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8 Scenic Train Rides in Arizona That Will Take You to the Grand Canyon, Through a Former Movie Studio, and More

Take a journey through the desert on trains both large and small — and we mean really small.

travel by train arizona

If you imagine the Old West, you likely picture cowboys, railway towns, and, well, the railroad itself. And all of that still exists in Arizona today. While train travel is not the main form of long-distance transportation these days, there are both long and short scenic rides across the state that offer views of impressive landscapes, from the high desert to the red canyons.

Courtesy of Xanterra Travel Collection

Whether you want to take a steam locomotive to the Grand Canyon or a miniature train ride through a former movie studio, here are eight of the best train rides in Arizona.

Grand Canyon Railway

What's the most fun way to get to Arizona’s most celebrated natural wonder? Via historic train, of course. Departing daily from Williams, Arizona, this train has six classes, so you can ride in style (in an adults-only domed observation car with a private bar) or on a budget (in a 1923 Harriman-style Pullman car with bench-style seats). Those seeking the ultimate luxury train experience can even charter their own private car. No matter how much you’re willing to spend, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of ponderosa pine forests and prairies on the three-hour trip — with the final stop at the spectacular Grand Canyon itself. Special rides include an annual Polar Express experience and journeys powered by steam locomotives.

Verde Canyon Railroad

Courtesy of Verde Canyon Railroad

On this railroad, two vintage FP7 locomotives haul passengers through 20 miles of natural beauty near Sedona that are only accessible by this train . Over four hours, you can take in high-desert vistas — including a red rock canyon — via panoramic windows in air-conditioned cars or from one of the signature open-air viewing spots. But one of the train's highlights isn't actually the views, but rather the lack of one. Passengers are plunged into darkness in the railroad's famous 734-foot tunnel. Special itineraries include moonlight and starlight rides, as well journeys focused on wine and beer tastings, wildlife spotting, and, of course, holiday-themed fun.

Amtrak Southwest Chief

Courtesy of Amtrak

Take a ride across the great American West as you travel between Chicago and Los Angeles on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief , which makes three stops in Arizona. Winding through some tight canyon passageways, you’ll be treated to one of the most comprehensive and scenic train rides in the country. If you'd like to make a little off-train detour to the Grand Canyon, you can hop off in Flagstaff, take a Thruway bus to Williams, and then hitch a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway.

Amtrak Sunset Limited

Traveling between Louisiana and California, Amtrak’s Sunset Limited takes you across the southern half of Arizona, making stops in four Arizonan cities: Yuma, Maricopa, Tucson, and Benson. As the name implies, the desert sunsets along this route are pretty epic, especially when traveling through the flat desert with mountains along the horizon.

Superstition Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad

Gregory Clifford/Getty Images

This 20-minute “haunted” train ride on a narrow-gauge track circles the ghost town of Goldfield , a former gold mining settlement that was hit first with a flood, then by a fire before the residents abandoned ship. Perhaps you'll spot an apparition of a miner during your ride, but you’ll more likely just get a fascinating glimpse into American history and the Old West. Along your brief but memorable journey, you’ll see recreations of the mine, saloon, and bordello, with the aptly named Superstition Mountains looming in the background.

Maricopa Live Steamers Railroad Club

Courtesy of Maricopa Live Steamers Railroad Club

Have you ever ridden a miniature train before? Well, here's your chance. The dedicated Maricopa Live Steamers Railroad Heritage Preservation Society operates 18 miles of 7.5-inch gauge track for club members, but it does offer free public rides on Sundays. (A modest donation is recommended to help keep the trains running.) Although the trains might be small, you’ll be treated to some mighty views of desert landscapes in the greater Phoenix area.

Daisy Mountain Railroad

Norm Lane/Getty Images

While the suburbs aren't usually the most scenic places in the country, the planners who designed the community park in Anthem, Arizona, did a pretty good job zhuzhing up the place. The park is home to the Daisy Mountain Railroad , a 24-inch gauge train that passes by multiple waterfalls, through a tunnel, and alongside a small lake. The railroad is also a particularly great option for kids.

Old Tucson Studios

Jo?l DUCANGE/Getty Images

Take a trip through cinema history via a miniature railroad at Old Tucson Studios, the filming location of silver screen classics such as "Rio Bravo," "The Outlaw Josey Wales," "Tombstone," and "Little House on the Prairie." Today, the studios are a small theme park through which the train runs. On your ride, you'll see Hollywood’s version of a historic mission, railroad station, grand hotel, and livery stable as you wonder if John Wayne himself might’ve once ordered a drink just a few feet away from you.

Amtrak Guide

By train travelers for train travelers, amtrak to arizona.

Three Amtrak routes travel through Arizona, the scenic Southwest Chief , Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle . Unless your starting station is on one of these routes, you’ll have to ride more than one Amtrak train in order to reach the state. Common transfer points are Chicago, Los Angeles and New Orleans.

Things to Know

  • The largest cities with stations are Flagstaff, Tuscon and Phoenix (Maricopa stop)
  • Amtrak provides bus service to downtown Phoenix and the airport from the Maricopa and Flagstaff Amtrak stations
  • Flagstaff Station is in very walkable area and is the closest stop to the  Grand Canyon
  • Southwest Chief travels through most of Arizona at night

Arizona Amtrak Stations

  • Benson, AZ (BEN) (Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle)
  • Flagstaff, AZ – Amtrak Station (FLG) (Southwest Chief)
  • Kingman, AZ (KNG) (Southwest Chief)
  • Maricopa, AZ (MRC) (Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle)
  • Tucson, AZ (TUS) (Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle)
  • Winslow, AZ (WLO) (Southwest Chief)
  • Yuma, AZ (YUM) (Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle)

More Information

  • Amtrak to the Grand Canyon
  • 7 amazing Amtrak trips out west
  • 10 attractions on the Sunset Limited route to plan a trip around
  • 10 attractions on the Southwest Chief route to plan a trip around

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Train Travel and Railway Experiences in Arizona

All Aboard in Arizona

Train travel and railway experiences in arizona.

Heed the call to ride the rails and see areas of Arizona inaccessible by car or foot. The Grand Canyon Railway, Verde Canyon Railroad and Pivot Point Interpretive Plaza train experiences offer family-friendly fun that allows you to sit back, relax and take in the views.

Williams, Arizona

Themed trips on the Grand Canyon Railway

In 1901—seven years before the Grand Canyon became a national monument—trains began transporting passengers from Williams, Arizona , to the South Rim of the canyon. The trains ferried visitors along the scenic route until the late 1960s when the depot closed. Today, the Grand Canyon Railway's restored locomotives chug passengers aboard vintage railcars to the Grand Canyon's southern edge. The tours begin and end at restored depots, both built in the early 20th century, plus, a lengthy stop at the Grand Canyon for exploration. Year-round, the 65-mile trip includes memorable fun such as a Wild West shootout to kick off the excursion and a surprise boarding that will have you wary of your possessions. Overnight packages offer the option of adding on a stay at a restored lodge in Williams or at the Grand Canyon—and, they'll watch your pets, too. Learn more about the Grand Canyon Railway's history , including famous passengers and presidents who've ridden its rails, and the two decades when it was abandoned.

Seasonal trips on the Grand Canyon Railway

December: Each year, families anticipate the seasonal Polar Express-themed train , based on the popular book by Chris Van Allsburg. Nibble on cookies, sip hot chocolate and relive the tale of bells and believing as the train makes a magical nighttime trip to the North Pole. Meet Santa's reindeer before the big guy comes aboard to hear wishes and present each child with a special gift. The Polar Express fills up fast, so make sure to book reservations early.

CLARKDALE, Arizona

Open-air train rides on the Verde Canyon Railroad

Train Travel and Railway Experiences in Arizona

Savor fresh air and panoramic views of the magnificent Verde Canyon from this scenic train's popular open-air cars. The Verde Canyon Railroad passes colorful and whimsical rock formations, sycamore and other riparian flora, ancient and pioneer ruins, and wildlife such as bald eagles. The leisurely four-hour roundtrip between Clarkdale (25 miles southwest of Sedona) and the Perkinsville ghost town is fully narrated. The 1940s-era indoor coaches have friendly attendants who answer questions while serving up refreshments.

Themed trips on the Verde Canyon Railroad

Dozens of themed events enhance the Verde Canyon Railroad journey—from memorable date nights to family excursions that children will rave about. Here are some of the more popular events.

  • Year-Round: Owls and wild raptors with Liberty Wildlife
  • Spring: Bunnies, eaglets and wildflowers
  • Easter: Easter Bunny Express
  • Summer: Starlight and moonlight rides
  • Summer, Fall: Grape Train Escape —wine-themed rides
  • Fall: Ales on Rails
  • October: Haunted Phantom Train
  • Winter: Eagle Watch and Magical Christmas Journey

Yuma, Arizona

Interactive fun at Pivot Point Interpretive Plaza

Pivot Point Interpretive Plaza is an outdoor exhibit in Yuma that creatively takes visitors back in time to when the first railroad train entered Arizona, in 1877. Fun fact: Pivot Point refers to the concrete pivot on which the rail bridge was swung to let boats pass on the Colorado River. Here, a restored 1907 Baldwin steam locomotive sets the scene while interpretive panels detail Pivot Point and Yuma's history and the surround-sound audio experience cleverly helps you immerse yourself in that time. Close your eyes and experience the "ghost train," a modern sensory system that replicates sounds heard upon the arrival of a steam locomotive at the old Southern Pacific Hotel in 1877. You'll hear a steamboat plying the Colorado River, the whine of the swing-span rail bridge cranking open and the whistle of a train that's reached its destination. All the impressive highlights of a historic train's arrival, modernized.

Trains without the travel

Museums, mini trains, and more for railfans

Train Travel and Railway Experiences in Arizona

Have a kid who's train obsessed? Or perhaps you love locomotives yourself. Good news: These train experiences throughout Arizona are perfect for enthusiasts of all ages. Tucson Historic Depot : Here you'll find the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, which showcases Southern Pacific #1673—choo choo-ing star of Oklahoma—all while cargo trains whoosh and rumble by. (It's still very much an active depot, serving as a stop for Amtrak passenger trains.) Learn about the rail line and the depot's important role in the Southwest's history, including a famous run-in with Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. Admire trains both big and very small at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. At the Scottsdale Railroad Museum, several engines include Arizona's "Merci Car"—one of 49 trains gifted to each state and Washington, D.C. as a thank you to Americans for their support throughout World War II. Don't miss the intricate, 10,000-square-foot model railroad building with miniature train scenes and exhibits that are designed for hands-on interaction. Part visitor center, part train depot, the Benson Visitor Center details the city's history as a stopping point for the Butterfield Overland Stage mail delivery route. Kids of all ages can hop onto the train simulator to play engineer and earn a Souvenir Benson Train Engineer Certificate.

Train Travel and Railway Experiences in Arizona

Now Boarding at Platform 18

Still yearning for train travel without the, uh, travel? Those 21-and-up can book a trip (make reservations) for an evening of cocktails and intimate conversation at Platform 18 in Century Grand in Phoenix. Inspired by luxury train trips of the 1920s, Platform 18 is designed as a Presidential Pullman train car, complete with dark wood paneling, leather seats and windows that display the moving scenery "outside." The 90-minute "train ride" accommodates only 36 guests at a time, and features a menu of more than 45 cocktails influenced by classic Prohibition-era drinks and a story chronicling the history of their unseen host, a railroad tycoon and bootlegger.

Writer and freelancer Elena Acoba contributed to this blog. It has been edited and revised by the staff of the Arizona Office of Tourism.

About the Author

travel by train arizona

Arizona Office of Tourism

These articles are brought to you by the staff of the Arizona Office of Tourism, and occasionally local tourism organizations around the state.

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  • Arizona Train Rides

Arizona Scenic Train Rides (2024): A Complete Guide

Last revised: December 14, 2023

By:  Adam Burns

The deserts of Arizona may not seem a likely place to find high-class scenic train rides but surprisingly, two of the most popular can be found there, the Grand Canyon Railway and Verde Canyon Railway. 

In addition, the Sierra Madre Express pampers guests with an unforgettable experience, hearkening back to the "Silver Age" of rail travel when on-board meals were freshly-prepared, the scenery was spectacular, and a comfortable bed beckoned each night. 

It operates from Tucson through Mexico as a multi-day adventure which must be planned/booked far in advance.  The Verde Canyon Railway is nestled in central Arizona and has blossomed into a very popular, upscale attraction since its 1990 debut.

Finally, the Grand Canyon Railway operates in a class by itself, whisking passengers to the Grand Canyon's South Rim. 

Other entertainment venues include the Paradise & Pacific Railroad offering miniature train rides and the Old Pueblo Trolley hosting trolley trips in Tucson.  Also included within this guide are railroad museums. 

Please note!   The information here pertains only to scenic train rides in Arizona related to vacation and tourism destinations.  If you are interested in intercity/long distance rail travel please visit Amtrak's website.

travel by train arizona

State Rail History

Unlike in some states where a quaint, relatively forgotten operation holds the honor as the first railroad, Arizona's story is relatively straightforward.  Its involvement with the iron horse began with Southern Pacific's march eastward from the west coast. 

The so-called "Big Four" consortium (Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins) had recently completed the Transcontinental Railroad's western leg, known as the Central Pacific, and held a grand ceremony at Promontory Summit, Utah on May 10, 1869 to mark the occasion in conjunction with the Union Pacific. 

Afterwards, the group maneuvered to dominate California's intrastate trade and extend their railroad beyond its borders. 

To do this they formed the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1870, which broke away from the Bay Area and headed for Arizona.  Its ultimate destination was Texas and the Gulf Coast. 

By 1876 the SP had reached Los Angeles; it then turned east and opened to Fort Yuma, Arizona a year later (May, 1877). 

According to an in-depth analysis  Trains Magazine  published in its January, 2007 issue entitled, " Great Railroading: State-By-State ," rails arrived in the city of Tucson in 1880.  As work progressed at a lightning-fast pace, the SP was extended to El Paso, Texas by 1881.

In the succeeding years, several other railroads entered Arizona, notably the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe.  The AT&SF was SP's primary rival in the Grand Canyon State and throughout the Southwest. 

According to Keith Bryant, Jr.'s excellent book, " History Of The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway ," it arrived shortly after the SP as the company's leader, William Barstow Strong, sought his own Pacific coast connection. 

Instead of battling with Huntington for access into California, he opted for a southwesterly routing through New Mexico and southeastern Arizona, which ultimately terminated at Guaymas, Mexico along the Gulf of California. 

This western port was designed to capture the "China trade" and all business originating to and from the South Pacific, Latin American, New Zealand, and Australian regions.  In addition, this corridor was actually several hundred miles shorter from New York City than SP's San Francisco line. 

The project was a three part endeavor: first, the Sonora Railway was chartered in 1880 to build from Guaymas to the U.S. border at Nogales, Mexico; second, trackage rights over the SP were secured between AT&SF's end-of-track at Deming, New Mexico and Benson, Arizona; and finally, the AT&SF built a 90-mile connector from Benson to Nogales. 

travel by train arizona

The latter was constructed as the New Mexico & Arizona Railroad and undertaken throughout the summer of 1882 with crews completing the extension on October 25th that year. 

Unfortunately, Santa Fe's Mexican route never materialized as expected and the company would later open its own line into California (eventually serving all of the state's major cities).  At its peak, Arizona was home to some 76 different railroads, many small short lines. 

According to the book, " The Routledge Historical Atlas Of The American Railroads " by author John F. Stover, the state's network reached its zenith in 1920 when 2,478 miles were in service.  Over the years this number has steadily dropped as other modes of transportation, notably trucks and automobiles, led to abandonments. 

The Association of American Railroads notes Arizona currently has 1,780 active miles, operated by 11 different railroads. 

  • Arizona Railway Museum

This museum is located in Chandler, somewhat southeast of Phoenix.  The organization was launched in 1983 and its collection generally focuses on preserving Arizona's railroad history, as well as that of the entire Southwest.

Their more notable pieces include:

  • Homestake Mining 0-4-0CA #5 (manufactured by H.K. Porter in December/1905)
  • Southern Pacific 2-8-0 #2562 (listed by the railroad as a Class C-9 "Consolidation" it was out-shopped by the Burnham, Williams & Company [Baldwin Locomotive Works] in 1906)
  • Chicago & North Western E8A #5022-B (built by Electro-Motive in July/1950)
  • Magma Arizona Railroad DRS-6-6-1500 #10 (originally built by Baldwin for the McCloud Railway as its #29 in July/1950).

Due to the region's extreme summer heat the museum is closed from late May through early September.  Admission is free!

  • Grand Canyon Railway

One of the most popular train rides in the country is the Grand Canyon Railway, offering upscale trips through the beautiful Arizona desert.  You depart from Williams and 64 miles later arrive at the world-renowned Grand Canyon National Park over trackage (originally owned by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe). 

At the South Rim you can stay at the historic El Tovar Hotel (among other accommodations) or simply enjoy the incredible views.  During the trip there are many level of services provided, from standard coach to dome-cars. 

There are also several vacation packages to choose from.  The popularity of the Grand Canyon has certainly increased since its inception in 1988, and today, the railroad's diesel and steam locomotives pull a well-maintained fleet of restored passenger equipment for unparalleled enjoyment and spectacular views. 

