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Who Rides Passenger Trains in the U.S. These Days?

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An Elon Musk brainchild is in the news again, and this time, the story is even wackier than mass-transit to Mars in 2022. This time, reported Tech Crunch on Oct. 13, investors put another $50 million into developing a Musk design that's supposed to get Americans to take the train.

Granted, this train would use Musk's (mostly theoretical) " Hyperloop " propulsion system to move faster than a plane, and do it through a metal tube: L.A. to San Francisco in 35 minutes , New York to L.A. in three hours .

But still. North and South America (Brazil, Canada and the U.S.)  boast  27 percent of the world's railway and 1 percent of its ridership. Amtrak, the government-backed provider of U.S. passenger-rail service, has 26 regional and 15 long-distance routes that together cover a good chunk of the country, with a few stops in Canada. In 2015, those routes carried almost 31 million passengers. Mozambique's railways, notes The Economist, carried 108 million passengers in 2011. For reference, Mozambique has about one-twelfth the population of the United States.

Most of Amtrak's 31 million passengers travel fewer than 400 miles (650 kilometers) one-way. Those travelers, according to Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari, probably wouldn't go by plane.

"Our primary [regional] competition is people driving their personal vehicles," writes Magliari via email. They're traveling "for business, personal and family reasons," he writes, and less so for leisure.

And most of them are traveling in the Northeast, where taking the train makes perfect sense.

Where Americans Totally Ride the Train

Amtrak's ridership has increased dramatically in the last two decades — 55 percent since the late '90s, according to a 2013 Brookings Institute report — mostly by way of the Northeast Corridor. The 17 lines that connect major cities from Virginia to Montreal account for more than half of Amtrak's ridership. Amtrak told The New York Times' Ron Nixon in 2012 it carries 75 percent of people traveling from New York to Washington, D.C.

Amtrak's popularity in the Northeast, writes Nixon, "has been building steadily since the Acela was introduced in 2000 and airport security was tightened after 2001."

Around the time that air travel sunk to a new level of awfulness, Amtrak introduced its only high-speed route, the Acela Express. The Acela runs from Boston to Washington, D.C., with stops in New Haven, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. The whole route takes about seven hours. The New York-to-Washington segment takes about three hours, according to Independent Traveler.

New York to Washington by plane runs at least that, assuming about one hour in the air and a very optimistic two hours at the airport. A coach seat costs anywhere from $108 to well over $250 roundtrip, depending on airline (Google Flights, 11/4/16) and how much stuff you can cram into a purse.

A coach ticket on the Acela, which includes two personal items, two carry-on bags and two checked bags, starts around $175 roundtrip (Amtrak, 11/4/16). The Acela also has legroom, free WiFi, a dining car, at-seat outlets, big bathrooms and a lounge with a full bar. It's unclear why someone would fly.

New York to, say, San Diego is a different, better story.

What's the Rush?

The passengers on Amtrak's long-distance routes, which range from roughly 750 miles to 2,500 miles (1,200-4,000 kilometers) long, make up less than 15 percent of riders , but it's a compelling 15 percent.

City planner Danya Sherman calls the long-distance train "one of America's greatest and least heralded public spaces." When Sherman spent 30 days on the train researching her master's thesis, " Engines of culture: learning from the unique public realm of the long distance train ," she found a unique sense of commonality among passengers.

"People seemed to describe the train as a collective experience, even if what they enjoyed was an individualistic, meditative, or productive experience," Sherman shares via an email.

There is a practical side. Sherman sometimes found herself talking to commuters.

"Lots of younger and middle-aged men [were] riding from rural parts of the northwest to North Dakota ... to work in the oilfields for several months," Sherman writes. "It's the cheapest and easiest way to get there."

Amtrak spokesperson Magliari notes that trains "serve many locations where air service is nonexistent or very expensive, and we are often a lower-priced option without the environmental costs of flying or driving."

But usually it's not practical. At all. Usually, it's leisure.

People who choose the train for long-distance travel are a varied bunch. Jeffrey Orenstein, a travel journalist and retired political science professor, takes the train about three times a year. He finds the ridership to be "an interesting cross-section of life in the regions involved," he writes in an email.

Orenstein, whose website, SimplySmartTravel , specializes in rail vacations, has met legislators, tourists, farmers, students and retired people, among others. He travels first class and eats in the dining car, so his fellow passengers "tend to be relatively affluent" — mostly middle and upper-middle class, with a few students peppered in.

Sherman, riding from New Orleans to Los Angeles in coach, met "a gay couple going to Houston, a Latino family headed to Albuquerque, an indie rock-loving pizza-maker from Austin, a minister going to Tucson and an L.A.-bound retired merchant marine who taught me how to play dominoes," she writes on NextCity.

Most of these long-distance passengers seem to have at least one thing in common. They think getting there is part of the ride. The scenery, the "commonality," the time to think, the lack of WiFi — and, for many, the chance to talk to strangers. Sherman spent two hours philosophizing about rail travel with a man she met in the glass-walled observation car.

Orenstein's a talker, too.

"As an American traveling cross Canada during the 2016 presidential primary season," writes Orenstein, "my wife and I got into some fascinating discussions about American politics."

"Canadians are very interested (and often perplexed) about our system and choices," he adds.

Orenstein, like the rest of the world, thinks nothing short of national high-speed rail will get the average American to travel long distances by train. Amtrak has big plans for expansion and upgrades, says Magliari, assuming the funding is there.

If not, though, no biggie. By one very optimistic estimate , Hyperloop should be ready for passenger service by 2018.  

A team of engineers from the University of Cincinnati revealed a levitating Hyperloop pod in October 2016.

Frequently Answered Questions

Is amtrak the only passenger train in the us.

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How have rail passenger numbers changed since the pandemic?

What was claimed.

Business and commuter traffic on the trains is down by 50% since the pandemic.

Our verdict

This figure is based on the National Travel Survey 2022, which found that the average number of trips per person taken by surface rail for business was 48% lower last year compared to in 2019, and for commuting 42% lower.

Train travel is down 50%.

This isn’t correct when looking at train travel overall compared to before the pandemic. Various data sources suggest that train use has recovered to around three-quarters of levels prior to the pandemic.

Following the government’s decision to cancel a large section of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project in favour of spending money on other transport projects, we’ve seen a number of claims being made about the number of people travelling by train compared to before the pandemic.

In an interview on GB News on 5 October, transport secretary Mark Harper MP claimed that “business and commuter traffic on the trains is now down by 50% post-pandemic.”

Mr Harper’s comments were paraphrased in a post shared by the channel, which claimed he’d said “Train travel is down by 50%”.

Mr Harper’s claim is based on the results of an annual government survey on travel habits, and refers to the difference in the average number of trips made by train for the purpose of either business or commuting by respondents in 2022 compared to 2019.

It is not correct that overall train use is down by 50%, as GB News suggested.

Furthermore, the results of the survey referred to by Mr Harper were also presented inaccurately in the government’s briefing of its new Network North transport plan, wrongly suggesting that the figures refer to travel habits in 2023, rather than last year.

The graph has since been corrected after Full Fact contacted the Department for Transport (DfT) about the error.

We’ve contacted GB News for comment.

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Business and commuter travel remained down on pre-pandemic levels last year

Mr Harper told GB News that “business and commuter traffic on the trains is now down by 50% post-pandemic”.

When we asked the DfT about this claim, it directed us to a page in the government’s “Network North” plan to improve transport infrastructure, which was announced earlier this month following the decision to cancel the planned section of HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester.

The page features a graph showing “Rail journeys per person compared to pre-Covid”, broken down by reason for travel, which suggests that business train travel is 48% lower than in 2019, and commuter train travel 42% lower.

These figures are taken from the National Travel Survey (NTS)—an annual government survey designed to monitor long-term trends in personal travel.

It includes data showing the average number of trips taken per person per year, broken down by method of travel and purpose of travelling.

According to this data, between 2019—the last full year before the pandemic—and 2022, the average number of trips per person per year taken by surface rail, for business, decreased by approximately 48%, while the average number of trips by surface rail for commuting decreased by approximately 42%.

These figures show Mr Harper’s claim was broadly correct regarding business travel, when looking at the last full calendar year, though commuter travel recovered to closer to 60% of pre-pandemic levels.

National Travel Survey data for 2023 is not yet available

While the figures mentioned by Mr Harper are correct for 2022, a graph featured in the Network North policy document misleadingly presented these figures as for 2023.

This was likely due to a simple error with the graph’s X-axis. As a result, the figures for 2021 were wrongly shown as for 2022, and the figures for 2020 as for 2021, while 2020 had no datapoint.

As the NTS is published on an annual basis, data for 2023 is not yet available.

This graph has since been corrected after Full Fact contacted the Department for Transport to raise the error.

Government ministers and their departments must take care to avoid the misleading use of data and statistics by carefully following the Code of Practice and wider Office for Statistics Regulation guidance so as to ensure transparency. 

It’s also worth noting that, based on the NTS data, GB News’ claim that “train travel is down by 50%” is incorrect. According to the survey , the overall average number of surface rail trips per person per year in 2022 was 27% lower than 2019 levels.

Broadcasters should ensure they accurately report on what was said during an interview, taking particular care not to change the meaning of what was said when paraphrasing an interviewee's words. If a broadcaster makes an inaccurate claim on any platform, they should take steps to ensure this is appropriately and clearly corrected in a timely manner.

More recent measures of rail passenger numbers

As we’ve explained, the figures used by Mr Harper show rail use broken down by reason for travelling, and relate to 2022.

There is more up-to-date information available about rail travel, although not broken down by reason for travel.

The Department for Transport publishes data showing daily transport use compared to a pre-Covid baseline.

This data shows that National Rail use, excluding the Elizabeth Line in London, which opened in 2022, has been around 20% lower than pre-pandemic levels for much of 2023.

Quarterly data published by the Office of Rail and Road shows that in the first quarter of 2023 (January to March) the number of rail journeys made in Great Britain was around 17% lower than the levels seen over the same period three years ago.

Image courtesy of Tomek Baginksi

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As detailed in our fact check, a graph featured in the Network North policy document was corrected after we contacted the Department of Transport about this.

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A useful compilation of ridership data by city, state, route, and congressional district. These FY22 statistics include historic ridership trends, population served, passenger miles traveled, and more. Fact sheets from previous years are available on request.

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"We would not be in the position we’re in if it weren’t for the advocacy of so many of you, over a long period of time, who have believed in passenger rail, and believe that passenger rail should really be a part of America’s intermodal transportation system."

