The MOST SCENIC TRAINS in North America (2025 Guide)

Some of the most breathtaking views in North America can only be seen from a train. But which routes are the best? Join us as we reveal the most scenic train trips in North America. Hello Jet Setters. I'm Jeb Brooks from GreenerGrass.com. These are the top five best trains in North America. All aboard. You're coming along. Kicking things off at number five is Amtrak's Empire Builder, which runs from either Seattle, Washington or Portland, Oregon all the way to Chicago. The route covers about 2,250 miles over 46 hours, meaning you'll spend two nights on board. Departing Seattle's King Street station in the evening, we had a quick dinner on board the train and then went right to bed. Unfortunately, we slept through most of the Pacific Northwest scenery, including the Cascade Mountains. However, we woke up in the morning to a winter wonderland in Northern Idaho. Truly, these are some of the most amazing views we've seen from any train. And it was all up to our bad luck. You see, our departure from Seattle was five hours delayed, which meant we got to see this incredible scenery, which ordinarily is shrouded in darkness on this route. And that's a reminder that if you're looking to arrive in a timely fashion, travel by train, at least here in North America, may not be your best bet. But these trips aren't about the arrival, but the amazing scenery you're going to catch along the way. Later that day, you'll pass through Glacier National Park in Montana, a worthy stopover for sure. On a previous summer trip on the Empire Builder, we got out here and spent a few magical days in the park. But as we continue heading east, you'll pass through stunning mountain scenery. Soon, you'll be experiencing the wide open spaces of Montana, and understand why it gets the name Big Sky Country. We'd never been to North Dakota before this trip, but something as simple as sitting waiting for a freight train to pass gave us the opportunity to enjoy the waves of grain dancing before our eyes. Finally, before heading into Chicago, you'll hug the Mississippi River, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for our nation's mascot, the bald eagle. Fares on the Empire Builder start at $107 for a coach seat, or $620 for private rooms one way from Chicago to Seattle. Up next is Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic. This route totally surprised us. It's a hidden gem in North America. It runs between Anchorage and Seward, Alaska, covering 114 miles in only 4 and a half hours. This trip may be short, but it backs a punch. These could be the four most jam-packed hours of scenery in North America. The train makes an early departure out of Anchorage, and immediately you're experiencing dramatic coastal scenery. You may even see wildlife, like these doll sheep, high in the mountains. Soon, you're deep in the Alaska backcountry, traversing mountain passes only accessible by train. These are views you won't get from any road. Then, you'll be hugging the Kenai Lake and marveling at the reflections of the mountains in the brilliant blue water. All too soon, though, you're approaching Seward. But don't worry. There's so many more adventures to have here. Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, or maybe even the place where you're starting your Alaska cruise. This train is a great starting point if you're not quite ready to make the leap into sleeper trains. You can do this route round-trip from Anchorage in just one day. Along the way, with a Gold Star ticket, you'll eat breakfast in the dining car and enjoy hot coffee and beverages from the onboard bar. Fares in the Coastal Classics start at $124 one way from Anchorage to Seward in Adventure Class, or $253 in Gold Star. Before we get to number three, you may be wondering what time of year is best to take these trips, or which direction. But the truth is, you can't go wrong no matter what, and it'll be a unique journey regardless of when and how you do it. In general, the longer days of summer provide more daylight for sightseeing. However, you'll usually find trains to be more crowded and prices to be much higher in the summer. As we saw in the Empire Builder, winter can provide some amazing snowy scenery during those limited daylight hours, so it's really up to you and your schedule and budget. But for now, let's get on to train number three, the epic Amtrak Coast Starlight. Running from Los Angeles, California to Seattle, Washington, the full route covers nearly 1,400 miles over 34 hours, meaning you'll spend one night on the train. This route proves once and for all, the West Coast really is the best coast. You'll put the urban jungle of LA in your rear view mirror and hug the famous California coastline for nearly three hours of palm tree paradise. You won't believe how close to the Pacific