The MOST SCENIC TRAINS in North America (2025 Guide)

Watch this video to see the 5 Most Scenic Trains in North America. This video will give you everything you need to know to start planning your ultimate North American Rail Adventure!

We’ve been lucky enough to travel across North America by train many times on many different routes. Take advantage of the experiences we’ve had to find your perfect train trip across the USA. But don’t take our word for it, watch this ultimate rail trip video to decide for yourself!

We’ll even give you a sense for how much you’ll have to spend to experience each of these train trips across America.

For the top two Sleeper Trains, we’ll even give you luxury train alternatives to get the best scenery without having to sleep onboard. Those alternatives are both from Rocky Mountaineer. You may want to try out the First Passage to the West or Rockies to Red Rocks.

Looking for even more information about these amazing train trips? Here are links to longer videos about each train trip across America:

Amtrak Empire Builder

Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Via Rail Canadian

Rocky Mountaineer First Passage to the West

Amtrak California Zephyr

Rocky Mountaineer Rockies to Red Rocks

Looking for even more train videos? Here’s a whole playlist

0:00 Introduction
0:18 Amtrak Empire Builder
2:08 Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic
4:06 Amtrak Coast Starlight
5:25 Via Rail Canadian
7:31 Amtrak California Zephyr

[GreenerGrass]

Interested in booking these journeys? We’ve partnered with Railbookers to make it easy! RailBookers.com/GreenerGrass

[deborahsobel]

My favorite of your trips are those by train. If you truly want to see a country; this is the way.

[Utoobdewd]

Saturday morning
New Jeb Brooks video
My weekend is complete
And it didn’t even start yet!

[ipats]

I was on Amtrak from St. Paul to Milwaukee around March last year. I love that they had window facing seats. I just sat on one of those seats and enjoy the view all the way. Very very beautiful!

[stacydelgado]

Took the Zephyr two weeks ago in a bedroom. Epic. Bucket list item checked.

[NealCMH]

I rode the Agawa Canyon Tour Train in the 1970s. It is considered one of the most scenic trains in Canada, It is a round-trip excursion train that starts and ends in Sault Ste. Marie ON. It used to be part of a train that traveled from the Soo to Hearst ON. Unfortunately, that train has been discontinued. The tour train used to be available every day of the year. It is now limited to the months of September and October.

[brentshepard]

We just going to ignore the car upside down on the riverbank?😂

[mholtebeck]

Pro tip, go west on California Zephyr, especially in the summer. Trains slow down when it's hot, and you might miss the Rockies with a delay. West bound, the train gets to Denver in the morning, meaning you'll get the full Rockies. You might miss the Sierra, but that's only if it's really late. However, sunrise on salt flat is really pretty, and sunset in Reno is beautiful.

[IamValentina]

Empire builder is the best and I’ve taken every long distance train west of Chicago.

[helenemalenfant]

Hello from Canada 🇨🇦 Really enjoy all your videos, especially trains and ships. I’m always excited to get a notification that there is a new one. And love those bloopers!

[robrosier]

I've watched them all before and now I'm going back to watch them all again. I love your train trips. I live in Tasmania, Australia and we don't have passenger trains here, so I rely on you guys for the best advice for my next US trip. Thanks for another great

[ROLLMEAWAY]

I just finished a 10 day 7 train journey including 3 of the top 5! The Zephyr, Coast Starlight, and the Empire Builder. Granted, I’ll have to do the southern leg of the Starlight for it to fully count!

[ggreg]

I have ridden all except the Alaskan train, and I completely agree with you. Riding the train is the opportunity of a lifetime---if you are not dependant on arriving on time!!

[andreaschumacher]

Wonderful video. Makes so much fun to go by train.

[multanmangel]

Here is how I would have ranked them.
1. California Zephyr
2. Empire Builder
3. Coast Starlight
4. VIA Rail Connection
5. Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic

*Honorable Mention
Southwest Chief

I have not ridden on the last two, hence their rankings, but just seeing them makes me want to go. The Southwest Chief is a beautiful trip. When I went, they had a Native American tribal leader from Albuquerque to Flagstaff give a tour of the landscape. Thanks for the video.

[Deborah-st]

Hi Jeb, your train adventures look so exciting. I love the scenery in all the trains you and Susan went on

[ddelany]

We took the Zephyr back in 2005. Enjoyed the room/ensuite, meals, views!! Absolutely unforgettable. Thank you for your videos - so informative and beautiful.

[ScoutRiderBrian]

I have taken the California Zephyr from Denver to Salt Lake City in three seasons and has wonderful bites every time. I just need to take the trip in the winter at some point.

[scmcdermott]

Great video as always, Jeb! I did the Coast Starlight all the way from Los Angeles to Seattle a number of years ago and greatly enjoyed it. The Empire Builder and California Zephyr are also on my bucket list.

[gauravka]

I just want to mention for the zephyr, in December, for a private room, it is 2, 226USD! Sometimes, times of year can skyrocket these prices. I’m not saying their content is misleading, I’m just saying, the circumstances may have been a bit different and they are showing their experience, which I appreciate