tricky, since Spanish and Portuguese trains are on a different rail gauge than the rest of the countries on your list. You can take a high-speed train from Barcelona to Paris, but getting from Barcelona to Marseilles via train is much more challenging than you’d think it would be based on a map.

The rest of the cities you mentioned are very well-connected by train, so you shouldn’t have any issues there. 🙂

Really informative site you have here!

I’m from Asia and planning to visit Europe for the first time in Oct 2023. I’ll likely start the tour from London and have about 10 days, then will fly home from Heathrow Airport London. I’m really into trains and would love your advice on what some destinations would be possible. I’ve never been to Europe so anything is fine with me. 🙂 Thank you

Honestly, the number of options is so overwhelming that you’re going to want to narrow it down–a lot!

Assuming you plan to hop over to mainland Europe (as opposed to heading north to Scotland, for example), Paris and Amsterdam are both great jumping-off points connected to London by train.

From either city, you can then reach dozens of cities within several countries in a day’s worth of train travel (or less).

Consider taking a look at places that interest you in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Belgium–just to name a few!

If you want to peruse some sample itineraries, we have several in this post: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/2-week-europe-itinerary-trip/

Hope you have a fantastic trip!

Thanks for all the info contained within this blog. We are planning for summer 2024,a 2-week tour of Europe starting and finishing in the UK. How many stops would you recommend? Where would you suggest?, need to combine, beach, sightseeing and something in the Alpes? Ive got in mind Uk – South of France – Italy- Budapest-Krakow – Germany(or similar)-UK Now for the tricky bit, we are planning to do this with around 20 Explorer scouts! Any tips for travelling in groups? Can you also recommend a great website for hostels Thanks in advance

Sounds like quite the trip! 20 scouts–you guys have your work cut out for you, but I’m sure they’ll love it. 🙂 Can’t offer much personal insight in that direction myself, but I commend you guys for taking it on.

With only 2 weeks, I’d recommend 3 stops, with an additional day trip or two to add on more destinations. Sticking with the UK – South of France – Italy might work best in your case. Germany and Switzerland would also work as potential substitutes as they’re geographically close (depending on where you go).

We go into a lot more detail on putting together a 2-week itinerary in this guide: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/2-week-europe-itinerary-trip/

As far as booking lodging goes, we tend to book all of ours through Booking dot com these days. For hostels in particular, Hostelworld is also popular, though we have rarely used it ourselves. Depending on how old your scouts are you might want to double-check any age requirements for dorm stays.

We are a couple in our 60’s who have travelled by train in Italy and Japan .We are travelling to Greece for 2 weeks then flying to Hamburg.From here we are going to travel straight to Berlin(3 nights),Amsterdam(3 nights),Paris (5 nights),Interlarken,Switzerland (3 nights) then to Munich(4 nights). I have just started researching the best way to purchase rail tickets either a Eurail pass or point to point on Omio.Considering our itinerary what do you recommend?I have read that a Eurail pass is easier than point to point bookings but may be more costly.

Thanks for your blog,very informative.

Hi Francine,

In our experience, Eurail passes tend to be a bit more expensive for most travelers. Part of the reason for this is that many popular routes still require advance reservations that require you to commit to a date and often pay an additional reservation fee.

We have used an Eurail pass in the past, but these days, we always choose to book point-to-point journeys.

However, the only way to know for sure about your route in particular is to plan your trip out via Eurail (be sure to double-check what routes require reservations) and as a point-to-point trip and compare prices. Every trip is different, and since the prices for high-speed trains change depending on when you book them, there’s no way to know for certain.

If you’ve been comfortable traveling by train in other countries in the past, I wouldn’t say the ease of using an Eurail pass is worth the probable extra cost, especially with how simple it is to book train tickets online these days. It does depend on the traveler, though!

Thanks for the information Travelling to krakow then Prague Budapest and Croatia. Have 2 month. Would like to travel by train How far in advance do you need to book train tickets as I want to do it leisurely and not book to far in advance. Also what other country’s/cities do you recommend Thank you so much Betty

For most routes in that area, booking as you go (a few days to a week or so in advance) is just fine, as long as you’re a bit flexible. Exceptions can include night trains and traveling over holidays, so keep that in mind!