  • Old Pueblo Trolley

The Old Pueblo Trolley opened on April 17, 1993 to preserve Tucson's transit history.  The city's first electrified streetcars entered service on June 1, 1906 to replace what had been horse and mule-powered operations (typical in many towns and cities of that time period). 

Unfortunately, the classic trolley proved very susceptible to other modes of competition, including standard steam railroads.  Early automobiles, notably Ford's Model T, put many out of business by the 1920's while the Great Depression finished off the industry. 

The Tucson operation was no different and the last cars ran on December 31, 1930.  The idea for the Old Pueblo Trolley first began in 1988 and its equipment is currently housed at the 36th Street Shops.

The group's 1-mile of track begins at University Boulevard, heads south beneath Union Pacific's main line, and then loops around Congress Street/Broadway Boulevard.  The organization also operates buses and manages the nearby Southern Arizona Transportation Museum. 

  • Paradise & Pacific Railroad/McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

The Paradise & Pacific Railroad, located in Scottsdale, is part of the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. The train is based from a Colorado narrow gauge and is exactly 5/12th's the original, carrying passengers on a 1-mile trip around the park. 

They also feature a small museum which includes an impressive of collection of preserved wooden depots: one of Santa Fe vintage constructed in 1907 and that once sat at Aguila, North Scottsdale Avenue; a Southern Pacific structure built during the 1930's at Maricopa, North Scottsdale Avenue; and finally another Santa Fe station originally located at Peoria, North Scottsdale Avenue, completed in 1895. 

A fourth depot replicates an Arizona & New Mexico Railroad building that once stood in Clifton, Arizona.  While there don't forget to see 2-6-0 #6, built for the El Paso & Southwestern by the Burnham, Williams Company (Baldwin) in 1907 and Pullman car "Roald Amundsen," which saw use by every U.S. president from Herbert Hoover through Dwight Eisenhower.

  • Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum

This organization is based in Tucson and features a caboose on the property and an indoor pavilion, which houses a large operating model train layout. 

The caboose is of Denver & Rio Grande Western lineage; given #01433 it was manufactured by the company's shop forces at the Burnham Rail Yard in Denver, Colorado between June/July, 1944.  It remained in active service until 1986. 

After spending many years awaiting an uncertain fate, it was privately purchased by a hobby shop owner in Arizona City and restored (even the blanked-out windows were replaced).  In 2005, Gadsden-Pacific acquired the car where it remains on display today. 

In addition to their indoor layout the group also has an outdoor garden railroad and large-scale trains. They are closed during July and August due to the extreme heat but otherwise remain open every second and fourth Sunday the rest of the year. Admission is free.

  • Maricopa Live Steamers

Large-scale, outdoor railroads have become an increasingly popular alternative to the more expensive, standard excursion rides.  Some groups do not even charge admission!  This organization, based in Glendale (Phoenix), offers just such an attraction. 

What is known as the Adobe Western Railroad hosts 30-40 minute trips on the property which includes a rather substantial network of track.  Their public rides are offered every Sunday between 12 and 4:30 p.m. from mid-September through mid-May (again, due to summer's extreme heat they are closed outside of these dates).   

In addition to their collection of steam locomotives the group also has a fleet of diesels to pull their trains.  While rides are free the organization does eagerly welcome donations.  To learn more and plan a visit their website for more information.

Sierra Madre Express (Discontinued, 2009)

What was one of the most unique rail travel experiences anywhere, the Sierra Madre Express  (hosted by North American Rail Adventures) took you back to the days of yore during railroading's "Silver Age" of streamliners.

During these trips one could enjoy freshly-prepared meals, and high-class accommodations.  The private rail tour operated between Tucson, across the Mexican border, passed through the country's breathtaking Copper Canyon, and operated as far as Creel/Divisadero.  

It was discontinued in 2009.  Today, you can still experience the Copper Canyon by rail on the  Chepe Express , which runs via Chihuahua.

  • Southern Arizona Transportation Museum

The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum is housed in the restored Southern Pacific/El Paso & Southwestern depot in Tucson ( At its peak the EP&SW reached over 1,200 miles in length.  It was acquired by Southern Pacific in 1924 ).

Located at 414 North Toole Avenue, the brick/adobe structure was built in 1907 and also acts a stop for Amtrak on Union Pacific's main line. While there be sure to visit their preserved steam locomotive, Southern Pacific 2-6-0 #1673. 

The little Mogul (listed as Class M-4b) was built by the Schenectady Locomotive Works (forerunner to the modern American Locomotive Company of Schenectady, New York) in 1900 and is housed beneath a large outdoor pavilion. 

Inside there are various interactive historical exhibits, not all of which relate to railroad history.  Admission is free although hours vary.  To learn more please visit their website.

Superstition Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad 

The Superstition Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad is an often forgotten attraction, located in the rebuilt gold mining town of Goldfield, situated about 40 miles east of downtown Phoenix. 

This historical interpretive center, which opened in 1989 and known as the "Goldfield Ghost Town," tells the story of a small mining community that once produced more than $1.5 million in gold from small, local shafts during the 1890's. 

After just a few years the "rush" was over and the town closed before 1900. 

The Superstition Scenic operates roughly 1.5 miles of track as a 3-foot, narrow-gauge around the grounds with cars pulled by a diesel switcher manufactured by the Plymouth Locomotive Works (but dressed to appear as a steam locomotive). 

Trips last about 20 minutes.  To learn more please click here to visit the town's website , which offers several different attractions.

  • Verde Canyon Railway

The scenic train rides available in Arizona today are thanks in large part to the Santa Fe Railroad. The Verde Canyon Railroad is no exception as it uses former AT&SF trackage in central Arizona, near the very popular tourist destination of Sedona.

The Verde Canyon has become a popular tourist attraction since it began operations in the early 1990s. Today, the railroad offers several different excursions and special trips. 

Although prices average a little higher than what you might find on other tourist railroads the scenery afforded within climate-controlled coaches is well worth the cost! 

If you are visiting Sedona, or Arizona in general a visit to the Verde Canyon Railroad, is very much recommended. This is especially true since you can often witness Bald Eagles on the journey and it is the only way to see Arizona's breathtaking Verde Canyon.

  • Superstition Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad

SteamLocomotive.com

Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource on the study of steam locomotives. 

It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. 

It is quite staggering and a must visit!

© Copyright 2007-2024 American-Rails.com. All written content, photos, and videos copyright American-Rails.com (unless otherwise noted).

Take Amtrak to Phoenix

Robert Alexander/Getty Images

One might guess that because Phoenix, Arizona is one of the ten largest cities in the country that there would be a train station in the city. You’d have to guess again. There are only eight Amtrak train stations in the State of Arizona. The train stations have three character codes just like airports.

  • Benson (BEN)
  • Flagstaff (FLG)
  • Kingman (KNG)
  • Maricopa (MRC)
  • Tucson (TUS)
  • Williams Junction (WMJ)
  • Winslow (WLO)

How to Get to Phoenix?

The quick answer is, by bus. When traveling to Arizona by train, the most convenient station to Phoenix would probably be Flagstaff. From there you can hop on a bus and get to the most popular destinations in the state.

Going to the Grand Canyon? Take the train to Flagstaff. Transfer to a bus that takes you to Williams, AZ and then take the scenic Grand Canyon Railway to the Bright Angel Lodge, right at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Keep in mind that if the point of your visit is tourism at Grand Canyon, Amtrak offers some special packages that might fit your schedule and budget.

If you are trying to get to Phoenix, your best bet is to connect through Flagstaff. From Flagstaff you can arrange for connecting shuttle or Greyhound Bus service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (near downtown Phoenix) or MetroCenter Station in Phoenix, (northwest Phoenix, near Metrocenter Mall ). I am told that Amtrak can schedule a connection from Maricopa, but I was unable to find any information on that online, so contacting Amtrak is in order if you don’t want to come in through Flagstaff.

You may ask, why wouldn’t you want to come in through Flagstaff?

  • It is much farther away from Phoenix than Maricopa.
  • Warning: Don’t confuse Maricopa with Maricopa County! Maricopa is a city about 30 miles from downtown Phoenix. Maricopa County is a large area which includes the City of Phoenix and more than 20 other cities and town. The City of Maricopa County is NOT in Maricopa County!
  • Flagstaff is at a much higher elevation than Maricopa, and they get snow. Yes, there are ski resorts near Flagstaff ! That could mean delays. Snow has known to occur in Flagstaff even in April and May!

Arriving on Amtrak in Tucson? There are several shuttle companies offering Tucson to Phoenix trips, although they are not associated with Amtrak; you would have to make those reservations separately.

In both Flagstaff and Tucson, you can find car rental companies and you could drive to Phoenix. It takes less than two hours to get from the Amtrak station in Tucson to downtown Phoenix by car.

Amtrak Stop in Arizona

Chances are you will be traveling on either the Southwest Chief (Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams Kingman), the Sunset Limited (Benson, Tucson, Maricopa, Yuma) or the Texas Eagle (Benson, Tucson, Maricopa, Yuma).

You can check the timetables online.

It varies, but check in advance. Most of them have no food, no restrooms, and no ticket counter. You’ll need to take care of those things before you leave the train station. There may not even be shade in the summer!

How to Contact Amtrak

Visit Amtrak online:  www.amtrak.com

Call Amtrak: 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)

Some people would rather travel by train than by airplane. In Europe, for example, train travel is more common than in the U.S. Service there is extensive and distances are often not prohibitive. It might be more relaxing and scenic to take the train. In the U.S. there are benefits and detriments to train travel. Here are some things to consider before you buy your train ticket.

  • You can bring more luggage without an extra charge than you can on airlines.
  • Seating is generally more spacious, and you can get up and walk around whenever you'd like to.
  • Different classes of travel, including sleeping accommodations.
  • More food choices than on airlines (if they offer food at all); nutritional information is posted online.
  • Meals may be included with premium tickets.
  • You can carry small amounts of food / beverages onto the train.
  • You'll get to see the scenery along the way.
  • Children, seniors, military and AAA member may get discounted fares (restrictions apply).
  • Amtrak may offer special deals from time to time.
  • It might take days to get to your destination.
  • It may not be cheaper than a plane ticket.
  • There are not as many trains as there are planes. There might only be a few trains per week scheduled, depending on your starting and ending points.
  • Connections with thru transportation (buses or shuttles) may be complicated, difficult to schedule, or may even need to be scheduled on the next day after the train arrives. Also, remember that you'll have all those kids and all those bags to handle at those connections. Warning: be aware of time zones when traveling by train. Most of Arizona does NOT observe Daylight Saving Time.
  • Trains are not necessarily known for being on time. For example, like planes, they can be impacted by weather or mechanical issues. Unlike planes, there might not be another train available for quite a while.
  • You can't transport a pet.
  • Wide people might not be able to maneuver hallways on the trains.
  • No Wi-Fi on the trains that cover the western U.S.
  • Holiday travel may have to be booked very early.

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travel by train arizona

Katie Lawrence

Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015. Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).

More by this Author

Arizona train rides are a timeless activity enjoyed across all age groups. Trains in Arizona are nostalgic, turning back the clock to simpler days when looking out the window was our only option on long car rides. If you want to be whisked away on a magical journey into the Arizona countryside, here are nine unforgettable scenic train rides in Arizona .

travel by train arizona

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travel by train arizona

How many of these Arizona train rides have you taken? If so, which ones and what did you think? Did we miss any of your favorite trains in Arizona? Whatever it is, let us know! Don’t forget to check out our packing list essentials guide before you take off!

Arizona train rides aren’t the only way railroad enthusiasts can have some fun in the Grand Canyon State. There are plenty of other options. For instance, there’s an indoor train park in Arizona that visitors of all ages are sure to love.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Arizona train rides.

What is the most popular train restaurant in Arizona?

Arizona train rides aren’t the only way train enthusiasts can have some fun. There are also train-themed establishments, like The Crown Railroad Café . Located in the heart of Flagstaff along Route 66, it’s a must-visit destination sought out by locals and travelers alike – and for good reason. Established in the 1960s, the iconic café is famous for its made-from-scratch cooking and big portions of classic diner grub, including omelettes. The food isn’t the only thing The Crown Railroad Café is famous for, though. There’s also its electric train display, which is the largest in northern Arizona.

  What's the most beautiful hike in Arizona?

Scenic train rides Arizona aren’t the only way to soak in the state’s stunning vistas. Hiking trails are also an option for those seeking stellar views. And while there are lots of beautiful hikes in Arizona , the Superstition Ridgeline Trail ranks pretty high up there. Spanning nearly 12 miles one way and boasting thousands of feet in elevation gain, it’s far from an easy hike; however, it’s worth the effort, as it features close-up views of the Superstition Mountains. What’s more, the rocky landscape offers some of the best backpacking in the state. Some complete the trail in one day, while others turn it into an epic overnight adventure. Either way, you’ll want to bring plenty of water, as there isn’t any water access along the route.

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Life From A Bag

Perfect Arizona Itinerary – Arizona Train Travel Adventures

Arizona, the Grand Canyon state, is the sixth largest state of the United States of America. Not surprisingly, this state has many beautiful national parks and natural wonders . To see all the wonders this state has to offer you could easily spend an entire month here. However, I did it in less than ten days by train, greyhound and car. Sounds overwhelming? It was. But it is so worth it. Here’s my Arizona itinerary and guide to travelling Arizona by train.

Amtrak: Travelling The US By Train

Let’s start at the beginning.  Amtrak is the United States’ railroad service that serves over 500 destinations in 46 states. I have traveled through the whole of the US with Amtrak and I completely fell in love with this way of traveling.  The landscape you  see while sitting back in the comfortable chairs is amazing and since you don’t have to worry about the road  you really can take it all in. Also, the passenger seats are so comfortable you can take a good nap (in case you’re on the train for hours). Every Amtrak train has an observation car, these cars have floor to ceiling windows, so you can sit back and enjoy the view from any angle. The Amtrak rail network covers many cities and states in the US and I highly suggest doing at least one of the beautiful routes Amtrak has to offer.

travel by train arizona

Now that I have covered the amazing things about Amtrak, there are definitely a few not so amazing details about Amtrak you have to take into consideration before planning your trip. To start with, Amtrak is not the cheapest way to travel. They offer special deals sometimes and they have a Guest Rewards system allowing you to earn points, however, I traveled across the entire country with Amtrak and did not get any of the benefits of the Guest Reward system as you need a ridiculous amount of points to get discounts.

The other challenging thing about Amtrak is the routes. There are loads of trains traveling through the US, but many cities do not have an Amtrak station. Therefore, you sometimes  have to rent a car or go by Greyhound to get more inland. Texas, Nevada, and Arizona are three states in particular with limited stops. As I cover my travel through Arizona, you will notice that a lot of the traveling is done by car or Greyhound.

Amtrak has few stops in Arizona so not all national parks are accessible if you just travel by train. If you want to see the most iconic parks you will have to divert to taking Greyhound buses or renting a car.

One of the bigger train stations in Arizona where Amtrak does stop is Tucson. From here, I suggest you travel to Flagstaff, a good base from which   you can visit many different national parks.

Tucson is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen, and it is definitely one of my favorite places in the United States. The beautiful red-orange houses with cacti everywhere give it a very warm feel. I was in Tucson mid-January so I can’t speak much about the famous heat the city endures during summer, but I had great weather so it was a nice period to travel. Tucson has plenty of things to do: Saguaro National park, the Arizona-Sonora desert museum, or the old Tucson studios (where Clint Eastwood filmed a few western movies). I stayed in a hostel close to the old town of Tucson, but there is plenty of variety  when it comes to booking accommodation.

flagstaff arizona

So this is where your train trip starts…

Perfect Arizona Itinerary

Stop 1: tucson.

From Tucson, you take the Amtrak to Flagstaff – the first main stop on my Arizona itinerary. There are two trains you can take: the Sunset Limited that leaves on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 8.30 pm, this takes ten hours  so you will arrive in Flagstaff the next day at 5.30 am. You can take a nice and early breakfast and head directly out to the Grand Canyon if you feel rested enough.

Or you can take the Southwest Chief that leaves daily at 6 pm but has a transfer in Los Angeles. As with the option above this train will also get you in Flagstaff in the early hours of the morning.

Tucson Arizona road trip

Stop 2: The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is by far the most famous National Park the United States has and a must stop on any Arizona itinerary. The Canyon is considered one of the seven wonders of the world and it attracts several millions of tourists each year. It is 277 miles wide and around 6000 feet deep. Aside from casual sightseeing from the South Rim, rafting, hiking, running and helicopter tours are also popular. Visiting the Grand Canyon is a must when you travel through Arizona.

The closest train station to the Grand Canyon is Flagstaff, although this little town is still an hour and a half away from the natural wonder. Fortunately, Flagstaff has gained some fame for being the town closest to the Canyon, so there are many tour operators that offer you different tours to the Grand Canyon .

In Flagstaff you have the famous hotel Monte Vista. It is rumored that scenes from the movie Casablanca were filmed at this hotel .

grand canyon

Stop 3: Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is the most photographed spot in Arizona, and I fully understand why. It’s a beautiful canyon and if you get there during the right time of day you will be able to take amazing pictures with the sunlight entering the Canyon. It is  suggested that you visit the canyon between April and September and between 10 and 12 in the morning, but I was there in February and still managed to take gorgeous pictures.

