10 train trips to take in 2025

It’s time to start planning your next train adventure! We selected 10 of our favorite train trips and destinations, from Alaska to Florida and everything in between. The list also includes getaways that are unique to 2025.

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Alaska (via Bellingham)

Ketchikan, Alaska harbor — *Photo by iceninejon/Flickr.com*

On Amtrak’s Cascades route, Bellingham, Washington is the gateway to Alaska via ferry. You can visit Ketchikan (pictured above), Juneau, Sitka, Skagway and other towns via a short walk from the train station. Portland and Seattle are two great places to board the Cascades, and you’ll have beautiful scenery along the way. We recommend exploring Bellingham’s Fairhaven Village before or after visiting Alaska.

Midwest to Florida

Miami Beach lifeguard station — *Photo by tabula_electronica/Flickr.com*

The Floridian is a temporary Amtrak route that is a combination of the Capitol Limited and Silver Star routes. You can travel from Chicago and cities in Indiana and Ohio to reach Florida without a train transfer. It’s something to take advantage of if you don’t mind spending two nights on a train. Choose from many stops in Florida, including Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.

New River Gorge

The Cardinal route travels through the beautiful New River Gorge in West Virginia. Depart from Chicago or cities in Indiana to have the most daylight in the gorge. (Otherwise, travel westbound in the summer). To visit the New River Gorge National Park along the way, book tickets to Charleston, WV and rent a car there. Enterprise is in walking distance of the station or use Turo. For easy airport access, start or end this trip in Alexandria, VA (which is near Reagan National).

Montana Lodge Getaway

LOGE Glacier main building — *Photo courtesy LOGE Glacier*

The former Isaak Walton Hotel (built in 1939 by the Great Northern Railway) is now LOGE Glacier. Travel to the Essex Station on the Empire Builder route and walk less than 10 minutes to get there. Amenities include a sauna and cross-country ski rentals for adults and kids. (Trails available for skiing or hiking depending on the season). Choose from a variety of accommodations including rooms in the main lodge, in cabins, and even in a caboose.

Colorado Rocky Mountains Day Trip

*Photo by Loco Steve/Flickr.com (California Zephyr in Glenwood Canyon)*

If you want to see amazing mountain scenery without spending a night on a train, you’re in luck. You can ride a segment of Amtrak’s most scenic route (the California Zephyr) between Denver and Salt Lake City. Travel time is 14.5 hours with a morning departure and evening arrival. You’ll need to minimally spend a night in Denver and a night in Salt Lake City and use nearby airports.

Montreal

If you have a passport, travel on Amtrak’s scenic Adirondack route to reach Montreal. Old Montreal and Mount Royal Park are top attractions, or go on a day tour to see more of Canada. Trains depart from New York City and Upstate New York and you’ll see Lake Champaign along the way. Consider planning a trip around the Montreal International Jazz Festival (or visit in fall to see foliage).

Laurel

Founded in 1882, Laurel, Mississippi is full of local arts and food on Amtrak’s Crescent route. The “Home Town” HGTV show is filmed here, so check out the Home Town tour if you’re a fan. You can also visit unique shops and check out events in the walkable downtown area next to the train station. Look for downtown lodging via Airbnb or Vrbo, and keep in mind that many businesses are closed on Sundays.

La Posada Hotel

Built in 1929, La Posada is a beautiful place to stay next to the Winslow, Arizona Amtrak station. Celebrities and former presidents have stayed here, and there is a museum, gardens and a fine dining restaurant on site. To get there on Amtrak, book tickets on the Southwest Chief. You can board this train in cities including Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Kansas City and Chicago.

San Diego

*Photo by Unsplash, Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication*

For stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, travel to San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner. Top attractions include the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum. Plus, there are many festivals, whale watching tours and beaches to check out. Board the train in California, including in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Irvine and Anaheim. Los Angeles is a great place to transfer to the Pacific Surfliner from other Amtrak routes.

New England in Fall

*Photo by Ogden Gigli (Western Massachusetts fall foliage)*

New England’s fall foliage is a bucket-list experience. Plan a train trip in October to view leaves from the train and visit a variety of destinations, including:

Portland
Board the Downeaster train at Boston’s North Station for the 2.5 hour trip to Portland, Maine. You can ride the Casco Bay Islands ferry to one or more islands for fall foliage scenery. In the city, explore the Old Port, visit the Portland Observatory (open until mid-October), and walk the Eastern Promenade Trail.

Dover
The oldest continuous settlement in New Hampshire, Dover is a charming weekend or day trip. Board the Downeaster in Boston or other cities along the route. Activities include hiking the riverfront trails and climbing up the Garrison Hill Tower for 360-degree views of the fall foliage.

Montpelier
Montpelier, the capital of Vermont, is a stop on the Vermonter route. With a rental car you can reach hiking trails, farms that sell maple syrup, and Stowe Mountain Resort (30-minute drive). Enterprise offers pick up service or use Turo.

Burlington
Book tickets on the Ethan Allen Express to reach Burlington, Vermont. There’s a walkable downtown area, a scenic bike/walking path, boat tours and many events. Board the train in New York State (including NYC) and Vermont.

Battleboro
Brattleboro, Vermont is a walkable town on the Connecticut River. Board a Vermonter train to get there from cities including Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York City. There are several Airbnbs, a hotel, restaurants and the Wantastiquet Monadnock Trail in walking distance of the train station.

Boston
For a scenic train ride through Western Massachusetts, travel to or from Boston on the Lake Shore Limited. Board the train in Chicago or cities in Indiana, Ohio and Upstate New York. For a short trip, travel between Albany and Boston. For more views of fall foliage, travel through the Hudson River Valley from NYC (to Albany). Then book a one-way ticket on the Lake Shore Limited from Albany to Boston (afternoon departure).