Train Travel in the USA in 2027: Routes and Prices

In 2027, America’s railways celebrate their 200th anniversary. Discover the most scenic routes, historic trains, sleeper cars, and ticket prices

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Americans like to joke that their country was built for cars. Yet the story of travel here began on rails, and in 2027 it gets a big anniversary. That is when rail travel in the USA takes on special meaning: museums are opening new halls, heritage railways are preparing special runs, and modern trains are appearing on the lines, Euronews reports.

The US rail network is noticeably smaller than Europe’s, and the train is rarely the fastest way to get from point A to point B. But it lets you see canyons, mountains and plains through the window rather than from the shoulder of a highway. Below, we cover routes, heritage trains, unusual places to stay overnight and approximate prices.

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200 Years of American Railroads: What Is Being Celebrated in 2027?

The starting point is February 28, 1827. On that day the Baltimore & Ohio company was chartered in Maryland, the first common-carrier railroad in North America, meant to carry both freight and passengers. The first passenger trains followed a little later, in 1830, so the anniversary counts from the birth of the railroad itself, not from the first ticket sold.

The main hub of the celebrations is Baltimore. The local railroad museum is now called the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation. It is expanding its campus (the project is estimated at $38 million), will open an Innovation Hall in time for the anniversary and, for the first time, give visitors access to its own archive. Events across the country are collected on AmericanRail200.org, where you can look up exhibitions, special runs and local festivals.

There are smaller but colorful events too. Branchville, South Carolina, hosts the Raylrode Daze festival, which has run since 1969. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg will open a new depot in 2027 that will house six historic steam locomotives. And Maryland suggests combining museum visits with scenic train rides.

Also read: the 7 most beautiful railway stations in the world.

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Scenic Train Routes in the USA: From Denver to California

Canyon Spirit: Canyons by Daylight

This is not Amtrak but a private, comfortable train. Until 2026 it operated in the US under the Rocky Mountaineer brand. Canyon Spirit runs only in daylight, so not a single hour of scenery is wasted: passengers watch canyons, mountain passes and red rocks go by, then spend the nights in hotels along the way. The classic two-day Denver–Moab run has been joined since 2026 by a three-day Denver–Salt Lake City service with overnight stops in Glenwood Springs and Moab. The 2027 season runs roughly from early April to mid-November.

According to a tour operator, a three-day package with two hotel nights costs from $2,727 per person in 2027, up from $2,123 at the start of 2026. For those who want more, there is the five-night Mighty 5 Explorer package, which combines the train ride with tours of Utah’s national parks.

Long-Distance Amtrak Lines

A more classic way to travel is on Amtrak’s long-distance trains. A few of them are worth giving a couple of days to:

- Southwest Chief: Chicago–Los Angeles, about 43 hours. It passes through Kansas City, Albuquerque and Flagstaff, at times following the corridor associated with the legendary Route 66. The Grand Canyon is more than 100 km (over 60 miles) from Flagstaff, so it is a separate excursion rather than a view from the window.

- California Zephyr: Chicago–Emeryville, about 51 hours, via Denver, Salt Lake City, the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. The bus from Emeryville station to San Francisco is included in the ticket price.

- Empire Builder: Chicago–Seattle or Portland, about 46 hours, taking the northern route past Glacier National Park.

- Coast Starlight: Los Angeles–Seattle, about 35 hours along the Pacific coast.

10 routes across Europe where the train saves you time and money: see the link.

What’s New on Amtrak Routes: Airo and Mardi Gras

The new Amtrak Airo trains are already carrying passengers: since September 30, 2026 they have been running on the Cascades line connecting Vancouver, Seattle, Portland and Eugene. At launch there were only two trainsets making four trips a day, with more to be added through early 2027. On the Northeast Corridor, Airo is expected in late 2027.

On the Gulf Coast, Mardi Gras Service has been running again since August 18, 2025: two trips a day between New Orleans and Mobile, with a journey time of about three hours. It is the first passenger service here since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In its first year it recorded 150,000 trips, and, according to Visit Mobile, the average ticket over the first six months cost about $34. So if you came to New Orleans for the jazz and the food, you can be in Mobile three hours later and see the less touristy towns along the coast.