Antelope Canyon consists of two parts: the Lower and the Upper Canyon. To get to Antelope Canyon you can takea tour from Flagstaff, or you can drive to Page, a small town four miles from the canyon and book your tour there. Do take into account that both canyons are located on Navajo land and the only way to see them is by taking a guided tour.

Arizona by train

Over the years, the Lower Antelope Canyon has become a favorite gathering place for photographers, tourists, and visitors from around the world. The tour through the Lower Canyon takes about an hour; it’s a small canyon and very popular, so be prepared for crowds and waiting times to take pictures.

The Upper Antelope Canyon is located a few miles away on the opposite side of the road. This canyon is more accessible because it doesn’t have the stairs that the Lower Canyon does. However, this Canyon is narrower and therefore more crowded, so taking a perfect picture will be more difficult. Would I suggest one over the other? Probably I would suggest the Upper Canyon as it is the best Canyon to capture great photos. I don’t think visting both canyons would be necessary as it is crowded and in a way they are kind of the same.

LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON

Stop 4: Horseshoe Bend

Just a sixteen-minute drive from Antelope Canyon you can find Horseshoe Bend. It overlooks one of the most spectacular views on the Colorado River, four miles south of the Glen Canyon Dam, and seven miles north of the Grand Canyon. You can perfectly combine a visit to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in one day. Horseshoe Bend is a great place to enjoy a good hike and enjoy some space after being in the narrow Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons.

travel by train arizona

Stop 5: Lake Powell

Lake Powell is a ten-minute drive from Horseshoe Bend and while you are in the region I would definitely suggest a visit. You can go to the Lake with a three hour guided tour or do a boat experience to get a good idea of the sheer size of the lake. As Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend won’t take too much of your time, you could even do all three parks in one day.

I would advise ending with Lake Powell, as it takes more time than the others you don’t have to rush or feel pressured because you want to still see the other parks. Lake Powell also offers amazing camping sites if you prefer to spend the night surrounded by nature. I, however, decided to drive from Lake Powell to Las Vegas to end my day in nature with some of the vibrant colors and high energy the city has to offer.

Lake Powell Arizona

Stop 6: Sedona

To get to Sedona national park, you have to take the Greyhound bus from Flagstaff to Phoenix.  The bus runs about five times a day and the trip takes around two and a half hours. I would suggest  spending the day in Phoenix and enjoy what the city has to offer.

Now, to get to Sedona you will have to rent a car. Of course you can book many different tours, but renting a car can be cheaper and it gives you way more freedom to decide where you want to go and how long you want to stay. The trip from Phoenix to Sedona is about two hours, and if you leave early you can easily see Sedona in a day. It is up to you if you want to stay in Sedona for the night or travel back to Phoenix and spend the night there.

sedona arizona

Train To Arizona And Beyond

My trip through Arizona consisted of traveling by train, Greyhound, and car. When it comes to renting a car I discovered that renting through European websites is a lot cheaper. I rented a car through a Dutch car rental agency and it was at least 40% cheaper than anything American companies had to offer.

Arizona is a state (along with Texas) that is easier to discover by car rather than by train, but the train trip through the state is definitely worthwhile. Keep in mind that Amtrak is not the cheapest way of traveling and it definitely saves money when you book well in advance. However, the downside of booking in advance can be that you don’t have a lot of flexibility when it comes to changing your schedule. The mistake I made a few times during my trip was that I decided to change my itinerary and had to cancel my ticket and then buy a new one that was far more expensive.

So after my national park adventure through Arizona, I drove four and a half hours from Horseshoe Bend to Las Vegas . Las Vegas is a city that you either love or hate, and I love it. I’m not a big gambler but I love the atmosphere the city has to offer. The luxury hotels available for fairly cheap prices are also something I enjoy, especially after being on the road for a few days straight and running around like a monkey in a banana factory.

The other benefit Las Vegas has to offer is that from here it is easy to continue your journey any which way you want to.The airport is huge, the Greyhounds go from Las Vegas to many other places and there is also an Amtrak station. And if you enjoyed Amtrak and you feel like taking a real big train adventure, you can take the Amtrak from Las Vegas straight to New York. It will take you about 74 hours on average, but I can guarantee you a great view of the United States.

travel by train arizona

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Take An Epic, Scenic Train Trip Through Arizona

Discovering Arizona by train takes the heart of the Southwest to the next level.

  • The Sunset Limited is more about the journey than the destination, boasting stunning scenery through the Southwest.
  • Passing through picturesque southwestern landscapes, the train offers breathtaking views and worthwhile stops along the route.
  • Amtrak's Sunset Limited trip across Arizona offers comfort options and scenic views for a memorable travel experience.

It's known as the oldest train route in America : the Sunset Limited is Amtrak's service between New Orleans and Los Angeles. The train runs on Amtrak's most southern route and takes passengers through the scenic heartland of the Southwest all the way to the Pacific coast.

The Sunset Limited is known for being more about the journey than the destination. It's a trip for those seeking a real adventure through the heart of America, with stunning scenery the whole way and stops highly worth disembarking for.

For those who are traveling through Arizona and want a little taste of the Sunset Limited and to be immersed in the beauty of Arizona, here is everything to know about one of the most epic ways to experience the state.

The Sunset Limited Route Shows Off The Southwest

New orleans-san antonio-tucson-phoenix-los angeles.

The southern United States has some of the country's most stunning natural landscapes and is full of some of the country's most vibrant cultures. There is no better way to experience this than the Sunset Limited.

Starting in the buzzing city of New Orleans , the train heads west through Houston and San Antonio, Texas, on through New Mexico, curving its way through Arizona with stops in Benson, Tucson, Maricopa, and Yuma. From there, the train continues west to California through Palm Springs, and finally ending in the landmark-filled city of Los Angeles .

The Full Route of the Sunset Limited

  • New Orleans, LA - Union Passenger Terminal (NOL)
  • Schriever, LA (SCH)
  • New Iberia, LA (NIB)
  • Lafayette, LA (LFT)
  • Lake Charles, LA (LCH)
  • Beaumont, TX (BMT)
  • Houston, TX - Amtrak Station (HOS)
  • San Antonio, TX (SAS)
  • Del Rio, TX (DRT)
  • Sanderson, TX (SND)
  • Alpine, TX (ALP)
  • El Paso, TX - Union Depot (ELP)
  • Deming, NM (DEM)
  • Lordsburg, NM (LDB)
  • Benson, AZ (BEN)
  • Tucson, AZ (TUS)
  • Maricopa, AZ (MRC)
  • Yuma, AZ (YUM)
  • Palm Springs, CA - Amtrak Station (PSN)
  • Ontario, CA (ONA)
  • Pomona, CA (POS)
  • Los Angeles, CA - Union Station (LAX)

10 Arizona Parks That Offer Scenic Views With Minimal Hiking

What to see while on board (& worthwhile stops along the way), arizona's natural scenery is awe-inspiring, with stops in tucson and phoenix.

One of the highlights of Amtrak's Sunset Limited is the constantly changing and shifting scenery from one state to another from the bayous and the gulf coast of Louisiana, through the plains of Texas, passing the juniper and pinon-covered sandy hills of New Mexico, and on through the deep red, mountainous desert of Arizona.

There is no question that Arizona is one of the journey's highlights. While on board, passengers will be able to enjoy the views from their seats, as well as the unmissable viewing car which has floor to window ceilings.

With a drink in hand, travelers can make their way to the viewing car and sit back and soak in the craggy mountains and sprawling red desert that is picturesque enough to be a painting. There is no better way to arrive in the cool city of Tuscon for lunch and a full day of Saguaro desert exploring.

Hopping on board the Sunset Limited in Arizona is a great way to travel through the state and see the majestic desert landscapes. For travelers flying into Phoenix, a great option is, — after exploring the great capital of Arizona — to take the Sunset Limited from Maricopa, Arizona, down to Tucson, to explore the Saguaro National Park and, from there, continue to Benson.

Sagauro National Park Fees

  • Private Vehicle Pass: $25
  • Motorcycle Pass: $20
  • Individual Pass: $15

Benson is a small town in eastern Arizona, home to the scenic Kartchner Caverns State Park that has some great camping and tours of the caves. Benson is also in a beautiful setting, surrounded by mountains, with a charming western style downtown with shops and restaurants. A place worth exploring and is one of Arizona's most underrated towns .

Kartchner Caverns State Park Entrance Fee

  • Per Vehicle: (1-4 Adults): $7.00
  • Individual/bicycle: $3.00
  • Camping: Cabins - $99 Campground - $30
  • Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

9 Gorgeous Desert Towns In Arizona

How much does the sunset limited cost, taking the sunset limited will cost $42 one-way for a coach seat.

The Sunset Limited leaves from New Orleans and Los Angeles three times per week. From New Orleans, the train leaves every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9: 00 a.m and leaves Los Angeles every Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 10:00 pm.

The whole one-way trip costs around $142 at a base price and will change based on the time of year of the trip and the preferred tier of accommodation. Taking the Sunset Limited from Yuma, Arizona, across the state to Benson, Arizona will cost $42 one-way for a coach seat.

Amtrak offers different levels of comfort on the Sunset Limited, from standard coach seats to private family suits, with roomettes and private bedrooms in between. For those only traveling within Arizona, a coach seat should do the trick. With this ticket, passengers will have access to the viewing car, and the café. However, it's always wise to pack extra drinks and snacks.

It's important to plan the trip according to the day the Sunset Limited will be passing through Maricopa. If headed eastward to Tucson and Benson, the train will be leaving from Maricopa on Thursday, Friday and Sundays in the morning.

Scenic, But Underrated: This Small Town In Arizona Is A Great Alternative To Tucson

A vacation to Arizona is already one worth adding to the bucket list. However, riding Amtrak's Sunset Limited through the heart of it, will take the vacation to the next level. Of course, taking a road trip through the scenic southwest is a classic experience. But, having the opportunity to sit back and soak in every bit of scenery will reveal magic otherwise missed.

Chugging along through the picturesque southwestern heartland of Arizona on the oldest train route in America is sure to be a trip to remember.

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Package and Save this Spring Break with the Railway Getaway Package

All the staples to Make a Grand Trip the Grandest – train, lodging and meals – one easy way to book a vacation to the canyon. Make your Spring Break Grand!

Make a Grand Trip the Grandest This Spring!

All aboard to the Grand Canyon!

Stay Next to the Train Station in 3-Diamond Comfort

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel – 3-Diamond comfort, indoor pool, charismatic bar, walking distance from downtown and Route 66.

Your Own Private Rail Car

Ride like a baron – take your group in a private rail car

See One of the Seven Wonders

Standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon is life-changing. The train is the grandest entrance to the Grand Canyon.

travel by train arizona

Make a Grand Trip the Grandest

The historic Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, Arizona to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. Enhance your Grand Canyon experience with an entertaining train ride featuring western musicians and cowboy characters on vintage rail cars. You can plan a whole vacation – we offer many packages that include lodging at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and inside Grand Canyon National Park. Plan your adventure today!

Welcome 3

All Aboard for Fun!

Since 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel has been taking passengers on a fabled journey to the heart of one of the seven wonders of the world. Grand Canyon Railway is more than just a mode of transportation: it’s a trip back in time on lovingly restored rail cars with entertaining musicians and the antics of cowboy characters. Out your window, the terrain changes from high desert to prairie, prairie to pine. It’s a view that’s ever-changing until you come across a view so brilliant, it could very well change you.

Package and Save 10% on the Railway Getaway Package

All the staples to Make a Grand Trip the Grandest – train, lodging and meals – one easy way to book a vacation to the canyon. Perfect for spring break travel!

Departing Daily from Williams, AZ

The train departs daily at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time (except during November/December when it leaves at 8:30 a.m.) and returns to Williams at 5:45 p.m. (except during November/December when it returns at 4:45 p.m.). Enjoy more than 3 hours at the canyon as the train drops you right in the Historic Village at the South Rim.

6 Ways to Ride

Explore each class of train service. Lovingly restored to their former glory, each class is distinctly unique.

Charter Your Own Private Car

The Railway offers private charters. Choose your car(s) – you get the whole space for your private party.

Entertaining

Enjoy a Wild West Shootout before the train departs. Then, keep your eyes open for bandits…. Enjoy the tunes of the West during the ride.

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel

Stay Walking Distance from Downtown and Route 66

Riding the rails to the canyon is just one part of an unforgettable Grand Canyon experience. Whether you need lodging at both ends of our line or you’re driving an RV, Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel will take great care of you and even your pets! Our hotel and RV park are located adjacent to the historic Williams Depot and a couple blocks from downtown Williams and “The Mother Road” – Route 66. Plus, with a variety of Grand Canyon vacation deals to choose from, we’ll also save you money in the process.

The AAA 3-Diamond Grand Canyon Railway Hotel

The 298-room 3-diamond Grand Canyon Railway Hotel offers convenient lodging right next door to the train station. Enjoy an indoor pool and a location that’s walking distance to downtown and Route 66.

All Aboard on The Polar Express

Travel on a magical train ride to see Santa at the North Pole. The Polar Express departs this winter. Does the bell still ring for you?

Grand Canyon Railway RV Park

Adjacent to the train depot is our 124-site RV Park – walking distance to downtown and Route 66.

Historic Williams Depot

Built in 1908 the Williams Depot has sent off trains for more than a century and is an attraction unto itself. It’s now the ticket counter, a retail shop and coffee house.

Discover Offers & Packages

Find the perfect offer or package for your Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel adventure!

Departing Daily from Williams, Arizona

About 3 hours from Phoenix or Las Vegas, getting to Williams is easy.

Phoenix to Grand Canyon Road Trip

Here’s a suggested way to see the Grand Canyon state, originating from the Phoenix area.

Williams, Arizona is located off Interstate 40. The famed Route 66 runs right through downtown.

LA to the Grand Canyon Road Trip

If you’re traveling from the West Coast, here is an itinerary to help with your planning.

Planning Resources

Make the most of your trip to the grandest of canyons. Here are resources to help.

Travel by RV

The Grand Canyon Railway RV Park is an ideal place to stay if you’re traveling in an RV.

Join Us #GrandCanyonRailway #XanterraTravel @GCRailway @XanterraTravel

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This Is The Most Scenic Train Journey In Your State

Posted: December 28, 2023 | Last updated: December 28, 2023

<p>America grew rich with the foundation of the railroad, and today its railways are still among the best ways for travelers to traverse the home of the brave. From heritage lines pulled by vintage steam engines to highlights of the expansive Amtrak network, we’ve rounded up the most beautiful train journey in each US state.</p>  <p>Though some (we see you Wyoming) are faring well without scenic rail rides, we’ve found something for rail buffs to love in every part of the US. </p>  <p><strong>Click through this gallery to discover your state’s most scenic train journey…</strong></p>

The right track

America grew rich with the foundation of the railroad, and today its railways are still among the best ways for travelers to traverse the home of the brave. From heritage lines pulled by vintage steam engines to highlights of the expansive Amtrak network, we’ve rounded up the most beautiful train journey in each US state.

Though some (we see you Wyoming) are faring well without scenic rail rides, we’ve found something that rail buffs will love in every part of the the country.

Click or scroll through this gallery to discover your state’s most scenic train journey…

<p>Stationed in Calera, just south of Birmingham in central Alabama, the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum hosts rail excursions on a first-generation diesel-electric locomotive. Riding the Calera and Shelby Railroad, which operates on a former slip of the 1891 L&N Alabama Railroad, you’ll pass through the atmospheric forests of Shelby County on a 75-minute journey.</p>  <p>Seats are available in an enclosed coach or an open-air carriage – if you really want to immerse yourself in the scenery. Trips run twice on Saturdays between March and September.</p>

Alabama: Calera and Shelby Railroad

Stationed in Calera, just south of Birmingham in central Alabama, the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum hosts rail excursions on a first-generation diesel-electric locomotive. Riding the Calera and Shelby Railroad, which operates on a former slip of the 1891 L&N Alabama Railroad, you’ll pass through the atmospheric forests of Shelby County on a 75-minute journey.

Seats are available in an enclosed coach or an open-air carriage – if you really want to immerse yourself in the scenery. Trips run twice on Saturdays between March and September.

<p>The Denali Star is the flagship service of the Alaskan Railroad. Typically operating between May and September, the journey swings from Anchorage – a city that owes its very existence to the Alaskan Railroad – to Fairbanks through the dramatic heart of Denali National Park. In its entirety the expedition lasts an epic 12 hours, traveling through Southcentral and Interior Alaska with views of North America’s tallest mountain, Denali, on a clear day.</p>  <p>The train’s Adventure Class offers large picture windows, while GoldStar Service gets you glass-domed ceilings and access to an outdoor viewing deck.</p>

Alaska: Denali Star

The Denali Star is the flagship service of the Alaskan Railroad. Typically operating between May and September, the journey swings from Anchorage – a city that owes its very existence to the Alaskan Railroad – to Fairbanks through the dramatic heart of Denali National Park. In its entirety the expedition lasts an epic 12 hours, traveling through Southcentral and Interior Alaska with views of North America’s tallest mountain, Denali, on a clear day.

The train’s Adventure Class offers large picture windows, while GoldStar Service gets you glass-domed ceilings and access to an outdoor viewing deck.