Keep in mind that train travel in Croatia is much less expansive than you might think–Dubrovnik doesn’t even have a train station! You can use some train routes, like Zagreb to Split, but plan on adding in buses and/or rental cars (plus ferries, of course) depending on where you want to go in Croatia.

With 2 months to travel from Krakow to Croatia, you might also consider stops in Austria (Vienna is right along your route), Slovakia (Bratislava is very easy to reach) and Slovenia. Depending on how direct you want to travel, Bosnia and Herzegovina could fit in as well.

That barely scratches the surface of the possibilities, but hopefully it gives you some ideas!

Hi! My wife and I love to travel (Between the two of us we have done Italy, Fiji, Australia and many others). We are planning on the F1 races in Spielberg, Austria next June. Thinking about the train from Vienna to Barcelona after and wondering if the ride (about a day) is worth the time? The flight is about 5 hours. We had fun on the train in Italy (Rome to Venice) We will likely leave Vienna the Mon or Tues after and have another 10 days. What do you think about Barcelona and Madrid? Do both? Or one over the other? Thanks in advance!

The distance between Vienna and Barcelona is far enough that unless the idea of a night train and a few train changes sounds like a fun adventure, I’d recommend flying! Basically as a travel experience it can work, but as a basic form of transportation, they’re a bit too far apart for the logistics to make sense.

As far as Barcelona and Madrid, both are wonderful, but they’re very different. Barcelona wins on whimsical architecture and access to the sea. Madrid wins on stately art museums and for having a more laid-back vibe. We enjoy both cities, but Madrid is our personal favorite of the two (though we are in the minority with that opinion!).

If you have time to spend a few days in each, they’re definitely both worth experiencing.

Hi! Thanks for the reply….sounds like flying is the way to go….we will have 4 days each in Madrid/Barcelona so should be able to get the flavors of both. Love your blog!

Thanks, Greg! Enjoy Austria and Spain! 🙂

Hi Kate! I just found your blog while planning my first Europe trip… I’m so excited I have actual tears! I promised myself traveling around/to Europe would be something I accomplish by the time I turn 25. This train travel blog has given me so much needed information as when I originally started planning this trip a few years ago my original plan was by train. I will be combing through your blog site to read as much as I can and support you how I can.

My plan is to start in southern Portugal, through southern Spain, southern France, into Italy. I need to do more research to see if this much in a 2 week time span is even feasible. And, it looks like I may be better off taking a bus in Western Europe. This has been my one hurdle in actually going. If I’m going to go, I’m going to visit multiple countries… but the navigation between countries is the most fearful part for me. I will be using your blog to help me plan and prepare.

All this to say… I’m so glad I found your blog!! Thank you for all of your wonderful information.

Your comment brings a huge smile to my face! I remember planning our first trip so clearly at about the same age (I was 23 on our first-ever trip to Europe and 24 on our first multi-country European backpacking trip) and I can definitely say it was nothing short of life changing. 🙂

All of the places you mentioned are among our favorites in the world! And reading between the lines, it sounds like you may have a preference for coastal areas, which all of those areas have in spades.

One small snag is that you have chosen some of the hardest places to travel between countries by train in western Europe, namely Portugal and Spain. Getting between major cities by train is no issue within each country, but the two aren’t very well-connected by train to each other, and the only train route to France from Spain leaves from Barcelona. There’s a long history as to why, but basically the train rail gauges in the Iberian peninsula are different than elsewhere.

However, don’t worry! There are plenty of solutions. 🙂 Buses are definitely a great option, especially for getting between places like the Algarve and Seville, etc. There are local buses, but also check out Flixbus, which is very popular with travelers and easy to use (we’ve used it many times ourselves). Also, flying is a surprisingly affordable option–Ryanair, Easyjet, etc. have tons of routes in these areas and are frequently way cheaper than traveling by train. Blablacar–basically Uber for traveling long distances–is also an option, though not one we have lots of personal experience with.