this train gets. Before too long, it's time for lunch in the dining car. Amtrak's burger tastes amazing with views like these. Once you leave the coastline behind, there's still plenty more in store. You'll pass through arid Central California before going to sleep in the Bay Area. You'll wake up the following morning to coffee in Northern California before exploring the lush green forests of Oregon. Fares on the Coast Starlight start at $102 for a coach seat or $506 for private rooms one way from Los Angeles to Seattle. We're almost to the coveted top spots, but first, if you'd like to see more from any of these trips, we'll link to complete reviews of each one in the description below. We've been lucky enough to try every one of these trains at least once and have complete videos to show you even more details. Our second place train is Via Rail's Canadian, undoubtedly one of the most legendary trains in the world. This route runs across Canada from Toronto to Vancouver, covering a whopping 2,800 miles over 97 hours. That's four days and four nights, making it the longest train route in North America. You'll leave Toronto behind on this train journey marathon to quickly get into Ontario's lakes and forests. Along the way, you'll be well-fed in the dining car and enjoy a selection of Canadian wines. The next day, you'll find yourself among the rolling prairies of Manitoba, but there's also a full schedule of activities to keep you busy. This route is definitely a marathon, but it's impossible to be bored. The journey builds to the main event. That's the entry into the Canadian Rockies. It's an early morning on day four of the trip as you enjoy sunrise, right next to crystal-clear lakes and snow-capped peaks. You're in for non-stop scenery on this last day. A definite highlight is hugging the beautiful Moose Lake. You'll even see waterfalls and wildlife. You literally won't want to close your eyes even for a minute. And it's not even over yet. After dinner, you'll end your day enjoying golden hour along the Kamloops Lake, another true highlight of the route as you pass through tunnels. We even enjoyed one final sunset on this epic journey. If you're looking to see some of the main highlights of this route without needing to sleep on the train, you might want to check out Rocky Mountaineers' First Passage to the West. This is a luxury sightseeing train that operates only during the daytime. You'll spend one night in a hotel along the way. And the route packs in some of the best scenery of the Canadian in a luxurious way. Think three-course meals and even wine and cheese pairings. You'll have comfy seats and amazing panoramic windows. There's even an outdoor viewing platform. And since it's a daytime train, you won't miss any of these sights. This luxury trip costs $1,700 for silver leaf service or $2,300 for gold leaf. But you can travel on the Canadian for $514 in an economy seat or $1,996 in a solo cabin. And finally, the number one best train in all of North America is Amtrak's world famous California Zephyr. This train links Emeryville just outside San Francisco with Chicago over nearly 2,500 miles in more than 51 hours. It's a truly epic rail journey across the American West, showcasing some of the most remarkable scenery anywhere in the world. Heading east, you'll spend some time passing through the sprawling Bay Area before climbing into the Sierras. You'll marvel at the lush forests, lakes, and even snowy mountains. And there's no better place to take it all in than from the Sightseer Lounge. You can even head downstairs to the cafe for a snack to enjoy while watching the world go by. The next day, as you wake up in Utah, snowy mountain scenery quickly turns into unique southwest canyons, including Ruby Canyon, accessible only by train. Then, you'll be climbing into the Rockies before arriving into Denver just as the sun goes down. The last day, you'll head to the Midwest, passing Nebraska, Iowa, and then heading to Illinois where you're greeted by the Chicago skyline in the early afternoon. And just like our number two train, there's a luxury option for this route, too. You can book a trip on the Rocky Mountaineers' Rockies to Red Rocks route to see the highlights between Denver and Moab in Utah. It only operates during the day, so again, you don't miss anything along the way. Plus, you'll be wined, dined, and entertained with a running commentary the whole way. You can book the Rockies to Red Rocks trip for $1,725 in Silverleaf or $2,325 in Silverleaf Plus. Meanwhile, fares on the California Zephyr start at $100 for a coach seat or $629 for private rooms one way from Chicago to Emeryville. And there you have it. The top five trains in North America, but what did we miss? Leave a comment below with your favorite North American train, and between now and the next time, see you on the rails!