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Passenger-kilometers by rail

What you should know about this indicator, how is this data described by its producer.

Passengers carried by railway are the number of passengers transported by rail multiplied by kilometers traveled.

Limitations and exceptions: Unlike the road sector, where numerous qualified motor vehicle operators can operate anywhere on the road network, railways are a restricted transport system with vehicles confined to a fixed guideway. Considering the cost and service characteristics, railways generally are best suited to carry - and can effectively compete for - bulk commodities and containerized freight for distances of 500-5,000 kilometers, and passengers for distances of 50-1,000 kilometers. Below these limits road transport tends to be more competitive, while above these limits air transport for passengers and freight and sea transport for freight tend to be more competitive.

Data for transport sectors are not always internationally comparable. Unlike for demographic statistics, national income accounts, and international trade data, the collection of infrastructure data has not been "internationalized."

Statistical concept and methodology: Passenger-kilometers are usually measured on the basis of the rail travel distance between origin and destination multiplied by the number of passengers traveling between each origin and destination.

Notes from original source: Internation Union of Railways (UIC Railisa Database): Var 5113 Passenger.kilometers on the national territory of the railway undertaking. This variable relates to passengers, irrespective of the fare paid and also including free travelling passengers, but excluding members of the train crew. The number of passengers should be calculated as number of passenger journeys. A journey is the act of moving from one place (origin) to another (destination) using a given transport mode (e.g. railway). A journey may consist of one or several stages depending on whether one has to change transport means (e.g. using more than one train) in order to get from the origin to the destination. In other words, a journey consists either of a single stage or a sequence of stages using the same transport mode (e.g. railway), following each other in such a way that the destination of one stage coincides with the origin of the next. Journeys should be considered finished when an overnight stay occurs. For practical purposes, journeys can be considered finished when a change in transport mode or transport company occurs. Passenger-kilometres is the total distance travelled by all the passengers. For instance, one person travelling for 20km contributes for 20 passenger-kilometres; four people, travelling for 20km each, contribute for 80 passenger- kilometres. OECD Statistics: Rail passenger transport: any movement of passengers using a rail vehicle on a given rail network. National rail passenger transport: rail passenger transport between two places (a place of loading/embarkation and a place of unloading/disembarkation) located in the same country. It may involve transit through a second country. International rail passenger transport: rail passenger transport between a place (of loading/embarkation or unloading/disembarkation) in one country and a place (of loading/embarkation or unloading/disembarkation) in another country. It may involve transit through one or more additional countries. Rail passenger: any person, excluding members of the train crew, who makes a journey by rail. Passenger-kilometre by rail: unit of measurement representing the transport of one rail passenger by rail over a distance of one kilometre.

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This data is based on the following sources, international union of railways – world development indicators.

The World Development Indicators (WDI) is the primary World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially-recognized international sources. It presents the most current and accurate global development data available, and includes national, regional and global estimates.

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Passenger Trains In The USA (2024): A Guide

Last revised: August 27, 2024

By:  Adam Burns

Passenger trains are slowly becoming a popular means of transportation in the USA once again.  However, lack of funding continues to stunt greater ridership. 

It has been shown over and over the public will ride trains if they are available.  The history of rail travel has been well document at other areas of the website. 

This particular section looks to generally cover your train travel options; if you are looking to take a trip by train information regarding such can be found here, whether it might be a long distance ride aboard Amtrak or a commuter train in your local area. 

In the days prior to federally-funded Amtrak and other state commuter rail agencies, the primary means of rail travel came by way of the private freight railroads for both intercity and local services.  

There was also the classic interurban and streetcar systems, most of which went extinct by the World War II era.  Interestingly, even these operations are making a comeback. 

In many ways the private services then were far superior than what you will find today with comfortable reclining-seat coaches, lounge services, and light-dining provided on some commuter trains.

In addition, long-distance travel provided even great accommodations including full-service sleepers, five-star dining, club/parlor cars, domes for unparalleled scenic views, and much more.

State Guide

Unfortunately, this "Golden Age" of rail travel quietly slipped away as the public abandoned trains for the freedom of the open road and speed of the airliner. 

The era was also one of heavy regulation that largely dictated freight rates railroads could set and made abandoning unprofitable rail lines or discontinuing passenger trains virtually impossible. 

Not surprisingly, several large carriers were in bankruptcy by the 1960s causing the federal government to step in and relieve railroads of passenger service, creating Amtrak in the spring of 1971. 

To its credit the passenger road has done its best to maintain respectable service in spite of little Congressional funding year-after-year (usually slightly more than $1 billion annually, barely enough to pay the bills). 

Featured here is a brief overview of all Amtrak's current trains and services (please note that some overlap).  They are broken down into railroad's regions.  

Alabama hosts Amtrak's Crescent , a long-distance train linking New York with New Orleans.  The train makes stops in the Heart of Dixie at Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Anniston. It also offers "Thruway Connecting Services" to Mobile and Montgomery.

There is only one entity providing rail travel options in the Last Frontier, the state-owned Alaska Railroad.  The ARR's regularly scheduled trains, like the  Denali Star, Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery , and  Hurricane Turn provide regular service  between Seward and Fairbanks, via Anchorage. For complete information please visit the railroad's website . 

Arizona is served by Amtrak's  Southwest Chief  which makes stops at Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams Junction, and Kingman. 

The  Sunset Limited , running the state's southern periphery, serves Yuma, Maricopa, Tucson, and Benson.

There are also considerable "Thruway Connecting Services" offered from Flagstaff and Williams Junction connecting to the Grand Canyon, Williams, Sedona, Camp Verde, and Phoenix.

Arkansas is served by one Amtrak train, the  Texas Eagle .  This train connects  Chicago with Los Angeles running through Dallas/San Antonio before reaching the Sunset Route. 

It runs diagonally across the state making stops at Walnut Ridge, Little Rock, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Hope, and Texarkana. There is no bus service provided throughout Arkansas.

Services By Region

California Zephyr :  See California.

Capitol Limited :  The historic Capitol Limited was once the flagship train of the venerable Baltimore & Ohio, our country's first common-carrier system. 

It first entered service on May 12, 1923 between New York and Chicago via D.C. (later truncated to Washington/Baltimore). 

It was retained by Amtrak on May 1, 1971 and today operates between Washington and Chicago via Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

Cardinal/Hoosier State :  The history of this train primarily traces back to the Chesapeake & Ohio's George Washington which began service in 1932 between Washington, D.C. with Cincinnati, Ohio. 

It also follows the former routing of the New York Central's James Whitcomb Riley between Cincinnati and Chicago.  When Amtrak began both trains were kept at first but later dropped. 

In 1977 it launched the Cardinal between Washington and Chicago.  Today, the train reaches New York but is not heavily patronized. 

The Hoosier State complements the Cardinal as a regional running the 196 miles between Indianapolis and Chicago only.

City Of New Orleans :  This train gained acclaim with the release of Steve Goodman's song by the same name in 1970. 

However, its history as a popular, long-distance service operated by the Illinois Central between Chicago and New Orleans heralds back to its inauguration on April 27, 1947. 

It was retained by Amtrak and today runs much of the same route providing coach service and Superliner accommodations.

Empire Builder :  Just as in the days prior to Amtrak this train remains very popular operating between Chicago and Seattle. 

The train was originally inaugurated in 1929 and was acclaimed for the scenic views it provided throughout the Pacific Northwest and across the Rocky Mountains. 

It was streamlined during the 1940s and retained by Amtrak, today running via the Twin Cities and Spokane with a schedule of roughly two days to complete the entire trip.

Hiawatha Service :  This regional service provides connections between the Twin Cities and Chicago making several departures daily on the 1 hour and 30-minute trip. 

The name heralds back to the Milwaukee Road's famous fleet of streamliners by the same name, the first of which served the same corridor.

Illinois Service :  This services covers five different regional trains Amtrak operates in the Prairie State that includes the Illinois Zephyr (Chicago-Quincy), Carl Sandburg (Chicago-Quincy), Lincoln Service (Chicago-St. Louis), Illini (Chicago to Carbondale), and finally the Saluki (Chicago to Carbondale).  All trains provide coach and business class accommodations while they also carry bicycles on-board.

Lake Shore Limited :  This historic train dates back to May 30, 1897 when the NYC first put it into service, the railroad's first full-service passenger train between Chicago and New York. 

It remained in service until 1956 when it was canceled due to cutbacks and declining ridership.  Amtrak revived the name in 1975.  Today, it operates between Chicago and New York/Boston offering coach and Viewliner accommodations.

Michigan Services :  Amtrak uses the brand name Michigan Services to describe a series of regional trains which connect Chicago with several cities in Michigan.

These trains include the Wolverine , Pere Marquette , and Blue Water and have were put into service after Amtrak began between the mid-1970s and 1980s.

All three are historically significant and either were actually operated by a fallen flag railroad or its regional route is still in use (such as in the case of the Grand Trunk Western).  Today, the trains make multiple departures daily providing coach and business class accommodations.

Missouri River Runner :  This regional train has been operated by Amtrak since January of 2009 serving St. Louis and Kansas City. 

However, the carrier has served the corridor since 1976 using such former names as the Ann Rutledge , Kansas City Mule , and St. Louis Mule which date back to the Baltimore & Ohio and Gulf, Mobile & Ohio years. 

Today, the trains provide business and coach accommodations while offering bicycles to travel on-board.

Southwest Chief :  This long-distance train heralds back to Santa Fe's legendary Super Chief running between Los Angeles and Chicago via the Southwestern region of the United States. 

Amtrak was forced to drop the Super Chief name in 1974 via a request by AT&SF due to declining service.  At first it was known as the Southwest Limited but in 1984 changed to the Southwest Chief . 

The train still runs a similar routing as the original providing coach accommodations and Superliner sleeping services.

Texas Eagle :  The Texas Eagle was a top train operated by the Missouri Pacific running between St. Louis and many points throughout the Lone Star State. 

It first debuted in 1948 and survived, albeit with far fewer accommodations until Amtrak.  The name was revived on October 2, 1981 and today it operates between Chicago and Dallas/San Antonio with connections available to Los Angeles. 

The train's accommodations currently includes coaches and a range of Superliner sleeper arrangements.

Acela Express :  Amtrak's fastest service operates at speeds as high as 150 mph in some locations while traveling between Washington, D.C. and Boston via New York and Philadelphia along the old Pennsylvania's Northeast Corridor while traveling the former New Haven east of New York. 

The train has been in service since December 11, 2000 offering business and first-class accommodations.