Finally, don’t forget about ferries! They can be surprisingly affordable, especially in Spain and southern Italy. We took a ferry from Barcelona to Rome and found it very memorable with amazing views: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/barcelona-to-rome-ferry/

As I always like to tell people, getting on that first plane and starting your trip is the hardest part. After that, everything falls into place. 🙂

Hi Kate, Your blog has been super informative and helpful! We are planning a family trip to Europe this May with our 3 teenagers. Our goal is to do Rome (4 nights), Venice (2 nights), Salzburg (3 nights) and Munich (4-5 nights) in 15 days. Planning to fly into Rome and fly out of Munich or Frankfurt (Dallas is home), and travel by train from city to city. Are we taking on too much? Do you recommend using the fast train from Rome to Venice? Really want to take the train thru the Alps from Venice to Salzburg, but is it going to be much more expensive than flying? I’m assuming I need to book that leg of the train trip asap. Again, great job on the blog! It has made me very excited for our trip!

That’s great to hear, thank you!

That sounds like a good pace for a trip–if anything, 5 nights seems slightly long in Munich, though very doable with a day trip or two built in (and there are plenty of amazing ones in Bavaria!).

Taking the fast train from Rome to Venice would absolutely be our preference–it’s the fastest way to travel between the two cities by far.

Same for Venice to Salzburg (it’s a lovely train ride!). but yes, it can be more expensive than flying depending on when you book and how good of a flight deal you get. It’s much more comfortable regardless, though (not traveling to and from the airports is a big benefit in its own right). Depending on what train company you travel with, expect tickets to be available for purchase anywhere from 3-6 months in advance. I’d start watching earlier, though, just looking at more recent dates, to get a feel for what prices to expect.

Thank you for taking the time to put all of these great information together. Really appreciate it. So our plan for next year is as follow (12 days):

Spain: 1 day Madrid 1day Sevilla 1 day Barcelona

from Barcelona, take fast train to Italy 1 day Rome 1 day Naples 1 day Milan

from Milan take fast train to Switzerland:

What places (areas) would you recommend visiting in Switzerland? We would like countryside, small towns. I heard Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to visit, so anything where we can enjoy nice scenery but not the most expensive areas. Also, is it feasible getting around in trains between these cities/countries? Thank you in advance!

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Can you travel in a loop around the US by train for less than $1000?

Feb 12, 2020 • 2 min read

The train journeys wull take passengers through beautiful countryside © Amtrak/Emily Moser

If the idea of travelling in a loop around the US by train appeals, a new itinerary has been published that outlines exactly how you can do it.

Travel booking platform Wanderu has compiled the epic trip using Amtrak's rail network at an average cost of just under $1000 (€915.80). To complete the journey, passengers will travel about 6586 miles, pass through 27 states and ride seven different Amtrak services, including the iconic Coast Starlight and Empire Builder lines. They will travel along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as well as the northern and southern borders and will see some of the most magnificent scenery in the country. In total, the journeys add up to seven days, four hours and 39 minutes of travel time.

Beginning in Boston , passengers travel south to Washington, DC passing through seven other states. From Washington, DC, they take the Amtrak Crescent through seven more states to New Orleans , and from there it's on to Los Angeles , a journey that takes 46 hours and passes through four other states. The Amtrak Coast Starlight line from Los Angeles to Seattle passes through one other state –  Oregon   –and the section that traces Highway 101 from Oxnard to San Luis Obispo is among the most gorgeous train rides they’ll ever take.

The Amtrak Empire Builder trip from Seattle to Chicago cuts through five other states, and the journey from Chicago to Cleveland takes six hours and passes through Indiana . The journey begins to wind down after passengers travel from Cleveland to Albany, and then the final journey is the four hours and 47 minute trip from Albany to Boston, at which point, travellers will have passed through 27 states.

You can check out the entire route on Wanderu here.

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The Maya Train Will Get You to All of Yucatán’s Best Spots. But Not Yet.

In December, the train began running on its first route through Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. On a five-day journey a few months later, the author encountered enthusiasm, and scheduling hiccups.

By Elisabeth Malkin

Elisabeth Malkin has been visiting the Yucatán Peninsula for three decades.

I stepped off the platform at the gleaming new Maxcanú train station, eager to see the magnificent Maya archaeological site of Uxmal. All I needed was a taxi to take me there, a trip of about 30 miles away.

There are no taxis, said the stationmaster, as we stood on the polished limestone floors of the high-ceilinged station, which was cool and breezy despite the brilliant late-morning sun outside. And I was the third person in two weeks to get off at Maxcanú expecting to reach Uxmal, he said.