Heritage Trains: Steam Locomotives, Narrow Gauge and Autumn Views

The narrow-gauge Durango & Silverton line in Colorado winds through the San Juan Mountains along the Animas River. The one-way trip (about 72 km, or 45 miles) takes around three and a half hours, and with a two-hour stop in the mining town of Silverton the whole outing lasts about nine hours. The line used to haul silver ore; now it carries tourists. In 2026 a standard coach seat cost about $118 for an adult, and the higher class up to $161. The 2026 season ran from early May to late October, so check the 2027 timetable separately.

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad crosses the border between Colorado and New Mexico and is counted among the highest and longest steam railroads in the country: the line climbs to more than 10,000 feet (over 3,000 m) above sea level. Pennsylvania has the Strasburg Rail Road, and in West Virginia the Cass Scenic Railroad takes passengers into the Appalachians on tracks that once served the logging industry. If you are after fall color, the Finger Lakes Rail Experience in New York State is a good fit: in October the views there turn red and orange.

New Mexico’s Sky Railway deserves a mention too, running themed trips from Lamy and Santa Fe: stargazing, murder mysteries, live jazz, margarita tastings. Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin was involved in reviving this railroad.

The 5 most beautiful train routes in Europe according to Travel and Leisure: here.

Museums and Stations Worth Adding to Your Route

Stations in the US are often more interesting than the trains. Denver Union Station is worth a stop in its own right, and in Omaha the Durham Museum is housed in an Art Deco station from 1931. You can step into restored passenger cars from the 1940s and buy a malted milkshake at a working soda fountain from the same era. Tours of Los Angeles Union Station cover its architecture, history and art. Other stations recommended for a visit include Union Station in Kansas City and Union Terminal in Cincinnati.

Where to Sleep: Hotels in Train Cars and Railway Stations

You don’t even have to leave the station for the night.

- At Denver Union Station is the Crawford Hotel, whose rooms are styled after Pullman sleeping cars.

- In Chattanooga, Tennessee, Chalet at The Choo Choo offers rooms in restored Pullman cars, and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum next door runs rides on historic trains.

- In Salt Lake City the Asher Adams hotel occupies a former Union Pacific depot, and in Minneapolis the Renaissance Minneapolis, The Depot keeps its railway heritage alive.

Nightly rates depend on the season, so check current prices on the hotels’ websites.

How Much Does a Train Trip Across the USA Cost in 2027?

The range is wide, from a few dozen dollars to several thousand, depending on the type of train. The figures are current as of October 2026, and 2027 fares may change:

- Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass: $499 for 10 coach rides within 30 days, valid for 120 days from purchase. A connection uses up two segments. Sales come up now and then: in January 2026 the pass sold for $250.

- Canyon Spirit: from $2,727 per person for three days with two hotel nights.

- Durango & Silverton: about $118 for a standard coach seat (2026 prices).

- Mardi Gras Service: about $34 per ticket on average.

One caveat: the Amtrak pass is not valid in business class, in private rooms or on the Acela. Canyon Spirit and the heritage railways are not covered by it at all, since they are separate operators.

We previously explained how rail tickets work in Europe: how the Global Pass and One Country Pass differ, what they cost and when you need to book a seat separately.

How to Plan Your Trip: Season, Booking and Time to Spare

Pick the season to fit the route. Canyon Spirit runs roughly from April to November, Colorado’s heritage lines run from May into the fall, and for fall foliage it is best to head to the Northeast in September or October. Popular packages sell out early: Canyon Spirit reported that its guest numbers almost doubled in 2026, so it is best to book well ahead for 2027. On long-distance lines, build slack into your schedule, since delays are not unusual. And for routes like Chicago–Los Angeles, it is better to plan connections and overnight stops in advance so you aren’t hunting for a hotel in the evening.

A rail trip across the United States consists of many links: long hauls, connections, hotel nights, excursions on historic steam trains. Depending on its terms, a policy can cover trip cancellation or delay, emergency medical care, lost or stolen luggage and emergency evacuation. In a country where medical care is expensive, this is not a formality but protection for your savings. Read the terms and coverage carefully before you buy, then get your insurance from Visit World.

A reminder: a comfortable climate without heat or frost is possible not only in summer. We have already covered 7 countries where the weather stays mild all year round.

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