Adirondack :  The Adirondack has been on Amtrak's timetable since August 5, 1974 operating between New York City and Montreal, Quebec via Albany and eastern New York.  The train offers coach service only, travels 381 miles, and requires 10-11 hours one-way.

Auto Train :  The famous Auto Train began as a private corporation by Eugene Garfield to test the concept of running a passenger service offering passengers the ability to transport their vehicle(s) en-route along the East Coast. 

It began operations on December 6, 1971 but was never particularly successful and stopped running after September of 1977.  However, Amtrak revived the service on October 30, 1983 and it still runs today between Lorton, Virginia (Washington, D.C.) and Sanford, Florida.

Capitol Limited :  See Midwest.

Cardinal/Hoosier State :  See Midwest.

Carolinian/Piedmont :  These trains are joint operations between Amtrak and the state of North Carolina. 

The Carolinian is a long-distance, intercity service running between Charlotte and New York that began service in 1984 while the Piedmont is a regional train running between Charlotte and Raleigh only that initiated service in 1995. 

Both trains have steadily grown in popularity over the years as the Tarheel State looks to continue growing its passenger rail services.

Crescent :   The Crescent heralds back to the days of the Southern Railway, which operated a luxurious train by the same name between New York and New Orleans that began service in 1925 as the Crescent Limited . 

Amtrak acquired the train in 1979 and continues to operate it over much of the same routing as before albeit with fewer of the fine amenities as those provided by the Southern.

Downeaster :  The Downeaster traces its roots back to a train by the same name operated by the Maine Central between New York and Waterville/Rockland, Maine (the MEC spelled its version slightly differently as the Down Easter ). 

That classic New England railroad ended all passenger operations in 1960 although Amtrak re-inaugurated the train in 2001, providing regional service between Brunswick and Boston.

Empire Service :  The Empire Service connects the heart of New York utilizing the former New York Central between the Big Apple and Buffalo/Niagara Falls, a distance of 460 miles. 

It has been operated since the day Amtrak began and sees strong ridership on an annual basis.  The train provides multiple departures daily providing coach and business class accommodations.

Ethan Allen Express :  This train certainly exudes a New England appeal operating between Rutland, Vermont and New York City a distance of 241 miles. 

It first began service during December of 1996 but its routing loosely follows that of the Rutland Railroad's old Green Mountain Flyer and Mount Royal , which both served the same cities.  The train carries reserved coaches and offers business class accommodations.

Keystone Service :  The Keystone or Keystone Service plies the former PRR between Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and New York via Philadelphia along a route that is fully electrified (195 miles).  There are multiple trips made daily and only reserved seat coach accommodations is offered.

Lake Shore Limited :  See Midwest.

Maple Leaf :  The Maple Leaf has been in service since April of 1981 operating 544 miles between New York and Toronto via Albany and Buffalo in conjunction with Canada's VIA Rail.  The train provides coach and business class accommodations.

Northeast Regional :  The Northeast Regional is an expansive commuter-type service Amtrak offers along the Northeast Corridor connecting all of the major cities between Richmond/Newport News, Virginia and Boston. 

The trains run multiple times daily (please check Amtrak's website for complete details) and offer coach and business class accommodations.

Pennsylvanian :  Running the route of the PRR's posh Pittsburgher (among others) between Pittsburgh and New York, the Pennsylvanian provides far fewer services than that opulent train. 

Amtrak has served the market since it began operations in 1971 but via different names over the years.  The Pennsylvanian was born on April 27, 1980 and currently runs daily providing coach and business class accommodations.

Silver Service/Palmetto :   These services actually comprise three trains, all of which have historical connections as Southern's Palmetto and Seaboard Air Line's Silver Star and Silver Meteor . 

Today, all connect the Northeast with points in Florida and provide coach service, business class, and Viewliner (sleeper) accommodations.

Vermonter :  The Vermonter has been on Amtrak's timetable since April 1, 1995 when it replaced the Montrealer. 

The history of the train's route between Montreal and Washington, D.C. was once operated by the Montrealer/ Washingtonian , a longtime joint service between the PRR, Boston & Maine, New Haven, Central Vermont, and Canadian National. 

Today, the Vermonter runs only between St. Albans, Vermont and Washington providing coach and business class accommodations.

Amtrak Cascades :  This regional service first began in 1998 as the Cascades although for nearly 20 years prior there had been some type of subsidized service in the region (albeit not as expansive). 

Today, the service, funded by Amtrak and Oregon/Washington reaches Eugene and Vancouver, British Columbia via Seattle/Tacoma.  The trains make multiple departures daily providing business and coach classes while also carrying bicycles aboard.

Coast Starlight :  See California.

Empire Builder :  See Midwest.

Auto Train :  See Northeast.

Carolinian/Piedmont :  See Northeast.

City Of New Orleans :  See Midwest.

Crescent :   See Northeast.

Silver Service/Palmetto :  See Northeast.

Sunset Limited :  This venerable train was the only of its kind for many years under Southern Pacific.  It originally began service in 1894 running between Los Angeles and New Orleans via Louisiana and Texas, no other railroad offered such a routing. 

While the train's accommodations were always first-class it was many years before SP upgraded it as a streamliner, which finally occurred in 1950.  It was retained by Amtrak and later extended to Florida's Northern Panhandle albeit after Hurricane Katrina it was again truncated to its original routing.

Heartland Flyer :  This regional train serves Amtrak's 206-mile regional market between Fort Worth, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  It began service on June 14, 1999 and makes a daily round-trip.  The train provides only reserved-seat coach accommodations.

Sunset Limited :  See South.

Texas Eagle :  The Texas Eagle was a top train operated by the Missouri Pacific running between St. Louis and many points throughout the Lone Star State.  It first debuted in 1948 and survived, albeit with far fewer accommodations until Amtrak. 

The name was revived on October 2, 1981 and today it operates between Chicago and Dallas/San Antonio with connections available to Los Angeles.  The train's accommodations currently includes coaches and a range of Superliner sleeper arrangements.

Colorado is served by two Amtrak services, the  California Zephyr  stops at Fort Morgan, Denver (Union Station), Fraser/Winter Park, Granby, Glenwood Springs, and Grand Junction.

In addition, the  Southwest Chief  clips the southeast corner with stops at Lamar, La Junta, and Trinidad.

Finally, there are numerous "Thruway Connecting Services" reaching Pueblo and Colorado Springs (via Denver and Raton, New Mexico), Alamosa, Gunnison, Poncha Springs, Salida, Buena Vista, Fairplay, Friso, Vail, Pine Junction, Fort Collins, and Greeley.

• Connecticut

Connecticut provides considerable and extensive expansive passenger/commuter rail services. 

Amtrak's long distance services here include the Northeast Regional (stops at Berlin, Mystic, New London, Old Saybrook, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Meriden, Wallingford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford) and the  Vermonter (stops at Windsor Locks, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford). 

There are also state-sponsored services provided through the Metro-North Railroad and Shore Line East . 

Despite Delaware's, Amtrak's busy Northeast Corridor passes through its northern tip.  Amtrak's high-speed  Acela Express  stops along with the Cardinal ,  Carolinian/Piedmont , Crescent ,   Silver Service/Palmetto , and the  Vermonter .  Finally, the  "Northeast Regional" service makes calls at Wilmington, Newark, and Aberdeen.

Amtrak provides two through services within the Peach State, the Crescent  (with stops at Toccoa, Gainesville, and Atlanta), which runs through the northwestern corner, and Silver Service ( stops at Savannah and Jesup) that hugs the eastern coastline.

Aside from a local rapid transit system to serve Honolulu, Hawaii does not contain any public rail services. 

The state of Idaho is served only by Amtrak's transcontinental Empire Builder, which makes a single stop in Sandpoint. 

However, the carrier also provides considerable "Thruway Connecting Services": linking Salt Lake City with points in Oregon and Washington these connectors make stops in Twin Falls, Boise, Nampa, Ontario, McCall, Lewiston, and Moscow.

With Chicago as the country's epicenter of railroading, it's not surprising Amtrak provides multiple services through the state of Illinois, reaching destinations far and wide.  There are also considerable commuter services provided through the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District/NICTD and Chicago Transit Authority .  

As the eastern neighbor of Illinois and near Chicago, Amtrak maintains several intercity services through Indiana. 

These included the Capitol Limited (stopping at Waterloo, Elkhart, and South Bend), Cardinal/Hoosier Stat e (stopping at Connersville, Indianapolis, Crawfordsville, Lafayette, Rensselaer, and Dyer); Lake Shore Limited (serving South Bend, Waterloo, and Elkhart); and the "Michigan Services" ( Blue Water , Pere Marquette , and Wolverine ) which stops at Hammond and Michigan City.

Iowa is served by Amtrak's California Zephyr , running the state's southern boundary (stopping at Burlington, Mt. Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola, and Creston), as well as the Southwest Chief which clips its southeastern corner at Fort Madison. 

Finally, Amtrak's "Thruway Connecting Services" reaches Davenport via Galesburg, Illinois.

Kansas is served by only Amtrak's Southwest Chief, the carrier's transcontinental service linking Chicago with Los Angeles. 

It makes stops at Lawrence, Topeka, Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City, and Garden City.  The railroad also offers "Thruway Connecting Services" from Oklahoma City to Newton with an additional stop at Wichita.

Kentucky is home to two Amtrak services, the north/south City of New Orleans and the Cardinal/Hoosier State .  The former stops at only Fulton on its way to either Chicago or New Orleans while the latter calls at Ashland, South Portsmouth, and Maysville.

There are also "Thruway Connecting Services" reaching Nashville via Louisville and Paducah/Madisonville.

Running south from Chicago is Amtrak's City of New Orleans , which stops in Louisiana at Hammond and New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. 

In addition, the fabled Sunset Limited running east from California makes stops at Schriever, New Iberia, Lafayette, and Lake Charles before arriving in New Orleans. 

There are also "Thruway Connecting Services" linking New Orleans with Baton Rouge as well as from Jackson, Mississippi to Dallas, Texas via Shreveport.

Maine is served only by Amtrak's Downeaster , which runs as far north as Brunswick with additional stops at Portland, Freeport, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, and Wells.  There is also "Thruway Connecting Services" to Orono, Bangor, and Augusta which run as far south as Boston.

Thanks to the city of Baltimore, its close proximity to Washington, D.C., and home to the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak provides considerable services throughout Maryland. 

These include the Acela Express, "Northeast Regional" trains,  Capitol Limited ,  Carolinian/Piedmont ,  Silver Service , and the  Vermonter .