<p>There’s more than one spectacular canyon in Arizona, and you can ride a vintage train right down the spine of this one. Verde Canyon Railroad was built in 1912 to serve the area’s copper mines and has been transporting sightseers year-round since 1990.</p>  <p>Chasing the meanders of the Verde River, this four-hour round-trip takes passengers past Mars-red rock amphitheaters, historic ranch towns, kiwi-colored cacti, and the ancient ruins of Native American civilizations. Watch for bald eagles overhead as you chug along through the wilderness.</p>

Arizona: Verde Canyon Railroad

There’s more than one spectacular canyon in Arizona, and you can ride a vintage train right down the spine of this one. Verde Canyon Railroad was built in 1912 to serve the area’s copper mines and has been transporting sightseers year-round since 1990.

Chasing the meanders of the Verde River, this four-hour round-trip takes passengers past Mars-red rock amphitheaters, historic ranch towns, kiwi-colored cacti, and the ancient ruins of Native American civilizations. Watch for bald eagles overhead as you chug along through the wilderness.

<p>Operated by the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad, this all-day round-trip from Springdale, deep in the Ozark Mountains, to the city of Van Buren and back racks up 134 miles of track. The trip includes three hours of free time to explore the historic district of downtown Van Buren, which converges around Main Street and its gingerbread-like architecture.</p>  <p>Silver Feather passengers will ride in the train’s panoramic glass-domed dining room in one direction and ride downstairs in the other, offering two different perspectives of the same journey.</p>

Arkansas: Springdale to Van Buren

Operated by the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad, this all-day round-trip from Springdale, deep in the Ozark Mountains, to the city of Van Buren and back racks up 134 miles of track. The trip includes three hours of free time to explore the historic district of downtown Van Buren, which converges around Main Street and its gingerbread-like architecture.

Silver Feather passengers will ride in the train’s panoramic glass-domed dining room in one direction and ride downstairs in the other, offering two different perspectives of the same journey.

<p>Skirting the Golden State’s gleaming Pacific coastline, the Pacific Surfliner train runs between the sun-drenched cities of San Luis Obispo and San Diego, calling in at Santa Barbara and Los Angeles along the way. For just under nine hours, passengers journey through the warmth of SoCal, passing the narrow Simi Valley towards the Santa Susana Mountains.</p>  <p>Gliding through oceanside towns and past strips of yellow sand, watch surfers in the near-distance as salt spray spatters the windows.</p>

California: Pacific Surfliner

Skirting the Golden State’s gleaming Pacific coastline, the Pacific Surfliner train runs between the sun-drenched cities of San Luis Obispo and San Diego, calling in at Santa Barbara and Los Angeles along the way. For just under nine hours, passengers journey through the warmth of SoCal, passing the narrow Simi Valley towards the Santa Susana Mountains.

Gliding through oceanside towns and past strips of yellow sand, watch surfers in the near-distance as salt spray spatters the windows.

<p>A National Historic Landmark, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has occupied a 45-mile stretch of the original Denver and Rio Grande Railway since 1882. Its signature route between Durango’s heritage railway depot and the historic mining town of Silverton opens May through October each year, climbing into the Rocky Mountains alongside the Animas River and looking out onto the brooding San Juan National Forest.</p>  <p>The journey takes three and a half hours each way and includes almost two hours to explore Silverton.</p>

Colorado: Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

A National Historic Landmark, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has occupied a 45-mile stretch of the original Denver and Rio Grande Railway since 1882. Its signature route between Durango’s heritage railway depot and the historic mining town of Silverton opens May through October each year, climbing into the Rocky Mountains alongside the Animas River and looking out onto the brooding San Juan National Forest.

The journey takes three and a half hours each way and includes almost two hours to explore Silverton.

<p>The Amtrak Hartford Line connects leafy New Haven (home to Ivy League juggernaut Yale University) to the city of Springfield in western Massachusetts via Connecticut’s capital, Hartford. Taking just under an hour and a half in its entirety, the journey is the perfect introduction to the state’s pretty cities and to the bucolic beauty of New England, much-loved by American author Mark Twain.</p>  <p>On the leg between Windsor and Windsor Locks, you’ll roll over the Farmington River Railroad Bridge (pictured), which has stood for over 150 years.</p>

Connecticut: Amtrak Hartford Line

The Amtrak Hartford Line connects leafy New Haven (home to Ivy League juggernaut Yale University) to the city of Springfield in western Massachusetts via Connecticut’s capital, Hartford. Taking just under an hour and a half in its entirety, the journey is the perfect introduction to the state’s pretty cities and to the bucolic beauty of New England, much-loved by American author Mark Twain.

On the leg between Windsor and Windsor Locks, you’ll roll over the Farmington River Railroad Bridge (pictured), which has stood for over 150 years.

<p>The Wilmington and Western Railroad opened in 1872 as a way of transporting goods between the mills of Red Clay Creek and the port of Wilmington. Now it offers passengers the chance to soak up some of the most arresting vistas in the tri-state area, while still paying homage to Delaware’s industrial legacy.</p>  <p>The 10-mile route winds through old milling communities, small canyons, and wooded groves, with the option to de-train at Mount Cuba for a picnic lunch.</p>

Delaware: Wilmington and Western Railroad

The Wilmington and Western Railroad opened in 1872 as a way of transporting goods between the mills of Red Clay Creek and the port of Wilmington. Now it offers passengers the chance to soak up some of the most arresting vistas in the tri-state area, while still paying homage to Delaware’s industrial legacy.

The 10-mile route winds through old milling communities, small canyons, and wooded groves, with the option to de-train at Mount Cuba for a picnic lunch.

<p>After being out of service for four long years, the Walt Disney World Railroad reopened to passengers in December 2022 with a revamped track and a new conductor. Found within the world-famous tourist attraction’s Magic Kingdom, the nostalgic railroad's fleet of four restored vintage narrow-gauge steam engines leads Disney fans on a leisurely 20-minute ride around the park.</p>  <p>Walt Disney himself was a lifelong rail buff – he loved trains so much that he built a miniature railway in his backyard.</p>

Florida: Walt Disney World Railroad

After being out of service for four long years, the Walt Disney World Railroad reopened to passengers in December 2022 with a revamped track and a new conductor. Found within the world-famous tourist attraction’s Magic Kingdom, the nostalgic railroad's fleet of four restored vintage narrow-gauge steam engines leads Disney fans on a leisurely 20-minute ride around the park.

Walt Disney himself was a lifelong rail buff – he loved trains so much that he built a miniature railway in his backyard.

<p>Tracing the Toccoa River in the Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway coasts along on tracks first laid towards the end of the 19th century. Starting from the downtown depot of the eponymous town of Blue Ridge, this peaceful round-trip journey sweeps through the greens and browns of the Georgian countryside before pausing in the sister towns of McCaysville in Georgia and Copperhill, just over the border in Tennessee.</p>  <p>You can choose to ride in a climate-controlled vintage rail car or an open-air carriage.</p>

Georgia: Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Tracing the Toccoa River in the Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway coasts along on tracks first laid towards the end of the 19th century. Starting from the downtown depot of the eponymous town of Blue Ridge, this peaceful round-trip journey sweeps through the greens and browns of the Georgian countryside before pausing in the sister towns of McCaysville in Georgia and Copperhill, just over the border in Tennessee.

You can choose to ride in a climate-controlled vintage rail car or an open-air carriage.

<p>On Hawaii’s oldest island, you can learn about the original sugar cane and taro crops that have sustained native Hawaiians since ancient times in a really unique way. The Kauai Plantation Railway tours the 105-acre Kilohana Plantation, where more than 50 varieties of fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, and other plants grow in fragrant orchards, fields, and groves.</p>  <p>The narrated 40-minute journey aboard mahogany-hewn carriages also features a stop to feed the working farm’s animal residents, including pigs, goats, and donkeys.</p>

Hawaii: Kauai Plantation Railway

On Hawaii’s oldest island, you can learn about the original sugar cane and taro crops that have sustained native Hawaiians since ancient times in a really unique way. The Kauai Plantation Railway tours the 105-acre Kilohana Plantation, where more than 50 varieties of fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, and other plants grow in fragrant orchards, fields, and groves.

The narrated 40-minute journey aboard mahogany-hewn carriages also features a stop to feed the working farm’s animal residents, including pigs, goats, and donkeys.

<p>Idaho is full of stunning landscapes, but sadly has little to offer those wishing to enjoy them from the tracks. The Gem State’s sole tourist train route, the Thunder Mountain Line, had to close down in 2016, while its lone Amtrak station at Sandpoint is served by the Empire Builder service but only in the dead of night.</p>  <p>However, Silverwood Theme Park, in the panhandle of northern Idaho, does have its own steam train – Engine No 7. It circles the park and ventures into the Silverwood forest, also participating in immersive theater shows.</p>

Idaho: Silverwood Theme Park

Idaho is full of stunning landscapes, but sadly has little to offer those wishing to enjoy them from the tracks. The Gem State’s sole tourist train route, the Thunder Mountain Line, had to close down in 2016, while its lone Amtrak station at Sandpoint is served by the Empire Builder service but only in the dead of night.

However, Silverwood Theme Park, in the panhandle of northern Idaho, does have its own steam train – Engine No 7. It circles the park and ventures into the Silverwood forest, also participating in immersive theater shows.

<p>Spanning 2,424 miles and over 50 hours from Chicago to San Francisco, the California Zephyr is one of Amtrak’s longest routes. The leg through Illinois begins as the train pulls away from the Windy City’s Union Station in the middle of the afternoon and makes its way into Chicago's suburbia.</p>  <p>From the sightseer lounge, Amtrak’s observation car, catch views of pastoral Illinois that will remind you why its nickname is the Prairie State, with grasslands and farms melting into wetlands and trees the closer you get to Iowa.</p>

Illinois: California Zephyr

Spanning 2,424 miles and over 50 hours from Chicago to San Francisco, the California Zephyr is one of Amtrak’s longest routes. The leg through Illinois begins as the train pulls away from the Windy City’s Union Station in the middle of the afternoon and makes its way into Chicago's suburbia.

From the sightseer lounge, Amtrak’s observation car, catch views of pastoral Illinois that will remind you why its nickname is the Prairie State, with grasslands and farms melting into wetlands and trees the closer you get to Iowa.

<p>The French Lick Scenic Railway was founded with the desire to replicate the golden age of train travel when trains were the primary vehicle for long-distance travel across America. In addition to hosting a program of themed rail adventures aimed at young families, French Lick runs a scenic ride through parts of the Hoosier National Forest (pictured).</p>  <p>The journey lasts an hour and 45 minutes, departing from a 1907 train depot and twisting through the hills and forests of southern Indiana, passing through the state’s second-longest railroad tunnel in the process.</p>

Indiana: French Lick Scenic Railway

The French Lick Scenic Railway was founded with the desire to replicate the golden age of train travel when trains were the primary vehicle for long-distance travel across America. In addition to hosting a program of themed rail adventures aimed at young families, French Lick runs a scenic ride through parts of the Hoosier National Forest (pictured).

The journey lasts an hour and 45 minutes, departing from a 1907 train depot and twisting through the hills and forests of southern Indiana, passing through the state’s second-longest railroad tunnel in the process.

<p>Since the 1920s, Iowa has lost more than 50% of its rail mileage, which had boomed around the turn of the century. The state retains several heritage stations and railroads that now serve as tourist attractions, and one of these is the Boone and Scenic Railroad.</p>  <p>Its classic Fraser Train facilitates excursions from May to October, starting in Boone and traveling to the old coal-mining settlement of Fraser through the Des Moines River Valley. A literal high point of the journey is crossing the 156-foot Bass Point Creek High Bridge (pictured).</p>

Iowa: Boone and Scenic Railroad

Since the 1920s, Iowa has lost more than 50% of its rail mileage, which had boomed around the turn of the century. The state retains several heritage stations and railroads that now serve as tourist attractions, and one of these is the Boone and Scenic Railroad.

Its classic Fraser Train facilitates excursions from May to October, starting in Boone and traveling to the old coal-mining settlement of Fraser through the Des Moines River Valley. A literal high point of the journey is crossing the 156-foot Bass Point Creek High Bridge (pictured).

<p>The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad was established in 1993 as a tribute to the Sunflower State’s railroad history. Running on heritage tracks initially laid in 1886, the volunteer-led line's regular excursions through the Smoky Hill River Valley feature vintage carriages and open-air viewing cars, where you can sit and watch the sights of old agricultural Kansas rock by.</p>  <p>The service departs from the listed Rock Island Depot (pictured) in historic Abilene – take the dinner train for a truly magical experience.</p>

Kansas: Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad

The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad was established in 1993 as a tribute to the Sunflower State’s railroad history. Running on heritage tracks initially laid in 1886, the volunteer-led line's regular excursions through the Smoky Hill River Valley feature vintage carriages and open-air viewing cars, where you can sit and watch the sights of old agricultural Kansas rock by.

The service departs from the listed Rock Island Depot (pictured) in historic Abilene – take the dinner train for a truly magical experience.

<p>The Big South Fork Scenic Railway often finds itself high up lists of America's most delightful rail journeys, especially during leaf-peeping season. Perfect for nature lovers and history buffs, this round-trip adventure clanks along accompanied by views of the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork River and Recreation Area.</p>  <p>This trip culminates in a two-hour layover at the Barthell Coal Camp where passengers can learn about life during the early 1900s in the southernmost Appalachians.</p>

Kentucky: Big South Fork Scenic Railway

The Big South Fork Scenic Railway often finds itself high up lists of America's most delightful rail journeys, especially during leaf-peeping season. Perfect for nature lovers and history buffs, this round-trip adventure clanks along accompanied by views of the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork River and Recreation Area.

This trip culminates in a two-hour layover at the Barthell Coal Camp where passengers can learn about life during the early 1900s in the southernmost Appalachians.

<p>Departing three times a week, the Sunset Limited connects the Big Easy to LA and is the oldest named train in Amtrak's fleet (it turns 130 in 2024). After leaving New Orleans the train remains in Louisiana for around five hours, calling at four stations in the state on a journey that jangles past balcony-trimmed small towns, ethereal bayous, and seas of sugarcane before dipping into dusty Texas.</p>

Louisiana: Sunset Limited

Departing three times a week, the Sunset Limited connects the Big Easy to LA and is the oldest named train in Amtrak's fleet (it turns 130 in 2024). After leaving New Orleans the train remains in Louisiana for around five hours, calling at four stations in the state on a journey that jangles past balcony-trimmed small towns, ethereal bayous, and seas of sugarcane before dipping into dusty Texas.

<p>Named after the Down East region of maritime Maine, the Amtrak Downeaster links the Pine Tree State to New Hampshire and Massachusetts, from Brunswick to Boston. The route through Maine takes up around half the just over three-hour journey, hugging the rugged coast and taking in stops like Wells – with its seven miles of soft beaches – and Portland, where lobster rolls await.</p>  <p>The terminus town of Brunswick has plenty going for it too, with a year-round farmers’ market and nature-rich bike trails to hit. Five round-trips operate each day.</p>

Maine: Downeaster

Named after the Down East region of maritime Maine, the Amtrak Downeaster links the Pine Tree State to New Hampshire and Massachusetts, from Brunswick to Boston. The route through Maine takes up around half the just over three-hour journey, hugging the rugged coast and taking in stops like Wells – with its seven miles of soft beaches – and Portland, where lobster rolls await.

The terminus town of Brunswick has plenty going for it too, with a year-round farmers’ market and nature-rich bike trails to hit. Five round-trips operate each day.

<p>Cruising through the Allegheny Mountains between Cumberland and Frostburg, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad navigates creeks, canyons, streams, bridges, and tunnels on its four-and-a-half-hour round-trip. The historic diesel and steam locomotives climb up the mountainside and traverse thick forest before reaching the charming town of Frostburg, where passengers can hop off and explore.</p>  <p>Willis Mountain, Haystack Mountain, Cash Valley, and Helmstetter Farm are among the most interesting sights along the way. The route operates year-round.</p>

Maryland: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

Cruising through the Allegheny Mountains between Cumberland and Frostburg, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad navigates creeks, canyons, streams, bridges, and tunnels on its four-and-a-half-hour round-trip. The historic diesel and steam locomotives climb up the mountainside and traverse thick forest before reaching the charming town of Frostburg, where passengers can hop off and explore.

Willis Mountain, Haystack Mountain, Cash Valley, and Helmstetter Farm are among the most interesting sights along the way. The route operates year-round.

<p>Dating back to the mid-1800s, the Cape Cod Central Railroad offers excursions that are not only stunningly scenic but educational too. As the train threads through salt marshes, sand dunes, woodlands, and cranberry bogs, passengers are treated to narrated tales of fruit harvests, canal history, and the cape's coastal ecology.</p>  <p>The classic circular two-hour trip starts from Hyannis and makes its way through idyllic villages like Sandwich (the oldest on the cape) before crossing the landmark Buzzards Bay vertical lift bridge.</p>

Massachusetts: Cape Cod Central Railroad

Dating back to the mid-1800s, the Cape Cod Central Railroad offers excursions that are not only stunningly scenic but educational too. As the train threads through salt marshes, sand dunes, woodlands, and cranberry bogs, passengers are treated to narrated tales of fruit harvests, canal history, and the cape's coastal ecology.