I was midway through a five-day trip to explore the brand-new Maya Train and several of its destinations in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico . Designed to run 965 miles (1,554 kilometers) around a loop of 34 stations when completed, the train will whisk passengers in cool comfort through colonial cities, archaeological sites, splashy resorts and tropical forests.

Now I was stunned. Wrangling a taxi has never been a problem in Mexico. But the drivers gathered in the main square of Maxcanú offered only beat-up vans that hopscotch through small towns, where I might or might not find a taxi to Uxmal. The next van was leaving in 45 minutes.

Yucatán’s layers of history have long held me spellbound. During earlier car trips, I have clambered up deserted Maya temples and palaces, stepped into the cool naves of massive 16th-century churches and visited restored haciendas, testaments of the ostentation — and hardship — of the peninsula’s 19th-century plantation economy. Traveling by train, I thought, would allow me to steep myself in more of that history.

But as I found in Maxcanú, a train won’t necessarily get you to where you want to go.

During my February trip, I traveled on the only route then available, an east-west leg that opened in December and runs from Cancún to Mérida, and then south through the port city of Campeche to the Maya site of Palenque (a short route between Cancún and Playa del Carmen opened last month, with three trains a day). I encountered scheduling confusion, unfinished stations and a dearth of trains — just two operating daily each way between Cancún and Campeche, and only one to Palenque. Overnight sleepers and special dining trains seem years away.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador considers the Maya Train his showcase development project, and wants to inaugurate the rest of the train before he leaves office on October 1. Based on my experience, that goal seems elusive.

A $29-billion route through the jungle

I started my journey in Cancún, where in the pre-dawn gloom the station hovered like a glowing spaceship. An attendant scanned the ticket I had bought online and a half-dozen more pointed me toward my tourist-class car, which was about a quarter full. I planned to go to Campeche, about 300 miles away, stopping once each day. At 120 kilometers (about 75 miles) an hour, the train covers the route in about six hours, the same as a car. (When construction is complete, the train’s speed should increase to 160 kilometers an hour.)

The car’s wide windows looked out at a wall of low jungle. The blue-green seats were comfortable and there was ample space between the rows. I bought a very good cappuccino at the snack bar, but declined the plastic-wrapped sandwiches. The rest of the merchandise was fruit cups, milk boxes and junk food.

The train will ultimately cost much more than the $29 billion budgeted so far, and it’s not the first time ambitious planners have alighted on the region. Cancún was once a tiny fishing village, selected half a century ago as a tourist hub. Last year 10 million international tourists flew into its airport, more than the airports of Mexico City, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta combined.

But uncontrolled growth has stressed the Caribbean coast’s fragile environment. The Maya Train, scientists warn , will push those problems south, threatening the area’s water supply, its unique system of underground limestone caves and its vast nature reserves.

Mr. López Obrador has charged ahead, handing the train over to the military , and arguing that it will spread Cancún’s wealth and attract new visitors. Mexico received more than 42 million overseas tourists last year and they spent almost $31 billion .

Local governments see an opportunity. “The train will allow people to disperse throughout the peninsula,” said Michelle Fridman, the tourism secretary for Yucatán state, which promotes dozens of attractions far beyond highlights like Mérida and Chichén Itzá .

Now that the train is operating, transport companies will begin to connect stations with lesser-known sites nearby, she said.

It’s fair to ask whether the train is the most effective way to develop the peninsula’s tourism. Tour companies already run trips to many sites from major cities, which are well served by buses. Driving a rental car through most of the area is considered safe , according to U.S. State Department travel guidance .

Route of Mexico’s Maya Train

Canceled trip.

It took two hours (and one time-zone change) to reach Valladolid, a colonial city of handsome streets and ancient churches, where I bought the rest of my tickets at the station. A tourist-class ticket from Cancún to Valladolid costs 472 pesos (around $28) for foreigners and 355 pesos (around $21) for Mexicans. First class, with wider seats, costs 755.50 pesos and 566.50 pesos, and discounts are available for older travelers and residents of the five states along the train’s route. (A first-class bus from downtown Cancún to Valladolid costs between 222 and 344 pesos, depending on the time of day, and takes half an hour longer.)

It was impossible to run the new Maya Train tracks into dense city centers and the Valladolid station, like the rest, was outside the urban core. A waiting bus took disembarking passengers downtown, a 15-minute ride for 35 pesos.