The state also has extensive commuter coverage through MARC Train (a 187-mile system linking Washington and Baltimore with outlying communities at Perryville/Frederick, Maryland and Martinsburg, West Virginia) and the Virginia Railway Express.

• Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts has extensive rail service coverage provided by both Amtrak and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) , covering the greater Boston region. 

The former's through trains include the  Downeaster (stations at  Haverhill and Woburn),  Lake Shore Limited  (Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham, and Boston), and the  Vermonter  (Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, and Springfield). 

It also has "Thruway Connecting Services" linking Boston with parts of New Hampshire and Maine.

Amtrak's collective "Michigan Services" consisting of the the  Blue Water, Pere Marquette , and  Wolverine  provide the entirety of rail service within the Wolverine State. 

In addition, there is considerable "Thruway Connecting Services" blanketing the Lower Peninsula and also serving parts of the Upper Peninsula.  To learn more about all of these please visit the carrier's website. 

The state of Minnesota is served by only Amtrak's Empire Builder, running diagonally across the state over the BNSF Railway between Fargo, North Dakota and La Crosse, Wisconsin via the Twin Cities. 

The carrier also provides its bus services between La Crosse and Duluth, linking Rochester and St. Paul/Minneapolis along the way.

• Mississippi

Operating over the former Illinois Central (currently owned by Canadian National), Amtrak's City of New Orleans provides north-to-south, intercity service in Mississippi on its way to either New Orleans or Chicago. 

The carrier also runs the Crescent between Meridian and Picayune which links New Orleans with Atlanta, Greensboro, and Washington, D.C.

The Show Me State enjoys extensive Amtrak coverage thanks to its proximity between St. Louis and Kansas City as well a gateway to the west and southwest. 

Three trains serve Missouri including the  Missouri River Runner  (St. Louis - Kansas City),  Southwest Chief  (Chicago - Los Angeles), and  Texas Eagle  (Chicago - Dallas/San Antonio - Los Angeles).  Interestingly, however, no "Thruway Connecting Services" are provided, except to St. Louis.

For all of Montana's breathtaking scenery its sparse population means rail service is limited.  However, Amtrak's popular Empire Builder runs the northern region of Big Sky Country, and passes through beautiful Glacier National Park.  Bus connections are not offered in Montana.

Nebraska is another state with only a single Amtrak service.  In this case it is the popular and scenic California Zephyr , linking Chicago and San Francisco by way of Denver, the Rocky Mountains, and Salt Lake City.   There are no "Thruway Connecting Services" available in the Cornhusker State.

The state of Nevada is also served by only Amtrak's California Zephyr , operating the former Southern Pacific between Salt Lake City and San Francisco. 

You can also catch the seasonal Reno Fun Train between February and March each year that whisks passengers to Reno, Nevada.  This trains also feature special themes, such as Mardi Gras, country westerns, and murder mysteries. 

Finally, "Thruway Connecting Services" reach as far as Sparks and also stops at Las Vegas on its way to Southern California, Arizona, and Utah.

• New Hampshire

The Granite State enjoys two Amtrak services, the Downeaster , connecting Boston with Brunswick, Maine, as well as the Vermonter which runs the spine of Vermont and New Hampshire. 

Generally, however, "Thruway Connecting Services" provide the bulk of the state's services, where buses connecting Boston with Berlin and Littleton.

The Land of Enchantment is served by two long-distance Amtrak services, the Southwest Chief linking Raton with Gallup on its way to Chicago and Los Angeles over the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe's main line. 

In addition, the Sunset Limited still runs the Southern Pacific's Sunset Route near the Mexican border.  Finally, "Thruway Connecting Services" connect El Paso with Albuquerque.

• North Carolina

No other state in the Southeast offers such expansive passenger rail services like the state of North Carolina. 

Amtrak's  Carolinian/Piedmont  (New York - Charlotte),  Crescent  (New York - New Orleans), and  Palmetto/Silver Service  trains (New York - Raleigh - Florida points) all make stops within the Tarheel State's major cities like Raleigh, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro. 

There are also long-term plans to link Wilmington with Asheville.  Finally, "Thruway Connecting Services" current connect the coast at Wilmington and Morehead City.  You can learn more about their website,  NCByTrain.org . 

• North Dakota

The Peace Garden State is served by only Amtrak's Empire Builder which operates over the former Great Northern Railway's main line.

Ohio enjoys three intercity trains passing through its borders including the  Capitol Limited ,  Lake Shore Limited , and  Cardinal/Hoosier State  running the Kentucky border to Cincinnati.

While all of these miss the heart of the Buckeye State, Amtrak does offer "Thruway Connecting Services" with Pittsburgh and Indianapolis via Columbus as well as between Cincinnati and Toledo.

Oklahoma has only one regional train serving its borders, the  Heartland Flyer  which connects Oklahoma City with Fort Worth, Texas. 

Despite this dead-end service, Amtrak also provides "Thruway Connecting Services" from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kansas where one can catch the Southwest Chief .

Thanks to its location between busy California and the Puget Sound region of Washington State, Oregon is home to both regional and long distance Amtrak services. 

These include the the  Coast Starlight  (Seattle - Los Angeles) and the  Amtrak Cascades  (Vancouver, British Columbia - Seattle - Eugene). 

The state-owned  Westside Express Service is a commuter operation linking  Beaverton and Wilsonville in the Portland metropolitan area. Finally, Amtrak offers extensive bus services throughout the state.

• Rhode Island

Despite its size, Rhode Island's location along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and within the hear of New England means it is provided extensive rail service coverage including the  Acela Express  and "Northeast Regional."

• South Carolina

South Carolina boasts three Amtrak routes for those either seeking trips to New Orleans or the tropical climates of Florida.  These include the  Silver Service  and  Palmetto  (New York - Florida points) as well as the Crescent (New York - New Orleans).

• South Dakota

At this time South Dakota is the only state within the lower 48 served by neither an Amtrak intercity train or connecting bus service.

In spite of Tennessee's large population, many cities, and popular tourist attractions, it is served only by the City of New Orleans along the western border. 

Amtrak does provided bus service to Nashville and the state-owned  Music City Star  serves the Music City area via a 32-mile system with 6 stations. 

The heart of Texas boasts expansive Amtrak service including the  Heartland Flyer  (Okahoma City - Fort Worth),  Sunset Limited  (Los Angeles - New Orleans), and  Texas Eagle  (Chicago - Los Angeles).

Amtrak also provides bus service between Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.  Unfortunately, central and northwestern parts of the Lone Star State are devoid of any Amtrak services. 

Texas also hosts three notable commuter/heavy rail systems; the  A-Train  serving Denton County via 6 station stops,  Trinity Railway Express  serving Dallas/Fort Worth, and  Capital MetroRail  serving the Austin area. 

The state of Utah is served only by the  California Zephyr  reaching Salt Lake City over the former Rio Grande and Southern Pacific main lines on its way to Chicago and San Francisco. 

The state's largest cities is also linked by three "Thruway Connecting Services," bus connections which radiate out into Wyoming, Idaho, and Southern California. 

Finally, the 88-mile  FrontRunner  is a heavy commuter rail system serving Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden.

The state of Vermont is served largely by the aptly named Vermonter , which reaches as far as St. Albans and operates as far south as Washington, D.C.   

The Ethan Allen Express also provides limited coverage, branching to Rutland and connecting New York City via Albany and Saratoga Springs.

East of Blacksburg/Danville, the state of Virginia boasts fairly substantial Amtrak services including the  Carolinian/Piedmont  (New York - Charlotte), Crescent (Washington, D.C. - New Orleans),  Palmetto/Silver Service ,  Cardinal  (New York - Chicago), "Northeast Regional" extending as far south as Newport News, and the Auto Train linking Lorton with Sanford, Florida.

There is also bus service running as far west as Blacksburg (via Lynchburg) and between Charlottesville and Richmond.  In addition, bus service runs the Crescent line between D.C. and Charlottesville. 

Finally, the state-sponsored Virginia Railway Express provides commuter service between Washington Union Station and Spotsylvania/Broad Run.

Washington State enjoys extensive Amtrak services linking the Puget Sound (Seattle/Tacoma) with both Spokane and Portland, Oregon. 

These include the regional  Cascades  (Vancouver, British, Columbia - Eugene, Oregon),  Coast Starlight  (Seattle - Los Angeles), and the  Empire Builder  (Seattle - Chicago). 

Amtrak's bus services also densely cover Washington.  Finally, the state-sponsored "Sounder Commuter Rail" system provides commuter service between Seattle, Everett, and Lakewood via an 82-mile system serving 12 stations. 

• West Virginia

West Virginia's only intercity rail service is Amtrak's tri-weekly linking New York with Chicago. 

Folks living in the state's Eastern Panhandle have the additional option of taking Maryland's Maryland's 187-mile  MARC Train  commuter service from Martinsburg to the Washington, D.C./Baltimore metropolitan region. 

While Wisconsin is served only by Amtrak's long-distance Empire Builder it also enjoys regional service through the Hiawatha linking Chicago and Milwaukee with the Twin Cities. 

The carrier also provides extensive "Thruway Connecting Services" all across the state, as well as into Michigan's Upper Peninsula as far as Houghton/Hancock (two towns once served by the Milwaukee Road's Copper Country Limited ).

Wyoming has no Amtrak services within its border although the railroad's "Thruway Connecting Services" are quite extensive, running as far north as Buffalo (via Cheyenne) and between Cheyenne, Denver, and Salt Lake City.

• Pennsylvania

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What Is the State of US Rail Travel in 2019?

This is the second post in a two part series about train travel in the US. If you would like learn more about riding Amtrak cross-country, please read the first post, “ Going the Distance on Amtrak .”

Recent headlines surrounding the US passenger rail industry verge into extremes, with dark contentions about Amtrak’s decades long slide into obsolescence contrasted against photos of a triumphant Elon Musk unveiling SpaceX’s hyperloop track beneath Los Angeles.

More than any other transportation modality, rail is framed as both the transportation of the past and the future. Glossy images of futuristic bullet trains speeding across China may make North American transportation planners’ hearts skip a beat, yet, the amount of the financial investment required to build high-speed rail infrastructure remains firmly out of reach, especially under the Trump administration.

Is it correct to present Amtrak’s story as a tale of woe ? And are private investors like Musk really poised to implement new rail technologies that will revolutionize transportation in the US?

The reality is complicated. Like the general state of the US economy and society in 2019, uncertainties prevail around rail transportation and the future remains firmly connected to the past.

Some Amtrak History 

Americans might be surprised to learn that the US has the most rail coverage of any country in the world . Roughly 80% of the US rail network, however, is dedicated to long distance freight.

