The Hogwarts Express. The Polar Express. Thomas the Tank Engine. These fictional train rides often spark kids’ imaginations, inspiring dreams of train vacations. While real-life train trips won’t take you to a school of magic, Amtrak vacations and other scenic rail journeys across North America can be just as enchanting, providing a chance to enjoy panoramic views and savor meals without the stress of driving. Here are my picks for this year’s top family-friendly train vacations in the U.S. and Canada.
INTERNATIONAL RAIL VACATIONS: 8 scenic train trips around the world for families
1. Rocky Mountaineer First Passage to the West
The Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West is a perfect vacation for families with teens, tweens, or multigenerational groups. This luxurious two-day train journey travels between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Banff, Alberta, crossing the Continental Divide. Along the scenic route, you’ll marvel at dramatic canyons, mountain passes, and the iconic Spiral Tunnels. This is the only passenger train vacation service along the historic rail route that first connected Canada’s East and West.
2. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad offers multiple routes through the Smokies. The Tuckasegee River Excursion travels 16 miles from Bryson City to Dillsboro, North Carolina, passing lush valleys and filming locations from The Fugitive. The Nantahala Gorge Excursion features a 22-mile route along the Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers, crossing Fontana Lake into the gorge. Enhance your trip with add-on adventure packages, including whitewater rafting, zip line tours, and mountain hikes.
3. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is a breathtaking 351-mile journey along Southern California’s coastline, showcasing ocean views, beaches, mountains, and vineyards. Starting in San Diego, the train travels north to San Luis Obispo, taking in nearly two dozen towns along the way. Passengers can hop off in Anaheim for Disneyland or explore Hollywood’s glamour in Los Angeles. The final stretch features historic missions between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
4. Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express
Known for its spectacular fall foliage, Amtrak’s Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express travels from New York City’s Penn Station through the Hudson River Valley to Burlington, Vermont. Notable stops include Croton-Harmon, close to the Halloween haven of Sleepy Hollow; Saratoga Springs, home of the oldest horse racing track in the country; and Rutland, Vermont, with access to Killington and Pico Mountain for skiing or hiking Vermont’s Long Trail.
5. Grand Canyon Railway
The Grand Canyon Railway has been transporting passengers from Williams, Arizona, to the South Rim since 1901. After boarding at the historic Williams Depot, you’ll arrive near the iconic El Tovar Hotel just steps from the canyon’s edge. Along the 65-mile journey, you can take in the area’s high desert plains and ponderosa pine forests, watch a Wild West shootout, and enjoy lively onboard entertainment. The round-trip journey takes about eight hours, including a four-hour stopover at the South Rim, with options for overnight stays before returning to Williams.
6. Rocky Mountaineer Rockies to the Red Rocks
The Rockies to the Red Rocks is a two-day train journey between Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, with an overnight in Glenwood Springs, known for its hot springs and outdoor recreation. Travel alongside the Colorado River to enjoy a variety of scenery, including mountain vistas, desert cliffs, and rock formations. The rail line’s SilverLeaf service features panoramic glass dome cars, local cuisine, and storytelling. Vacation packages can also include stops in Salt Lake City or Las Vegas.
7. Amtrak’s Auto Train
Skip the rental car with Amtrak’s Auto Train, which will transport your family and vehicle nearly 900 miles from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida, close to Disney World and Universal Orlando. The 17-hour overnight journey offers bi-level Superliner Sleeping Cars, including family bedrooms for two adults and two kids. Private room bookings include complimentary dinner and breakfast, making the journey comfortable, convenient, and relatively stress-free.
8. Amtrak’s California Zephyr
One of the premier overnight train journeys in the U.S., Amtrak’s California Zephyr is an epic 2,400-mile journey between Chicago and Emeryville, California, near San Francisco, spanning three days and two nights (although you can board at any of 30 stations along the route). This Amtrak vacation passes through stunning landscapes, including Colorado’s Gore, Byers, and Glenwood Canyons; and offers breathtaking views of America’s heartland. Private room travelers enjoy complimentary meals in the formal dining car.
9. Alaska Railroad
The Alaska Railroad spans nearly 500 miles from Seward to Fairbanks, showcasing stunning scenery and wildlife year-round. Passengers can choose between Adventure Class and Gold Star Dome service. Both offer panoramic windows, but Gold Star includes glass dome ceilings, an outdoor viewing platform, meals, and beverages. An onboard guide highlights the history, landscapes, and wildlife along the route, making this an unforgettable way to explore Alaska’s natural wonders.
10. The Canadian VIA Rail
Cross Canada’s vast landscape on The Canadian, the transcontinental railway operated by VIA Rail connecting Toronto with Vancouver. The end-to-end train trip lasts nearly four days total. VIA Rail’s Prestige class service offers a large sleeper cabin, private bathroom with shower, and lavish meals in the dining car. Not up for the Prestige splurge? Train vacations with the Sleeper Plus class experience also offer a private cabin and dining car access.
11. White Pass and Yukon Route
The White Pass and Yukon Route, built during Alaska’s 1898 Yukon Gold Rush, climbs 3,000 feet over 20 miles of breathtaking scenery. Departing from Skagway, this historic narrow-gauge railroad offers excursions like the 40-mile White Pass Summit route, showcasing glaciers, waterfalls, and landmarks such as Bridal Veil Falls and Dead Horse Gulch. For a longer adventure, journey to Carcross, Yukon Territory, on a thrilling 120-mile round trip (passport required) complete with guides sharing history and wildlife sightings.
