Trains in the United States

It depends on the region. The Northeast Corridor between Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. has frequent Amtrak service and often beats flying when you factor in airport time. California also has useful corridor routes. For cross-country trips, trains are slower than flying but offer a scenic experience, routes like the California Zephyr or Coast Starlight cross dramatic landscapes you cannot see from a plane.

Book directly through the Amtrak website or mobile app. Booking earlier generally gets better fares, on long-distance routes where sleeper accommodations sell out. Amtrak offers different fare tiers, flexible tickets cost more but allow changes. You can also book at staffed station ticket counters, though not every station is staffed. Digital tickets on the Amtrak app work at all stations.

Amtrak allows carry-on bags stored in overhead racks or under your seat. At larger staffed stations, you can also check bags at no extra charge within Amtrak's size and weight limits. There are no luggage fees for standard allowances. Bikes can be brought on many routes either boxed or unboxed depending on the train, check Amtrak's route-specific bike policy before traveling.

Coach gives you a reserved reclining seat with legroom noticeably more generous than economy air. Business Class, available on select routes, adds wider seats and quieter cars. Sleeper accommodations on long-distance trains range from compact Roomettes to full Bedrooms with private bathrooms. Sleeper fares include all meals in the dining car, a genuine perk on multi-day routes.

The Northeast Corridor cities, Boston, New York (Penn Station), Philadelphia (30th Street Station), and Washington, D.C. (Union Station), have the most frequent service. Chicago's Union Station is the hub for most long-distance routes heading west or south. Los Angeles Union Station connects California's corridor services. Outside these hubs, service frequency drops significantly, and many routes run only once daily.

For sightseeing, absolutely. Routes like the California Zephyr (Chicago to San Francisco area), Coast Starlight (Seattle to Los Angeles), and Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle or Portland) pass through mountain ranges, river valleys, and desert landscapes inaccessible by road or air. Expect travel times measured in days, not hours. Treat it as part of the trip rather than just transportation, and the pace becomes the point.