Stunning Issues About Train Journey, From Frequent Amtrak Traveler

From taking a bullet prepare in Japan to backpacking round Europe, I’ve visited 43 nations to date, and I attempt to journey by rail every time potential.

However, after I reviewed the states I’ve visited within the US over time, I discovered that I nearly all the time flew to get from level A to level B, bypassing a lot of the nation within the course of.

So, I lately determined to give attention to flight-free journey with a view to see as many states as I may from the bottom.

Amtrak has been the right means for me to try this. In simply three months, I’ve traveled greater than 4,500 miles, crossing via two nations and 17 US states, in addition to Washington, DC.

Here are some things which have shocked me most concerning the rides.

There are not any center seats on Amtrak trains

One of the primary attracts of Amtrak is that passengers won’t ever get caught with a dreaded center seat. Instead, all of the seats in coach are organized in pairs.

This is particularly nice when the route is much less crowded and I’m capable of have an entire row to myself.

I really get pleasure from sitting subsequent to strangers

Although it is good after I get a row to myself, I’ve actually loved sitting with strangers as nicely. In reality, I’ve by no means booked one in every of Amtrak’s personal cabins, partly as a result of I benefit from the serendipity of getting to fulfill different passengers.

It could seem as if being in shut proximity to an entire stranger can be uncomfortable, however I’ve gotten fortunate and have by no means had main points.

Typically, my seatmate and I begin the journey formally, however by the top, we’re swapping meals and tales.

Train journey offers me a glimpse into life in several components of the nation

One of my favourite components about prepare journey is passing via so many distinctive areas of the nation.

Out the window of the prepare, I’ve seen hazy sunsets and sunrises, steep mountain peaks, and lakeside cities. I’ve additionally caught glimpses of on a regular basis life — households out strolling their canines, mates sitting at a beer backyard close to the tracks, and youngsters holding their moms’ palms whereas waving frantically on the passing prepare.

It’s is a good way to see what life is like in different components of the US, a few of which I’ve added to my very own journey bucket record.

To preserve observe of all of them, I create a Google map earlier than boarding that lists all of the stations I’ll be passing via. This permits me to visualise the route and add notes alongside the best way. If I see a cute railroad city or a reasonably view I’d prefer to discover, I add a brand new pin to my map.

Amtrak has a joint partnership with the National Park Service

Sometimes, my prepare route coincides with the Trails and Rails program, a joint partnership between Amtrak and the National Park Service.

On these journeys, a volunteer from the National Park Service will board the prepare and share tales and details about the parks as you move via them.

During a latest trip from Washington, DC, to Chicago, we had been handled to views of New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. The volunteer informed us concerning the park and different notable locations we handed via, and got here via the prepare automobiles to reply questions.

She additionally informed us tales about rising up in West Virginia, which made the trip further particular. To me, it is not simply the surroundings, however the tales that make sluggish journey further particular.

Each prepare station provides a singular expertise

Something that is struck me on my travels is how distinctive every prepare station is. For instance, at Moynihan Train Hall in New York, I used to be impressed by the large skylights casting shadows and patterns on the ground under.

Contrast that with Newark Penn Station in New Jersey, the place the Art Deco particulars of the ready corridor draw your eye as much as globe chandeliers within the ceiling and the intricate metallic work across the doorway. Visiting looks like stepping again in time.

But irrespective of which station I’m in — or which prepare I’m on — touring with Amtrak has been a good way to see extra of my very own nation.

This story was initially revealed on October 9, 2025, and most lately up to date on August 25, 2026.