Spending a Month on Amtrak It wasn’t the same as a road trip Or hop between flights—it was its own world. Strangers became friends, time stretched out, landscapes changed, and the strangers were transformed. airport You can also find out more about roadside inn. Every morning I wake up somewhere different: rolling through misty Louisiana bayous, past jagged Montana It was a long journey across the Great Plains. Unlike planes, where everyone stays in their bubble, trains are oddly social—a rotating cast of characters and glimpses into lives I’d never otherwise encounter.
Then, you can use the USA Rail PassAmtrak is one of the most popular ways to travel across the country. In 30 days I traveled thousands of kilometers on three of its best trains. scenic routes. I saw the Pacific slowly creeping into view from the vantage point of the Coast Starlight. rode California Zephyr The Rockies were beautiful at sunset and I drifted off to sleep somewhere. Texas On the Sunset Limited. The pass made it possible to hop on and off long-haul routes around the country—with flexibility and access that’s rare to come by when traveling in the US.
It’s not all romantic. Delays happen—a freight derailment added five hours to one ride, and we even hit a 14-foot alligator outside New Orleans. Amtrak is not reliable with its arrival times; these are more like suggestions than promises. Dining options are limited on most routes—I skipped the café car entirely and stocked up on groceries near train stations. Sleeping upright for several nights is possible. Not everyone can do it.
Even so, quirks add to the charm. Train travel forces you to let go of urgency and just be—watching the sun rise over the Cascades, chatting with a stranger over a microwaved sandwich, or simply listening to the steady hum of the rails beneath you.
Amtrak Rail Pass: How it works
The pass offers 10 segments of coach class travel in 30 days at $499 (or less during sales). A segment is counted each time you board an Amtrak train—whether it’s a short hop from New York The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us: Philadelphia Or a multi-day trip from Chicago The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us: Los Angeles.
Amtrak long-distance routes qualify, but not high-speed rails like the Acela aren’t included. You can buy the pass online, and each segment requires a reservation—so book early, especially in summer. Even though coach cars are included on overnight trains as well, sleeping car tickets cost more. Planning your route in advance is important because some routes run only a few days a week.
What are the best routes to take?
During my month on the rails, I rode some of Amtrak’s most iconic long-haul routes—listed here in order of my personal favorites. Most were just about the journey, but some were so worth it because of the ride:
