North America’s Best Summer Train Trips

Skip the cramped legroom of a flight and the traffic of a road trip to experience one of North America’s great train trips. These legendary rail journeys offer a front-row seat to some of the most beautiful landscapes in North America, from glacier‑carved valleys in the Canadian Rockies to the other-worldly deserts and dramatic canyons of the American Southwest. Many long‑distance North America train trips even bundle sleeper accommodations and meals into the fare, making rail travel not just scenic, but often more affordable than flying, especially during the summer. Let us show you 10 of North America’s best train trips that make for a unique summer vacation.

Empire Builder

Amtrak’s Empire Builder runs between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, with options to begin or end in either Seattle or Portland. The Empire Builder journey, which covers roughly 2,200 miles in 46 hours, allows passengers to experience some of the Northern United States’ most dramatic landscapes, including beautiful views of the Mississippi River, North Dakota’s Great Plains, and the rugged peaks surrounding Glacier National Park. Pricing varies, but in the summer, fares typically begin at $150 for coach and can rise above $1,200 for packages that include a private room and meals. You can also make an entire week of it with Amtrak’s 7-day itinerary, which includes two nights on board and four nights split between Chicago and Seattle. Like air travel, book early to save money.

California Zephyr

Amtrak’s California Zephyr, like the Empire Builder, is another one of the most scenic long‑distance train journeys in the United States, running between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area. The route crosses the Mississippi River, climbs into the Rocky Mountains, winds through Colorado’s dramatic Glenwood Canyon, and traverses the vast Nevada desert and Sierra Nevada range over the course of roughly 46 hours. Summer brings long daylight hours that illuminate the train’s most spectacular segments. Typical fares begin at $150 for a coach seat and can rise over $1,400 for a roomette with meals included. Like the Empire Builder, you can also do a 7-day Amtrak package on the California Zephyr route that consists of two nights on board and 4 nights spent in Chicago and San Francisco.

Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer’s signature route is the First Passage to the West, linking Vancouver to Banff or Lake Louise over the course of two days (with an overnight stay in Kamloops). This historic route follows the path of Canada’s early transcontinental railway, tracing the powerful Fraser River, climbing into the Coast Mountains, and navigating extraordinary engineering marvels like the Spiral Tunnels before entering the dramatic heart of the Canadian Rockies. Every mile is designed for sightseeing, with panoramic glass‑domed coaches and gourmet meals. Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West trains go in both directions, so you can start in the Rockies and go to Vancouver or start in Vancouver.

While the train also operates other scenic routes, such as Journey Through the Clouds to Jasper and Rainforest to Gold Rush via Whistler, the First Passage to the West remains Rocky Mountaineer’s most legendary train route. Summer fares are as low as $1,733 USD, but may cost more depending on your chosen itinerary.

Grand Alaska Tour

Alaska Railroad’s Grand Alaska Tour is a sweeping 12-day adventure that showcases the state’s most dramatic summer landscapes, stretching from Fairbanks to the coastal town of Seward. Guests will take in panoramic views of Denali National Park, winding glacial rivers, and the towering peaks of the Alaska mountain range. You may even see wildlife along the way. Many itineraries also incorporate guided excursions—such as glacier cruises, park tours, or cultural experiences—making it one of the most immersive rail vacations in North America. Pricing varies by length and inclusions, but summer packages typically start around $6,000 per person. Note that Alaska Railroad also has a number of other shorter rail journeys available.

Alaska’s National Parks by Rail

Alaska Railroad’s National Parks by Rail tour is another immersive, multi‑day Alaska rail journey that links several of the state’s iconic national parks, traveling from Anchorage north to Denali National Park, and onward to Fairbanks, with optional extensions to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward. Passengers will see snow‑capped peaks, glacier‑fed rivers, boreal forests, and wide‑open tundra where wildlife sightings, like moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and even bears, are common. Itineraries typically include guided tours and opportunities for glacier cruises or backcountry excursions, offering a comprehensive rail-based experience in the Alaskan wilderness. The full Alaska National Parks by Rail trip begins at $4,335, while add-ons will raise the price.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

The Mount Washington Cog Railway is one of New England’s most iconic attractions, carrying passengers from Marshfield Station to the 6,288‑foot summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. The world’s first mountain‑climbing cog railway, the Mount Washington Cog Railway has been operating since 1869. It remains an engineering marvel, climbing steep grades through three distinct climate zones on its three‑mile, three-hour ascent. Riders are treated to sweeping views of the White Mountains, rugged alpine terrain, and panoramic views stretching across several states on clear days. Mount Washington Cog Railway’s fleet is primarily of powerful biodiesel locomotives, but a pair of coal-fired steam engines operate in the summer and fall. During the warmer months, fares generally range between $75-$120 per adult, but these prices fluctuate based on demand.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Operating since 1891, the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway—better known as the Pikes Peak Cog Railway—is a legendary route that carries passengers from Manitou Springs to the 14,115‑foot summit of Pikes Peak, the world’s highest cog‑rail summit. The 8.9‑mile route ascends steep grades through forests, rocky outcrops, and alpine tundra, featuring stunning views of the Front Range, sparkling mountain reservoirs, and vast plains stretching to the horizon. The full round‑trip Pikes Peak Cog Railway experience lasts about 3 hours, including roughly 40 minutes at the summit to explore the visitor center and take in the panoramic views. Note that even in summer, summit temperatures at Pikes Peak rarely exceed 50 degrees, so pack warm layers. Ticket prices often start around $70, but prices may fluctuate, especially during the summer, depending on demand.

Grand Canyon Railway

The Grand Canyon Railway follows a historic 64-mile route that’s been operating since 1901. After leaving the Williams Depot, the train travels through high desert plains, prairie grasslands, and stunning ponderosa pine forests before arriving at the Grand Canyon Village, which is steps away from the iconic South Rim. The views along the route are just part of the entertainment; passengers will also be treated to Old West‑style entertainment, including roaming musicians, a cast of Western characters, and even the occasional staged train robbery. The ride is approximately two hours and 15 minutes each way. There are several different types of tickets available, from coach seating that starts around $70 to luxury observation dome cars with panoramic views, often starting around $190.

The Canadian

The Canadian, VIA Rail’s flagship transcontinental train, travels nearly 4,500 kilometers between Toronto and Vancouver, offering one of Canada’s best long‑distance rail journeys over four days. The train meanders through Ontario’s forests to the sweeping prairies of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, before climbing into the snow‑capped peaks and turquoise lakes of the Canadian Rockies—its most celebrated stretch. Passengers can enjoy dome cars for sightseeing, classic stainless‑steel coaches, and the nostalgic rhythm of overnight rail travel, waking each morning to a different landscape. Fares vary widely by season and class: Economy offers the most affordable option, while Sleeper Plus and Prestige Class include private cabins, meals, and premium amenities. Typical long‑distance packages begin around $3,500, but fluctuate depending on cabin type, availability, and time of year.

Agawa Canyon Tour Train

The Agawa Canyon Tour Train is one of Ontario’s most epic one-day rail experiences, offering a full‑day, 10‑hour scenic journey from the Canada side Sault Ste. Marie, which sits on the Michgan-Canada border, into the Agawa Canyon Wilderness. This route operates from early Summer to mid-October, allowing passengers to enjoy onboard commentary, large picture windows, and a live feed of mounted cameras, which give an engineer’s point of view to passengers. After a dramatic descent into the canyon, riders have time to explore trails, waterfalls, and lookout points before the return trip. Summer and fall fares typically begin around $55 USD but can rise to over $350 USD for a seat in the the premium Stone Gardner rear‑view car, which features a massive plate‑glass window and included meals.