Multiple long-distance and regional trains travel in the Southern United States. Amtrak is the primary service provider, but there are also regional trains in Florida (Brightline, Tri-Rail, SunRail) and in Texas (Trinity Railway Express). New Orleans, Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Charlotte, Memphis and many cities in Texas and Florida are places you can travel to and … Continue reading Southern US Train Routes
Vermonter vs Northeast Regional
Amtrak's Vermonter and Northeast Regional are regional trains in the Northeast United States. Both travel through multiple states and stop in major cities including Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City. However, the Vermonter travels to and from Vermont and the Northeast Regional only travels as far north as Boston. Additionally, there are multiple … Continue reading Vermonter vs Northeast Regional
Empire Builder vs Southwest Chief
If you're trying to decide on which long-distance Amtrak route to ride, it can be a tough decision. The Empire Builder and Southwest Chief are two options, which are about the same length (you'll spend two nights on the train). Both also travel between Chicago and the West Coast, but have very different scenery. The … Continue reading Empire Builder vs Southwest Chief
Cardinal vs Lake Shore Limited
The Cardinal and Lake Shore Limited are two of Amtrak's long-distance routes that travel between Chicago and New York City. Trains on both routes have sleeper cars, coach cars, a café car and WiFi, but are otherwise very different. The Cardinal only operates three days each week and has many more stops -- so if … Continue reading Cardinal vs Lake Shore Limited
New England Amtrak Routes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkxMawhT4xs Eight Amtrak routes travel to and from New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut). Most are used for commuting or regional travel. The exception is the long-distance Lake Shore Limited trains, which travel between Boston and Chicago. The Acela, Northeast Regional and Vermonter also travel longer distances -- you can … Continue reading New England Amtrak Routes
West Coast Amtrak Routes
Amtrak’s West Coast routes offer a mix of scenic coastline, forests, mountains and major cities. Regional and long-distance trains make it easy to travel anywhere from San Diego to Vancouver, and several routes continue inland to connect with Chicago and New Orleans. Below, you’ll find a list of all West Coast Amtrak routes with top … Continue reading West Coast Amtrak Routes
Midwest Train Routes
The Midwest has more passenger rail service than you might expect, with more than 15 Amtrak routes plus multiple commuter lines. Chicago is the region’s major hub for long-distance trains, and several states (including Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Missouri) have frequent regional service. Explore the full list of Midwest train routes below, and don’t miss … Continue reading Midwest Train Routes
Capitol Limited vs Lake Shore Limited
The Capitol Limited and the Lake Shore Limited are two long-distance Amtrak routes that travel between Chicago and the East Coast. Trains stop at the same stations in Northern Indiana and Ohio, but outside of the Midwest the routes diverge. The Capitol Limited trains travel to and from Washington D.C. via West Virginia while Lake … Continue reading Capitol Limited vs Lake Shore Limited
Empire Builder vs Coast Starlight
The Empire Builder and Coast Starlight are two of Amtrak's most popular long-distance routes. Both stop in Seattle, have beautiful scenery, and the same on-board amenities. However, the scenery is very different, and the sights you want to see and the destinations you want to visit will be the biggest factor in deciding which route … Continue reading Empire Builder vs Coast Starlight
Southwest Chief vs Texas Eagle
The Southwest Chief and Texas Eagle are long-distance Amtrak routes that travel between Chicago and Los Angeles. The Texas Eagle travels through Texas and stops at many stations there, part of the reason why it is the longest train route in the United States. So if you're looking for the quickest rail trip between L.A. … Continue reading Southwest Chief vs Texas Eagle
Cardinal vs Capitol Limited
The Cardinal and Capitol Limited are two of Amtrak's long-distance routes. Both travel between Chicago and the East Coast through the Alleghany Mountains. However, the Cardinal only operates three days each week while the Capitol Limited is a daily train. The Capitol Limited is also a much shorter route and is the fastest way to … Continue reading Cardinal vs Capitol Limited
Keystone Service vs Northeast Regional
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhGNglF7dM8 Amtrak's Keystone Service and Northeast Regional routes are predominantly used as regional commuter trains in the Northeast United States. Both also travel between Philadelphia and New York City -- but that's where the commonalities end. Keystone Service primarily travels east and west, connecting cities in Pennsylvania with New Jersey and New York City. On … Continue reading Keystone Service vs Northeast Regional
Acela vs Northeast Regional
Acela is Amtrak's high-speed route that travels between Washington D.C. and Boston. Trains stop at some of the same stations as the Northeast Regional, so you might have the option to choose between these two routes when booking your tickets. So how are they different? The key thing to know is that Acela tickets are … Continue reading Acela vs Northeast Regional
Coast Starlight vs Amtrak Cascades
The Coast Starlight and Amtrak Cascades routes travel along the beautiful Pacific Northwest coast. But that's where the similarities end. The Coast Starlight is a long-distance train with a sleeper car and sightseer lounge while the Amtrak Cascades is a European-designed train that travels a shorter distance (and into Canada). Learn more about the differences … Continue reading Coast Starlight vs Amtrak Cascades
Empire Builder vs California Zephyr
The Empire Builder and the California Zephyr are two of Amtrak's most popular routes. Both travel in the western half of the United States through the Rocky Mountains. The main difference is that the California Zephyr has more (and better) mountain scenery as it travels through the Colorado Rockies and Sierra Nevada. The Empire Builder, … Continue reading Empire Builder vs California Zephyr
Coast Starlight vs Pacific Surfliner
The Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner are California's two coastal Amtrak routes. Both provide stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and stop in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. But that's where the similarities end. The Pacific Surfliner route is much shorter than the Coast Starlight and can be used to commute between cities in Southern … Continue reading Coast Starlight vs Pacific Surfliner
Southwest Chief vs California Zephyr
The Southwest Chief and California Zephyr are two of Amtrak's long-distance routes. Both travel between Chicago and California, but the scenery is very different. The Southwest Chief has more desert landscapes and the California Zephyr has more mountain views. Additionally, the Southwest Chief is a shorter route and starts/ends in Los Angeles while the California … Continue reading Southwest Chief vs California Zephyr
East Coast Amtrak Routes
Amtrak’s East Coast routes include high-speed, regional, and long-distance trains serving major cities and popular travel destinations from New England to Florida. Key routes such as the Acela and Northeast Regional connect cities from Boston to Washington, D.C. while other trains travel to the Midwest, Appalachian Mountains, Deep South, and even Canada. View the list … Continue reading East Coast Amtrak Routes
“White Christmas” movie: Is the train trip real?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMTd1X9c6kg "White Christmas" is a classic holiday movie featuring Bing Crosby -- and an epic train trip. Early in the movie, the lead characters board a train in Florida with Vermont the final destination. This train trip was completely doable in 1954 when the movie was released, but not how it was depicted in the … Continue reading “White Christmas” movie: Is the train trip real?
9 types of Amtrak train cars
Amtrak uses several different types of train cars, each designed for a specific purpose. The mix of cars varies by route, with long-distance trains having more amenities than regional services. Amtrak also operates different rail car models, such as Superliner, Viewliner, and Amfleet, that have different features.To learn more, view the list of car types … Continue reading 9 types of Amtrak train cars
US Train Travel Guide 