The classic circular two-hour trip starts from Hyannis and makes its way through idyllic villages like Sandwich (the oldest on the cape) before crossing the landmark Buzzards Bay vertical lift bridge.

<p>Amtrak's Blue Water service laces together several Michigan stops between Port Huron and Chicago. It bends around the southern shore of Lake Michigan before heading into the Great Lake State's interior, terminating on Lake Huron's shores.</p>  <p>The westbound Blue Water service makes for a pleasant morning on the tracks, while the eastbound train leaves Chicago in the late afternoon, promising some serious sunset action if you travel when the evenings are longer.</p>

Michigan: Blue Water

Amtrak's Blue Water service laces together several Michigan stops between Port Huron and Chicago. It bends around the southern shore of Lake Michigan before heading into the Great Lake State's interior, terminating on Lake Huron's shores.

The westbound Blue Water service makes for a pleasant morning on the tracks, while the eastbound train leaves Chicago in the late afternoon, promising some serious sunset action if you travel when the evenings are longer.

<p>Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Railroad traverses the westernmost spur of Lake Superior's shoreline. Operating on a 28-mile strip from Duluth to Two Harbors, known as the Lakefront Line, these trains roll along tracks first laid more than 100 years ago, which once contributed to the North Star State's iron ore industry.</p>  <p>The railroad hosts various excursions – treat yourself to a first-class ticket on the Duluth Zephyr, where the major perk is the chance to ride in the Dome Car, its curved windows optimized for sightseeing.</p>

Minnesota: North Shore Scenic Railroad

Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Railroad traverses the westernmost spur of Lake Superior's shoreline. Operating on a 28-mile strip from Duluth to Two Harbors, known as the Lakefront Line, these trains roll along tracks first laid more than 100 years ago, which once contributed to the North Star State's iron ore industry.

The railroad hosts various excursions – treat yourself to a first-class ticket on the Duluth Zephyr, where the major perk is the chance to ride in the Dome Car, its curved windows optimized for sightseeing.

<p>Traveling 900 miles and through several decades of America's musical heritage, the City of New Orleans train is one of Amtrak's greatest hits, linking some of the country’s finest cities. The journey between Chicago and New Orleans will strike a particular chord with blues lovers – one of the best stops is Mississippi state capital Jackson (pictured), nicknamed 'the city with soul.'</p>  <p>The southbound service spends more than four hours rattling through Mississippi on a daylight run, flanked by snowy-white cotton fields.</p>

Mississippi: City of New Orleans

Traveling 900 miles and through several decades of America's musical heritage, the City of New Orleans train is one of Amtrak's greatest hits, linking some of the country’s finest cities. The journey between Chicago and New Orleans will strike a particular chord with blues lovers – one of the best stops is Mississippi state capital Jackson (pictured), nicknamed 'the city with soul.'

The southbound service spends more than four hours rattling through Mississippi on a daylight run, flanked by snowy-white cotton fields.

<p>With daily departures, the Missouri River Runner crosses the Show-Me State from Kansas City to St Louis in less than six hours. Partially trailing the Missouri River, the longest river in the United States, the train's highlights include the scenic bluffs of Jefferson City, which give way to conservation areas where eagles can be spotted overhead from the comfort of your seat.</p>  <p>As the gap between the train and St Louis closes, lush stands of green foliage herald your approach to the gateway of the west.</p>

Missouri: Missouri River Runner

With daily departures, the Missouri River Runner crosses the Show-Me State from Kansas City to St Louis in less than six hours. Partially trailing the Missouri River, the longest river in the United States, the train's highlights include the scenic bluffs of Jefferson City, which give way to conservation areas where eagles can be spotted overhead from the comfort of your seat.

As the gap between the train and St Louis closes, lush stands of green foliage herald your approach to the gateway of the west.

<p>Tracking through still-wild tracts of land once explored on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Amtrak's formidable Empire Builder train covers more than 40 stations in eight states from Illinois to Washington over the course of 46 hours. Perhaps the most majestic part of the route is the Montana leg, which skates through natural wonders like the Kootenai River Valley (pictured) and Glacier National Park.</p>  <p>Around 12 hours of the Empire Builder’s journey is dedicated to the Treasure State, so you can safely take a nap without fear of missing out.</p>

Montana: Empire Builder

Tracking through still-wild tracts of land once explored on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Amtrak's formidable Empire Builder train covers more than 40 stations in eight states from Illinois to Washington over the course of 46 hours. Perhaps the most majestic part of the route is the Montana leg, which skates through natural wonders like the Kootenai River Valley (pictured) and Glacier National Park.

Around 12 hours of the Empire Builder’s journey is dedicated to the Treasure State, so you can safely take a nap without fear of missing out.

<p>Since the Fremont and Elkhorn Valley Railroad ceased operations in 2012, Nebraska now has no standard-gauge scenic train routes to ride. The California Zephyr, Amtrak's most visually impressive journey, passes through at night regardless of your direction of travel, making rail adventures in the Cornhusker State hard to come by.</p>  <p>There is, however, a small steam-powered train offering short trips around Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, which carries passengers in its open-air cars from March to November every year.</p>

Nebraska: Omaha Zoo Railroad

Since the Fremont and Elkhorn Valley Railroad ceased operations in 2012, Nebraska now has no standard-gauge scenic train routes to ride. The California Zephyr, Amtrak's most visually impressive journey, passes through at night regardless of your direction of travel, making rail adventures in the Cornhusker State hard to come by.

There is, however, a small steam-powered train offering short trips around Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, which carries passengers in its open-air cars from March to November every year.

<p>The so-called 'Queen of the Short Lines,' the Virginia and Truckee Railroad whisks passengers back in time on some of the oldest locomotives in the state. The line has been a fixture of Virginia City since 1869; today, century-old steam engines and heritage diesel trains still depart from the original depot.</p>  <p>Passengers can expect to see some of the most famous Comstock mines and ruins en route to Gold Hill, while listening to the conductor’s stories of the region’s legendary silver rush. Wild horses and raptors call these ranges home, so keep your eyes peeled.</p>

Nevada: Virginia and Truckee Railroad

The so-called 'Queen of the Short Lines,' the Virginia and Truckee Railroad whisks passengers back in time on some of the oldest locomotives in the state. The line has been a fixture of Virginia City since 1869; today, century-old steam engines and heritage diesel trains still depart from the original depot.

Passengers can expect to see some of the most famous Comstock mines and ruins en route to Gold Hill, while listening to the conductor’s stories of the region’s legendary silver rush. Wild horses and raptors call these ranges home, so keep your eyes peeled.

<p>The world's first mountain-climbing cog railway, this little locomotive journeys to the peak of the highest mountain in the northeastern United States. Rising above Bretton Woods and New Hampshire's White Mountains, the National Historic Engineering Landmark operates three-hour round-trips daily from May to October.</p>  <p>If you’re lucky enough to dodge the mountain's notorious weather (it can snow on Mount Washington even in summer), the 360-degree views from the summit can extend all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.</p>

New Hampshire: Mount Washington Cog Railway

The world's first mountain-climbing cog railway, this little locomotive journeys to the peak of the highest mountain in the northeastern United States. Rising above Bretton Woods and New Hampshire's White Mountains, the National Historic Engineering Landmark operates three-hour round-trips daily from May to October.

If you’re lucky enough to dodge the mountain's notorious weather (it can snow on Mount Washington even in summer), the 360-degree views from the summit can extend all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

<p>An excursion from Whippany Railway Museum starts with a woman dressed all in white welcoming you onto restored vintage carriages. She is a representation of Phoebe Snow, a fictional character who appeared in adverts for the Lackawanna Railroad at the beginning of the 20th century.</p>  <p>Over the course of 45 minutes, you'll follow the route of the historic Whippanong Trail, over a high steel bridge and past all that remains of Lake Passaic, an ex-glacial lake where swamp-dwelling wildlife now roams. Trips run on select spring, summer, and fall days.</p>

New Jersey: Whippany Railway Museum Excursions

An excursion from Whippany Railway Museum starts with a woman dressed all in white welcoming you onto restored vintage carriages. She is a representation of Phoebe Snow, a fictional character who appeared in adverts for the Lackawanna Railroad at the beginning of the 20th century.

Over the course of 45 minutes, you'll follow the route of the historic Whippanong Trail, over a high steel bridge and past all that remains of Lake Passaic, an ex-glacial lake where swamp-dwelling wildlife now roams. Trips run on select spring, summer, and fall days.

<p>Passengers on New Mexico’s Sky Railway are walking in the footsteps of Hollywood icons Judy Garland and Clark Gable by riding the heritage line. For over 140 years, these tracks have swept travelers across the amber and olive-green landscapes between Santa Fe and Lamy.</p>  <p>There are a few different ways to enjoy the round-trip journey – the Stargazer experience unlocks the mysteries of the night sky above the Galisteo Basin, while the Sunset Serenade sets the coming of dusk to a soundtrack of live music.</p>

New Mexico: Sky Railway

Passengers on New Mexico’s Sky Railway are walking in the footsteps of Hollywood icons Judy Garland and Clark Gable by riding the heritage line. For over 140 years, these tracks have swept travelers across the amber and olive-green landscapes between Santa Fe and Lamy.

There are a few different ways to enjoy the round-trip journey – the Stargazer experience unlocks the mysteries of the night sky above the Galisteo Basin, while the Sunset Serenade sets the coming of dusk to a soundtrack of live music.

<p>After a three-year hiatus, Amtrak’s much-loved Adirondack service returned to the rails in the spring of 2023. In 10 hours, the route connects New York City to Montreal in Canada, but for the vast majority of the journey upstate New York takes center stage.</p>  <p>The train rolls out of NYC’s Moynihan Train Hall and into the winelands of the Hudson River Valley, passing through serene Saratoga Springs and the Adirondack Mountains. It’s not hard to see why it's often ranked as one of the world’s top scenic train rides, especially when the fall colors catch fire.</p>

New York: The Adirondack

After a three-year hiatus, Amtrak’s much-loved Adirondack service returned to the rails in the spring of 2023. In 10 hours, the route connects New York City to Montreal in Canada, but for the vast majority of the journey upstate New York takes center stage.

The train rolls out of NYC’s Moynihan Train Hall and into the winelands of the Hudson River Valley, passing through serene Saratoga Springs and the Adirondack Mountains. It’s not hard to see why it's often ranked as one of the world’s top scenic train rides, especially when the fall colors catch fire.

<p>Spanning 53 miles (85km) of track, some of which dates back to the late 19th century, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad runs round trips from Bryson City that traverse secluded patches of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are hard to reach in other ways. The line’s most scenic excursion transports passengers across the rusting trellis bridge over Fontana Lake and into the heart of the Nantahala Gorge.</p>  <p>Book a ticket in the open-air gondola for uninterrupted views.</p>

North Carolina: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Spanning 53 miles (85km) of track, some of which dates back to the late 19th century, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad runs round trips from Bryson City that traverse secluded patches of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are hard to reach in other ways. The line’s most scenic excursion transports passengers across the rusting trellis bridge over Fontana Lake and into the heart of the Nantahala Gorge.

Book a ticket in the open-air gondola for uninterrupted views.

<p>As one of the most sparsely populated and rural states in America, North Dakota doesn’t have too much to contribute when it comes to scenic train journeys. Amtrak’s Empire Builder does pass through, but only one company operates tourist train excursions – and those are currently on pause.</p>  <p>The Fort Lincoln Trolley has historically run from Mandan to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (pictured), ferrying passengers in a replica streetcar. But in mid-2023, the owners of the trolley announced their retirement, and it’s not yet known if successors have been found.</p>

North Dakota: Fort Lincoln Trolley

As one of the most sparsely populated and rural states in America, North Dakota doesn’t have too much to contribute when it comes to scenic train journeys. Amtrak’s Empire Builder does pass through, but only one company operates tourist train excursions – and those are currently on pause.

The Fort Lincoln Trolley has historically run from Mandan to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (pictured), ferrying passengers in a replica streetcar. But in mid-2023, the owners of the trolley announced their retirement, and it’s not yet known if successors have been found.

<p>The Cuyahoga River nourishes dense forests, billowing hills and vast farmlands, and you can see them all in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There's no better way to tour this green haven than a heritage train carriage, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad hosts rail excursions into the park ranging from immersive murder mysteries to boozy cruises.</p>  <p>Keep it traditional with the two-hour National Park Scenic Excursion, operating between January and April (yes, even in the snow). A seat in Upper Dome class promises sublime panoramic views.</p>

Ohio: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

The Cuyahoga River nourishes dense forests, billowing hills and vast farmlands, and you can see them all in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There's no better way to tour this green haven than a heritage train carriage, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad hosts rail excursions into the park ranging from immersive murder mysteries to boozy cruises.

Keep it traditional with the two-hour National Park Scenic Excursion, operating between January and April (yes, even in the snow). A seat in Upper Dome class promises sublime panoramic views.

<p>It might not be the longest journey on Amtrak’s route map, but the daily Heartland Flyer from Fort Worth in Texas to Oklahoma City isn’t short on impact. For most of its just-over-four-hour dash, the train slips through the Sooner State’s cities and countryside, running the gauntlet of 'Tornado Alley' and passing through lands rich with Native American history.</p>  <p>Summer is the best time of year to take the northbound service, which offers superb sunsets. Ardmore (pictured) is one of five Oklahoma stations on the line.</p>

Oklahoma: Heartland Flyer

It might not be the longest journey on Amtrak’s route map, but the daily Heartland Flyer from Fort Worth in Texas to Oklahoma City isn’t short on impact. For most of its just-over-four-hour dash, the train slips through the Sooner State’s cities and countryside, running the gauntlet of 'Tornado Alley' and passing through lands rich with Native American history.

Summer is the best time of year to take the northbound service, which offers superb sunsets. Ardmore (pictured) is one of five Oklahoma stations on the line.

<p>The snow-capped peak, the fluffy tree blossom, the romance of train travel – it could barely be a more inviting scene. Riding the Mount Hood Railroad is a bucket-list experience, starring Oregon's highest point (an active volcano) and the striking valleys of the Columbia River Gorge.</p>  <p>Trips are laid on throughout the year, including special excursions for Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, swinging through woodlands, vineyards, and orchards with Mount Hood and Mount Adams looming above. Hold onto your hat as the train navigates one of only five switchbacks remaining in the US.</p>

Oregon: Mount Hood Railroad

The snow-capped peak, the fluffy tree blossom, the romance of train travel – it could barely be a more inviting scene. Riding the Mount Hood Railroad is a bucket-list experience, starring Oregon's highest point (an active volcano) and the striking valleys of the Columbia River Gorge.

Trips are laid on throughout the year, including special excursions for Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, swinging through woodlands, vineyards, and orchards with Mount Hood and Mount Adams looming above. Hold onto your hat as the train navigates one of only five switchbacks remaining in the US.

<p>This tourist train operates out of the historic town of Jim Thorpe, which has been called the Switzerland of America in its time. As its name might suggest, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is swaddled by towering cliffs, mountains, and abundant wildlife on its forested run to Old Penn Haven.</p>  <p>Featuring passenger cars that have been in service since as early as 1917, the train offers open-air, vista-dome, and standard coach seating on its narrated 70-minute round-trip journeys.</p>

Pennsylvania: Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

This tourist train operates out of the historic town of Jim Thorpe, which has been called the Switzerland of America in its time. As its name might suggest, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is swaddled by towering cliffs, mountains, and abundant wildlife on its forested run to Old Penn Haven.

Featuring passenger cars that have been in service since as early as 1917, the train offers open-air, vista-dome, and standard coach seating on its narrated 70-minute round-trip journeys.

<p>Rhode Island might be known as the Ocean State, but you can leave your boat in the dock for this scenic voyage. The Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad is a fantastic way to explore America's smallest state overland, though the water is never too far away.</p>  <p>Tracing the contours of Narragansett Bay, passengers can opt to ride the rails the unconventional way – on pedal-powered Rail Explorers (pictured) – or aboard the Grand Bellevue, an opulent dinner train guaranteed to only leave you hungry for another trip.</p>

Rhode Island: Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad

Rhode Island might be known as the Ocean State, but you can leave your boat in the dock for this scenic voyage. The Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad is a fantastic way to explore America's smallest state overland, though the water is never too far away.

Tracing the contours of Narragansett Bay, passengers can opt to ride the rails the unconventional way – on pedal-powered Rail Explorers (pictured) – or aboard the Grand Bellevue, an opulent dinner train guaranteed to only leave you hungry for another trip.

<p>Amtrak’s Palmetto train out of NYC is the cropped variant of the Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes that continue south to Florida through Savannah, Georgia. These only slip through South Carolina in the wee hours, while the Palmetto catches the state famed for its sabal palm trees at much more sociable times.</p>  <p>Passengers can watch as it sails through Charleston (pictured) and Florence, the closest rail station to Myrtle Beach. You’ll rattle through urban sprawls and country parks, past lakes and quaint communities, all without moving a muscle.</p>

South Carolina: Palmetto

Amtrak’s Palmetto train out of NYC is the cropped variant of the Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes that continue south to Florida through Savannah, Georgia. These only slip through South Carolina in the wee hours, while the Palmetto catches the state famed for its sabal palm trees at much more sociable times.