In contrast, European countries move less freight by rail, but far more passengers. Decades ago North American (US & Canada) and European rail investments moved in different directions , with North America investing more in rail for freight and European countries investing more in passenger rail networks.

It was in the 1960’s that the US passenger rail industry began to lose millions of dollars . In 1950, approximately 9,000 passenger trains were in service, and these trains carried almost 50% of all intercity traffic. By 1970, however, there were only about 450 trains left in operation, and the share of passenger traffic dropped to 7%.

Fearful that America could lose its passenger rail system entirely, Congress passed the Rail Passenger Service Act in 1970. After it was signed into law by President Nixon, it allowed railroad companies sell their intercity passenger lines to the government, which resulted in the creation of Amtrak in 1971.

The law provided no long term funding. “In the 1970s, there really wasn’t a clear financial sense of what the life of Amtrak would be,” said Joseph Kane, an associate fellow at the Brookings Institution, in a 2018 article by Wired .

A lot of experts thought that Amtrak would fail. From the beginning a reluctance to provide subsidization for Amtrak resulted in drastic cost cutting measures. Service reductions were so steep that on its first official day of operation, Amtrak offered 184 passenger trains, only half what had been offered by private rail companies. The result was staggering loss of service that left many large cities and small towns with no passenger service at all.

Since then, Amtrak has faced criticisms about its service, profitability, and lack of growth. Unlike in Europe, where passenger rail receives significant government subsidies , the US government has made minimal investments in Amtrak.

How Many People Travel on Amtrak?

However, even though the passenger rail industry in the US (and Canada) continues to lag behind the rest of the world, there are millions of people who use Amtrak to travel across the US every year.

According to Amtrak’s 2017 data about 4.7 million passengers traveled in 2017 on Amtrak’s long distance routes. About 58% of these trips were 500 miles or less. My trip from Grand Rapids to Seattle, which was described in my earlier post, was over 2,000 miles, placing it in a category with very small minority of trips.

By contrast, in 2017 domestic and international airline carriers operating in the US reported they transported 965 million systemwide, representing an increase of 3.4% from the previous record of 933.1 million in 2016.

While never approaching the airline carriers’ passenger volume, Amtrak’s numbers do improve when shorter trips are taken into consideration. Most of Amtrak’s ridership occurs within its busy Northeast corridor, and when those numbers are taken into account, Amtrak’s ridership increases to  31.7 million passenger trips.  Overall, ridership on Amtrak increased 1.5% in 2017, and as a whole ridership has remained stable for decades.

Should the US Increase Passenger Rail Travel?

The question of growing passenger rail ridership is an interesting one. As mentioned earlier, the vast majority of rail in the US is dedicated to freight transportation, and it would take significant infrastructure investment to expand passenger rail services.

Increased carbon emissions, however, may provide good incentive to increase passenger rail, as travel by rail typically results in fewer carbon emissions than air travel.

Emissions from air travel is one of the fast growing contributors to climate change. In 2018,  US greenhouse emissions rose 3.2%, a startling number which may be the second largest increase in twenty years. A full point of that increase is attributable to increased air travel and on-road shipping.

Even though estimates place air travel as responsible for only about 2% of global emissions, air travel has hit a new record every year since 2009 . Only about 3% of the world’s population used air travel in 2017, but as that figure continues to grow, the airline industry’s contribution to pollution and global warming will also increase.

Electric trains generally are as climate friendly as their power source, and unfortunately carbon-intensive power sources prevalent in many parts of the country. If the energy source is renewable, the trains are a very clean, climate friendly option. Diesel trains still tend to maintain an advantage over driving or air travel because they are more efficient per passenger. Thus, it’s largely agreed by experts that trains are a carbon conscious transportation choice, especially for solo travelers. By Amtrak’s calculations, riding the train is the most energy efficient way to travel in the US, even with diesel the main train fuel outside of the highly-trafficked and electrified Northeast Corridor.

Other sources, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists, recommend taking the bus or motor coach. There are a lot of factors to consider when judging the environmental impact of a transportation choice. In general, even though the airline industry may be looking to clean up its act , rail travel is a carbon friendly alternative to flying.

What Could the Future of US Passenger Rail Look Like?

In recent years billionaire entrepreneurs like Elon Musk of SpaceX and Richard Branson of Virgin Group have seized on the idea that there could be a future for private high-speed rail development in the US. States such as California, Oregon, and Washington have also committed funding to either creating or exploring publicly-financed high-speed rail .

Some of the technologies, like the hyperloop, seem to be plucked directly from science fiction; however, hyperloops have been attracting enough attention to create a “hyperloop war” between Musk’s SpaceX and Hyper Loop Transportation Technologies. The race is on to complete a working hyper loop network that will one day transport travelers from  Los Angeles and San Francisco in 30 minutes .

But, at least for the near future, Brightline , a high-speed rail company owned by Branson’s Virgin Group, is better positioned to make an immediate impact on our transportation system.

Branson believes that high-speed rail may be able to fill in the gap between long distance flights and car commutes in the US. Last year Brightline opened its first rail line between Miami and West Palm Beach. Reviews have been positive , and the company has already committed to expanding its service north to Tampa and Orlando , with a second line slated to open in 2021. Last year, the company also acquired XpressWest , a high-speed rail project connecting Southern California to Las Vegas, with service planned to begin in 2022.

But “high-speed rail” label may be a stretch for Brightline as leading speeds speeds above 200 mph become more standard. Brightine’s trains operate at maximum speeds of 125 mph, and the Miami to West Palm Beach lines currently moves at about 79 mph. This puts Brightline about on par with Amtrak’s Acela Express , which has been criticized for calling itself high-speed rail. At this point Brightline’s luxury brand image is what most differentiates is services from Amtrak’s.

The problem for both the Brightline and Acela Express is the tracks. Existing tracks in the US are not built to handle trains running at faster speeds. Replacing tracks is expensive and can be burdensome to existing service.

An exception is California, where the state is building a high-speed rail system that will include trains that run up to 220 mph. If completed, the California high-speed rail system would represent a big move forward for passenger rail in the US.

But the $77 billion project is currently eleven years behind schedule and faces cost major overruns. Governor Gavin Newsom is facing pressure to scale back the project or even cut it entirely . It’s a complicated situation, which no easy resolution at hand.

Yesterday, Stephen Fesler reported for The Urbanist about plans moving forward to create an ultra-high-speed rail corridor connecting Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C. Governor Jay Inslee is a supporter of high-speed rail and last year the Washington State Legislative authorized funding to complete a business case analysis that would bring deeper insight how to make high-speed rail operate successfully in the Cascadia region. The results from the study should be made public in late June of 2019.  Hopefully, the Pacific Northwest can learn from California’s missteps and move toward smoother implementation of publicly financed high-speed rail.

An Infrastructure Plan for a Progressive Wave

Natalie Bicknell Argerious

Natalie Bicknell Argerious (she/her) is a reporter and podcast host at The Urbanist. She previously served as managing editor. A passionate urban explorer since childhood, she loves learning how to make cities more inclusive, vibrant, and environmentally resilient. You can often find her wandering around Seattle's Central District and Capitol Hill with her dogs and cat. Email her at natalie [at] theurbanist [dot] org.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, usa coast to coast from $236.

You'll see nothing of America at 35,000 feet, come down to Earth and see world class scenery from an Amtrak train across the United States.  You can travel cross-country from as little as $236 (£188 or €220) if you book well in advance, one of the world's great travel bargains.  The USA has an excellent rail network for visitors, it may only be a skeleton network by European standards but it'll take you to almost all the towns & cities a visitor wants to see, in comfort at affordable prices.  It'll take you to many of the U.S. national parks, too.  Long-distance trains in the USA are operated by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, better known as Amtrak, www.amtrak.com .  This page explains what you need to know to plan and book a memorable cross-country trip by train.

Train service in the USA, at a glance    See detailed map

This route map shows where Amtrak trains run.  Each of the very long-distance transcontinental routes shown in blue has one daily train, except for New York to Florida with 2 trains a day and the Sunset Limited (New Orleans-San Antonio-Los Angeles) which runs 3 times a week.  Important short distance routes (for example, Washington-New York-Boston or Los Angeles-San Diego) have regular intercity services and are shown in red.  It's easy to check Amtrak train times at www.amtrak.com , just use their online booking system.  Click here for the official large-scale Amtrak route map .

Useful country information

Cross-country by train.

The 3,000 mile journey across the United States by train is one of the world's greatest travel experiences.  It's easy, comfortable, safe, and an affordable alternative to flying.  Free route guides are available on board each train, telling you what to look out for from the window, and the scenery on many routes is world class. 

In a nutshell

The 3,000 mile coast-to-coast train ride takes 3 nights, without stopovers.

Choose from 4 or 5 different cross-country routes, each with their own character.  I explain the most scenic routes below with train times & description.  You can stop off on the way, but remember that a separate ticket/reservation is needed for each stage.

It takes one night from New York, Boston or Washington DC to Chicago where you change trains, then two nights from Chicago to Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle on a superb double-deck Superliner train .  You can also travel coast to coast via New Orleans , this takes an extra night as you need to spend a night in New Orleans.  Most of the trains run daily all year round, although the New Orleans-LA train only operates three times a week.

Check out the cross-country train packages at www.amtrakvacations.com , they can sort packages with tickets, private sleeping accommodations on the train, stopovers & hotels included.

If you book regular tickets online at www.amtrak.com , cross-country fares from New York to Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle start at just $236 in a spacious reclining seat, surely one of the world's greatest travel bargains.  A private sleeper for 1 or 2 people can be added to your booking, the extra cost is often quite hefty but the sleeper room charge includes all meals as well as tea, coffee & fruit juice throughout the trip. Amtrak's spacious trains also have cafe & lounge cars, open to both seat and sleeper passengers.  See descriptions of the trains here .

On-time performance .  Bear in mind that these trains run for over 2,000 miles, although they often arrive on time or perhaps half an hour late, they can sometimes arrive an hour or two late or more, so don't book any tight connections.  You can see how your chosen trains have performed the last few weeks using www.amtrak.com/historical-on-time-performance and you can also see real-time train positions & performance at www.asm.transitdocs.com .

Which is the best cross-country train route?

I've crossed the United States multiple times by train, using every major cross-country train except the Texas Eagle.  Each transcontinental route has its own distinctive character even if the trains themselves are the same, but one stands out as the most spectacular for both scenery & historical significance:  I recommend the California Zephyr between Chicago and San Francisco, which you can take in connection with the Lake Shore Limited between New York or Boston and Chicago, or the Capitol Limited between Washington DC and Chicago.

