Best Luxury Train Travel In USA West Coast- The western United States is a veritable treasure trove, housing some of the country’s most awe-inspiring locations. The craggy Rocky Mountains and the ancient villages that dot its peaks can be visited on tours of the American West. The best luxury train travel on USA’s west coast is the Alaska train.
Take a ride on a historic train through the beautiful scenery, and then head on to places like Salt Lake City, the cowboy town of Jackson, or San Francisco for easy access to places like Muir Woods and its groves of giant sequoia trees, or Yosemite National Park and its highest waterfall in North America, Yosemite Falls, and the granite peaks of Half Dome and El Capitan.
Nature’s majesty is everywhere you look on other West Coast excursions that focus on America’s stunning national parks.
Glacier National Park in Montana is known for its glacier-sculpted mountains and the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. Incredible plant and animal biodiversity can be found with breathtaking waterfalls and deep valleys at Yellowstone National Park.
Nevertheless, Yellowstone’s hot springs and geysers are its most famous natural features because of the geothermal activity they display. Mt. Rushmore, which features the likenesses of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, and the Badlands of South Dakota, where vibrant rock formations contrast with the region’s arid landscape, may both appear on your schedule.
Seattle, the region’s crown jewel, is often the focus of certain Pacific Northwest train tours. This city is convenient as a starting point for both Alaska cruise trips and Western Canada rail tours, in addition to being a destination in its own right. There is no dearth of holiday options, whether you decide to take your family from the East Coast to the West Coast or stick to the Wild West as your primary destination.
12 Best Luxury Train Travel In USA West Coast
1. Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic
First, on the list of luxury train travel on the USA West Coast is the Alaska train. Travelers looking for a quick and enjoyable rail ride along the West Coast can take the Alaska Railroad to the Arctic Circle. On the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic route, you can travel from Anchorage to Seward around the Turnagain Arm in 4.5 hours, with a break in Girdwood at the 1.25-hour point.
This train ride offers an opportunity to see wildlife up close, whether it’s whales in the water or bears in the forest.
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In Seward, visitors can spend a few hours engaging in pursuits as diverse as dog sledding, hiking on glaciers, and boat trips before catching the next train back to Anchorage.
2. Prince Rupert To Jasper With VIA Rail
Prince Rupert, British Columbia is a beautiful starting point for a VIA Rail journey up the west coast of Canada. If you love nature but are tired of the crowds in Southern British Columbia, consider a trip to Prince Rupert in the province’s north.
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The 1160 kilometers between Prince Rupert and Jasper through Prince George can be traveled by taking the economy class VIA Rail service. Travelers on the railway from Vancouver to Jasper have one night to secure lodging in Prince George.
3. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Welcome aboard, surfers! One can take their surfboards along for the ride on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, a trip that is like a dream come true for any surfer. Traveling the entire 351 miles takes 5 hours and 45 minutes.
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San Luis Obispo and San Diego are the journey’s beginning and end points. Helping surfers get to the greatest waves on the West Coast of the United States, the Surfliner travels through Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.
4. Colorado Rail Experience
Colorado‘s harsh topography may be experienced on six heritage railroads, including the much-loved Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, where riders can immerse themselves in Gold Rush mythology while taking in breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains in relative solitude.
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5. Grand Canyon Railway Rails to the Rim Adventure
One of the most visited tourist destinations in the world is the Grand Canyon. This thrilling train journey will take you to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. From Chicago, take Amtrak’s Southwest Chief to Flagstaff, Arizona, the starting point for trips into the Grand Canyon.
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When you get to Flagstaff, you can take the Grand Canyon Railway to the canyon’s South Rim.
Notable presidents including FDR and Eisenhower both rode the rails along this route. The best sights at the South Rim can be seen on a motor coach tour that includes a narrated commentary.
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6. Canyons & Deserts featuring Sedona
Enjoy two heritage rail trips, a thrilling drive down Route 66, and visits to some of America’s most breathtaking landmarks as the Wild West comes to life before your eyes.
7. White Pass and Yukon To Skagway Rail Route
There is a railway that crosses the border from Skagway, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, for the more intrepid traveler. Starting at $134 per adult, the White Pass Summit Excursion departs from Skagway.
