Luxury Train Adventures in North America

As you zip through the endless prairies of Nebraska, the scenic Rock Mountains outside Denver, the rugged red rock country in Utah, and the snow capped Sierra Nevada’s, the rail adventure offers travelers the opportunity to retrace the steps of the early pioneers who settled in the Wild West. 

Bringing together a combination of Transcontinental Railroad routes and the new tracks, Amtrak’s California Zephyr transports passengers across America on a spectacular, picturesque two-day Luxury Train adventure. 

The 2,300-mile, 51-hour-long trip, regarded to be the most picturesque train route in the country, begins its trek in Chicago and ends in Emeryville, California, located just outside San Francisco. 

Guests on this beautiful luxury train get to enjoy amenities such as a dining, sightseer lounge, and Sleepliner cars that come with roomettes and bedroom suites (some that can easily accommodate up to six people). Major stops include Omaha, Denver, and Salt Lake City. 

The Rocky Mountaineer Luxury Train experience is quite different to other railroad adventures, offering its passengers a unique approach to rail travel dedicated to the spectacular landscapes of  Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado. 

The first thing passengers will notice is the train cars, designed in a way that passengers can take full advantage of the panoramic view to fully take in the incredible surrounding landscapes. Standard class cars are one story, featuring large windows that extend up onto the roof, allowing passengers to catch every detail of the landscape. 

Another unique aspect of these train tours is the overnight accommodation and opportunity to explore sights that are dotted along the way. Unlike passenger trains that run from one stop to the next on a tight schedule, the Rocky Mountaineer stops in a city each evening where passengers disembark and spend the night at a hotel. In addition to being a far more comfortable option, it means all rail travel is done by daylight, so that passengers don’t miss a thing. 

Gold Leaf passengers are treated to a two-level car with all seating on the top level, which features windows that extend  up and over, with only a narrow band obscuring the center of the ceiling. The lower level is a separate dining area, which serves all menus to order from an a-la-carte menu. Standard fare passengers also enjoy all meals as part of the package, served at their seats. 

The basic tour package includes all meals, hotel stays, and narration during the train ride by knowledgeable guides. It lasts two days, starting in Moab with an overnight in Glenwood Springs and then on to Denver. 

Longer packages are also available, including a round-trip sightseeing tour with four days on the train, two full days in Moab, and plenty of time to explore Denver. Other packages include sightseeing flights and time in Las Vegas  before an extended stay along the train route, as well as an option to add motor coach portions and a guided tour of Bryce Canyon. 

Check out the Rocky Mountaineer on our list of Most Luxurious Train Adventures Around the World. 

Soar through the natural splendor of Verde Canyon in the American Southwest in a refurbished rail car aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad on a 3.5-hour, 20-mile round trip from Sedona, Arizona. 

Savor awe-inspiring scenery while comfortably seated in a climate-controlled and thoughtfully decorated car. The train has three classes: coach, first, and luxurious caboose rentals for groups, with both vintage train cars, as well as an open-air viewing car to make the most of your time onboard. 

Whether you opt for an organized tour or board the train on your own, be sure to explore the cliff dwellings by the Native American Sinagua people and the old mining sites, and keep a lookout for a native wildlife like bald eagles and antelope. 

The Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure includes train fare, as well as admission to the John Bell Railroad Museum. Located at the depot, which features artifacts and exhibits related to not only rail travel, but the area’s indigenous populations. 

As the name suggests, the Alaska Denali Star, one of USA’s most Luxurious Train experiences, brings you to North America’s Highest Peak in one of the most unbelievably beautiful national parks: the stunning Denali. 

Ride in a car with glass-dome ceilings to take in the sublime views. The train leaves from Downtown Anchorage, with stops in Wasilla and Talkeetna, before going through Denali National Park and ending in Fairbanks. 

Amenities onboard the 12-hour train include two classes (GoldStar Service with meals, drinks, and basic Adventure Class), a dining car, dome cars, non-smoking cars, and baggage service. Guests may also travel on the privately run Wilderness Express dome cars at the end of the train with guides, separate dining, and open-air platforms. 

If long train journeys across the country while getting to explore some of the most picturesque landscapes that North American has to offer, then the Amtrak Empire Builder that traces the steps of Lewis & Clark through the heartland, from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest. The 46-hour journey offers stunning views of the Great Plains, Mississippi River, Glacier National Park, Gassman Coulee Trestle, and Montana’s Big Sky Country. 

The train includes a sleeping car, lounging car, and a dining car to make your ride as comfortable as possible. Family rooms and accessible rooms are available, and a variety of onboard dining options; however, there is no Wi-Fi service.

Each station stop can last anywhere from five minutes to over a half hour, so there will be ample opportunities to hop out and grab a bite to eat, but passengers should be aware that the train will leave at its scheduled time, with or without ticketed passengers. 

For explorers looking  to travel during the warmer months, a volunteer from the National Park Service through the Trails & Rails program boards the train between Shelby, Montana, and Seattle, providing information on the landscapes, habitats, and history. 

Travel back in time in a vintage coach car on the coal-fired and steam-powered Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad ride from Durango to Silverton, Colorado. This train journey is one of the top things to do in Colorado. 

Built during the silver mining boom, the tracks have been in continuous use since 1882. When the boom subsided, the train became an opportunity for eager travelers to experience the route of the miners and frontiersmen. Today, it remains among the few narrow-gauge steam railroads in the country. 

The three and a half hour journey from Durango to Silverton makes its way along the Animas River on rail lines specifically designed to navigate curves along steep mountainsides. The rock walls seem just inches away from the windows at some points of the excursion, and the deep gorges provide picture-perfect spectacles, with the steam whilst echoing through the region. 

Families and train enthusiasts adore the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which offers excursions to experience the remote countryside of Western North Carolina and segments of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

The train ride, spanning 53 miles with 25 bridges and two tunnels, traverses valleys, through tunnels and carved out mountains overlooking scenic meadows and river gorges. The train departs from Bryson City, and trips last anywhere from three-and-a-half hours to a full day. 

Book the 44-mile Nantahala Gorge Excursions for a round trip to the Nantahala Gorge, passing the Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers. The 32-mile Tuckasegee River Excursion winds along the eponymous river, and passes through lush valleys and old towns. 

Passengers can choose from First Class cars with private attendants or the Open Air Gondola, and they opt to pre-purchase boxed lunches to be enjoyed on the ride. Premium ticket-holders are served from a separate menu of fresh dishes prepared onboard. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad also offers special event trains during spring (The Bunny Hopper Express) and winter (The Polar Express Train Ride). 

Get in touch with us today to start planning your next Luxury Train Adventure in the USA, or check out our Curated Journey’s and join us in some of the world’s most bespoke destinations. So, what are you waiting for?