The California Zephyr is one of world's greatest train journeys, in around 48 hours you will leave Chicago, roll over the vast farmlands of Nebraska, cross the Mississippi, scale the Rockies out of Denver over breakfast in the diner, snake through lovely Colorado canyons, and pass through the Sierra Nevada mountains to reach Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay area.  The route covers much of the very first historic trans-continental railroad route, and there's a commentary for the most significant section.  To give you an idea of what a cross-country train ride is like on this route, see the California Zephyr page . 

However, all Amtrak's cross-country train routes are scenic, and the Southwest Chief is another favourite.  It'll take you from Chicago to Los Angeles over the Santa Fe railroad (which used to operate the famous Super Chief) , alongside the equally famous Route 66, through Navajo Indian country.  This is another amazing trip, with a chance to stop off at the Grand Canyon .

Cross-country westbound 2024

* The California Zephyr terminates in Emeryville and an Amtrak Thruway bus transfers passengers across the Bay Bridge to the Temporary Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco.  Tickets can be booked through to (and luggage checked through to) San Francisco Transbay Terminal as if it was a rail station.

** The Chicago-Los Angles portion only runs 3 times a week, departing Chicago on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays. Daily Chicago-San Antonio.

Use these times as a guide, always check current times & fares at www.amtrak.com as they change from time to time.

Cross-country eastbound 2024

* The California Zephyr starts in Emeryville.  An Amtrak Thruway bus links the Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco with Emeryville across the Bay Bridge.  Tickets can be booked through from (and luggage checked in at) the Amtrak station at San Francisco Transbay Terminal as if it was a rail station.

*** The Los Angles to Chicago portion only runs 3 times a week, leaving LA on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays.  Daily San Antonio-Chicago.

Facilities on each train

What are the trains like.

Click here to see what the trains are actually like inside & out, and to understand the sleeping-car, lounge & dining facilities.

How much does it cost?

3,000 miles coast-to-coast overland for as little at $236 has to be one of the world's greatest travel bargains!  Railpass options .

Amtrak fares are dynamic, so you'll see various prices on various dates, book ahead for the cheapest prices - these are the cheapest examples I have found.

Round trip fares are twice the one-way fare.  Children 2-12 (inclusive) travel at reduced fare, children under 2 travel free (limit one child under 2 per adult).

There's a 10% discount for seniors over 65 on some fares.  The discount applies to the base fare but not to saver fares, flexible fares, roomette/bedroom charges.

If you choose to travel in a sleeper, the premium fare column on the Amtrak website will show the total cost for all passengers travelling in a roomette or bedroom.  This is calculated as a basic fare for each passenger plus one charge covering the whole roomette or bedroom.  The roomette or bedroom cost is the same whether it's occupied by one person or two.  So a sleeper is a lot better value if there are two of you!  The two people price in the table above is the total you pay for two people sharing a roomette or bedroom.

Tip :  You can save 10% on the basic travel fare (but not on accommodation supplements) by becoming a member of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, which at the time of writing costs $35 for an individual or $50 for a family.  It can pay for itself on one coast to coast trip.  See www.narprail.org for full details and online sign-up.

Can I stop off on the way?

Yes of course, but if you want to stop off you'll need to buy separate tickets for each leg.  To book a cross-country trip with stopovers at any cities you want, simply look for the 'Multi-City' link at top right of the booking form on www.amtrak.com .  This allows you to book a trip with up to 4 segments, and of course you can book additional segments as separate bookings.  However, if you buy a through ticket at the cheapest price between an East Coast city such as New York and a West Coast city such as Los Angeles, then no, you cannot stop off, you must travel direct on your assigned trains.  Although the several hours between trains in Chicago is often time enough to climb the Sears Tower (now owned by the Willis corporation, see theskydeck.com ) and get great views over the city, it's only 5 minutes walk from Chicago Union Station!  As you can see from the fares table above, separate tickets New York to Chicago and Chicago-Los Angeles (so you can stop off in Chicago) work out about $35 more expensive than a New York to Los Angeles through ticket.

Want to stop off at the Grand Canyon?  See the Grand Canyon section

All the trains shown here offer checked baggage.  All passengers (both coach & sleeper) are entitled to check in up to 2 large items of luggage free of charge, plus an additional 2 large items for $20 each.  Maximum 50lbs (23Kg) per item, maximum total linear dimension (length + height + width) = 75".  Oversize bags (up to a total linear dimension of 100") $20 per bag.  A name and address label must be attached to each item.  Hand luggage is limited to two items per passenger, maximum 50lbs (23Kg) per item, dimensions 28" x 22" x 14".  See www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy .

You can check bags through to your final destination, so for example if you have a New York to San Francisco ticket you can check your bags in at New York all the way to San Francisco Transbay Terminal.  They will be transferred for you from train to train in Chicago and from train to bus at Emeryville, leaving you free of it until you arrive.

How to buy tickets

Option 1, buy at www.amtrak.com

Anyone from any country can buy tickets at Amtrak's own website www.amtrak.com , which sells all types of accommodation, seat & sleeper.

Booking opens 11 months in advance.  An e-ticket will be emailed to you, you can print it out or show it on your phone.

Or call Amtrak 24 hours a day on 1-800-USA RAIL.  From outside of the USA, Amtrak's international desk is + 1-215-856-7952.  Open Mon-Fri 08:30-16:00 Eastern Time.

Option 2, buy at Omio.com

Omio.com sells tickets for Amtrak seated accommodation quickly & simply, in multiple languages & currencies.  However, it can't sell sleeper accommodation.  You print out your ticket or can show it on your phone.

Let Amtrak Vacations arrange your trip

Amtrak Vacations is Amtrak's official partner for vacations, tours & packages.

Amtrak Vacations can put a package together from anywhere to anywhere to your specification, with private sleeping accommodations on the train, stopovers at cities or national parks, hotels & transfers.

They'll also do ticket-only bookings for cross-country Amtrak journeys, and you may get more help and advice if you book through them as they specialise in Amtrak's long-haul routes.  

Click here for Amtrak Vacations' cross-country packages

Lines are open 09:00-22:00 Monday-Friday & 09:00-17:30 Saturday, Eastern Time (5 hours behind the UK).

Let Railbookers arrange your trip

Railbookers are train travel specialists with offices in the UK, Australia & United States.  They can arrange coast to coast tours by train to your own specification, with trains, stopovers, hotels, transfers and (if necessary) flights all sorted.

Using a USA railpass

A USA Railpass is available covering the whole Amtrak network or just parts of it, see advice on USA Railpasses here .

See it in pictures: Cross-country by train

See an illustrated journey from New York to San Francisco on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited and California Zephyr.

Back to top

Cross-country via New Orleans

This is the Southern cross-country route, a whole different flavour from the routes via Chicago.  Coast to coast via New Orleans takes 4 nights, making it slower than the more usual transcontinental route via Chicago, as you need to spend a night in New Orleans - but a stopover down south is hardly a burden!  For a taste of the deep south, this is the way to go.

Amtrak fares vary dynamically, so you'll see various fares on various dates, book ahead for the cheapest prices - these are just typical examples, assuming you book ahead.

Luggage arrangements .  Railpass options .   Can I stop off?

New York to Florida

Introducing Amtrak's Silver Service from New York & Washington DC to Orlando, Tampa & Miami.

Facilities on board

Silver Meteor:   Amfleet reclining seats ,  Viewliner sleeping-car , Amfleet cafe car .

Silver Star:   Amfleet reclining seats ,  Viewliner sleeping-car , Amfleet cafe car.

Luggage arrangements .

Anyone from any country can buy tickets at Amtrak's own website www.amtrak.com .  This sells all types of accommodation, seat & sleeper.

Omio.com sells tickets for Amtrak seated accommodation quickly & simply, in multiple languages & currencies.  However, it can't sell sleeper accommodation.  You just print out your ticket or show it on your phone.

Boston - New York - Washington

A fast and frequent inter-city service links Boston, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC.  There are two types of train: Acela Express 150mph high-speed trains with 1st class & business class (premium fares apply) and regular trains with coach class and (in most cases) business class.  There are also services from Boston to Portland (Maine) and from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. See www.amtrak.com for times, fares and online booking, or try Omio.com .

How long does it take?

New York to Washington takes as little as 2h48 by Acela Express.

New York to Boston takes 3h30 by Acela Express.

Fares vary like air fares, with cheaper prices available the further ahead you book.  Round trip fares are twice the one-way fare.  Children 2-12 (inclusive) travel at reduced fare (except on Acela Express where there is no discount for children on weekdays), children under 2 travel free (limit one child under 2 per adult).

Luggage on Washington-New York-Boston trains:   These trains don't have checked baggage, you simply take your luggage with you onto the train and put it on the racks just as you would on any European train.  You can take 2 items up to 23Kg each, plus two smaller personal bags each up to 11Kg - pretty generous, see www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy .

Omio.com sells Amtrak tickets quickly & simply, in multiple languages & currencies.  You just print your ticket or show it on your phone.

Acela Express

Acela Express is Amtrak's very own high-speed train, reaching 150 mph on certain sections of upgraded line.  It has first class & business class, there's no economy coach class.  Premium fares apply, with no discounts for children on weekdays.

Northeast Regional trains

Cheaper but slower than Acela Express, with coach class & business class between Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore & Washington DC.

Other Amtrak routes

New york - niagara falls.

Three daily trains link New York via Albany with Niagara Falls.  Journey time is a leisurely 8 hours 30 minutes, a relaxing journey along the Hudson River Valley out of New York, past Storm King Mountain and West Point Military Academy, a very scenic route, highly recommended.  See either Omio.com or www.amtrak.com for times, fares and online booking.

New York - Toronto, Montreal (Canada)

A daily train called the Maple Leaf links New York with Toronto via Niagara Falls, and another daily train called the Adirondack links New York with Montreal via the scenic Adirondack mountains.  Both trains travel along the Hudson River Valley out of New York, past Storm King Mountain and West Point Military Academy, a very scenic route, highly recommended.  See the Train travel in Canada page for train times .

Chicago - Memphis - New Orleans

Amtrak's daily City of New Orleans links these cities, with Superliner seats, sleeping-cars, sightseer lounge and dining-car .  For times, fares and online booking, see www.amtrak.com .

Intercity trains in California

Regular trains link Los Angeles, Anaheim (for Disneyland), and San Diego.  Regular trains link San Francisco (Oakland) with Sacramento, Bakersfield and San Jose.  A daily train links Los Angeles with San Francisco (Oakland).  See either Omio.com , www.amtrak.com or www.amtrakcalifornia.com for times, fares and online booking.

