Amtrak Bucket List Routes

Today we are sharing our Amtrak bucket list routes. These are not only some of our favorites but also popular routes overall. We'll talk about the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder. We'll take some time to talk about train travel (Amtrak) in the USA. USA train travel is very popular and was made fun and easy with Amtrak. You can add this to your list for Amtrak Vacations.

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[paulsmith]

The CZ is a great train ride. I have taken it three times between Denver and Emeryville. The best ride, in many respects, was during the winter. The snow scenes are spectacular. Moreover, since the winter is an off season, the fares are considerably lower than during the summer.

[catylynch]

A friend says that he doesn't believe in Mt. Rainier, because every time he has been to Seattle, the locals will point and say: "If the weather were clear, you'd see Mt. Rainier right over there." He says he doesn't think that even THEY have ever seen it.
He's wrong. I've seen it on 2 trips. ; )
I love the Coast Starlight. I take it from Emeryville to Seattle.

[nachmanlebel]

The sunset from LA to New Orleans is the fourth most scenic route

[rickp]

Nice review of your bucket list routes. I'd add the Southwest Chief with the great scenery of the plains, southern Colorado, all of New Mexico scenery and eastern Arizona whether late afternoon(westbound) or early morning (eastbound) The Capitol Limited, LakeShore Limited and Cardinal are definitely on my list. Big bucket or multiple buckets, these are all scenic, enjoyable rides

[denniswitz]

I've been on all three - my choices would be the California Zephyr first, then Coast Starlight & then, the Empire Builder! Just personal preferences - all three are fantastic! Did them in roomettes. Wonderful! Thanks for your videos!

[phillipmonroy]

Thank you for the video! Planning to take a trip soon on your suggestions.

[emarm]

I loved the Empire Builder. Highly recommend it.

[wendellcoleman]

I'd like to offer a suggested replacement for the Empire Builder, or at least as a #4, and it's another route that most people don't think about. It's the Auto Train, that runs from Lofton, Va., just south of Washington D.C. to Sanford, Florida (just north of Orlando). The route takes you through miles of picturesque pine tree forest and colorful rivers (including the famous Potomac )and streams pouring off the eastern slopes of the Appalachians, through Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and Florida. And the topper may be a "guy thing" but being able to watch the way- cool process of loading the cars into the special auto carriers from the comfort of the station's lounge area and watching how the switch engines manipulate the various car classifications (Sleeper cars, coach cars, observation/dining cars and the auto carriers themselves), that constitute the longest passenger trains in the U.S. (if not the world), at roughly 3/4 of a mile! It really was fascinating if you're really into trains!

[conductor]

I've been on all three trains multiple times and in both directions. The California Zephyr I feel offers the best scenery which the timing is set for daylight hours. That's why the trip is the longest.
One thing I miss on the Coast Starlight these days is the Pacific Parlor Cars (first class sightseeing lounges for sleeper car passengers). Up graded seating and amenities including a movie theater on the lower level. They've been gone now for three plus years.
I'm guessing you just traveled. Something missing these days for sleeper class on the Empire Builder and Starlight was a day two wine and cheese tasting and trivia. You could win a bottle of wine and then you could that is if you wanted share with you're table mates at dinner.
Also don't if they are doing it during the pandemic is the Rails to Trails program where volunteers board the trains and talk about the area going through at the time.

[TheSantaferailway]

Don't forget the Southwest Chief, route of the old Super Chief!

[catylynch]

(Feb. 2, 2021) The Senate just confirmed Pete Buttigiege as Secretary of Transportation. The new Secretary has described himself as the "2nd biggest Amtrak enthusiast ... after President Biden."
I would think that this bodes very well for Amtrak!

[spliceoncharlie]

Thank you for your videos. Really wanting to try some rail vacations. Not so much a destination but to ride the train a long distance. My bucket list is to do the whole USA and Canada in segments not all at one time. I would like to go NY to FL to CA to WA back to NY and then, up into Canada and run border to border east to west back to the east. I would circle the USA and run the length of Canada. Also would like to run the New Orleans to Chicago and then Chicago to San Diego. If I were rich, I could buy my own railcar and just pay the big bucks to have Amtrak tow me around in my private railcar.

[EqualOpportunityDestoroya]

I live in the Twin Cities and I plan on doing all three this Spring

[secondhandchokeify]

I love all your videos and want to plan the S F to Chicago and on the same trip Chicago to Seattle. My question is what would be the best time of year to do this? Please keep up your shows

[PinkiandCamslife]

Just WOW.... I need to start train travels

[Arturo-smtb]

Maybe the Hiawatha in the future. HOPEFULLY.

[andrewelie]

Have you taken any of these trips more than once, but at different times of the year? If yes, did you find the journey to be just as nice, or, would you not advise it?

I would like to travel off-season in either November or March. The cost is lower; the crowds are fewer.

[ronaldbose]

A quick superimposed map would be helpful for each route.

[GlaciaGalaxy]

Me and my mom actually wanted to ride the empire builder all the way, we rode it a little ways to minnesota, and we had discussed just taking a train trip all the way at one point, we never got to do it tho.

[magicreign]

Hi, since my family and I have decided to travel by train for next trip I looked up some videos and I found your Channel. I was wondering when you're traveling long distances are there microwaves available for people to use if they did bring their own food? Thanks for the video's I found them enjoyable and informative.