Three of Amtrak’s most scenic routes stop in Seattle: Cascades, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder. There are many options for day and long-distance trips to explore mountains, beaches and cities big and small. To start planning, here are the 20 best Amtrak trips from Seattle that don’t require a train transfer or middle-of-the-night travel.
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Tacoma
For a quick Amtrak day trip, book tickets to Tacoma. Travel time is only 45 minutes and you can return same day to Seattle. The large Point Defiance Park is a top attraction. It has a marina, beach, zoo, aquarium, trails and gardens that are great for the whole family. There are also several museums to check out, including the popular Museum of Glass and America’s Car Museum.
For more things to do, visit nearby Gig Harbor. There are boat tours, a waterfront park, history museum and restaurants. Narrows Brewing Company (pictured above) is also a fun place to enjoy the views.
Bellingham
Bellingham is a great summer getaway and easy day trip destination that’s 2.5 hours away from Seattle on Amtrak. The area is full of lakes, hiking trails and a few waterfalls. You can also take a bus tour to Mt. Baker, pick berries, or shop, eat and go to an event in the Fairhaven Village, including the First Fridays Art Walk.
The Amtrak station is about a 5-minute walk to the village and even shorter walk to the ferry terminal that will transport you to Alaska. For hiking and other outdoor adventures, including at the beautiful Whatcom Falls Park and Lake Padden Park (pictured above), use Lyft, Uber or rent a car. The local Enterprise offers pickup service (call ahead to confirm and make arrangements).
Portland
A pedestrian-friendly and bike-friendly city full of parks and gardens, Portland is a fun Amtrak trip from Seattle. There are many craft beers to try and interesting festivals to plan a trip around. Plus, Mt. Hood (home to multiple ski areas) and the Columbia River Gorge are also nearby, which are great day trip options and reasons to stay for a night or more in the area.
Travel time is 3.5 hours on the Cascades route, or if you want a roomette or bedroom, book tickets on the Coast Starlight for a four-hour ride.
Leavenworth
In the foothills of the Cascades, Leavenworth is a Bavarian-themed town with events, shops, restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and even a nutcracker museum. Winter is a charming time to visit with holiday lights, sleigh rides, a reindeer farm and nearby skiing and snowboarding. Hiking, whitewater rafting and other recreational activities are also options in warmer weather.
When booking your tickets, choose the Leavenworth Icicle Amtrak Station as your destination. To reach the village (where there are several hotels), plan to use the shuttle (509-548-7433). Trip time on Amtrak is about 3.5 hours and you’ll need to stay at least one night in the town.
Vancouver, B.C.
Grab your passport and board Amtrak for a four-hour train ride to Vancouver, B.C. It’s one of the most scenic cities in Canada with many outdoor activities. Top things to do include whale watching, boat tours, and exploring the large and beautiful Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Granville Island and the historic Gastown neighborhood.
You can return to Seattle on the same day, especially if you take the first morning train to Vancouver. If you stay for a night or more, Whistler is about a 1.5 drive away and is a fun place to visit (rent a car or check out day tours).
Salem
The capital of Oregon, Salem is five hours away from Seattle on the Cascades and almost six hours away on the Coast Starlight. It is a beautiful area with many gardens and parks. Vineyards are also nearby, great for wine tasting excursions. If you’re traveling with kids, head to the Enchanted Forest Theme Park or the Riverfront Carousel for family-friendly fun. For spring flowers, don’t miss the cherry blossoms in April.
The earliest arrival in Salem is midday and you can return to Seattle around dinnertime. The station is on the outskirts of town so plan on using rideshare to get around.
Eugene
A college town near wineries and outdoor recreation, Eugene is a great Amtrak trip from Seattle. Travel time is 6.5 hours on the Cascades and almost 7.5 hours on the Coast Starlight. After you arrive, you can go to a game at the University of Oregon, visit the Cascades Raptor Center, and walk or bike along the Willamette River path. There are also many great hikes and farm-to-table restaurants to check out.
