I’m often asked which are the top few scenic train rides in North America. The shorter the list, the harder it is to choose, but here are my picks.
5. The Cardinal. This train operates three days a week between New York and Chicago on a meandering route through some lovely country. After leaving Washington, the Cardinal takes you over the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountain ranges, then through the New River Gorge. (Photo above: You can just see the train tracks way down there.) The Cardinal runs only three days a week, which can complicate connections, but I’ve been known to stay an extra night in Chicago just to take this ride. Tip: Book the Cardinal as far in advance as possible. It’s not a big train and there is usually only one sleeping car.
4. The Skeena. This train is operated by Canada’s VIA Rail and runs three days a week between Jasper, Alberta and Prince Rupert in British Columbia. It’s a two-day trip with Day One taking you about halfway to the town of Prince George. There are no sleeping cars on this train, so everyone spends the night in a hotel. The next morning, it’s back aboard for the completion of the journey. Jasper is at the eastern edge of the Canadian Rockies and Prince Rupert is on the ocean. In between are spectacular mountains and dense forests. I’ve only taken this train once, but can’t wait to do it again.
3. The CoastStarlight. I’ve put this train in third place because the emphasis here is on “scenic”. But, truth be told, this is my favorite Amtrak ride … the difference being that it’s the only train in the Amtrak system that carries a parlor car (above) for the exclusive use of sleeping car passengers. The northbound train runs along the Pacific Ocean coastline, then cuts inland and, on the second day, takes you through the magnificent Cascade Range of Oregon. I get up on the morning of that second day, relax in one of the comfortable booths in the parlor car, and order up a Bloody Mary from the parlor car attendant and think about what I’d like for breakfast. Can you think of a better way to travel?
2. The CaliforniaZephyr. I know, I know: this train can be hours late. But there’s so much out there to gaze at, what does it matter? The westbound Zephyr will be crossing the Mississippi River about the time you’ll be heading for the dining car where a steak dinner awaits. The next morning, just minutes after you leave Denver, the Zephyr starts the long climb into the Rockies, the follows the Colorado River for a hundred miles to Glenwood Springs. The next day, the Zephyr crosses the Sierra Nevada mountains by way of Donner Pass, then winds its way down through redwood forests to Sacramento and, finally, to the Bay Area.
1. The Canadian. This is VIA Rail’s premier train, which runs three times a week (twice a week in the winter months) between Toronto and Vancouver. The train itself is a gem: stainless steel coaches and sleepers, including several classic dome cars. Westbound, it’s farmlands, then forested wilderness, then the great plains, then the Canadian Rockies, then the glorious Fraser River Valley and, finally, Vancouver. And — Oh, yes — the dining car food is superb! Tip: fares are pricey during the busy months, but you can save a lot by avoiding those times – (usually) May through September.
There you have ‘em. All of those trains are well worth the doing … and every one belongs on your bucket list.
I have decided that I want to take my girlfriend on a scenic train ride for a date. I am not talking a cross country thing, just a nice day or afternoon type of trip. What are some of the more popular ones here in Utah?
I would love to go on a scenic train ride. The only trains I have been on are just in the city and it is not anything great to look at. I think it would be fun just to take a day and take ride for the whole day.
My friend over in Ohio told me about a train ride he went on a while back. I think he said it was on Scenic Rail Excursions and he really liked it. I really want to go on a train ride now.
I just did a trip involving two of those routes: the Cardinal from Alexandria, Va., to Chicago, then boarding the California Zephyr to Emeryville, Calif.
I’ve been wanting to do this trip for 10 years, and it did not disappoint me. The scenery was breath-taking.
Aside from a troublesome shower in my bedroom on the Zephyr, the only disappointment was the employee attitudes I observed. My last half-dozen trips have been on the Auto Train, and the sleeping car and diner attendants on that route are far more pleasant and helpful in my experience.
Thanks for this. I am considering a big trip next year and it includes 4 of these trains. I did the California Zephyr in 1999 and while wonderful I cannot really afford to do it again. I did the Starlight in 97 but only from SF to Seattle. My plans, which may be ambitious are to fly to Vancouver, visit Vancouver Island and travel in reverse to a trip you described to Prince Rupert then Jasper. Join the Canadian to Toronto. (I travel from Vancouver to Jasper on the Rocky Mountaineer in 97) Travel to NY and Washington then by the Cardinal to Chicago and the train to Glacier NP (which will need to be in early July) Finally onto Seattle and the complete Starlight to LA and fly home. Am glad to see this covers your most scenic rides. People have told me the Canadian is not really scenic but I hope a great experience.
I have decided that I want to take my girlfriend on a scenic train ride for a date. I am not talking a cross country thing, just a nice day or afternoon type of trip. What are some of the more popular ones here in Utah?
bryanflake1984| http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com
I would love to go on a scenic train ride. The only trains I have been on are just in the city and it is not anything great to look at. I think it would be fun just to take a day and take ride for the whole day.
Alena | http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com
These really look quite amazing. A lot of people don’t think to go on train rides these days. They can make for a really fun family activity.
http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com
That is awesome. I really have wanted to go to Canada, so I hope to take the Vancouver one. Thanks for your post, I look forward to taking them.
Wayne. | http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com
My friend over in Ohio told me about a train ride he went on a while back. I think he said it was on Scenic Rail Excursions and he really liked it. I really want to go on a train ride now.
Those are some gorgeous pictures. I’m thinking now I should take a scenic train ride next time I go on vacation.
I just did a trip involving two of those routes: the Cardinal from Alexandria, Va., to Chicago, then boarding the California Zephyr to Emeryville, Calif.
I’ve been wanting to do this trip for 10 years, and it did not disappoint me. The scenery was breath-taking.
Aside from a troublesome shower in my bedroom on the Zephyr, the only disappointment was the employee attitudes I observed. My last half-dozen trips have been on the Auto Train, and the sleeping car and diner attendants on that route are far more pleasant and helpful in my experience.
Thanks for this. I am considering a big trip next year and it includes 4 of these trains. I did the California Zephyr in 1999 and while wonderful I cannot really afford to do it again. I did the Starlight in 97 but only from SF to Seattle.
My plans, which may be ambitious are to fly to Vancouver, visit Vancouver Island and travel in reverse to a trip you described to Prince Rupert then Jasper. Join the Canadian to Toronto. (I travel from Vancouver to Jasper on the Rocky Mountaineer in 97) Travel to NY and Washington then by the Cardinal to Chicago and the train to Glacier NP (which will need to be in early July) Finally onto Seattle and the complete Starlight to LA and fly home. Am glad to see this covers your most scenic rides. People have told me the Canadian is not really scenic but I hope a great experience.