An Amtrak train.

This article is a travel topic.

Although trains are not nearly as ubiquitous and convenient a mode of travel in North America as in Europe, they remain popular with some travelers because of the spacious design of the cars, the scenic routes, and the overall comfort of the train ride. Some people prefer to take trains because they do not require long waits at security like at airports, or because they are uncomfortable with flying. Train rides in the U.S. often take longer than car rides and plane rides, but the unique experience can trump the long ride.

All trains will have coach seats. For longer rides many trains have sleeper rooms. The price of these rooms depends on the quality - whether or not there is a sink, or a private shower/toilet. You will pay a supplement for this in addition to the regular fare, but meals are also included. If you are going across the country, you will most likely need to change in Chicago; any sleeper ticket can use the Metropolitan Lounges in Chicago, New Orleans, Miami, Portland (OR), Raleigh, or St Paul/Minneapolis. There are also Club Acela lounges you can use in New York Penn Station, Boston South Station, Washington (D.C.) Union Station, and Philadelphia 30th Street Station.

Tickets and Passes

• North America Rail Pass [1] (AMTRAK) [2] (VIA Rail) allows for unlimited travel within a 30 consecutive day period. The pass allows for travel on most of VIA Rail and Amtrak's 45,000 kilometer (28,000 miles) rail network. The pass costs $709 in the off-peak season and $999 in the peak season.

The pass does have some restrictions:

1. You must embark on at least one trip between the U.S. and Canada.
2. You must also travel on both an Amtrak train and a VIA Rail train.
3. Your last trip must end by midnight on the last night the pass is valid.
4. You may only use four one way passes on any one particular leg.

• USA Rail Pass [3] Is not available for Canadian or American citizens or residents (Except for residents of US territories and protectorates). The pass allows travelers to travel in a one region or travel across the entire continental U.S. Restrictions may apply.

Discounts

Passengers may be able to get discounts by checking websites, having an AAA or CAA membership, being a veteran, being a senior citizen, or have a student ID.

Look out for the rail sale section of the website. You can snag $70 one way coach fares between Chicago and the West Coast. You may get a sleeper with these fares, upon paying the supplement, if they are available.

Effective April 1, 2005 to obtain a discount on Amtrak trains passengers must reserve three days in advance on all trains.

• AAA
• Student Advantage
• National Association of Railroad Passengers Members of NARP receive a 10% discount on Amtrak tickets.

Peak periods

The peak periods for most rail companies in North America is somewhere between March/April to September, however, you should check with the rail company. In the off peak season prices drop significantly on most carriers.

Passenger rail companies

Amtrak

• Amtrak [4] 1-800-USA-RAIL

Is the major rail company in the US. The company operates trains from commuter trains, to trains with a complete restaurant on board. It has a coach class, business class, and sleeper class (which provides the most leg room and an exclusive dining area). The vast majority of Amtrak's business is concentrated in the Northeast, particularly on the Boston-NYC-DC lines and the Albany-NYC line.

American Orient Express

• American Orient Express [5]

American Orient Express is a private company that operates luxury trains. Single person sleepers and suites are the only accommodation options passengers have to choose from. The company offers several themed rail rides. Many of the routes are offered once or twice a year.

n.b. - American Orient Express is changing their marketing name to GrandeLuxe Rail Journeys effective sometime in the 2006-2007 season.

Regional and specialized rail companies

Many American large cities have commuter rail systems that connect suburbs with the areas central metropolis. In the American Northeast several commuter rail systems converge and are inter-connected.

Throughout the US, many private lines have been maintained or rebuilt as privately owned, touristic lines, which occasionally connect to Amtrak or regional systems.

• Adirondak Rail [6] Served by the Union Station in Utica, NY (as are multiple Amtrak lines), this line (still in two sections) also reaches Thendara, Saranac Lake, and Lake Placid.
• Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad [7] Short, scenic rides between Cooperstown and Milford, NY.
• Catskill Mountain Rail Road [8] Short, scenic rides along the Esopus Creek from Pheonicia, NY through beautiful Catskill Mountain scenery. Together with the Ulster & Delaware Rail Road, form the last remaining usage of the Historical Catskill Mountain rail road system.
• Delaware and Ulster Rail Road [9] Short scenic rides between Arkville and Roxbury, NY through beautiful Catskill Mountain scenery. Together with the Catskill Mountain Rail Road, form the last remaining usage of the Historical Catskill Mountain rail road system.
• Alaska Railroad [10]
• Grand Canyon Railway [11]

On Board

• Depending on what train you travel, your ticket may show a seat reservation number and a carriage number. The numbers of the carriage are displayed on the doors; pay attention to these as the trains rolls in, so you can be at the right spot on the platform in time to get into your carriage. Some stations have indicators on the platform to show which carriage will stop where. If you sit in your reserved seat you're always safe. On some Amtrak routes you are not given an assigned seat, instead once you board you are given the task of finding a seat for yourself or your group then sit there until a conductor checks your seat, at which time the seat unofficially becomes yours.

