Scenic trains are underrated. I’ll tell you why, and when you should choose the train over say, a cruise, resort, or just plain land trip.
When The Journey is Greater than the Destination:
Scenic train travel is an awe-inspiring trip type where the journey matters more than reaching the destination as fast as possible.
On a train trip, you see the sights on the journey, it’s not something you’re waiting for all day until you reach the destination. Mountain ranges, glaciers, alpine lakes, they can all be seen on the train ride through, say, the Swiss Alps, like on the highly regarded Bernina Express. But even the regular regional trains in Switzerland can take you to the same views for 1/10th the price.
When Terrain Access Makes Other Modes of Transportation Limited:
Most people don’t realize trains can go places cars can’t easily access. Trains were engineered to go up and down steep grades, and places where there isn’t a road for cars. They can get you into the backcountry you can’t drive to because maybe there’s no parallel highway, such as with the Alaska Railroad near Denali.
Another little known fact is that the trains move by slowly enough for you to see it all. It’s not like a bullet train in Japan. The point is to see the surrounding region, not zip past it to your destination.
When You Don’t Want to Deal with Parking Stress:
If you’ve ever been to a National Park, you know if you’re not at the trail parking lot before 9am or earlier, the parking lot will be full and you’ll have to figure out plan B.
The benefit of a train trip is that you can see the landscape, without needing to get up when it’s still dark out, in order to secure parking at the place you want to see.
What to Expect by Budget Tier on a Scenic Train Journey:
Budget: In this tier, you might take an Amtrak coach across Western America, complete with a cafe car where you can purchase snacks and sandwiches, or even bring your own. All while you witness the alpine meadows of Glacier National Park, and if you’re lucky, maybe a group of mountain goats, elk, or even see a grizzly bear.
Mid: Mid-level tier scenic train travel looks like Amtrak sleeper cars like the Empire Builder that goes from Chicago to Seattle, with a sleeper through Glacier National Park. You get a private cabin and the experience of the glass observation lounge, where you can see the Montana mountain views from your window.
Luxury: You can also choose top of the line luxury on, say, a Rocky Mountaineer train trip, that includes enjoying premium dining in the dedicated dining car, or watching waterfalls cascade right beside the tracks, while you recline in your seat and soak up the panoramic glass dome ceiling view.
Best Scenic Train Destinations:
Rocky Mountaineer - panoramic glass dome ceilings, day trains with hotel overnight model (you spend the day on the train, the nights in a hotel)
Switzerland - UNESCO World Heritage route, day trains
Scotland - Highly reviewed as one of the world’s best scenic train journeys, includes sleeper trains
American West - Mountain scenery, budget to luxury tiered choices, includes sleeper trains