That day I toured Ek Balam , the site of a ninth-century Maya kingdom that is dominated by a 100-foot palace distinguished by a facade of carvings depicting winged warriors, stylized animal features and geometric patterns bordered by giant fangs. Admission to the site includes entry to the X-Canché cenote, one of thousands of limestone sinkholes that were sacred to the Maya.

Later that afternoon, I was wandering through the Museum of Ethnic Clothing, a private collection of traditional dress, embroidery and hats, when a WhatsApp message from the ticket office blinked on my phone. My train scheduled for the following day was canceled.

I decided to deal with the problem in the morning and enjoy the city. As I wandered past the antique shops and boutique hotels of the elegant Calzada de los Frailes, it was clear that Valladolid’s tourism, and the infrastructure to handle it, was well established. The Maya Train is simply an alternative way to reach a city that tourists discovered years ago.

‘We’re on the Tren Maya!’

In the morning, I found that my train had not been canceled, but the station for which I had a ticket, Tixkokob, was closed. I got off instead one stop earlier at Izamal, known for its ocher streets and the giant Franciscan convent of San Antonio de Padua, built atop the ruins of a pyramid.

During the 90-minute ride, I heard widespread enthusiasm among fellow travelers who expressed a willingness to give the train time to work out the kinks. “We’re an experiment,” said Oliva Escobedo Ochoa, 64, who was vacationing from her home in central Mexico.

Leticia Iliassich, 57, who is Mexican, was traveling with her Croatian husband along with relatives from Mexico and Croatia. They had initially been scheduled on an earlier train to Mérida that had been canceled. “We knew that it was a new project,” she said. “We don’t mind.”

The group had already sent a video to friends declaring, “We’re on the Tren Maya!”

At the Izamal station I hitched a 15-minute ride into the town center with a man who had asked me to take his photo alongside the train and his father. From there I negotiated a taxi to Hacienda San Lorenzo Aké, a working hacienda that still turns the fiber from an agave plant called henequén into coarse rope. Global demand for henequén, known as Yucatán’s “green gold,” brought fantastic wealth to the region in the mid-19th century, speckling the peninsula with more than 1,000 haciendas. ( Many are now sumptuous hotels.)

Where geometry, nature and the divine merge

It was during my third day that I found myself stuck in Maxcanú, after a 90-minute train ride from Izamal. The stationmaster, an army captain, offered me a ride to Uxmal, just as he had to the stranded tourists before me.

Eying Uxmal’s 4 p.m. final ticket sale, I accepted.

My situation made it clear just how distant the Maya Train’s promises are for tourists seeking to explore more of Yucatán. In time, that will change, said Ms. Fridman, the tourism secretary. “The idea is to have more hotels along the train line,” she said. “That will happen little by little.”

But Uxmal , among the most stunning of the Maya sites, made up for the inconvenience. Uxmal’s grand buildings are faced with intricate decorative masks as well as friezes in which geometry, nature and the divine merge. New plaques at each structure offer detailed information in English and Spanish, part of the government’s investment in improving displays at Maya sites for the train project.

Most tourists either take day trips by car or bus to Uxmal from Mérida or stay at one of three nearby hotels. As I finished dinner at my hotel, the dining room began to fill up: 47 Polish tourists had arrived.

Panama hats and a cramped van

My plan for the day was to go by taxi to Bécal, a town where Panama hats are woven in limestone caves to keep the fibers soft, and then pick up the afternoon train in nearby Calkiní for the port city of Campeche.

But I spent so much time watching the hat-making demonstration and then fitting my new hat and buying gifts that we set off with little time to reach the station. To my chagrin, I missed the train, the last one of the day.

On Calkiní’s central square, I found a van that was leaving for Campeche. Cost: 65 pesos. Time: about 1 hour and 20 minutes, similar to what I would have spent on the train. Of course, I was trapped in a cramped seat and had to listen to the driver’s choice of sentimental ballads, but I was dropped off in downtown Campeche, close to my hotel.

The next day, I toured the Museum of Maya Archaeology , an expertly curated collection that included haunting jade funeral masks, glyphs and delicate ceramic figures.

