It was a crisp October day, and the leaves were radiant. Though I was traveling on very little sleep, my ten-hour train ride treated me to views that kept me rapt: quintessential fall in the Hudson River Valley and the Adirondack Mountains.

Autumn was in full form, spreading its fiery hue upon Upstate New York hills that rose and fell dramatically, as if they had been shaped by titan hands.

As a small-town Texas native who grew up knowing only car-based infrastructure and a poor imitation of fall scenery, my decision to connect tours of New York City and Montreal by train was sparked by sheer curiosity. I imagined curling up with my backpack and snoring the day away to the ambient noise of wheels over tracks. I never anticipated that my route between the two cities would be as scenic and distinctive as the destinations themselves.

I was hooked. While pulling into Montreal’s Central Station, I sifted through Amtrak’s route catalog, eager to someday explore the other routes that course through the wonderous, varied scenery of the American landscape. Clearly, there was more to see between Point A and Point B than airports, highways, and dense downtowns. What other secrets, like pink desert dunes, white-tipped peaks, and seas of endless grasses, were out there waiting to be admired?

It turned out, there were over a dozen routes to tack on my wish list. As America’s only long-distance passenger rail system, Amtrak traverses an incredible 21,000 miles through almost every continental state. Over three hundred passenger trains chug along its railways every single day to a whopping five hundred destinations.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler of Amtrak transport or have never trekked to a far-off locale via the tracks, consider booking your next vacation by train. This slower yet more meaningful passage could redefine your travel—not as a single stop but as a more enriching journey.

Take to the rails

Air travel and road trips by passenger vehicles dominate the tourism industry, practically eclipsing train travel. Compare the ridership of 22.9 million documented train trips in 2022 to the tremendous 853 million flight passengers that same year. Meanwhile, a survey by the Vacationer in March 2023 indicated that 79 percent of summer travelers planned to take a road trip while only 54 percent expected to hop on a plane—and train travel was not even mentioned at all.

But for those who have ached after hours in a cramped seat beside a stranger or sibling know, plane and car travel are hardly perfect. In fact, they can be long, arduous trials of your patience. When voyaging by train, however, you can shrug off the suffocating stress of destination-only travel and instead enjoy each leisurely step of the journey.

Cruise in comfort

Rather than squeezing yourself into an airplane or car seat, consider the surprising degree of leisure options Amtrak offers. Most of its vehicles include three classes of travel, starting with coach, which is deceptively comfortable and provides significantly more head, neck, and arm room than its companion discount classes in airplanes. (Coach seats may even be roomier than some vehicles.) Alternatively, you can upgrade to business class for wider seating in a sophisticated cabin, substantially greater legroom, and, in most cases, a complimentary beverage during your trip. Both options come with free Wi-Fi access on most trains and convenient outlets located by the window.

Luxury travel isn’t reserved for posh flyers either. Amtrak’s luxe options include roomettes—private cabins of two broad, inward-facing seats that convert into beds—and private bedrooms. There are various floor plans to choose from, each of which offers exclusive seating plus a personal bathroom that includes a shower. You can even book suites, accessible rooms, or family bedrooms that sleep multiple travelers in larger private quarters. All options come with private, scenic views and complimentary turndown service meant to replicate the experience of spending a night in a hotel. Your booking also includes priority boarding and a selection of top-tier onboard meals.

While the costs of these pinnacle options can rival those of luxury air travel, they provide indulgent opportunities to enjoy overnight trips while traversing long distances. Premium options may vary by train and route, but most of them feature tempting amenities to elevate your experience.

Ride unrestrained

Thanks to a lack of air turbulence or volatile highway traffic, train travelers in any tier are always free to roam about the cabin—even multiple cabins. Depending on which train and class you book, you can enjoy a meal in the dining cabin or in the private first-class restaurant. These services provide a diverse menu of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including hot foods, snacks, desserts, kids’ meals, and adult beverages. If you grow aggravated by chatterboxes in the surrounding rows, you may also have the option to shift to the quiet car for some peace and calm. And, perhaps best of all, many trains include observation cars with window-oriented seats and broad picture windows. Sit back with a cocktail or coffee, and gaze out at America’s great scenery trickling by.

Take in abundant views

Amtrak tempts potential riders with an alluring invitation: “Leap into the sights and sounds of the American landscape, from great cities to quaint towns and amazing vistas.” Traversing one of its routes affords you unforgettable tours through some of our greatest cultural and natural attractions. Popular routes include the Pacific Surfliner, which hugs the ocean shore between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, and the Southwest Chief, a colorful trip through the American West that blazes by the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert, and Sedona’s red cliffs. For an unforgettable tour of the Northeast, elect to board the Acela route, which has stops at Boston; New Haven, Connecticut; New York City; Philadelphia; Wilmington, Delaware; and Washington, DC. Few northeasterners would recommend enduring this entire journey by car, much less suffering through the airports along it.

Book your journey

Long-distance travel by train is certainly not for travelers in a rush. Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train, for example, takes a steady thirty-four-hour course up the Pacific shore from Los Angeles to Seattle. However, it provides a uniquely stimulating experience that pairs passage through multiple scenic destinations with comfortable quarters. And for Americans considering the environmental impact of travel, trains are a greener alternative to driving or flying.

If you have a thirst for adventure, get a sampling of American train travel by booking a day trip to the nearest stop—there’s no need for first-time riders to commit to the days-long adventure of cross-country train travel. But however and wherever you choose to course the tracks, you may quickly become hooked on voyaging by train, a transportation style that’s surely old-fashioned yet somehow feels revolutionary.

For more info, visit amtrak.com