There is something magical about traveling by train while in America. Sometimes, the magic is inside the train as you get an opportunity to meet with new friends, eat and drink in luxurious hotels and sleep with the sound of steel wheel hissing on the steel rail beneath you. Other times, the beauty of taking a train journey is outside the train in the train traverses’ landscape. You get a chance to glide past the Northeast’s skyscrapers and through Western desert-scapes, alongside long rivers and tall mountains.
With the current skyrocketing of gas prices in the USA, car and plane travel is getting more expensive day by day. Many people are diverting to train journey which is considered less costly to commute from one point to another. Amtrak alone ferried more than 35 million people worldwide in its last fiscal year, entering into books for being the first company to reach the number globally.
Different railroad companies in the USA charge different prices for travel between other places. To save money, ask for discounts offered in two categories, including savers or smart fares. Companies weekly provide smart fare discounts to fill up trains faster while savers are provided to encourage the advanced purchase of tickets. People can also plan accordingly by choosing to book the tickets during peak periods when travel prices are low.
Today, there are 40 train lines in the US offering reliable transportation to more than 1005 cities. You can easily compare the schedules and prices of different companies and book your tickets online. People traveling from other countries can also book international trips all that they require to check visa requirements for their entry into the USA. Below are some of the best train rides to use while in the nation.
Grand Canyon Railway
The Grand Canyon Railway ferries passengers between Arizona, Williams, and the Grand Canyon National village’s southern rim. The railway line has been in existence for the last century and stretches 65 miles long. The railway offers six service classes, including Pullman, observation dome, luxury parlor, luxury dome, and coach classes.
Grand Canyon Railway is more than just a normal mode of transportation. The terrain changes from the high desert plateau to Northern Arizona forests during your ride, creating a fascinating experience. Throughout your day trip, you are entertained by cowboy musicians on horses who guide trains with their old-time sing-alongs. Besides, you are more likely to see a wild animal like an antelope or a condor during your journey.
California Zephyr
Considered to be one of the most scenic train routes in the USA, the California Zephyr takes you through San Francisco to Chicago. Along your ride, you come across beautiful scenarios, including Sierra Nevada Mountains, rocky mountains in Denver, and the rugged rock country in Utah.
California Zephyr transports passengers through 2300 miles journey, which takes approximately 51 hours. The train offers a sightseeing lounge, dining, and sleep liner cars with bedroom suites to give clients a fascinating experience.
Cascades
The Cascades connects the Pacific Northwest cities and offers the best way to view nature while on board. Typically, the route extends from Vancouver, British Columbia, Eugene, and Oregon past mounts Helens and across the long Columbia Gorge River.
To enjoy when on a train journey using the Cascades, book a seat in the business class. You will surround yourself with scenarios of the blue bays, volcanoes, and mountains. Besides, most train companies using the route offer wi-fi services to keep you busy when traveling. You can also carry a book like a novel that will be of great use during your journey on the Cascades.
Empire Builder
There is only one way to describe a train trip using the Empire Builder: epic. The Empire Builder runs daily between the Pacific Northwest and Chicago and passes through Lewis’s great expedition. The Empire Builder line offers travelers a life-time experience worth experiencing while in the USA.
During the 45—46 hour journey, commuters are allowed to explore the Glacier national park, great plains, Mississipi river, and Montana’s sky country. To make your ride much comfortable, most train companies have a sleeping lounge and a dining car for your refreshments. You will also get 20 minutes stops along the journey to grab a local cuisine or stretch your legs when necessary.
Coast Starlight
The Coast Starlight train covers 1400 miles from Los Angeles through San Francisco Bay area, Washington State, and ends in Seattle 35 hours after taking off in Union Station, Los Angeles. The route stops in Sacramento, Portland, and Santa Barbara to give travelers time to relax and stretch before embarking on the journey.
Most train companies moving people using the route have a bi-level coach class that allows customers to sit on the west side on the upper level for the best site viewing. There are also private rooms for perks, premium car dining and lounge services, and turndown services to give travelers the best experience during their journey.