José Madrigal, 45, an engineer from Fremont, Calif., was trying to make Maya pottery interesting for his twin sons. The boys had just turned 5 and their birthday present had been a ride on the Maya Train. “They love trains,” Mr. Madrigal said. Then the family moved on, keeping up a brisk clip through the museum. They had another train to catch.

Should you take the train?

Yes, if you are traveling between larger stations. The train also offers a way to get to Palenque, which is harder to reach and has roads with security concerns. Travelers can stow bicycles on board.

To see train times, check the destinations on the website . You cannot buy tickets online more than a week in advance. But when you finally board, the ride is smooth — and the coffee is excellent.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

If Looks Could Kill: How Ripley Recreated Midcentury Italian Glamour

Secrets from the set of the new series, streaming now on Netflix.

For anyone who’s seen the Steven Zallian-directed series, that’s not likely a surprise. After all, the entire thing is shot in black-and-white and leans into sinister beauty, from unsettling Caravaggio paintings and crumbling churches to grand train stations, rambling seaside villas, and prime palazzos. The locations and sets do more than work as a background to the story of a striver who befriends and brutally betrays an ex-pat shipping heir, they help express the things that the characters themselves can’t ever quite say.” The amazing thing about the script is that a lot of the storytelling is not necessarily verbal,” Gropman explains. “It's about what Tom's thinking and the mood and the details, which for a designer is an incredible roadmap to be able to follow.”

The series begins in a 20 th -century New York City, where Ripley—getting by on quick scams, living in dumps—is tracked down by a private detective working for the Greenleaf family, whose son Dickie has run off to Italy and who, they’re hoping, Tom can convince to come home. Dickie wasn’t the only one stuck in Europe, however. “The interior of Tom’s SRO was built on a stage in Rome,” Gropman explains. “The series begins in New York in 1960, and there’s so much incredible photography from that period, all of which can be transferred into what you’re putting in front of the camera. We looked at a lot of photography by Vivan Mayer, Leonard Freed, Bert Hardy, and David Seymour.” Exteriors that echo the work of those photographers were shot in Manhattan, but the interiors from Ripley ’s New York City scenes were often filmed in Rome; “we looked long and hard to find something that wasn't corrupted,” Gropman says of locating Lower East Side blocks that retained a 1960s feel, “to the point of how are we going to shoot there?”

Those weren’t the only period landmarks that needed a bit of on-screen magic. As the story expands from New York City to Atrani, Rome, Naples, Venice, and beyond, travel—and the anxiety that comes with it—become central to Ripley , and therefore so do modes of transportation. “I'm proud of all of the train stations,” Gropman tells T& C. “We did both the stations themselves as well as the platforms for Roma Termini and Napoli Centrale, which was a real challenge, as well as ferry stops in Palermo and Naples. I'm a strong believer, even though we're telling a fictional story, in being honest to things that are referred to—like the train stations, the ferry stops, the banks, and the American Express office from that period in Italy. But the train stations and the ferry stops are probably the biggest dupes.”

Roma Termini is still in use today, so shooting there was impossible. Instead, the production used Esposizione Universale Roma—a site designed to host a World’s Fair that never occurred—and a convention center there to recreate the station. To stand in for Napoli Centrale, Gropman and his team used a hospital in Rome built for tuberculosis patients, and the exterior of Naples’s existing station stood in for Venice. “For all of the train platforms, which includes those three stations as well as Sanremo, we built 300 feet of platform on a train yard in Rome where they do maintenance,” Gropman explains. “We brought in five lengths of a period train and then had alternating columns depending upon what station we were shooting—the rest is all visual effects.”

Effects would also play a part in building the Atrani homes of Tom, Dickie, and his sometimes girlfriend, Marge Sherwood. “Tom's apartment was built on stage and Marge's interior was also, Gropman says, “but Dickie's villa was actually one that Steve had spotted in Capri. It was built in 1902, and is today broken into three different spaces, so the challenge was to put them together in a way that felt like one.” Another challenge? Decorating the places so that they told the right story about the characters who call them home—especially Tom’s desire to be accepte and Dickie’s money and thoughtlessness about what it does. “The allure of Dickie to Tom is not just his great wealth, but the fact that it apparently means nothing to him,” Gropman says.

Adam Rathe is Town & Country 's Deputy Features Director, covering arts and culture and a range of other subjects. 

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A group of WWII-era scientists used themselves as guinea pigs to learn to breathe underwater. Their experiments helped make D-Day possible.

