Train Vacations: Why Your Next Trip Should Be by Rail
There’s something wonderfully old-school about traveling by train. You settle into your seat, watch the scenery roll past the window, and realize something unusual has happened: you’re already enjoying your vacation, even though you haven’t arrived yet.
For years, getting somewhere as quickly as possible seemed to be the goal of travel. Fly in, fly out, squeeze everything into the middle. But more travelers are discovering—or rediscovering—the appeal of slowing things down. Train travel turns getting there into part of the experience.
And really, who says you need an ocean to Stay Salty?
The Journey Becomes Part of the Vacation
Think about a typical travel day. There’s the drive to the airport, parking, luggage, security lines, crowded gates, boarding and then figuring out transportation once you land. Sometimes all of that is worth it. But nobody usually describes it as the highlight of their vacation.
A scenic train journey can be completely different.
Instead of spending your travel time simply waiting to arrive, you can watch mountains, rivers, forests, small towns and wide-open landscapes pass outside your window. Depending on the train and route, you may be able to get up and walk around, enjoy a meal, visit an observation area or simply sit back with a cup of coffee and watch the world go by.
There’s something to be said for traveling at a speed that actually lets you see where you are.
Train Vacations Come in More Varieties Than You Might Think
When you hear “train vacation,” don't picture just one kind of trip. Rail travel can mean very different things depending on where you go and how you want to travel.
In the United States, Amtrak offers long-distance routes connecting cities and regions across the country, including journeys known for spectacular scenery. Train travel can also be incorporated into trips to national parks and major cities, allowing the transportation itself to become part of a larger vacation.
Head north and Canada offers some truly memorable rail experiences, particularly through the Canadian Rockies. Mountains, lakes and dramatic landscapes make this part of the world especially well suited to seeing from a train window.
Europe offers another kind of rail adventure entirely. Instead of treating the train as the vacation itself, you can use Europe's extensive rail networks to connect several destinations in one trip. Imagine breakfast in one city, watching the countryside roll past during the afternoon, and having dinner somewhere completely different that evening.
And for travelers looking for something truly special, luxury and scenic trains can turn rail travel into the centerpiece of the vacation, with upgraded accommodations, dining and carefully designed itineraries.
You Can Actually Slow Down
It gives you permission to slow down.
Read the book you've been meaning to finish. Have a conversation. Take pictures. Watch the scenery. Enjoy a meal. Do absolutely nothing for a while.
We spend so much of everyday life trying to get somewhere faster that intentionally choosing a slower way to travel can feel surprisingly luxurious.
That doesn't mean trains are always the best option. Sometimes flying makes much more sense, especially when time is limited or destinations are far apart. But when the route itself offers something worth seeing, choosing the train can transform what would have been transportation into one of your favorite vacation memories.
Train Travel Can Pair Beautifully With Other Vacations
A rail trip doesn't have to replace your favorite kind of vacation, either.
Train travel can become one piece of a larger adventure. You might take a scenic train through the Canadian Rockies before continuing to another destination. A European vacation could combine several cities by rail. An Alaska itinerary might include a memorable rail journey along with other experiences.
And yes, even those of us who love cruising can get onboard with this.
A train journey before or after a cruise can create a completely different experience without requiring another separate vacation. Instead of simply flying into a port and heading home afterward, adding a rail experience can turn the trip into something much bigger.
Apparently, sea legs and train legs can coexist just fine.
Is a Train Vacation Right for You?
Train travel is especially worth considering if you enjoy beautiful scenery, want a more relaxed pace, dislike spending your entire vacation rushing from place to place, or simply want to try something different.
It can also be a great option for travelers who believe that getting somewhere should be part of the story.
The key is choosing the right route and understanding what kind of experience you're booking. Some trains are primarily transportation. Others are designed around sightseeing. Some offer overnight accommodations, dining and upgraded service, while others are much simpler.
That's where planning ahead makes a big difference.
Maybe It's Time to Ride the Rails
Your next vacation doesn't necessarily have to begin when you reach your destination.
It could begin the moment the train pulls away from the station.
Whether you're dreaming about the mountains of the American West, the Canadian Rockies, a European adventure or simply watching a beautiful part of the country pass outside your window, train travel offers something we sometimes forget to make room for on vacation:
the pleasure of the journey itself.
So maybe it's time to slow things down, grab a window seat and see where the rails take you.
And remember—even without an ocean in sight, you can always Stay Salty.
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