A well-planned train trip can be one of the most relaxing and scenic ways to explore the United States. Whether you’re dreaming of a long-distance Amtrak route, a scenic coastal ride, or a quick regional trip on Amtrak or another rail service, a little planning goes a long way. This guide explains the key steps in planning a train trip so you can create a smooth, memorable experience that fits your interests and budget.

Step 1: Choose your route

Amtrak operates over 30 train routes across the United States, from long-distance trains to shorter, regional routes. Other rail operators offer more travel options for city-to-city travel, so knowing your options is an important first step.

Choosing one of Amtrak’s most scenic routes is a great place to start, especially if you want dramatic views. You can also narrow your options by region, such as New England, the East Coast, Midwest, South, and the West Coast. Other travelers pick a route that passes through their state or that will take them to a specific destination. Popular themes include visiting national parks, exploring walkable cities, discovering hidden-gem towns, and stopping at historic sites.

Step 2: Decide when to travel

Next, decide when to travel. Some routes are best in the summer, fall or even winter (especially if you want to go on a ski trip or escape cold weather). Keep in mind that summer offers the most daylight for viewing scenery, but can also be a crowded and more expensive time to ride. You’ll also want to consider the best time to visit places on the route (if you’re interested in getting off the train to explore). For inspiration, check out the best Amtrak route to ride in each month.

Step 3: Decide on ticket type

There are different types of train tickets based on the route you select. Daytime-only Amtrak trains have coach seats, some also have business class seating. Long-distance trains can be single level or two-levels tall, which determines the type of private rooms that are available. View maximum capacity and features of Amtrak’s roomettes, bedrooms and family bedrooms to learn more.

Keep in mind that private rooms on Amtrak are much more expensive than coach seats, but meals, coffee and water are included in the price. Plus, you’ll get access to private lounges at major stations around the U.S. (which often have free snacks and beverages). Overall, we love roomettes for long-distance solo travel, bedrooms when traveling overnight with others, and coach seats for shorter trips.

Step 4: Plan your stops and must-see attractions

After you’ve chosen a train route, decide where you’ll start and end your trip. You can choose one of the stations on the route and arrive there by flight, car, bus, and even a different train. Google Maps has the option to view driving and transit/train directions (click the train icon) as a place to start. The find trains tool on the Amtrak.com homepage also gives you the option to enter your start and end destinations to get route options (which may include a thruway bus).

You’ll also need to decide if you want to visit any places along the way. Our Amtrak route guides include the full list of stations along with popular stops and top attractions to plan a trip around. You will need tickets for each trip segment (such as multiple one-way tickets).

Step 5: Book your trip

You can book train tickets on the Amtrak website, on the Amtrak app, via phone call or at some staffed train stations. Not all stations are staffed, so it’s best to purchase tickets online. Other train service providers (like Brightline) also have app and website booking options.

Ticket prices tend to increase the closer you get to your travel date, so book as soon as possible. It’s especially helpful to book months in advance if you’re planning to ride one of the popular long-distance routes such as the California Zephyr.

It’s also best to book Amtrak tickets directly through Amtrak, which makes changes and cancellations easier. Amtrak allows for free cancellation within 24 hours. Some routes also have flex fares that offer free cancellation before departure. Learn more. If you’re traveling a long distance or purchasing a private room, we highly recommend travel insurance or paying with a credit card that has travel insurance in case something unexpected comes up.

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