Passengers can watch as it sails through Charleston (pictured) and Florence, the closest rail station to Myrtle Beach. You’ll rattle through urban sprawls and country parks, past lakes and quaint communities, all without moving a muscle.

<p>The Mount Rushmore State’s only major excursion line, the Black Hills Central Railroad operates on restored, vintage rolling stock. These historic tracks are credited with the emergence of modern South Dakota, having carried settlers and town planners over the plains and into the mountains, for better or worse.</p>  <p>Now they carry the 1880 Train, which provides passengers with a stunning introduction to the dramatic landscapes of these ancient hills. Journeys last for a little over two hours.</p>

South Dakota: Black Hills Central Railroad

The Mount Rushmore State’s only major excursion line, the Black Hills Central Railroad operates on restored, vintage rolling stock. These historic tracks are credited with the emergence of modern South Dakota, having carried settlers and town planners over the plains and into the mountains, for better or worse.

Now they carry the 1880 Train, which provides passengers with a stunning introduction to the dramatic landscapes of these ancient hills. Journeys last for a little over two hours.

<p>There are a few different excursions on the Tennessee Valley Railroad to choose from, but we love the 50-mile round-trip on the Hiwassee Loop. Here, the line’s tracks tie themselves in knots as they crisscross each other on the train’s journey up the mountain near Farner.</p>  <p>Unlike many heritage rail excursions, there’s no layover on this route, so you can enjoy five hours of unbroken, nostalgic travel.</p>

Tennessee: Tennessee Valley Railroad

There are a few different excursions on the Tennessee Valley Railroad to choose from, but we love the 50-mile round-trip on the Hiwassee Loop. Here, the line’s tracks tie themselves in knots as they crisscross each other on the train’s journey up the mountain near Farner.

Unlike many heritage rail excursions, there’s no layover on this route, so you can enjoy five hours of unbroken, nostalgic travel.

<p>From end to end, the longest iteration of Amtrak's Texas Eagle route takes a whopping 65 hours to complete, making it America's longest rail journey. The daily service runs just from Chicago to San Antonio, but three times a week it continues on to Los Angeles.</p>  <p>You'll likely snooze through much of Arizona, but the Texas leg is definitely worth staying awake for, as around half the train's journey takes place in the Lone Star State. Expect pine woods, seemingly endless fields, cosmopolitan cities, pretty small towns, and peaceful rivers on your passage.</p>

Texas: Texas Eagle

From end to end, the longest iteration of Amtrak's Texas Eagle route takes a whopping 65 hours to complete, making it America's longest rail journey. The daily service runs just from Chicago to San Antonio, but three times a week it continues on to Los Angeles.

You'll likely snooze through much of Arizona, but the Texas leg is definitely worth staying awake for, as around half the train's journey takes place in the Lone Star State. Expect pine woods, seemingly endless fields, cosmopolitan cities, pretty small towns, and peaceful rivers on your passage.

<p>You get two states for the price of one on the Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to the Red Rocks route, a dramatic two-day journey between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado that includes an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs. While most of the run coasts through Colorado, Utah’s rust-red scenery is impossible to overlook.</p>  <p>After crossing the state line, you’ll see the shadow of Mount Peale rise above the valley, often sprinkled with snow up to early summer, contrasting with the warm scarlet sandstone of Moab and Arches National Park.</p>

Utah: Rocky Mountaineer

You get two states for the price of one on the Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to the Red Rocks route, a dramatic two-day journey between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado that includes an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs. While most of the run coasts through Colorado, Utah’s rust-red scenery is impossible to overlook.

After crossing the state line, you’ll see the shadow of Mount Peale rise above the valley, often sprinkled with snow up to early summer, contrasting with the warm scarlet sandstone of Moab and Arches National Park.

<p>From June through October, the Champlain Valley Dinner Train serves up an indulgent three-course meal with a side order of Green Mountain State splendor. From the window of your 1930s dining car – Vermont’s fastest-moving restaurant – gaze out on the undulating landscapes of green, purple and gold while feasting on delicious dishes that evolve with the seasons.</p>  <p>The decadent journey operates on weekends, departing from and returning to Burlington on the eastern shores of Lake Champlain, where mountains meet Vermont’s most populous metropolis.</p>

Vermont: Champlain Valley Dinner Train

From June through October, the Champlain Valley Dinner Train serves up an indulgent three-course meal with a side order of Green Mountain State splendor. From the window of your 1930s dining car – Vermont’s fastest-moving restaurant – gaze out on the undulating landscapes of green, purple and gold while feasting on delicious dishes that evolve with the seasons.

The decadent journey operates on weekends, departing from and returning to Burlington on the eastern shores of Lake Champlain, where mountains meet Vermont’s most populous metropolis.

<p>Amtrak’s Northeast Regional is not just a fast and convenient commuter service – it’s also one of the best ways to explore the celebrated state that gave America four of its first five presidents. There are various daily routes of the Northeast Regional that serve Virginia, connecting state capital Richmond to the coastal city of Newport News and Alexandria, the latter of which stands on the western bank of the Potomac River.</p>  <p>You can also use the train to visit Fredericksburg, as well as the historic triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.</p>

Virginia: Northeast Regional

Amtrak’s Northeast Regional is not just a fast and convenient commuter service – it’s also one of the best ways to explore the celebrated state that gave America four of its first five presidents. There are various daily routes of the Northeast Regional that serve Virginia, connecting state capital Richmond to the coastal city of Newport News and Alexandria, the latter of which stands on the western bank of the Potomac River.

You can also use the train to visit Fredericksburg, as well as the historic triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.

<p>While the Coast Starlight train from Seattle to Los Angeles might get all the fanfare for being one of North America’s greatest train journeys, it’s actually the Amtrak Cascades service that gives you the best span of Washington State. The Washington leg of this route extends from Vancouver in the south (not to be confused with the Canadian city where the train also happens to terminate) to Bellingham in the north, following the shores of Puget Sound out of Seattle (pictured) and into the wilds of the Pacific Northwest.</p>

Washington: Amtrak Cascades

While the Coast Starlight train from Seattle to Los Angeles might get all the fanfare for being one of North America’s greatest train journeys, it’s actually the Amtrak Cascades service that gives you the best span of Washington State. The Washington leg of this route extends from Vancouver in the south (not to be confused with the Canadian city where the train also happens to terminate) to Bellingham in the north, following the shores of Puget Sound out of Seattle (pictured) and into the wilds of the Pacific Northwest.

<p>Located in West Virginia's Pocahontas County, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is unusual among America's roster of state parks, as it was created to preserve and promote a heritage train line. Founded to serve the old lumber company town of Cass, the 11-mile railroad now conveys passengers out of the Greenbrier Valley and up into the mountains on a characterful steam locomotive.</p>

West Virginia: Cass Scenic Railroad

Located in West Virginia's Pocahontas County, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is unusual among America's roster of state parks, as it was created to preserve and promote a heritage train line. Founded to serve the old lumber company town of Cass, the 11-mile railroad now conveys passengers out of the Greenbrier Valley and up into the mountains on a characterful steam locomotive.

<p>Managed by the Minnesota Transportation Museum, the Osceola and St Croix Valley Railway operates seasonal tourist rail journeys through the scenic St Croix River Valley on a vintage locomotive. The route sweeps through gorgeous landscapes marked by waterfalls and blonde sandstone bluffs on a 90-minute round-trip that toes the Minnesota border.</p>  <p>Fall is a particularly wonderful time of year to ride this train; the riverside foliage turns orange and ocher, while birds and animals scramble among the fallen leaves.</p>

Wisconsin: Osceola and St Croix Valley Railway

Managed by the Minnesota Transportation Museum, the Osceola and St Croix Valley Railway operates seasonal tourist rail journeys through the scenic St Croix River Valley on a vintage locomotive. The route sweeps through gorgeous landscapes marked by waterfalls and blonde sandstone bluffs on a 90-minute round-trip that toes the Minnesota border.

Fall is a particularly wonderful time of year to ride this train; the riverside foliage turns orange and ocher, while birds and animals scramble among the fallen leaves.

<p>With not a single Amtrak service or tourist train ride to speak of, it seems the iron horse is no match for a real one in the Cowboy State. But trains haven’t always been absent from Wyoming, and attractions like the Union Pacific Roundhouse and the Cheyenne Depot Museum document some of the state’s rail heritage.</p>  <p>And if you’re still keen to experience a scenic journey here, riding the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain is the next best thing.</p>  <p><strong><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/galleries/219207/the-most-eccentric-attraction-in-every-us-state">Now take a look at America's most eccentric attractions</a></strong></p>

Wyoming: Jackson Hole Aerial Tram

With not a single Amtrak service or tourist train ride to speak of, it seems the iron horse is no match for a real one in the Cowboy State. But trains haven’t always been absent from Wyoming, and attractions like the Union Pacific Roundhouse and the Cheyenne Depot Museum document some of the state’s rail heritage.

And if you’re still keen to experience a scenic journey here, riding the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain is the next best thing.

Now take a look at America's most eccentric attractions

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The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico has issued a spring break travel warning for Americans planning to visit the country. The message posted on Monday highlighted a range of potential safety threats in the popular destination like crime.

“U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution in the downtown areas of popular spring break locations including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark,” the advisory said, though it noted that crime can occur anywhere in Mexico. The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for the country notes various warning levels for different states, ranging from Level 1 (“exercise normal precautions") through 4 (“do not travel”).

The message also warned of other potential hazards like unregulated alcohol and pharmaceuticals. “Unregulated alcohol may be contaminated, and U.S. citizens have reported losing consciousness or becoming injured after consuming alcohol that was possibly tainted,” the advisory said. 

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates noted that counterfeit medication is “common” and could be ineffective or an incorrect strength. Those products may also have dangerous ingredients. “Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments,” the message said.

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The advisory warned of drowning and high private hospital prices, as well, among other risks. The message urged travelers to take precautions like keeping an eye on their drinks; staying with a group of friends in bars and clubs, while walking in dark areas or in taxis at night; and letting family and friends know about their travel plans.

Despite the warning, however, it noted that “the vast majority” of U.S. citizens visiting Mexico at spring break each year do so safely.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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These Historic Rail Journeys From New York City Revive the Golden Age of Travel

By Hannah Towey

Image may contain Nature Outdoors Scenery City Water Waterfront Architecture Building Cityscape and Urban

Train lovers everywhere wait all year for Hudson River Rail's annual excursions that allow passengers to relive the historic splendor of the 20th Century Limited express passenger train, once billed as the “most famous train in the world.” The popular rail journeys sell out every year—and last year, tickets were snapped up in minutes.

Why? Traveling up the Hudson River in two restored vintage train cars, passengers are transported back in time to the 1940s and 50s, when movie stars and presidents boarded the train via red carpet. The scenic train trips follow the original New York Central Railroad main line between Manhattan and Albany, about an eight-hour round trip.

For those looking to experience the golden age of travel themselves, the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey has just released the 2024 Hudson River Rail schedule with departures slated from April through July, as well as in October and November (ideal for catching views of fall foliage ).

Image may contain Nature Outdoors Scenery Railway Train Transportation Vehicle Road Plant and Vegetation

The popular Hudson River Rail day trips travel up the Hudson River between New York City and Albany.

Passengers can choose from two classes of service, both of which include lunch and drinks. The luxurious observation lounge, named the Hickory Creek, was the the rearmost—and most exclusive—car on the 20th Century Limited, and is the last-remaining car from the original train. It's since been meticulously restored to its historic appearance, from the signature oversized windows to the vintage carpeting and furniture. If you can't nab one of Hickory Creek's dozen or so seats, then Tavern Lounge No. 43, a lounge car first built in 1947, offers a more affordable alternative to experience the historic route. With seats facing inward and plenty of room to meander, drink, and chat, both of the cars foster a refreshingly social atmosphere on board.

In addition to the day trips from New York City's Penn Station to Albany, this year will premier two new offerings, including overnight itineraries between Chicago and New York. During four one-way and roundtrip journeys in June and July, passengers will sleep aboard the train's historic Pullman Sleeping Cars, indulge in multi-course meals cooked on-board by a private chef, and enjoy the open bar service available throughout the trip.

For the history buffs out there, the 2024 schedule includes a new variation on the classic day trip excursion: the Hudson Valley History Tour. The excursions, slated in May, October, and November, offer a fully narrated tour of the Hudson River Valley in partnership with the National Park Service’s Trails & Rails program.

Tickets go on sale March 15 at 10 a.m., with day trip prices ranging from $179 to $399. The overnight journeys between New York and Chicago are $1,600 for a one-way trip and $3,200 for a round trip.

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Testing out Tren Maya, Mexico’s new train that connects the Yucatán

The controversial train is up and running, but not without challenges. here’s what it’s like to book and ride..

MÉRIDA, Mexico — It wasn’t until I stepped aboard Mexico’s shiny new train myself that I truly believed the Tren Maya existed. Up until that point, between a confusing booking process and reports of stranded passengers and construction problems, I felt that it was possible the entire project was nothing but a Potemkin train.

If there was any hope it existed, it was from the bad news: the train had already attracted headlines for injuries to workers, rushed construction and damage to the fragile jungle of the Yucatán Peninsula and archaeological sites, despite promises from the Mexican government to avoid any harm.

The new train opened its first section in December 2023 and was scheduled to be fully complete in February, but that’s since been pushed to June. When finished, it will span about 970 miles and link five states in southeastern Mexico in a Q-shaped loop — Campeche, Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Chiapas and Tabasco. Construction is still underway on tracks covering most of that distance, including a line running about 26 miles south from the Cancún airport to the popular beach town of Playa del Carmen. The inaugural train rolled through that section Thursday.

During my early February visit to the region, only one segment of the total route was in reality complete — a line connecting the busy tourist hub of Cancún to Campeche via the busy midsize city of Mérida. At the time, the train was making just a couple of runs per day, which is a fraction of its promised frequency. It’s ostensibly geared toward visitors, so being a lover of train travel, I eagerly incorporated it into my travel plans. That, it turned out, would be easier said than done.

Here’s what it was like booking and riding the train from Mérida to Valladolid.

travel by train arizona

The booking process

The beauty of taking a train is that booking a ticket and boarding the train is a much simpler process than flying. That’s not the case for the Tren Maya, which is complex.

I first tried booking a ticket from my home in Canada in the weeks before my trip. There is just one official website for booking tickets — the service’s X account warns of scams — but the site is less than user friendly. Tickets only come available one week before and are frequently sold out. (This week, there were no tickets available, for any segment of any route that I checked.)

One week before my arrival in Mexico, I did manage to snag what I thought was a reservation. Alas, it was not to be: Booking a ticket is actually a two-part process, and I had only completed the first part. Once a booking is made, you have to make a payment online within half an hour, but the site’s automatic redirect to the payment page didn’t work, no matter how many times I tried from Canada. I gave up and decided to book while I was in Mexico for a different leg of my trip.

A week later, I was in my hotel in Mérida, determined to make this journey happen. When I found two open seats, I jumped on them, and — voilà! — was redirected to the payment page. The payment went through, and I received a receipt moments later. But, still no tickets. Those would take another nerve-racking 13 hours (did I just get scammed?) to arrive in my email inbox.

The lessons I took away from this experience: Booking within Mexico seems to be the easiest, if not the only, way to complete a reservation. The website does in fact provide tickets eventually, but planning a week ahead helps. So does having a grasp of Spanish; there is no English-language website or support, though you can use the translate function of your browser. I also didn’t see ticket kiosks in the city centers of Cancún, Mérida or Valladolid, where I spent time throughout my trip.

Ticket pricing

Prices for different journey lengths vary based on the cabin choice — tourist or premier — and are higher for international visitors than for Mexican nationals.

When I booked my tickets, a three-and-a-half hour, one-way trip from Mérida to Cancún airport cost about $90 for premier class or just under $60 for tourist class, for an international visitor. Tickets are 25 percent less for a Mexican national. With all the uncertainty and wanting to limit my chances of being stranded, I decided to book a premier ticket on the shortest leg I could — between Mérida and Valladolid — for about $50.

The station and boarding

With my ticket PDF on my phone, I caught a $15 Uber from central Mérida to the brand-new station in Teya, on the city’s outskirts. My Uber driver, Gabriel, mentioned that he was taking the train to visit family in Cancún in July. As I arrived at the station, it appeared that the majority of the users of the train were in fact Mexican families. The lack of international visitors riding has raised concerns, local media has reported.

Construction at the station was still ongoing. Crews were putting the finishing touches on everything from the landscaping to platforms, while the security screening machinery sat next to the boarding area, ready to be plugged in. The station is sparkling and airy, with a few little shops selling snacks, but there is no air conditioning, phone charging stations or WiFi.

With the departure approaching, an announcement in Spanish echoed through the station and we were ushered smoothly and efficiently onto one of the station’s six platforms, the only one that appeared to be operational at that point. There are no elevators in sight, but instead many stairs and escalators. Combined with a wide gap between the platform and the train, it’s safe to say that accessibility is not yet a consideration.

The departure time came and went, with no sign of the train, and I feared the train might not come. But then, 20 minutes later, the security officers fanned out across the platform and fixed their eyes into the distance where the train was winding into view.

