5 Reasons to Travel America by Rail on Amtrak

My mother is a huge fan of trains. Growing up, she always found opportunities for us to skip flying and instead ride along to our destination on Amtrak. Some of my best memories are riding on a train to Maine and even overnight to Disney World. Riding the train can be a lot more relaxing and stress free compared to the hassle of airports. Check out my list of 5 reasons why you should condor taking the train on your next trip.

1. Enjoy the Scenery

While taking a plane might be fast and efficient, taking the train allows you to actually see the landscape that you always fly over in plane. One of the most beautiful rides on Amtrak is through the Rocky Mountains from Denver to San Francisco. I had the opportunity to take this train ride twice now in my life and nothing can describe the breathtaking beauty of the sun setting on the Rocky Mountains while the train weaves through through the mountains alongside a river. The large windows and comfortable seats are, you can't go wrong no matter what view is passing by quickly outside.

2. Make new friends

Traveling on the train gives you the unique opportunity to meet many new and interesting people. While planes restrict you to your seat unless you need to use the restroom, on a train you are free to get up and move around. They always have cafe cars where you can grab a bite to eat or a drink. On longer train rides, the dining car offers sit down meals. If you are traveling alone or with just a few people, be prepared to sit with and get to know other riders. On my many train travels, I have met some pretty interesting people. Many travelers often share travel tips or ideas for places to go and things to see in other cities. Don't be shy – make a new friend!

3. Try a Sleeper

If you have a few days to vacation, buy a ticket on a sleeper car and spend the night on the train! One way to save money is to book a your trip overnight. This way, you can sleep on the train, wake up in your destination early in the morning, and get started on things to see and do right away! My mother planned our trip to Disney World this way and it was a lot of fun sleeping and waking up to Disney magic the next morning.

The sleeper cars on the train have to be reserved in advance, and your ticket includes all of your meals in the dining car. Each car has an attendant who can reserve dinner for you at a specific time, or bring your meal down to your cabin if you would like. The cars have seats during the day that are converted into beds when you are ready to go to sleep. And the beds are surprisingly comfortable! I have had some of the best sleep of my life speeding along and being rocked to sleep by the cliquey-clack of the the rails.

4. Skip the security hassle

When you take the train, you don't have to show up 2 hours before departure, check your bags, make sure you don't go over the ‘liquid limit,' take off your shoes and belt and then wait at your gate for your flight. Instead, you can show up 10 minutes before your train leaves if you want and walk right on with your luggage. It can feel very liberating to pack a whole bottle of shampoo when I ride the train! Heck, I could even bring the super size!

5. Actually relax

For several reasons, traveling by air is a stressful undertaking. On the train, you can actually sit back and relax. On my trip through the Rockies, I spent quite a lot of time in the observation car – a place with open glass windows that riders could use for enjoying the beautiful scenery. While it may take you longer to get to your destination, you will arrive street free and well rested. Another bonus on taking the train is that most stations are right in the downtown area, which can save you money on expensive cab rides from the airport.

Exited to take the train? Check out some of the most beautiful rides in America on Amtrak below:

 California Zephyr

This trip is one of the most popular trains on Amtrak, and for a good reason! It travels between San Francisco and Chicago, going through the plains of Nebraska to Denver, through the Rockies to Salt Lake City, and then through Reno and Sacramento ending in San Francisco. This is the train trip I have taken twice now, and it has some absolutely stunning views.

Coast Starlight

Travel between LA and Seattle and pass through some very pretty terrain. Catch the snow on the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta while passing through Portland, Seattle and the Bay Area. This train also is special because of the Pacific Parlour car, which comes equipped with Wifi, couches for lounging, and tables for working on laptops or enjoying food from the cafe.

Pacific Surfliner

This is a trip I am dying to take! Travel down through Southern California from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. The train rides right along the coast, offering amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. A fellow train rider told me that he once saw a mountain lion from the train and dolphins in the ocean when he rode this route!

Empire Builder

This Amtrak train travels between Chicago and Portland or Seattle and and is one of the most scenic train rides they offer. Enjoy views of glaciers in Glacier National Park, pass through Montana, the plains of North Dakota, along the Lewis and Clark Expedition, as well as through a seven mile tunnel in the Cascade Mountains.

Have you traveled by train before? Share some of your favorite reasons for train travel in the comments below!