About 40 miles round trip, the train ride to White Pass Summit takes about 2.5 hours and provides breathtaking views of Alaska’s mountainous landscape.
8. Coast Starlight & Hawaii Cruise
A spectacular rail and cruise trip exploring the Pacific Ocean’s lovely places, including Amtrak trains and a stunning cruise to the Hawaiian Islands.
9. Rocky Mountaineer Journey Through the Clouds
The Rocky Mountaineer has a second, equally alluring route, called the Journey Through the Clouds, that departs from Vancouver and travels up the west coast of Canada. Here, visitors can skip Banff National Park and get straight to Jasper after leaving Vancouver by way of Kamloops.
Alberta, Canada is home to Jasper National Park, the largest Rocky Mountain National Park in Canada at 11,000 square kilometers. Elk, grizzlies, black bears, and even big-horned sheep can all be found here.
10. Amtrak California Zephyr
The California Zephyr train route on Amtrak is a popular option for a scenic trip to the west coast, despite the fact that it does not originate on the coast. From Chicago, passengers will ride to their final destination of Emeryville (San Francisco).
The journey through Nevada, Utah, and Colorado on the train is punctuated with breathtaking scenery.
The trip has a one-way time of 51 hours and 20 minutes. The Pacific Coast and the Sierra Nevada Mountains are visible from Sacramento, and from Emeryville, you can catch a train to San Francisco or Oakland.
11. Rocky Mountaineer First Passage To The West
Just beyond the border to the north lies one of the west coast’s most scenic train rides. If you’re traveling from Vancouver to Banff National Park through Kamloops, I highly recommend taking the Rocky Mountaineer.
The trip can be done in either way and takes two days (including an overnight on the train).
It’s the ideal approach for first-time visitors to the Canadian Rockies to take in the breathtaking panoramas. It’s also a convenient way to get between two of the West Coast’s top destinations.
12. Amtrak Coast Starlight
The voyage from Big Sur, California, to Seattle, Washington, is one of the best in the world. However, using the train is a more pleasant option because it removes passengers from the distraction of the road so that they can take in the breathtaking view.
From sunny Los Angeles, California to scenic Seattle, Washington, that is the distance traveled by the Amtrak Coast Starlight route.
It’s about a 35-hour drive (one way), taking you through the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara, Sacramento, and Portland.
There is nothing quite like the coastal landscape, verdant forests, and towering peaks that can be seen along this path. Coach Class seats, First Class suites, and Superliner sleeping suites are all available for booking by passengers.
What Is The Most Luxurious Train In The United States?
The most luxurious train in America is the Grand Canyon Railway. Two and a half hours of desert journey from Williams Depot in Williams, Arizona (about 60 miles south of the canyon) brings passengers to Grand Canyon Village, which is located next to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Are There Any Luxury Trains In The United States?
Yes! There are several luxurious trains in the united states of America one of which include the Alaska Railroad. The Alaska Railroad has a first-class option where you can travel in a car with a glass roof and unobstructed landscape views. In addition, those who purchase the GoldStar Service will gain entry to the world’s only rooftop observation deck.
What Is The Most Scenic Train Ride In America?
The most scenic train ride in America is the Denver Train ride.
How Much Is A Bedroom On The Coast Starlight Train?
Rooms at the Coast Starlight range from $430 to $1,325 and include roomettes, standard bedrooms, a suite, and larger bedrooms ideal for families. They range in size and luxury, but all provide three essential features: a place to lay your head, food at no cost, and a place to shower and change clothes in privacy whether you’re on the road or at home
Where Does Amtrak Go On The West Coast?
The Coast Starlight is a daily train service that travels from Los Angeles to Seattle, making stops in Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Portland along the way.
Is The Empire Builder Better East Or West?
Yes, It’s true that the Empire Builder is more visually appealing when traveling west to east when the sun is higher in the sky and the landscape is more vibrant, but either way is perfectly fine.
Conclusion
The vastness of North America makes traveling by rail a fantastic opportunity to quickly take in the breathtaking scenery of the United States and Canada. The best West Coast train rides include something for everyone, from commuter trains to train tours and sleeper trains.
The length of these train rides varies, making them a convenient addition to any trip or holiday along the Pacific coast. If you’re planning a trip to British Columbia, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, or California, don’t delay in reserving your seats on one of these magnificent railways.