Seattle - Portland - Oakland (San Francisco) - Los Angeles

Amtrak's daily Coast Starlight links these cities, with Superliner seats, sleeping-cars, sightseer lounge and dining-car .  For times, fares and online booking, see www.amtrak.com .

Portland - Seattle - Vancouver

Amtrak runs an inter-city service between these cities, see www.amtrakcascades.com - Some of these services use European-design Talgo trains.

Luggage on trains without checked baggage:   Some of these trains don't have checked baggage, you simply take your luggage with you onto the train and put it on the racks just as you would on any European train.  Generous limits apply - 2 items each up to 23Kg, plus two smaller personal bags each up to 11Kg, see www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy .

What are Amtrak trains like ?

Short distance trains come in various types, all with comfortable air-conditioned seating and often with a café car.  On the Boston-New York-Washington DC route, there is now the premium fare, 150mph Acela Express high speed train, based on French TGV technology, but running on conventional tracks.

(1)  Long distance trains in the east

Long-distance trains east of Chicago (such as the New York-Chicago Lake Shore Limited , the New York to Florida Silver Star & Silver Meteor or the New York to New Orleans Crescent , but not the Washington to Chicago Capitol Limited ) have Viewliner sleeping-cars , Amfleet reclining seat cars and an Amfleet cafe/lounge car serving snacks and drinks.  If you have paid for a sleeper, meals are included in the fare.

Amfleet reclining seats

These distinctive stainless-steel coaches have comfortable reclining seats with loads of legroom, drop-down tables & 120v power sockets for laptops & mobiles.  Drinking water is available in each coach.  Unlike in Europe, your reservation does not secure a specific seat in a specific coach, you can sit where you like once on board.  An attendant looks after each seats car, and will place a 'seat ticket' above your seat to indicate that the seat is taken.

Dining cars, cafe cars & flexible dining

Most long-distance trains have a cafe/lounge car serving hot & cold drinks and snacks, with an area with seats & tables for socialising.  The cafe/lounge car can be used by both sleeper and seats passengers.

Traditional dining-cars on all the 1-night long-distance trains east of Chicago were discontinued in 2018-2019.

Amtrak now offers sleeper passengers what it calls Flexible Dining on these trains.  Sleeper passengers are served pre-packed reheated or microwaved meals delivered to their sleeper compartments, or meals can be served in the table area of the cafe/lounge car.   The New York-Florida Silver Star and Silver Meteor retain dining-cars of the new Viewliner II type with an impressive double row of windows, but only to serve the pre-packaged Flexible Dining meals to sleeper passengers.

Latest update:   In March 2023 full dining has been reinstated on the Silver Star between New York and Florida.

Viewliner sleeping-cars

Long-distance trains in the East have Viewliner sleeping cars.  The distinctive double row of windows on these cars makes them light & airy during the day, and gives both upper & lower berths a window for star-gazing at night.  Travelling by Amtrak sleeper is a real treat.  All sleeper passengers get complimentary meals in the dining car,  and a 'coffee station' provides complimentary tea/coffee & fruit juice in the morning.  You return from dinner in the diner to find you bed made up for the night by the sleeper attendant.  A hot shower is available at the end of the corridor if you're travelling in a roomette, or en suite if you are travelling in a bedroom.  All necessary bedding, soap and towels are provided.  However, sleeper travel isn't cheap.  In Europe you can pay a small supplement for a berth in a shared couchette or sleeper compartment.  In the US, you have to pay for the whole room whether there are two of you or just one.  To give you a rough idea, some sample sleeper supplements are shown in the fares section above.   Viewliner sleeping-cars have:

(2)  Long distance trains in the west

Long-distance trains between Chicago & Los Angeles/San Francisco/Seattle/Portland, also the New Orleans-Los Angeles Sunset Limited , Seattle-Los Angeles Coast Starlight and Washington DC-Chicago Capitol Limited use impressive double-deck Superliner cars.  Superliner trains have coach class reclining seats , sleeping-cars , a dining car & an observation-lounge car .  A route guide is available free on these trains, telling you want to look out for along the way.  Watch a video guide to Amtrak Superliner trains .

Superliner reclining seats

Coach class reclining seats are spacious with lots of legroom, comparable with business class on an airliner.  Don't worry if you can't afford a sleeper, these seats recline to about 40 degrees, and are quite easy to sleep in, in fact if there is any train in the world where I wouldn't much mind not having a sleeper, Amtrak trains are the ones I'd choose.  There are 120v power sockets for laptops & mobiles at each seat, and drinking water is available in each coach.  Unlike in Europe, your reservation does not secure a specific seat in a specific coach, you can sit where you like once on board.  An attendant looks after each seats car, and will place a 'seat ticket' above your seat to indicate that the seat is taken.  You can either bring a blanket or buy an Amtrak blanket from the lounge car.  Panorama photo of Superliner coach class .

Superliner Sightseer Lounge car

On the upper deck is an observation lounge with armchairs & tables and huge windows for sightseeing.  On the lower deck is a cafe selling drinks & snacks.  All passengers can use the lounge car, whether they are travelling in coach class or in the sleepers.  You end up spending most of your day here, watching America unfold in front of you!   Seats are available on a first-come, first served basis, but it's not usually too difficult to find a seat or two free.  However, they do fill up for the most scenic sections of the journey!  See panorama of a Superliner lounge car .

Superliner dining car

Trains west of Chicago retain a proper dining-car with freshly-cooked food.  During the pandemic, the dining-car was only open to sleeper passengers, but in 2023 coach seat passengers were allowed to use the diner again on most routes.  The dining-car serves breakfast, lunch & dinner.  All the tables in a Superliner dining-car are on the top deck for great views while you eat - the kitchens are downstairs.

Meals are included in the fare if you have a sleeper, although drinks are extra.  In the sleepers, the dining-car manager comes down the train asking each passenger which sitting for lunch or dinner they'd like, and issuing table reservations.  An announcement is made at the start of each sitting. 

Note that couples and singles don't get a whole 4-seater restaurant table to themselves, you'll normally be seated with other passengers. This is a great chance to meet people, even if you're travelling solo.  Panorama photo of Superliner dining-car .

What's the food like?   The food is surprisingly good:  The Angus Steak Burger is great for lunch, for dinner the herb-roast chicken & rice is good and the garlic butter marinated New York Strip Steak is excellent.  A beer costs around $6, a half bottle of very good Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot costs around $15.  For breakfast next morning a freshly-cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon & potatoes hits the spot.  There is also a children's menu.  Credit cards are accepted.  You can find sample menus on the Amtrak website www.amtrak.com , click 'plan' then look for 'meal & dining options'.

Since 2018, sleeper passengers on the Lake Shore Limited  (NYC-Chicago) & Capitol Limited (Washington-Chicago) get a pre-packed meal either served in their compartment or eaten in a lounge area.

Superliner sleeping-car s

Travelling by Amtrak sleeper is a real treat.  All sleeper passengers get complimentary breakfast, lunch & dinner in the dining car,  and each sleeping-car has a 'coffee station' with complimentary tea/coffee and fruit juice available in the morning.  You return from dinner in the diner to find you bed made up for the night by the sleeper attendant.  All necessary bedding, soap and towels are provided.  Superliner sleeping-cars are double-deck, with 10 very compact 2-berth roomettes and 4 larger 2-berth bedrooms on the upper deck, whilst the lower deck has another 4 roomettes, 1 family bedroom & 1 special accessible bedroom.  The bedrooms have a private shower & toilet, for roomette passengers there are toilets on both upper and lower decks, and a hot shower on the lower deck.  The gangways to the adjacent cars are on the upper deck.  However, sleeper travel isn't cheap.  In Europe you can pay a small supplement for a berth in a shared couchette or sleeper compartment.  In the US, you have to pay for the whole room whether there are two of you or just one.  To give you a rough idea, some sample sleeper supplements are shown in the fares section above.   Superliner sleeping-cars offer:

Video guide: Riding a Superliner train

The grand canyon connection.

There are two main ways to reach the Grand Canyon as part of a cross-country train trip, after you get off Amtrak's Chief at Flagstaff Arizona.  The first is to use a bus between Flagstaff and the South Rim of the Canyon, journey time 1 hour 45 minutes each way.  The other is to take a connecting Amtrak Thruway bus to the nearby town of Williams and use the historic Grand Canyon Railway to the Canyon, journey time 2 hours Williams to the South Rim.

Option 1, Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon by bus

Scheduled buses link Flagstaff's Amtrak station (which also incorporates the excellent local Visitor Centre) with the Grand Canyon's South Rim, with an 8am bus departure from Flagstaff conveniently connecting out of Amtrak's Chief from Los Angeles arriving at the Grand canyon around 1 hour 45 minutes later.  A bus returns from the Grand Canyon at 6.15pm (also at 4.15pm from March to October), arriving back in Flagstaff 1 hour 45 minutes or so later.  It can easily be done as a day trip, returning to Flagstaff in time for the evening Chief to Los Angeles, although you can of course choose to stay overnight at the hotels at the Grand Canyon.  For bus times see groometransportation.com/grand-canyon .  The bus fare is around $34 each way.

Grand Canyon Tours from Flagstaff:   Alternatively, take a tour.  A company called The Grand Canyon Store http://grandcanyoncustomtours.com   offers 1-day tours from both Flagstaff & Williams to the Grand Canyon, including a tour to the Grand Canyon Village & South Rim, and the more extensive Inner Canyon Tour that actually takes you to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon, not merely to the South Rim as with other tours and the scheduled bus - not surprisingly the Inner Canyon Tour is their most popular!  They also do a tour from Flagstaff to the South Rim using the Grand Canyon Railway, see the section below.

www.amtrakvacations.com can put together an Amtrak coast-to-coast package for you with a stopover at the Grand Canyon, or a tour from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon and back, customised you your specification.  See Grand Canyon packages .

Option 2, Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway

The more interesting way to reach the Canyon is on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the Canyon's South Rim.  This is the original Santa Fe railroad branch line, Williams Junction just outside Williams town is where the line diverges from the Chicago-LA main line.  However, Amtrak's Southwest Chief no longer calls at Williams Junction (it called there at uncivilised times in any case), you now use Flagstaff as the stop for the Grand Canyon with Amtrak bus connection to Williams.