• During WWII, scientists experimented on themselves to help divers and submarine crews.
• The scientists conducted over 600 experiments on themselves, breathing CO2, oxygen, and more gases.
• The British Admiralty used their data for recon missions, including before D-Day .

On January 18, 1944, a miniature sub known as an X-craft made its way from the English Channel to French waters undetected. For four nights, the sub surfaced every 12 hours to let in fresh air.

The submariners were on a reconnaissance mission. Two British Army officers aboard the sub swam to shore to mark landmarks and recently dug mines, gathering intel for troops who would invade the beaches of Normandy on D-Day , five months later.

The small group of scientists aboard the sub performed hundreds of experiments on themselves to figure out how long the X-craft could stay submerged with the occupants breathing their own expelled carbon dioxide .

They locked themselves in hyperbaric chambers, where they breathed carbon dioxide, pure oxygen, and other gases to figure out how best to breathe underwater .

These scientists meticulously documented the dangers of inhaling regular air and pure oxygen at different depths — helping pave the way for modern divers, who often use different gas mixtures depending on how deep they are going.

In her new book, "Chamber Divers: The Untold Story of the D-Day Scientists Who Changed Special Operations Forever," Rachel Lance tells the story of the many injuries and near-death experiences the researchers endured, from a broken spine to a collapsed lung .

The British Admiralty, which was in charge of the Royal Navy, used the scientists' data to help troops pilot miniature submarines, dismantle underwater obstacles, and perform other reconnaissance missions. All these tasks were vital for the D-Day mission .

The many dangers of diving

By the 1940s, diving was common but required bulky suits and large helmets. Anyone going underwater for lengthy periods needed a cable to attach them to a boat and provide a constant supply of air.

Experts had already known about the dangers of decompression sickness , also known as the bends, for decades. When a diver surfaces too quickly after a deep dive, the change in pressure can cause nitrogen bubbles to flood the bloodstream. A buildup of bubbles blocks blood flow and, in the most serious cases, can lead to death.

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But that wasn't the British Admiralty's only concern with underwater travel. In 1939, the Thetis submarine sank during a dive test. While four people escaped, the other 99 trapped aboard died of then-unknown causes. Having breathing apparatuses on board wasn't enough to save them.

An engineer investigating the disaster asked John Burdon Sanderson Haldane, who worked in the genetics department at University College London, for help figuring out what happened. Haldane had participated in his physiologist father's experiments on decompression sickness and breathing various gases in their at-home lab since he was a child.

Haldane and a handful of members from his lab, quickly got to work conducting experiments in hyperbaric chambers . They were the guinea pigs.

Pure oxygen could be poisonous

Haldane and his fellow scientists breathed different levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen to see how their bodies responded at different levels of pressure. CO2 would give them headaches, make them tired, and cause them to hyperventilate.

It was excessive CO2 that had killed those aboard the Thetis, Haldane figured out, and future crews would need a way to absorb the gas .

Pure oxygen could be just as poisonous. It caused violent seizures, vomiting, and impaired vision. The researchers would see flashes of color they called "dazzle." Haldane injured his back during a seizure, and another researcher dislocated her jaw.

The seizures were bad enough in a dry hyperbaric chamber, but one of the researchers nearly drowned breathing oxygen while submerged in water.

Breathing regular air — which is mostly nitrogen — at increased pressure caused a phenomenon known as nitrogen narcosis during the researchers' tests.

It was potent enough that "no great trust should be placed in human intelligence under these circumstances," Haldane and Martin Case, another researcher, wrote. While the phenomenon wasn't new, the fact that the scientists struggled to do math problems while under its effect showed that it could be deadly for divers trying to complete simple tasks.

Finally, the researchers started mixing oxygen and air to find an ideal composition that would allow divers and submarine crews to breathe without side effects like seizures or vision loss.

Haldane and the other members of his lab conducted over 600 experiments on themselves in total. The British Admiralty used their data when outfitting its X-craft submarines and handing out custom mixes of oxygen and air based on the depth of their dives.

The documents chronicling the work of Haldane and his fellow scientists were declassified in 2001, well after many of them had died. Their dangerous experiments not only contributed to the D-Day invasion, but also contributed to the science behind modern-day scuba diving.

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