• Trains offer a wide variation of amenities; the longer the distance your train covers, the more facilities there will be. Some newer highspeed trains have airline style entertainment systems in first class, and usually on-board cafes. Classic locomotive-hauled long distance trains may still have restaurant cars with waiters. Some local trains on the other hand can be quite spartan, with a the closest thing you can get to food is a bag of chips and something that could hardly be called "food," simply because it is microwaved for a minute.

• Toliets on most trains in North America are of significantly higher standard than the trains in Europe. While train employees do a good job keeping up on the cleanliness of restrooms your fellow passengers can often dirty up the toilets by splashing water when they wash their hands or fail to throw away paper towels.

Routes/Lines

These are a few of many routes offered by a couple rail companies. The selection of routes was made by the criteria of popular destinations and routes that travel cross country. Additionally, historic routes like the Empire Builder were listed not only because of the destinations, but also because of the legacy of these routes left on tourism in North America.

Amtrak Routes

Chicago is the rail center of America, many routes converge on the Windy City and could require a passenger to change trains here, when traveling cross country.

Amtrak offers 34 passenger train routes. Some of the more popular routes are the Cardinal, the Empire Builder, City of New Orleans, Sunset Limited, Southwest Chief, California Zephyr, Acela Express, and Capitol Limited.

• Cardinal, [12]. The Cardinal connects New York City with Chicago; via Washington (D.C.) and Cincinnati, Ohio. The train operates three days a week. There is a snack car onboard.

• Empire Builder, [13]. The Empire Builder runs from Chicago to either Portland, Oregon; or Seattle, Washington via Glacier National Park. This route operates daily and is a 46 hour ride.

• City of New Orleans, [14]. This route takes you from Chicago, Illinois to the "Birthplace of Jazz" — New Orleans, Louisiana; via Memphis, Tennessee. The ride is 19 hours long and operates daily.

• Sunset Limited, [15]. Travels from Orlando, Florida to Los Angeles, California via San Antonio, Texas. Service is three times a week and is a full 68 hours from start to end.

• Southwest Chief, [16]. The Southwest Chief travels from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California via Kansas City, Missouri and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Service on the 40-hour route is daily.

The Empire Builder stops at Glacier National Park

• California Zephyr, [17]. Amtrak's California Zephyr travels from Chicago, Illinois to Emeryville/San Francisco (San Francisco is a short bus ride from Emeryville) via Omaha, Nebraska; Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Reno, Nevada. Service is daily and takes 51 1/2 hours to complete.

• Acela Express, [18]. The Acela Express takes you from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington (D.C.) via New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There are multiple daily departures. Length of ride is seven hours.

• Capitol Limited, [19]. Runs from Chicago to Washington (D.C.) via Cleveland, Ohio.

• Coast Starlight, [20]. Runs from Los Angeles, California to Seattle, Washington via Santa Barbara, California; San Jose, California; Emeryville, California (a short Amtrak bus ride from San Francisco); Sacramento, California; and Portland, Oregon. Although the moniker is "Coast Starlight", the coast is visible for only a short while between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo.

American Orient Express

The American Orient Express offers 9 routes, and several theme rail trips. Several of the American Orient Express' routes are listed below.

The trains are designed to be a luxury. Each rider gets a bedroom therefore the prices for tickets is higher than most passenger trains.

• Great Trans-Continental Rail Journey, [21]. This 10 day journey departs from Washington (D.C.) and visits Charleston, South Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; San Antonio, Texas; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona; and Los Angeles, California. Reverse itineraries are available. The lowest price for the ride $3,790 when reserved 180+ days in advance for the "Vintage Pullman" room. All rooms have a bed. This route takes 10 days to complete the journey.

• Antebellum South, [22]. The Antebellum South takes passengers from Washington (D.C.) to New Orleans, Louisiana via Fredericksburg (Virginia) or Charlottesville, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reverse itineraries are available. Reserve 180+ days in advance and pay a discounted price of $2,690. The route takes 7 days to complete the journey.