Envision barreling down train tracks, settled into a comfy seat, with no worries about traffic or time. Instead, the focus remains solely on the views outside.
That’s the magic of leisurely train travel. There are countless train rides around the country where views are the focus, and we’ve highlighted a few that stand out for offering unforgettable scenery.
From breezy oceans in Oahu, Hawaii, to red deserts in Moab, Utah, the list below highlights some of the most scenic train rides across the United States.
In this article
1. Canyon Spirit Rockies To The Red Rocks
One of the country’s most stunning and luxurious rides is aboard the Canyon Spirit, formerly Rocky Mountaineer.
This luxury train company operates a Rockies To The Red Rocks route, where passengers spend two days traveling between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado, with an overnight stop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Guests have the choice between two classes of seats, and each car has its own host narrating the trip along with a chef who cooks breakfast, lunch, and dinner along the way.
There are also panoramic glass windows in every car that let passengers enjoy the changing scenery as the train moves from Denver’s cityscape into the Rocky Mountains and ends in Utah’s red sandstone landscapes. It’s a bucket-list train trip that starts at $1,739.
2. Hawaiian Railway Society
It’s hard to beat a train ride weaving along lush oceanside scenery, but that’s exactly what the Hawaiian Railway Society has to offer.
The train’s starting point is about 20 miles west of Honolulu, and during the 2-hour, round-trip ride, travelers listen to an onboard narrator who shares history about the railway.
The Oahu Railway and Land Company was founded in 1889, and passengers learn about Oahu’s old sugar plantations and the ghost town of Gilbert, all while enjoying views of the Waianae Mountain range and the ocean at Kahe Point.
As Hawaii’s only operating historic train, riders have the choice between a standard, open-air ticket for $20 or a premium seat for $35, which includes a spot on Parlor Car 64, which is an enclosed car originally designed for Hawaii’s royalty and visiting dignitaries.
3. Grand Canyon Railway
National parks offer some of the country's most striking landscapes, and in the Grand Canyon, you can take a train to enter one.
The Grand Canyon Railway is a 65-mile, 2-hour-and-15-minute daily trip from Williams, Arizona, to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
While you won’t see the Grand Canyon’s rim or valley from the train, passengers will watch as the high desert transforms to prairie and then pine. During the ride, passengers learn about the region’s history, and may spot bald eagles, elk, mule deer, and pronghorn from their seats. They can also jam out to onboard musicians and even enjoy a cowboy performance.
Once travelers arrive at the national park, they have the afternoon to explore the Grand Canyon, its visitor centers, and trails. Then, it’s back off to Williams just in time to watch the sunset.
The train has six different classes, from a 1950s-style coach class to a luxury car with a dome up top, cocktails, and snacks. Tickets start at $70.
4. Amtrak Coast Starlight
This once-daily route between Los Angeles and Seattle is an ambitious 35-hour ride that promises stunning views of the West Coast.
Along the way, the train passes through popular cities like Santa Barbara, Sacramento, and Portland (just to board or disembark), and the journey offers everything from glimpses of the snowy Cascade Range to thriving forests and views of the deep blue Pacific Ocean and its coastline.
For travelers focused on the views, there’s a first-come, first-served observation lounge with curved glass-domed windows, while coach seats recline, with legroom and no middle seat.
Tickets fluctuate in price, though a one-way coach ticket can usually be found for about $170.
5. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
The award-winning Durango and Silverton train ride takes place on tracks above Colorado’s Animas River. From there, passengers can keep an eye out for deer, elk, black bears, moose, and bighorn sheep at the riverbanks, take in views of the canyon walls, spot waterfalls, and admire the San Juan Mountains’ rugged peaks.
Passengers can choose between an 1880s steam-powered locomotive or a diesel train. Both take about the same time and follow the same route, so the choice of train is up to the traveler.
The full round-trip route spans 9 hours and 15 minutes, with a 2-hour stop in the historic Silverton mining town.
There’s also an express ride that takes just 5 hours and 15 minutes, which involves a one-way bus ride and a short layover in Silverton. Tickets start at $100.
6. Amtrak California Zephyr
The Amtrak California Zephyr is one of the country’s most famous train rides, and it’s earned that spot largely for its views.
The ride kicks off in Chicago, and over the next 51 hours, passengers make their way to San Francisco. The route covers a massive distance (2,438 miles to be exact) which means passengers take in an array of landscapes as they navigate through Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Northern California.
This means epic views of the Rocky Mountains are guaranteed, along with scenes of the Colorado River, the Sierra Nevada, and the Truckee River.
Seats range from basic coach to Amtrak bedrooms big enough for a family of four. Beyond the seats, passengers have access to cafe as well as a dining car, serving three meals a day.
The full train route varies in price but starts around $200 for a one-way, coach ticket.
The Shortcut
The scenic routes range from a $20 historic railway in Hawaii to a $1,739 luxury train through the Rockies. The views justify both.
The Grand Canyon Railway is a hack for seeing the park in a day. It departs from Williams, Arizona, drops you at the South Rim with a full afternoon to explore, and has you back in time for sunset. No parking, shuttle, or car required.
The California Zephyr and Coast Starlight take 51 and 35 hours respectively. It's not about speed on these routes. The long, scenic ride is worth savoring.
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