Lyft and Uber are transportation options, otherwise you can rent a car at Enterprise or walk around the city. The Amtrak station is in a very walkable area near a few hotels, restaurants, Skinner Butte Park and the historic Eugene Saturday Market.
Whitefish
Just over 13 hours from Seattle on Amtrak, Whitefish is a Montana resort town full of events, restaurants and places to stay. Head to the Whitefish Mountain Resort to ski in the winter, hang out at City Beach in the summer, or rent a car and drive to Glacier National Park in about 30 minutes. Don’t want to drive? Book a national park tour with Whitefish Outfitters.
Many hotels and resorts in the area have shuttles (view the list), which can make getting around easier. Confirm shuttle availability before booking. You can also rent a car with Budget at the Whitefish Amtrak Station, use rideshare or taxis, and fly out of nearby Glacier Park International Airport if you don’t want travel by train back to Seattle.
Glacier National Park
Ride Amtrak overnight to reach the amazing landscapes in Glacier National Park. The East Glacier Park Station is just over 15.5 hours away from Seattle and you’ll have great views of the Rocky Mountains on the way. The historic Glacier Park Lodge is a five-minute walk away from the train station or use the hotel shuttle.
The lodge has a pool, golf course and connections to tour buses that will take you into the national park. Note that the lodge is only open late May through most of September.
Sacramento
Rail fans should consider a trip to Sacramento to explore the California State Railroad Museum. In addition to exhibits, the museum also has excursion train rides. Other top places to visit include the California State Fair (in July), Old Sacramento Waterfront District and the many farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants. You’ll eat well here, and there are many local beers to try.
The train station is in a walkable area near hotels and attractions, and Lyft and Uber are options for getting around after you arrive — travel time from Seattle is about 20.5 hours. For more train adventures, you can transfer to the scenic California Zephyr route at the station.
Oakland/San Francisco
Next to San Francisco Bay, Oakland is 23 hours away from Seattle on Amtrak and has a variety of things to see and do. Top attractions include the Oakland Museum of California, Redwood Regional Park, Urban Wine Trail and the Oakland Zoo. Plus, Jack London Square (pictured above) is next to the Amtrak station and has restaurants, bars and hotels near the waterfront.
Oakland also has ferry service to San Francisco. The ferry will drop you off next to the Ferry Building in the heart of downtown. The Embarcadero BART Station is a transit option once you arrive, and the California cable car is also in walking distance. Don’t miss Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39 and the Twin Peaks Lookout.
San Jose
A sunny city full of culture and entertainment, San Jose is 24 hours away from Seattle on the Coast Starlight. The SAP Center (concerts and NHL hockey games) and Little Italy are in walking distance of the Amtrak station. With rideshare or car rental, you can also visit top attractions, including the Winchester Mystery House, Egyptian Museum, Santana Row (full of shops and restaurants, pictured above), Municipal Rose Garden and Japantown.
As a bonus, you can fly back to Seattle if you want to shorten the travel time. The airport is only 15 minutes away from downtown via car. Otherwise, the return train to Seattle departs each day in the evening.
Paso Robles
Paso Robles is a 28-hour train ride away from Seattle and a must-visit destination if you love wine. Vineyards and wineries surround the small city, and you can walk to several hotels and wine tasting rooms from the Amtrak station. Wine tours are also available.
Outside of wine, there are many great restaurants and mineral hot springs to check out. Cayucos and Morro Bay, two quaint coastal towns, are also a 40-minute drive away if you want a change of scenery. Rental cars are available at Enterprise.
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo is a great family getaway or a wine trip that’s almost 29 hours away from Seattle by train. Downtown there is a children’s museum, railroad museum, historic mission, hotels and restaurants. Adults can also enjoy the many wineries in the area (the Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards has peacocks). Choose from the many wine tours, including with SLO Safe Ride, to avoid drinking and driving.
