US Train Travel: What It Really Takes to Ride America’s Rails

When you think of US train travel, a way to move across the United States by rail, often associated with Amtrak and long-distance routes. Also known as rail travel in America, it’s not just for nostalgia—it’s a real option for seeing the country at a slower, deeper pace. Unlike flying, you don’t zip past landscapes—you ride through them. You watch the Rockies shift from snow to sagebrush, feel the Mississippi’s slow curve, and catch small-town life through the window. It’s not the fastest way to get from point A to point B, but it’s one of the few that lets you actually experience the space between.

Most people who try Amtrak, the national passenger rail service in the United States, operating most long-distance and regional train routes start with the Coast Starlight or the California Zephyr. These are the routes that show up in travel magazines: the Coast Starlight runs from Los Angeles to Seattle, hugging the Pacific, climbing through the Cascades, and rolling past Mount Shasta. The Zephyr goes from Chicago to San Francisco, cutting through the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. These aren’t just trains—they’re moving tours. But not every route is like that. Many Amtrak lines, especially in the Midwest and South, run on tracks shared with freight trains, which means delays are common. You need to plan for that.

What most travelers don’t realize is that cross-country train, a journey spanning multiple states by rail, often taking several days and requiring multiple connections isn’t just about the ride. It’s about the stops. You get off in Albuquerque, walk through the historic district, grab green chile stew, and catch the next train the next morning. You sleep in a roomette, eat in the dining car, and chat with strangers who’ve been on the road longer than you’ve been alive. It’s social. It’s unpredictable. And it’s cheap—if you book early. A ticket from New York to Chicago can cost less than a round-trip flight, especially if you avoid peak season.

There’s a myth that US train travel is outdated. But it’s not. It’s just different. It doesn’t compete with jets—it competes with road trips. And for people who don’t want to drive 1,200 miles in a car, or who hate airport security lines, it’s the perfect middle ground. You bring your own snacks, stretch your legs in the observation car, and sleep under real sheets. No one shoves a tray table into your knees. No one yells at you for not folding your arms.

If you’ve ever wondered why so many Americans still choose the train, it’s not because they can’t afford a plane. It’s because they want to feel the land move beneath them. They want to see the sky change over Nebraska, hear the whistle echo in the Appalachian tunnels, or watch the lights of Chicago come alive at night. That’s the magic. And that’s what makes US train travel more than just transportation—it’s a way to slow down and actually see the country you live in.

Below, you’ll find real stories, tips, and experiences from people who’ve taken these journeys—whether they were crossing the country for the first time or riding the same route for the tenth. No fluff. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what you need to know before you book your ticket.