10 best Amtrak routes to ride in winter

Looking for the best Amtrak routes to ride in winter? Many travelers choose winter train trips for the snow-covered scenery and transportation to popular ski resorts, while others use Amtrak to escape the cold and reach warm destinations in Florida, California, Texas, Louisiana, and the Southwest.

For inspiration, view the list of the best Amtrak routes to ride in winter below, complete with highlights of things to see and do along the way.

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Winter Park Express

Winter Park Ski Resort — *Photo by Robert Meszaros*

Amtrak’s Winter Park Express is a seasonal ski train that departs from Denver. Day and weekend trips are both options, and it’s a must-ride route if you want to ski or enjoy one of the many other winter activities at the Winter Park Resort. Fares are inexpensive, and there’s no extra charge for bringing your own equipment. Travel time is about 2.5 hours one way, and you’ll arrive in the morning and have the option to return in early evening.

Winter Park Express Highlights:

Snowy mountain scenery
Bring your skis on board
Skiing and snowboarding in the Colorado Rocky mountains
Walk 5 minutes from the train station to reach the Zephyr Mountain Lodge (pictured above)

Empire Builder

If you’re looking for a true winter wonderland, the Empire Builder travels through the Montana Rocky Mountains and snowy evergreen forests in the Pacific Northwest. Whitefish is a walkable town in the Rockies with many different types of winter activities and free shuttle to a ski resort. Or visit Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed village that also has many winter sport options and a paid shuttle. Due to early sunset times, a round-trip train ride is recommended to view the most scenery, such as from Portland or Seattle to Whitefish or Leavenworth and back.

Empire Builder Winter Highlights

Broadway shows, ice skating, museums in Chicago
European Christmas Market and Winter Carnival in St. Paul
Kalahari indoor water park in Wisconsin Dells
Free shuttle to the Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish
Leavenworth Christmastown tour, light displays, reindeer farm, sleigh rides
Winter wonderland mountain and forest scenery in the western part of the route

Coast Starlight

The Coast Starlight travels between Los Angeles and Seattle, with Oregon providing the most winter scenery and beautiful views of the Cascade Mountain Range (especially on northbound trains). If you live in Southern California, this route is a great way to experience winter. You’ll spend a night on the train and wake up to snow-capped mountains. Consider staying a night or two in Eugene to enjoy food and a winter hike, or head to Portland for a shuttle to Mt. Hood Meadows for skiing.

Coast Starlight Winter Highlights

Snow in the Cascade Mountains
Skiing near Portland and Seattle
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Sunny weather and smaller crowds in Los Angeles

Vermonter

If you live on the East Coast, your snow train is the Vermonter. One train travels to and from Vermont each day from cities including Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City. For views of Vermont in daylight, you’ll need to travel southbound, so plan on a round-trip train journey or fly into Burlington International Airport and board the Vermonter at the Essex Junction-Burlington station.

Brattleboro is one of the few stops that has lodging, restaurants and shops that are in walking distance of the station (check out Airbnb or the Latchis Hotel). Plus, you can rent a car at Enterprise (they can pick you up with a reservation, which will likely be on the day after you arrive). With a car, you can drive to Mount Snow for skiing.

Vermonter Winter Highlights

Vermont snow scenery on southbound trains
Rent a car at Enterprise in Brattleboro to drive to Mount Snow for skiing

Ethan Allen Express

Killington Ski Lift — *Photo by GetAway Vacations*

Another option for snowy Vermont scenery is the Ethan Allen Express route. The train departs from New York City and various stations in Upstate New York with a final stop in charming Burlington. As a bonus, you can go skiing without renting a car. Book your ticket to Rutland and walk five minutes to connect with a bus to Killington, which stops at the Killington Ski Resort.

Ethan Allen Express Winter Highlights

Charming snow scenery
Skiing at the Killington Resort
Broadway Week deals in NYC

Northeast Regional

Rockefeller Christmas tree in NYC — *Photo by Michael Vadon (CC BY-SA 4.0)*

New York City in winter is full of traditions and magical moments, and the Northeast Regional is one of many Amtrak routes that can take you there. There are multiple trains to choose from every day, making it a convenient option to reach the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular, Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, the Rockefeller tree, and New Year’s Eve fireworks. Broadway Week and Hotel Week are also great times to visit to save money.

NYC Winter Highlights

Visit famous museums without the summer crowds
Shop, ice skate, go to shows, and tour holiday markets
Save money during Broadway Week and Hotel Week
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square (or just go for the fireworks)

City of New Orleans

New Orleans streetcar — *Photo by Bernard Spragg*

The City of New Orleans isn’t the most scenic Amtrak route, but it’s an easy escape from cold weather in the Midwest. After an evening departure from Chicago and other cities in Illinois, you’ll spend a night on the train and wake up in the South. New Orleans is the end-of-the-line, and January is one of the best months to visit if you want to avoid crowds and experience the average high of 65 degrees. Plus, it’s a great time to check out New Orleans events and Mardi Gras.

City of New Orleans Winter Highlights

Escape Chicago winters
Graceland Christmas tours
Réveillon Dinners, Mardi Gras and other events in New Orleans

Sunset Limited

With trains traveling between New Orleans and Los Angeles, the Sunset Limited route is ideal if you want zero snow, desert landscapes, and plenty of sun. Winter is a great time to visit places on the route such as New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Tucson, Palm Springs and Yuma, a city designated as the sunniest place in the world. For visits to Palm Springs, select the Palm Springs Spa Resort Casino Station as your final destination, which includes a bus transfer to downtown Palm Springs.

Sunset Limited Winter Highlights

No snow delays
Sunny desert destinations
Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Casinos in Lake Charles
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair in Tucson
Ford Holiday River Parade in San Antonio
Illuminated gardens at the Houston Botanical Garden

Silver Meteor & The Floridian

West Palm Beach Amtrak Station — *Photo by by Phillip Pessar*

For palm trees and warm weather, ride the Florida-bound trains to the Sunshine State. The Floridian departs from Chicago and the Silver Meteor from New York City, and both stop in Washington D.C., Jacksonville, Orlando and other cities in Central and South Florida. View Amtrak stations in Florida to learn about destinations you can visit.