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.

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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.