You can also use rideshare (or rent a car) to visit Morro Bay State Park, Dinosaur Caves Park, Avila Beach and hiking trails at Valencia Peak and Bishop Peak (both have amazing views).
Santa Barbara
About 32.5 hours away from Seattle on Amtrak, Santa Barbara has beautiful architecture, beaches, restaurants and shopping on State Street. Plus, there are many attractions to check out, including the Santa Barbara Zoo, Mission Santa Barbara and Cabrillo Bike Path. Consider visiting in July or August if you want to enjoy the beaches and go to the Old Spanish Days festival. For whale watching, plan to visit Santa Barbara between November and April.
The area around the Amtrak station is very walkable so you can can easily reach restaurants, hotels and even Stearns Wharf on foot. If you want to rent a car, Enterprise is nearby. Lyft and Uber are also options.
Oxnard
If you want to enjoy the California coast away from the crowds, consider an Amtrak trip to Oxnard. The city has Victorian architecture, beautiful beaches, whale watching excursions and water activities at Channel Islands Harbor. For a unique day trip, take a boat ride to Channel Islands National Park, often called the Galapagos of North America.
Enterprise is near the Oxnard Amtrak Station and pick-up service is available. Lyft and Uber are also options for getting around. A vacation rental or hotel near the ocean is recommended. Travel time from Seattle is 33.5 hours.
Los Angeles
At the end of the Coast Starlight route is Los Angeles and the beautiful L.A. Union Station. Travel time from Seattle is about 35.5 hours, and you can also book tickets to the Van Nuys Station for a shorter ride and easier access to Griffith Observatory (pictured above) and Universal Studios Hollywood. Other top places to visit include the Getty Center, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Pier and the Hollywood Sign.
Rental cars are available inside the station or use rideshare to get around. City tours are also a great way to see the city (and potentially a celebrity!). Consider staying in Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica or Venice Beach for easy access to top attractions.
Minneapolis/St. Paul
About 37.5 hours away from Seattle on Amtrak, Minneapolis and St. Paul are full of cultural attractions, sport venues and outdoor fun — including a scenic bike trail along the Mississippi River, Chain of Lakes recreation and a beautiful urban park with a waterfall. If you don’t like cold weather, plan to visit between May and September, although the Saint Paul Winter Carnival is a historic event worth checking out.
Trains stop in downtown St. Paul near museums and the historic Summit Avenue. Hyatt Place is conveniently next to the Amtrak station and several other hotels are nearby. Downtown Minneapolis is only a 15-minute drive away and you’ll want to consider booking lodging there if you want to be close to nightlife.
Wisconsin Dells
A great destination for families, the Wisconsin Dells has many indoor and outdoor water parks, boat tours and outdoor activities. Trains arrive in a walkable downtown area near a riverwalk, restaurants and accommodations. You can walk to White Rose Inns and Alpine Motel, two of the top-rated places to stay in town. Or book a room at a hotel with a shuttle (verify pickup service from Amtrak before booking).
Travel time on the Empire Builder is 42 hours and you’ll spend two nights on the train. If you don’t want to take the train back to Seattle, you can ride Amtrak to Milwaukee, Chicago or Minneapolis for a flight home after your stay.
Chicago
Chicago is full museums, live music venues and tourist attractions, including the Willis Tower Skydeck, Navy Pier and Wrigley Field. In the warmer months, you can visit one of the city’s beaches, go on a boat tour and take a bike ride along the Lakefront Trail. There are also many festivals and nightlife venues to check out.
It’s best to stay two nights to explore the city, especially after traveling 45.5 hours on the train. Popular hotel areas near attractions include the Loop, West Loop and River North. There are also flights back to Seattle at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports, or check out the best Amtrak trips from Chicago to continue on your rail adventure.
More Information
- 10 best stops on the Empire Builder
- 10 best stops on the Coast Starlight
- Amtrak Cascades vs Coast Starlight
Top photo credit: Niranjan Arminius (Santa Barbara Butterfly Beach)
US Train Travel Guide 