The train journey

The train is divided into two classes: tourist and premier, which are distinguished mainly by the amount of elbow room. Premier compartments have three seats to a row, while the tourist compartments have four and more options for seats that can face one another, which is great for small groups. (A third, sleeper class, will eventually operate on the longer journeys.) The cars are immaculate, comfortable and quiet; the train operates so smoothly as to be almost unnoticeable when it moves.

The cars were outfitted with air conditioning and the seats have USB plugs for your devices; and the temperature is kept at a pleasant, cool level. There is WiFi, but it didn’t appear to work at a level sufficient to do much of anything.

After one or two stops, at semi-functioning stations near archaeological sites between Mérida and Valladolid, a cart rolled through the premier cabin with complimentary (but unappetizing) sandwiches. Luckily, other snack and drink options, including alcoholic drinks, were available in the bar car. A full menu of food options is expected to be offered later, but it wasn’t available yet. When I turned down the sandwich, I was instead offered a cup of fresh papaya, watermelon and pineapple, which I gladly accepted.

The atmosphere on the train was bordering on festive: Families took selfies as the train pulled away from its various stops, and those who had just disembarked waved to everyone aboard. The sense was that this train was opening up new possibilities for the region, much of which is served by poorly maintained roads, if there are any at all.

A friendly Pomeranian wandered the central aisle — a reminder that the train allows small dogs — as the train rolled past tiny villages and henequen plantations, and near enough to archaeological sites for quick access — but unfortunately not for a view.

Pulling into the station near the region’s best-known archaeological site and new Wonder of the World , Chichén Itzá, I felt like the kids locked in their Jurassic Park jeep, craning my neck to spot the attraction from the ride. There was no sign of the towering Kukulcan pyramid on the horizon, however, and I had to remind myself it’s not a theme park ride, it’s transit — intended to deliver you to the places where you can experience the region, not to be the experience itself.

The train glided into a station north of Valladolid just behind schedule, as the sun was about to dip below the horizon. A bus waited to whisk us downtown for about $2 a head, completing the short journey.

It was hard in retrospect to reconcile the comfort and confidence of the train experience itself with the labyrinthine process of booking — and the ecological destruction its construction has wrought. Sitting down on the train, I had the sense of having tumbled through the surf, certain I would drown, only to be deposited gently on a pristine shore with a drink in my hand.

If I were returning to the Yucatán Peninsula, I’d avoid incorporating the train into my plans for now. The booking system is too unreliable and support is too sparse for it to be a predictable or pleasant part of a vacation. I also have a nagging feeling that my uneventful, mostly on-time journey was something of an outlier.

But if I were to return sometime after the dust settles over the next few months — and I hope to — I’d gladly hop on another ride. When the booking system bugs and construction chaos are worked out, the Tren Maya feels destined to become a must-do for any traveler, foreign and domestic alike, eager to explore beyond the resorts of Cancún.

Jimmy Thomson is a journalist based on Vancouver Island.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

travel by train arizona

Sneak peek: Iconic Las Vegas hotel brand to open its 1st Arizona location. Here's where

travel by train arizona

A years-in-the-making hotel from an iconic Las Vegas brand is opening soon in Arizona.

Caesars Republic Scottsdale will make its debut on Tuesday, March 6, opening across from Scottsdale Fashion Square.

The 11-floor hotel has 265 guest rooms, 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space, two pools with cabanas, a rooftop bar and lounge overlooking Camelback Mountain and two restaurants from celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis,  her first in Arizona .

Bringing the Caesars Entertainment brand to Arizona was a matter of meeting customers where they are, said Richard Huffman, CEO of the Branson, Missouri-based HCW Development, which owns and manages Caesars Republic Scottsdale.

He said metro Phoenix residents are among the biggest customers of its Las Vegas resorts including its flagship Caesars Palace hotel and casino.

Here's what Caesars Republic guests can expect from the new hotel, and why a casino isn't one of them.

What's inside Caesars Republic Scottsdale guest rooms

The hotel has:

  • 159 one-king rooms.
  • 73 two-queen rooms.
  • Five penthouse suites.
  • 28 luxury suites. These include a bridal suite with mirrors, salon-style hair sinks and a champagne cabinet, plus wellness suites with Peloton bikes and yoga mats.

Each room has a view of the city and the surrounding landscape, including Camelback Mountain to the northwest and the McDowell Mountains to the northeast.

Rooms will have a bar equipped with wine glasses, martini shakers and drinks for purchase.

They also have voice-activated blackout shades, lights, TVs and room service, plus energy-efficient features like automated shade.

Caesars Republic Scottsdale's indoor, outdoor event spaces

Caesars Republic Scottsdale has 20,000 square feet of event space, including a column-free ballroom, five meeting rooms and an executive board room that seats up to 16.

There are also options for outdoor gatherings, including the seventh-floor pool deck and an eighth-floor veranda, which both integrate views of Camelback Mountain. Huffman said the veranda is an ideal spot for wedding ceremonies.

Between the event space and the bridal suite, Caesars Republic seeks to position itself as a must-stay hotel for weddings. He said 23 weddings are already booked.

Why there's no casino at Caesars Republic Scottsdale

One amenity you won't find at Caesars Republic Scottsdale is one that people commonly associate with the Caesars brand.

It's the first Caesars hotel without a casino.

Huffman said the reason is simple: Casinos are only legal in Arizona on tribal land.

The hotel does have a space for mobile sports betting on the seventh floor.

Caesars Republic and more: Biggest hotel openings and renos in Arizona in 2024

How much does it cost to stay at Caesars Republic Scottsdale?

Caesars Republic Scottsdale rates range from $379 to $1,300 per night through the spring. The highest rates were found on April 5 and 6, coinciding with the NCAA Final Four.

We found rates as low as $159 per night during the summer. Rates for the high season in the winter months start at $529 per night.

Huffman expects the hotel will attract a nationwide customer base, mostly affluent travelers in their 30s and up.

Why Caesars Republic chose Scottsdale for its 1st hotel

Caesars Republic is entering Scottsdale during a time when tourism is thriving there.

Scottsdale drew about 6 million overnight visitors (4.8 million domestic travelers and 1.2 million international travelers) in 2022, with domestic travel besting prepandemic levels, according to an October 2023 tourism study citing data from Longwoods International and Tourism Economics. Travelers had an economic impact of $3.2 billion through their local spending.

Recognition from TripAdvisor is making a difference, too. Scottsdale is one of two Arizona cities ranked among the most popular destinations for 2024 in the travel website's Travelers' Choice Awards.

Scottsdale Fashion Square is Scottsdale's most significant economic engine, a one-stop destination for shopping, dining and entertainment, said David Hyatt, Fashion Square's director of property.

What it lacked was a hotel, a void now filled.

"It was synonymous with helping people have everything they want at their fingertips," Hyatt said.

The customer demographics at Caesars' Las Vegas hotels informed the decision to open a Caesars property in Scottsdale. Huffman said Scottsdale was the No. 6 location where Caesars customers traveled from. (Los Angeles was No. 1.)

Having a Caesars hotel in Arizona will let customers earn more Caesars Rewards points, he said. Members of the rewards club can get perks such as free parking in Las Vegas .

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

Breaking News

Riding this train through California’s snowy mountains rules right now

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Crossing up and over the fabled Donner Pass in the northern Sierra Nevada and descending to Lake Tahoe is one of those essential rites of passage for Californians.

But forget doing it in a car. Now is the time to hop on board Amtrak’s long-distance California Zephyr and see the amazing snowpack from the comfort of the train’s observation car. A series of storms in the last few weeks have left California’s mountains with a lovely cloak of fresh powder.

The Zephyr goes all the way to Chicago over two days, but don’t be intimidated. I’m here to evangelize for this essential intra-California trip. I made the last-minute trip to Truckee from the East Bay after my wife and I realized we couldn’t all fit in her mom’s FJ Cruiser — our baby’s extensive gear and mom’s two dogs essentially claimed my seat. Taking two cars seemed like a waste.

No worries, for $62 I grabbed a coach seat on the next day’s train for the five-ish hour ride to Tahoe.

Map shows the route of Amtrak's California Zephyr from Emeryville through Truckee, north of Lake Tahoe.

The train departs daily from Emeryville in the East Bay at 9:10 a.m. though the next stop a few minutes later in Richmond has the added benefit of an adjoining BART station for the true transit sickos among us.

I dropped by bag at my assigned seat and made my way to the observation car with a couple snacks and coffee in hand. There are great views of the San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait but the real star of the show is the Sierra Nevada and you will have to wait for that.

Scenes from a ride on Amtrak's long-distance California Zephyr train trip through the northern Sierra Nevada.

Now is an important time to emphasize that the key to enjoying any Amtrak trip is cultivating a strong mental detachment from timeliness. The train will be late. Maybe a little, maybe a lot. Develop a discipline to forget all that. Leave behind whatever clock normally dominates you.

Kill time any way you can. Pack a nice meal, zone out with music, bring Uno if you are traveling with pals or want to make new friends.

Scenes from a ride on Amtrak's long-distance California Zephyr train trip through the northern Sierra Nevada.

But the best way to pass the time is the dining car. The staff opened up for lunch after we left Sacramento and I was quickly making small talk with three strangers about menu strategies. The cheeseburger with chips was solid as ever but the buttercake from Frank & Louie’s Italian Specialties in Delaware was new and it was mind-blowing. If you stay on the train long enough for dinner, the Amtrak Steak has never let me down.

As we ate, the Sierra Foothills started to appear out the window as we made our way up the mountains along a ridge. You can peer down into the amazing intricate forested canyons carved by the North Fork American River and its tributaries.

A 34 hour train ride from L.A. to Seattle on Amtrak's Coast Starlight

Travel & Experiences

34 hours on America’s most scenic train. Is it as dreamy as it sounds?

Perhaps you’ve come across this popular train on TikTok, where people rave about its gorgeous observation cars. Here’s what the ride in coach is really like.

Dec. 1, 2022

Now it was time to grab a seat at an observation car table and wait for the approaching snow. Somewhere between the historic gold rush towns of Auburn and Colfax you can start to see the bright, almost blinding white peaks of the Sierras jutting out from above the tree line as the train climbs. After these weeks of storms you start to understand why John Muir described this range as “so luminous, it seems to be not clothed with light, but wholly composed of it, like the wall of some celestial city.”

Scenes from a ride on Amtrak's long-distance California Zephyr train trip through the northern Sierra Nevada.

Slowly the scenery transforms as the snow cover spreads and deepens. Soon enough the train passed through two different ski resorts and vacationers greeted us by unleashing a barrage of snowballs on the observation car. The train goes through a few tunnels and amazing views of snow-covered ridges greet riders on the other side.

Donner Lake’s clear waters appear next below the train, you will want to have a seat on the left side of the train for this. The lake is down the hill and you can see the snow capped-hills reflected back.

Amtrack's California Zephyr: Emeryville to Truckee

Departure time: Every morning at 9:10 a.m. Ride length: 5 hours (but expect delays) Best side to sit on: Sit on the right then hop to the left to see Donner Lake Most scenic stretch: Colfax to Truckee Learn more: Amtrack’s California Zephyr

Downtown Truckee followed not that long after, a great place to stroll around and grab coffee. Public transportation can take you to the various ski resorts but I was lucky enough to grab a ride from a family friend already in town. The train isn’t for everyone but it’s a great way to take in the grandeur of California.

I always end up striking conversations with fellow passengers. Amtrak has a special way of attracting interesting oddballs from all over the country. Unlike air travel, most people are content with taking the scenic route at a deliberate pace. This ride I passed the time chatting with a teacher from Omaha and a fellow train enthusiast from Japan. He said Japan’s trains are definitely faster, but for the scenery, nothing beats America.

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travel by train arizona

Assistant editor Javier Panzar oversees California audience engagement for the Los Angeles Times’ California section. He previously worked as a digital editor on the News Desk. Before that, he was a reporter covering state and regional politics as well as breaking news in California. Panzar started at The Times as an intern and then a MetPro fellow in 2014. He was born and raised in Oakland. His reporting has appeared in the Boston Globe, the Seattle Times, the Orange County Register and UC Berkeley’s independent student newspaper, the Daily Californian.

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STOCKTON, CA - OCTOBER 14: Stockton Gurdwara was founded by the Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society in 1912, making it the oldest Sikh religious institution in the U.S. The gurdwara has played a major role in Sikh political movements since its founding, including the Ghadar Party, which was part of early 20th-century activism to gain colonial India independence from Britain. Today, posters and programming at the gurdwara focus on Khalistan, which is a movement to create an independent nation from the Indian state of Punjab. Worshippers arrive at Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple where a huge banner of Khalistan movement is displayed on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 in Stockton, CA. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

How a plane-train hybrid promised to change travel but failed spectacularly

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The aerotrain on a test track

It was meant to change the game completely. A hugely ambitious high speed rail network that would connect many of France ’s biggest cities, its bleeding edge technology would be the envy of the world.

It looked good on paper. Off the page? It was a disaster of rather hefty scale that was abandoned and left to rot.

China recently unveiled its ‘floating’ T-Flight train , which uses magnetic levitation (maglev) technology and is expected to reach speeds of 1,243mph – twice that of a Boeing 737 plane. But it’s not the first time engineers have tried to reinvent the train wheel.

The ‘Aérotrain’ was exciting as a concept. A hybrid method of public transport somewhere between a plane and a train, had the French government pulled it off there’s a very good chance the entire world would be using the technology today. But, alas, the project derailed. ‘Merde’ , as they say in the country where the Aérotrain was born (and died).

Early plans made the Aérotrain look fanciful. When lead engineer and designer Jean Bertin conceptualised the thing, it looked like something half-remembered from an old sci-fi comic.

It was, after all, a wheelless train that levitated off the track and was capable of speeds of up to 270 mph. A fanciful idea indeed.

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Yet Bertin knew it was entirely possible. The Burgundy-born inventor filed the patent in 1962, but had been working on the idea for five years before that.

The newly-invented Tracked Air Cushion Vehicle (TACV) would travel on a large air cushion fixed on top of a vast network of T-shaped concrete tracks. Propulsion would come courtesy of a massive aircraft engine.

Concept finalised and model prototypes built, all Bretin needed was someone to agree to let him build the hovertrain network at a cost of millions and millions (and millions) of Francs.

The abandoned aerotrain left to rot

His newly set up Société d’étude de l’Aérotrain went beret in hand to all the rail networks in France. Eventually, the DATAR group (The Inter-ministerial Delegation of Land Planning and Regional Attractiveness) gave him two million Francs to play with. It was enough to build a true prototype and test the concept fully. 

The team immediately set about creating Aérotrain 01, a half-scale model with a 260 horsepower aircraft motor. A test track was constructed in the suburbs of southern Paris and the model was soon able to achieve 125 mph.

By this point it was 1966. A year later, with further funding, a more aerodynamic prototype was constructed that achieved 260 mph on a four mile test track. The project then needed to be scaled up. Things were going incredibly well.

A model of the French Aerotrain project

More tests were carried out, refinements were made and everything looked set for the Aérotrain to change how French people travelled around their homeland. The new technology was ready to usher in a rail revolution. But then things started to go rather horribly wrong.

With an 11 mile track built just north of Orléans in the Centre-Val de Loire region in north-central France, Aérotrain was becoming a reality. Money had been spent and promises made.

However, The 1973 Oil Crisis came along and dreams of a high speed network of hovertrains propelled by giant gas-burning aircraft engines started to sound more like waking nightmares.

The aerotrain on a test track

In spite of this not inconsiderable setback, Aerotrain was awarded the contract in 1974 to construct lines connecting Paris’ La Defence business district to the newly established town of Cergy-Pontoise.

The next – killer – problem? New French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing saw no future in giant fuel-burning hovertrains and quickly cut funding, preferring to invest in a rival project, the TGV (France’s intercity high-speed rail service). 

TGV wasn’t as exciting, but – crucially – it was able to pivot its technology to being able to run on electricity. It was curtains for the Aérotrain. After some 25 years of work and untold millions spent on the project, it was officially cancelled in 1974.

A scaled-down version of the failed French Aerotrain project

Jean Bertin died the following year. The romantic might assume he did so out of a broken heart. While his heart may well have been broken, it was brain cancer that took him. He would never see his brainchild revolutionise public transport. He did, though, live long enough to see it turn into un grand éléphant blanc .

Thankfully, Bertin never had to watch his test tracks battered by the elements and begin to crumble, the giant – now useless – graffiti-tagged concrete beams blighting the otherwise picturesque Gallic landscape.

It’s not an entirely sad story, though. A version of Monsieur Bertin’s dream may still be realised yet. Recently, a firm named – ever-so-slightly childishly – ‘Spacetrain’ has declared intentions to bring the project back to life near where the former test track is situated. 

The aerotrain on a test track

Spacetrain was launched in 2017 and claims to be able to make use of the air cushion technology of the Aérotrain, only with its trains being powered by hydrogen fuel cells instead and able to run at an impressive 310 mph.

Here’s hoping that Spacetrain can do it for Jean and make the breakthrough that Aérotrain couldn’t quite manage. 

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On the Arizona Border, Even a Slow Day Is Busy

Illegal crossings have dropped in the last month, but the migrant crisis still defines life on the border, where many are skeptical that Biden or Trump can help.

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Helen Ramajo, wearing a fuzzy bear-eared hoody is dwarfed by a long, rust-colored barrier, with rolling hills in the background. Several yards behind her are two adults walking.

