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There’s so much that’s appealing about train travel. It feels so old-fashioned, exotic, and romantic.
It’s slower than flying and often less convenient than driving, and yet it persists.
13+ Inexpensive USA Train Trips
Check out these popular and inexpensive train trips you can take in the USA.
A couple of notes about this list:
- All prices are as of January 2020.
- Each trip ride is labeled:
- Scenic: the train makes a round-trip. You end at the same place you start.
- Transit: the train ends in a different location (usually city).
$40+ The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad [Scenic]
The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad offers 3 train ride experiences all based out of Arkansas.
Springdale to Van Buren
This round trip train ride departs from Springdale, Arkansas.
Ride Distance: 134 miles (216 km)
Ride Time: 5 hours (+ a 3 hour stop)
Price: $60 and up (per adult)
Van Buren to Winslow
This round trip train ride departs fro Van Buren, Arkansas.
Ride Distance: 70 miles (113 km)
Ride Time: 3 hours
Price: $40 and up (per adult)
Springdale to Winslow
This round trip train ride departs from Springdale, Arkansas.
Ride Distance: 70 miles (113 km)
Ride Time: 3 hours
Price: not currently available
$41+ Rainer Scenic Railroad [Scenic]
The Mt Rainer Scenic Railroad is located in Elbe, Washington. It offers round-trip Steam Train Excursions from May to October.
The train ride runs through a scenic park with a stop at a logging museum. Admission to the museum is included in the train ticket.
In December, a special Polar Express train excursion is available. This is a special train ride based off the movie and includes a stop at the “North Pole.”
Ride Distance: 28 miles (45 km)
Ride Time: 3 hours (including ~1 hour at the museum)
Price: $41 and up (per adult)
$42+ The Skunk Train [Scenic]
The Skunk Trains offer historic rides through the Noyo River canyon. There are two train options.
The Skunk Train also offers seasonal entertainment options and a rail bike system.
Pudding Creek Express
The Pudding Creek Express departs from Fort Bragg, California year-round.
Ride Distance: 7 miles (11 km)
Ride Time: 1 hour
Price: $42 and up (per adult)
Wolf Tree Turn
The Wolf Tree Turn departs from Willits, California and operates from late Spring until December.
Ride Time: 2 hours
Price: $50 and up (per adult)
$58+ Great Smoky Mountains Railroad [Scenic]
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad operates a historic #1702 Steam Engine departing from Bryson City, North Carolina. There are two round-trip train rides available.
Excursions run May to December.
The Nantahala Gorge Excursion
Ride Distance: 44 miles (71 km)
Ride Time: 4.5 hours
Price: $58 and up (per adult)
The Tuckasegee River Excursion
Ride Distance: 32 miles (52 km)
Ride Time: 4 hours
Price: $51 and up (per adult)
$67+ Grand Canyon Railway [Scenic]
The Grand Canyon Railway is a round-trip train ride that departs daily from Williams, Arizona.
The train travels to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Passengers disembark and have (approximately) 3 hours to enjoy exploring the Grand Canyon.
Ride Distance: 65 miles (105 km) *each way
Ride Time: 2 hours 15 minutes *each way
Total Trip Time: 8.5 hours
Price: $67 and up (per adult) *round trip
$69+ Narrow Gauge Railroad [Scenic]
The Narrow Gauge Railroad is in Durango, Colorado. It offers different train rides depending on the time of year.
Cascade Canyon Train Excursions (Nov to May)
Ride Distance: 26 miles (42 km)
Ride Time: 2 hours
Price: $69 and up (per adult)
Silverton Tour (May to October)
The Silverton Tour offers two options: roundtrip train travel or one-way by train and one-way by bus.
Ride Distance: 52 miles (83.7 km)
Ride Time: 7+ hours (includes time in the town of Silverton)
Price: $94 and up (per adult)
$70+ Adirondack [Transit]
The Adirondack is operated by Amtrak and runs daily between New York and Montreal (Canada). This is a scenic train ride through northern New York and southern Quebec.
Ride Distance: 381 miles (613 km)
Ride Time: 10 hours
Price: $70 and up (per adult)
$72+ Ethan Allen Express Train [Transit]
The Ethan Allen Express Train is operated by Amtrak and runs daily between New York City and Rutland, Vermont. It’s a scenic train ride in any season.
Ride Distance: 241 miles (388 km)
Ride Time: 5.5 hours
Price: $72 and up (per adult)
$72+ Mt. Washington Cog Railway [Scenic]
The Mt Washington Cog Railway is located in New Hampshire. It operates a roundtrip ride from April to December.
The Mt Washington Summit has a visitor centre, museum, post office, snack bar, and incredible views.
Ride Time: 3 hours (including 1 hour at the summit)
Price: $72 and up (per adult)
Alternatively, you can hike to the summit and purchase a one-way ticket down (subject to availability).
$74+ Alaska Glacier Discovery Train [Transit]
The Alaska Glacier Discovery Train is operated by the Alaska Railroad. It offers daily service from late May to mid-September.
There are many popular places on the trip where you can disembark for a day trip.
Ride Time: 7 hours
Price: $74 and up (per adult)* one-way
$112+ Lake Shore Limited [Transit]
The Lake Shore Limited is operated by Amtrak and runs daily between Chicago and New York. The scenic train ride passes by a variety of stunning shorelines.
Ride Distance: 1,100 miles (1,770 km)
Ride Time: 19 hours
Price: $112 and up (per adult)
*This is the price I was given for a Value seat booked about 3 months in advance.
If you’re interested in a sleeper car (because it’s an overnight train), the cost starts at $383.
$126+ Coast Starlight Train [Transit]
The Coast Starlight Train is operated by Amtrak and runs daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. The scenery along the route is a spectacular mix of mountains, forests, valleys, and the Pacific Ocean.
Ride Distance: 1,377 miles (2,216 km)
Ride Time: 35 hours
Price: $126 and up (per adult)
*This is the price I was given for a Value seat booked about 3 months in advance.
If you’re interested in a sleeper car (because it’s an overnight train), the cost starts at $419.
$176+ California Zephyr [Transit]
The California Zephyr is operated by Amtrak and runs daily between Chicago and San Francisco. The scenic train ride passes across stunning scenery including plains and mountains.
Ride Distance: 2,438 miles (3,924 km)
Ride Time: 51.5 hours
Price: $176 and up (per adult)
*This is the price I was given for a Value seat booked about 3 months in advance.
If you’re interested in a sleeper car (because it’s a multi-night train), the cost starts at $547.
$255+ Napa Valley Wine Train [Scenic]
The Napa Valley Wine Train is located in Napa, California. It offers a variety of trips in historic railcars.
All tickets include train fare, a gourmet meal, coffee, tea, and water. Some tickets will include a complimentary glass of wine or other special features.
There are train rides offered as excursions that include winery tours. There are also special events held such as Murder Mysteries, Thanksgiving, and Santa Train Rides.
Vista Dome Lunch Train Ride
Ride Distance: 30 miles (48 km)
Ride Time: ~3 hours
Price: $255 (per adult)
There are a variety of train options available. This was the least expensive option when I was checking (booking date of March 1, 2020).
Take a Train Ride!
Trains don’t have to be expensive. Why not take your next trip on a train?
Not sure where to go? Why not check out these 53+ Must-See Landmarks Around the World!
Have you taken any of these trains? Let me know in the comments below!
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