July 17, 2025 0 Verity Colquhoun

All about USA & Canada Rail Trips for 2025

Train Travel in North America

🇺🇸 USA: Amtrak Adventures & Regional Gems

No TSA lines, no baggage fees, no 3-hour pre-check-ins.
Way more legroom than economy flights.
Some routes (like the Amtrak California Zephyr or Coast Starlight) are jaw-droppingly beautiful — think snow-capped Rockies, red canyons, coastal cliffs.
Amtrak now has free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and actual café cars on most long-distance trains.
You can bring two full-size bags + two personal items for free.

Trains can be delayed by freight traffic (Amtrak leases most tracks from freight rail companies).
Slow: LA to San Francisco by train = ~12 hours. Flying = 1 hour.
Night trains exist, but don’t expect European-style sleepers — you'll need to book a Roomette or Bedroom if you want to lie flat, and it ain’t cheap.

California Zephyr (Chicago to San Francisco): Mountains, deserts, magic.
Coast Starlight (Seattle to LA): Think Big Sur views by train.
Northeast Regional / Acela (Boston–NY–DC): Fastest and most reliable for city hoppers.
Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle): Remote, snowy, storybook.

VIA Rail offers some of the most scenic train rides in the world.
The Toronto–Vancouver “Canadian” is a bucket list ride: glass domes, dining cars, northern lights in winter.
Canada’s trains are often less crowded and slightly more punctual than Amtrak’s long-haul options.
Major cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec are easily connected by modern trains (great alternative to flying).

Still slower than flying, and not as cheap as you might expect.
Limited frequency — many cross-country trains run just 2–3 times a week.
Wi-Fi and mobile signal can disappear for hours in remote regions — bring your eSIM + offline downloads.

The Canadian (Toronto to Vancouver): 4–5 days, through forests, prairies, and mountains.
The Ocean (Montreal to Halifax): Stunning coastal east coast ride.
Corridor Route (Windsor–Toronto–Ottawa–Montreal–Quebec City): Fast, frequent, and great value.

City to city travel under 6 hours (hello, NYC to DC) — faster than flying when you factor in airport chaos.
Cross-country adventures: It’s not about speed — it’s about the scenery, freedom, and not being squeezed into seat 34B.
Luggage-heavy trips: No baggage fees, and you don’t have to fight strangers for overhead bin space.
For anxious flyers: Trains feel calmer, grounded, and spacious. Plus you can walk around whenever you want.

Book early: Amtrak and VIA both offer “Saver” and “Value” fares — cheapest when booked 2–3 months ahead.
Bring snacks: Dining cars exist, but the food is hit-and-miss.
Dress in layers: Trains love to crank the A/C unexpectedly.
Grab a window seat on the scenic side (ask or check rail forums).
Download Google Maps offline and use a Simify eSIM to hotspot your own connection when Wi-Fi fails.