By Jack Healy

Reporting from Sasabe, Ariz.

Follow live updates on President Biden and Donald Trump’s border visits.

Helen Ramajo, 11 years old, reached the U.S.-Mexico border before the American presidents did.

As President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump prepared for the political stagecraft of dueling visits to two Texas border towns , Helen slipped through a gap in the wall in southern Arizona on Tuesday morning, her fuzzy bear-eared hoodie pulled up against the chill.

“A dream!” she said. She, her father and older sister left Guatemala a month ago, and they now trudged toward a makeshift camp with other tired, dehydrated migrants to wait beside the wall to surrender to U.S. immigration authorities.

Illegal crossings across the southern border have plummeted in the last month, but even a slow day means dozens of migrants arriving every few hours, a ritual that has come to define life in border towns and nearby cities. Migrant aid workers say they often see around 200 people a day crossing in this area of the border outside the tiny town of Sasabe, southwest of Tucson.

A visit from two presidential candidates seeking to persuade voters they can tackle the border crisis may check an election-year box. But in this corner of southern Arizona, which now has the most undocumented crossings of any stretch of the entire southern border, ranchers, aid workers and other residents who live and breathe the border crisis said the problem had become too intractable and complicated for any politician to tackle.

“I have no faith that it will ever be solved,” said Lori Lindsay, a cattle rancher whose Tres Bellotas ranch runs along a slice of the border wall.

The surge in illegal crossings has become a threat to Mr. Biden’s re-election hopes and a political attack line for Mr. Trump. There were 2.4 million migrant apprehensions along the southern border in the last fiscal year, the third record-breaking year in a row.

As dozens of migrants threaded their way along the border wall on Tuesday, several said they had not been deterred by renewed construction to fill in gaps along the 30-foot-tall border wall, or by the threat of tough new enforcement measures from Washington.

The camp on the Arizona side where Helen and her family waited has sprouted up on one corner of Ms. Lindsay’s ranch, built with tents and tarps supplied by local aid groups. Ms. Lindsay said that she worried about the campfires that migrants light to stay warm, but that she had never felt threatened by any of the arriving migrants as they changed their shoes and clothes, cooked bowls of ramen and waited to be picked up by Border Patrol.

Ms. Lindsay said that the reality of the humanitarian emergency unfolding outside her gates had been distorted by politicians who painted the border as a Mad Max war zone beset by cartels and drug smugglers.

“The further away from the border they are, the more in crisis they believe we are,” she said. “We’ve never one time had a gang member or cartel show up at our house, and we’re right here.”

Ms. Lindsay, who typically votes for Democrats, said she opposed the wall and did not blame Mr. Biden for the record numbers of undocumented migrants. But she said she had grown so disenchanted with Democrats on other issues that she would not vote for Mr. Biden in November.

Along the border, people’s responses to the swell of migrants often buck party identity.

Deeply conservative ranchers leave out water for people crossing illegally through the desert. Contractors building new sections of the border wall share their lunches with migrants. Left-leaning volunteers who dedicate themselves to helping migrants criticize Mr. Biden after he threatened to shut down asylum and toughened his rhetoric on border enforcement.

“He’s Trump without the noise,” Paul Nixon, a volunteer with Green Valley Samaritans, said. “Maybe it wasn’t realistic for us to have high hopes for the Biden administration. But for anyone who identifies as a humanitarian, it’s a disappointment.”

On Tuesday morning, Mr. Nixon and his wife made a two-hour trek over bumpy dirt roads to hand out water, apples and hard-boiled eggs to the migrants arriving outside Sasabe.

They groaned with disappointment when they reached the migrants’ temporary camp. There were shredded tarps, diapers and toilet paper scattered among the mesquite trees, empty food containers lying in the dirt and ditches dug into makeshift toilets.

“This is a catastrophe, it’s not sustainable,” Mr. Nixon said. “It makes me wonder why the federal government refuses to acknowledge this.”

As they gave out water, a truck rolled up carrying a Fox News crew and Art Del Cueto, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council and a leading critic of the Biden administration’s immigration policies. Mr. Del Cueto said that Mr. Biden’s planned trip to Brownsville, Texas, on Thursday was “too little, too late.”

“It’s political reasoning,” he said. “The elections are coming up. Now, the administration wants to do something. They should have been focusing on what’s happening from the start.”

Many Democrats and Republicans along the border said that they felt misunderstood and ignored by leaders in Washington. They brushed off Mr. Biden’s and Mr. Trump’s border pilgrimages as political theater — a pinhole glimpse into a global migration crisis fueled by poverty, war and climate disasters.

“They don’t know a damn thing about the border,” said Jaye Wells, the managing partner of the Rancho de la Osa dude ranch, outside Sasabe, where many guests have canceled their reservations out of worries about violence.

Mr. Wells, who describes himself as a “George Will Republican,” said that he disagreed with Mr. Trump’s rhetoric about migrant violence, but in the eight years since buying the ranch, he said he had gradually come around to supporting a border wall. Still, he said, he would never vote for Mr. Trump.

Richelle Valenzuela, who lives in a tiny rural community about 15 miles north of the border, said that more migrants were crossing her property and knocking on her door asking to charge their phones since Mr. Biden took office. She blamed the change on Mr. Biden’s efforts to undo some Trump-era immigration policies.

Ms. Valenzuela, who voted for Mr. Trump in 2020, said she likely would again. She said she felt less safe now that a nearby Border Patrol checkpoint sits unmanned and more agents are sent to process arriving migrants.

“I love the area, but it’s totally changed,” she said. “It’s a free-for-all.”

The frustration reaches beyond the border to Tucson, about 70 miles north of the border. Local governments and migrant-aid workers said they were about to run out of federal money to shelter and transport migrants once they are released by immigration processing centers.

Officials in Pima County say they spend $1 million a week to bus migrants from small rural towns to a central shelter in Tucson, where they receive food, shelter, medical care and help connecting with family. Some also get help buying tickets to reach their final destinations in New York, Chicago, Denver and other major cities that have been strained by the recent migrant surge.

County officials say the federal money will run out next month. They said they would likely have gotten more funds under a bipartisan immigration bill that Mr. Biden supported but Republicans killed. Now, local officials said they were expecting more migrants but no more assistance.

“They’re going to be released onto the streets,” said Diego Piña Lopez, the director of Casa Alitas, the main migrant shelter in Tucson, which receives about 900 to 1,200 migrants each day. “It’s not going to be a trickle. You broke the faucet completely off.”

Jack Healy is a Phoenix-based national correspondent who focuses on the fast-changing politics and climate of the Southwest. He has worked in Iraq and Afghanistan and is a graduate of the University of Missouri’s journalism school. More about Jack Healy

Our Coverage of the 2024 Presidential Election

News and Analysis

The centrist group No Labels said that it planned to nominate a presidential ticket, a move that, if it came to fruition, could  complicate the November election .

With Nikki Haley’s exit  from the Republican primary, the general election rematch  between President Biden and former President Donald Trump is set. It will be the contest  that many Americans had hoped to avoid .

Trump has easily defeated his Republican primary rivals. But his overwhelming victories have masked his long-term problems with suburban voters, moderates and independents .

TikTok or Not?: This campaign season, Biden’s efforts to energize young voters through social media are colliding head-on with security concerns related to TikTok . A White House party for influencers  was an example of how that tension is playing out.

Two Speeches:  Biden’s State of the Union address and Trump’s victory speech on Super Tuesday conjured diametrically opposed visions of America’s past, present and future .

Trump’s Man:  Trump’s selection of Michael Whatley to lead the R.N.C. sums up his vision for the new R.N.C . He wants it to share his obsession with the false idea that President Biden and Democrats stole the 2020 election from him and are working to do it again in 2024 .

Where Haley Won:  Nate Cohn, our chief political analyst, looks at the affluent and highly educated Republicans  who voted for Haley and could vote for Biden in the general election.

Strikes hobble German railways, airports as disputes mount

  • One in five long-distance trains running
  • Airport strikes in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Duesseldorf
  • Striking train driver says motivation high

Nationwide strike called by Germany's train drivers union GDL over wage increases, in Berlin

Reporting by Andi Kranz und Stéphane Nitschke in Cologne, Rachel More and Klaus Lauer in Berlin; Editing by Madeline Chambers, Gerry Doyle and Bernadette Baum

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The headquarters of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is seen in Washington, D.C.

Libyan leaders agree to form new unified government

Three key Libyan leaders said on Sunday they had agreed on the "necessity" of forming a new unified government that would supervise long-delayed elections.

Humanitarian aid leaves from the United States to Gaza

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  1. Scenic Train Rides In Arizona

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  2. Sedona Area Tours

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  3. Take Best Scenic Train Ride In Arizona: Open Air Verde Canyon RR

    travel by train arizona

  4. Scenic Train Rides In Arizona

    travel by train arizona

  5. Train Travel and Railway Experiences in Arizona

    travel by train arizona

  6. These Scenic Train Rides in Arizona Will Blow Your Mind

    travel by train arizona

VIDEO

  1. Train in Flagstaff

  2. Stack train passing flagstaff. Arizona depot in October 2023

COMMENTS

  1. 8 Scenic Train Rides in Arizona

    Daisy Mountain Railroad. Norm Lane/Getty Images. While the suburbs aren't usually the most scenic places in the country, the planners who designed the community park in Anthem, Arizona, did a ...

  2. Trains to Phoenix, AZ

    What is a good price for a train ticket to Phoenix? $60.00 is the cheapest price for a train ticket to Phoenix, according to recent searches on Wanderu. You can use our search to check if this price is currently available on trains from your city to Phoenix. In the last month, trains from Tucson to Phoenix had the lowest average price at $62.00.

  3. Amtrak Tickets, Schedules and Train Routes

    Limited-Time Offer: Earn 40,000 bonus points* with the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard®. Apply by 4/3/24. Book your Amtrak train and bus tickets today by choosing from over 30 U.S. train routes and 500 destinations in North America.

  4. Arizona Train Vacation Packages

    Our customers love our Arizona tours. Grand Canyon Railway Rails to the Rim Adventure - Los Angeles. 26 Feb 2024. VANESSA COLE. "Great adventure. Collected by Trustpilot. Winter Escape to the Grand Canyon - Chicago Round-trip. 10 Jan 2024. ALLYN RICCI.

  5. Amtrak to Arizona

    Amtrak to Arizona. Three Amtrak routes travel through Arizona, the scenic Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. Unless your starting station is on one of these routes, you'll have to ride more than one Amtrak train in order to reach the state. Common transfer points are Chicago, Los Angeles and New Orleans.

  6. Train Travel and Railway Experiences in Arizona

    Savor fresh air and panoramic views of the magnificent Verde Canyon from this scenic train's popular open-air cars. The Verde Canyon Railroad passes colorful and whimsical rock formations, sycamore and other riparian flora, ancient and pioneer ruins, and wildlife such as bald eagles. The leisurely four-hour roundtrip between Clarkdale (25 miles southwest of Sedona) and the Perkinsville ghost ...

  7. Arizona Scenic Train Rides (2024): A Complete Guide

    The information here pertains only to scenic train rides in Arizona related to vacation and tourism destinations. If you are interested in intercity/long distance rail travel please visit Amtrak's website. Grand Canyon Railway 2-8-0 #29 and 2-8-2 #4960 pose for photos on the night of October 1, 2005 at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon ...

  8. Sedona, AZ by Rail

    Take a scenic train ride to Sedona, AZ, and immerse yourself in the beauty of red rock country. Travel in comfort and style as you explore top attractions like the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Red Rock State Park, and local art galleries, surrounded by stunning views of the natural landscape.

  9. Train Travel to Phoenix, Arizona

    How to Contact Amtrak. Visit Amtrak online: www.amtrak.com. Call Amtrak: 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) Some people would rather travel by train than by airplane. In Europe, for example, train travel is more common than in the U.S. Service there is extensive and distances are often not prohibitive.

  10. Arizona Train Tickets

    4 train companies operate trains to and from Arizona. In total, the state has 14 destinations reachable by train. For in-state travel, Amtrak has the most coverage, with 11 routes connecting cities within Arizona.

  11. 9 Scenic Arizona Train Rides

    If you want to be whisked away on a magical journey into the Arizona countryside, here are nine unforgettable scenic train rides in Arizona. 1. Verde Canyon Railroad (Clarkdale) 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324, USA. Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad. A vintage train whisks riders away on a four-hour, 20-mile ride through the wilderness.

  12. 9 Scenic Train Trips To Take In Arizona

    Trains may be one of the least-used forms of long-distance travel, but the state's railroad adventures will definitely take vacationers' breaths away. Here are 9 scenic train trips to take in Arizona.

  13. Perfect Arizona Itinerary

    Here's my Arizona itinerary and guide to travelling Arizona by train. Amtrak: Travelling The US By Train. ... Visiting the Grand Canyon is a must when you travel through Arizona. The closest train station to the Grand Canyon is Flagstaff, although this little town is still an hour and a half away from the natural wonder. Fortunately, ...

  14. THE TOP 10 Arizona Rail Tours (UPDATED 2024)

    A: The best Rail Tours in Arizona according to Viator travelers are: Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure Package. Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad. Grand Canyon Railroad Excursion from Sedona. Grand Canyon Excursion from Sedona with First Class Train Ride. Ales on Rails at Verde Canyon Railroad.

  15. Take An Epic, Scenic Train Trip Through Arizona

    Taking the Sunset Limited will cost $42 one-way for a coach seat. The Sunset Limited leaves from New Orleans and Los Angeles three times per week. From New Orleans, the train leaves every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9: 00 a.m and leaves Los Angeles every Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 10:00 pm. The whole one-way trip costs around $142 at ...

  16. Grand Canyon Train

    Departing Daily from Williams, AZ. The train departs daily at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time (except during November/December when it leaves at 8:30 a.m.) and returns to Williams at 5:45 p.m. (except during November/December when it returns at 4:45 p.m.). Enjoy more than 3 hours at the canyon as the train drops you right in the Historic Village at the ...

  17. Amtrak Vacations®

    Simply select the resources you'd like to view and then start viewing your free resources instantly! Select My Free Resources. With Amtrak Vacations®, you can discover the most stunning destinations across the U.S. & Canada by rail! Browse train travel, Amtrak routes, and rail vacation packages.

  18. Amtrak Routes & Stations

    Amtrak Routes & Destinations. With more than 30 train routes throughout the United States, and some in Canada, Amtrak travels to over 500 destinations in 46 states, giving you the best views North America has to offer. Whether you want to visit big cities, small towns or places you can only see by rail, Amtrak can take you there.

  19. Plan Your Train Travel

    WHY AMTRAK Amtrak's unique travel experience for families, individuals and groups BEFORE YOU GO Tickets & fares, accessible travel service, security & ID requirements AT THE STATION Boarding information, station lounges, baggage & station services ONBOARD Seating & sleeping, baggage info, train amenities, food & dining

  20. Portland to Phoenix Train

    This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Portland to Phoenix, with the average price at just $202. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in July, when the average price goes up to $333. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

  21. This Is The Most Scenic Train Journey In Your State

    There's more than one spectacular canyon in Arizona, and you can ride a vintage train right down the spine of this one. Verde Canyon Railroad was built in 1912 to serve the area's copper mines ...

  22. US shares Mexico travel warning ahead of spring break

    The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for the country notes various warning levels for different states, ranging from Level 1 ("exercise normal precautions") through 4 ("do not travel").

  23. These Historic Rail Journeys From New York City Revive the Golden Age

    Traveling up the Hudson River in two restored vintage train cars, passengers are transported back in time to the 1940s and 50s, when movie stars and presidents boarded the train via red carpet.

  24. A guide to Mexico's Tren Maya, from train tickets to travel

    The new train opened its first section in December 2023 and was scheduled to be fully complete in February, but that's since been pushed to June. When finished, it will span about 970 miles and ...

  25. Sneak peek: Iconic Las Vegas hotel brand to open its 1st Arizona

    A years-in-the-making hotel from an iconic Las Vegas brand is opening soon in Arizona. Caesars Republic Scottsdale will make its debut on Tuesday, March 6, opening across from Scottsdale Fashion ...

  26. Los Angeles to Phoenix Train

    The average train journey from Los Angeles to Phoenix takes 12 hours and 2 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 8 hours and 45 minutes. Distance. 357 mi (574 km) Fastest train. 8h 45m.

  27. A glorious ride on Amtrak's California Zephyr in the winter

    The train departs daily from Emeryville in the East Bay at 9:10 a.m. though the next stop a few minutes later in Richmond has the added benefit of an adjoining BART station for the true transit ...

  28. This plane-train hybrid promised to change travel but failed

    How a plane-train hybrid promised to change travel but failed spectacularly. Steve Charnock Published Mar 9, 2024, 1:30pm.

  29. On the Arizona Border, Even a Slow Day Is Busy

    A visit from two presidential candidates seeking to persuade voters they can tackle the border crisis may check an election-year box. But in this corner of southern Arizona, which now has the most ...

  30. Strikes hobble German railways, airports as disputes mount

    COLOGNE, Germany, March 7 (Reuters) - Germany faced strikes on several fronts on Thursday, as train drivers and airport workers walked off the job, causing chaos for millions of travellers and ...