To reach the Grand Canyon by train, get off the Amtrak's Chief at Flagstaff and take the connecting Amtrak Thruway bus to Williams.  The buses are timed to connect with train's arrival & departure to and from both Chicago and Los Angeles.  Williams is a pleasant town with plenty of motels, shops & diners.  The Grand Canyon Railway runs a daily morning train some 65 miles over the Santa Fe's historic railway from Williams station to Grand Canyon South Rim station in the Grand Canyon Village, right on the edge of the Canyon's South Rim.  The train returns in the afternoon, arriving in time to have dinner then catch the shuttle bus to Flagstaff for Amtrak's Chief onwards to Los Angeles.

The Amtrak reservation system at www.amtrak.com will actually let you buy through tickets between Los Angeles and Grand Canyon in either direction, although if you want to book through tickets between New York or Chicago and Grand Canyon this involves an overnight stay in Williams so you'll need to use the multi-city booking feature.  But you can book your Amtrak trains at www.amtrak.com then book the Grand Canyon train at the GCR official website, www.thetrain.com .

You can also book Chicago-LA packages with Amtrak travel and a trip to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway at www.amtrakvacations.com , Amtrak's official partner for tours and packages involving Amtrak travel.  See Grand Canyon packages .

The fare includes entry to the Wild West show at Williams station in the hour before departure, and some Wild West entertainment on board!

USA rail passes

One of the best ways to see America is with an Amtrak USA rail pass, but be aware of its limitations before you invest in one.

A 30-day 10-segment rail pass costs around $499.

That's 10 train rides, enough to travel coast to coast 5 times, at €49.90 per train ride!  Children aged 2-12 get passes for half price, under 2's travel free.

Segments:   Sadly, since 2008 Amtrak's USA railpass no longer gives unlimited travel, it only covers a maximum of 10 'segments'.  This is the maximum number of individual train rides you can take during your 30 day pass duration.

A segment is one train ride on one train:  So a 2-day 2,200-mile trip from Chicago to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief counts as one segment, and a 30-minute ride on a Northeast Regional train is also one segment.  Go figure!  A journey involving a change of train (for example, New York to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited then Chicago to San Francisco on the California Zephyr ) counts as two segments.

Will a railpass save you money?   Very probably, if you intend making 8, 9 or 10 long-distance train rides.  10 rides for $499 is €49.90 per train ride, if (say) you only used 7 segments it'd work out at $71 per train ride.  Now use the journey planner at www.amtrak.com to see what normal fares would be, to compare.  But read the bit about passholder quotas below!

Reservations, upgrades & quotas

Railpasses are valid for any Amtrak train in the USA except Acela Express high-speed services and the Auto-Train car-carrying service.

Reservations are required!   The railpass is not a ticket, you must make a (free) reservation before boarding any train.  You can make reservations online at www.amtrak.com after buying your pass.  Alternatively, you can make them at stations as you travel around or by calling Amtrak's 24 hour freephone number, 1-800-USA RAIL (from outside the States call Amtrak on (001) 215-856-7953, not free).

Upgrading to a sleeper is no longer possible:   It used to be possible to upgrade to a private sleeper when using a pass, simply by paying the appropriate room charge.  For an idea of sleeper room charges, see the fares section above .  However, in 2021 this has changed, though it's not clear if this is permanent or temporary.  At present you cannot upgrade to a sleeper (or to business class) with a pass.  So only buy a pass if you're happy using a seat, even overnight.

Warning about passholder quotas:   After buying your pass, you can make reservations online, or at stations as you go, or by calling Amtrak.  However, with a pass you can only book trains on which a Value or Saver fare is available.  If only the most expensive Flexible fare is showing, you cannot use your pass on that train, even if there are seats still available for customers paying cash.  Many trains have Value or Saver fares available even on the day before departure, and sometimes even on the day of travel itself, but not always.  Trains get busy in summer, Value and Saver fares have limited-availability and often sell out.  When they sell out, you can't use your pass on that train.  So don't buy a pass only to find you can't travel on the trains you need.  Before buying the pass, use the journey planner at www.amtrak.com to get a feel for how fares work, and to see if your chosen trains have Value or Saver fares left.

How to buy an Amtrak Railpass

Check prices in pounds & buy a USA railpass (UK-based company, but passes sent to addresses worldwide)

Check prices in Australian dollars & buy a USA railpass (Australia & NZ residents)

Tours by train across America

Amtrak vacations, www.amtrakvacations.com.

Amtrak Vacations is Amtrak's official partner.  They can put a package together to your own specification, from anywhere to anywhere, with private sleeping accommodations on the train, stopovers at cities or national parks, hotels & transfers.  They'll also do ticket-only bookings for cross-country Amtrak journeys, and you may get more help and advice if you book through them as they specialise in Amtrak's long-haul routes.

Railbookers

Train travel specialist Railbookers have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.  They can arrange a tour by train across the United States on Amtrak, starting any date you like, to your own specification with hotels and train reservations all made for you, hassle-free.  They know what they're doing, and take good care of their clients, and I have no hesitation in recommending them.

G uidebooks

Click the images to buy at amazon.co.uk or amazon.com.

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Hotels in the USA

New York:  The Algonquin is New York's oldest operating hotel, opened in 1902, and a designated New York City Historic Landmark.  Perfectly located in mid-town Manhattan, a block or two from Times Square one way and Grand Central the other, with a lovely wood-panelled lobby and even its own hotel cat, which you may find wandering the corridors or sitting on the reception desk.  To check prices & book, click here .  For the Algonquin's history see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Hotel .

Washington DC:   Phoenix Park Hotel .  A great choice, directly across the road from Union Station so handy for arrivals and departures by train, with an excellent Irish Pub doing great food & Irish beer on the premises, and just 2 minutes walk from the capitol.  From around $154 for a double.

Los Angeles:   Hotel Queen Mary (closed for refurbishment in mid-2022, but reopened in April 2023).  This has got to be of the most fascinating places to stay, anywhere.  If you go to Los Angeles, consider making the Hotel Queen Mary your base to explore the Los Angeles - Hollywood - Disneyland area.  The original Queen Mary of 1936 has been permanently moored at Long Beach in California since the late 1960s, some 25 miles from Los Angeles Union Station (about a $90 taxi ride), and it's undoubtedly the most wonderful place to stay in LA.  The hotel consists of most of the original first class cabins on board the Queen Mary, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars available on board, too.  Hotel guests can more or less wander the ship at will, and even sign up for ghost hunts at night on board (and yes, from my own experience there is something going on aboard that beautiful ship!).  Wood panelled art deco interiors have been preserved, although a few modern items have been installed such as televisions, and (as we worked out from a historic deck plan) in some cases two of the Queen Mary's original cabins have been knocked into one hotel suite by turning one of the en suite bathrooms into a connecting corridor.  She is one of the most atmospheric places I have ever stayed.

Backpacker hostels in the USA: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in many places across the States at rock-bottom prices.

Flights to the USA

1)  check flight prices at opodo, www.opodo.com, 2)  use skyscanner to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines....

3)  Lounge passes

Make the airport experience a little more bearable with a VIP lounge pass, it's not as expensive as you think, see www.loungepass.com .  I have found that having lounge access with complimentary tea, coffee, food and wine makes all the difference to an economy flight.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  W hy you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from buy from Amazon.com .

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National Household Travel Survey Long Distance Travel Quick Facts

Long Distance Trips are more than 50 miles from home to the furthest destination.

HOW WE TRAVEL

• 7 percent of long distance trips are by air
• 2 percent of long distance trips are by bus
• 1 percent of long distance trips are by train
• Personal vehicles are used for almost all trips less than 300 roundtrip miles
• Nearly three-fourths of trips over 2,000 roundtrip miles were made by airplane

HOW FAR WE TRAVEL

• Americans total 1.3 trillion person-miles of long distance travel a year on about 2.6 billion long distance trips.
• Air - 2,068 miles
• Bus - 287 miles
• Personal vehicle - 194 miles
• Train - 192 miles

WHY WE TRAVEL

• 56 percent of long distance trips are taken for pleasure — vacations, sightseeing trips, visiting friends or relatives, outdoor recreation
• Business trips are 16 percent of long distance trips
• Commuting to work is 13 percent of long distance trips

WHERE WE TRAVEL

• 98 percent of long-distance trips are to destinations within the United States
• 62 percent of long distance trips are to destinations within the traveler's home state (intrastate travel)

WHO TRAVELS

• Men make 57 percent of long distance trips
• Women make 55 percent of long distance trips taken by bus — men make the most long distance trips by personal vehicle, air and train
• 57 percent of long distance trips are made by travelers with a total household income of $50,000 or more
• Almost two-thirds of long distance trips are made by travelers age 25 to 64

SOURCE: National Household Travel Survey, 2001-2002.

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12 Train Facts You Might Not Know

Learn 12 fun facts about trains, including how much locomotives weigh, how many truckloads can fit in a rail car and how trains are beneficial to the environment

These 12 train facts might surprise you...

Trains help ship the goods we rely on every day, from cars to clothing to lumber and so much more. Most people (except rail fans!) don’t have much of an interest in trains beyond enjoying the items they ship. But trains have cool tech, environmental benefits, and even help reduce highway traffic. So, while you may not think trains are so interesting now, these 12 railroad facts may change your mind.

1. Rail cars are far bigger than truck trailers

The first train fact on the list is how one rail car can hold three to four truckloads worth of freight. That means a single train could carry the same amount of freight as 300 trucks!

What does that look like in terms of weight? Most rail cars can have a gross weight (the total weight of the load, including the weight of the rail car itself) of up to 286,000 pounds. Heavy axle rail cars can have a gross weight of up to 315,000 pounds. By comparison, the federal gross vehicle weight limit for trucks traveling on the interstate is 80,000 pounds.

2. Railroads help reduce congestion on U.S. highways

Because rail cars can hold three to four truckloads of freight, just one train can take more than 300 trucks off the road. Think about what happens when you multiply that number by a year’s worth of shipments – that’s a lot of trucks! The result is reduced congestion on already overcrowded highways, less wear and tear on bridges and roadways, and a lessened burden on the taxpayers who pay to maintain them.

Here’s just one example: Every autorack of electric vehicles (EVs) shipped by rail removes an average of 1.2 trucks from the highway. In 2020, Union Pacific’s EV shipments alone took nearly 9,600 trucks off the nation’s congested highways.

3. On average, freight railroads spend six times more on capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue than the average U.S. manufacturer

In the U.S., roadways are built and maintained using taxpayer dollars. The same is not true for the vast majority of railroad tracks. America’s freight railroads own, build, maintain, operate and pay for their infrastructure without relying on government assistance.

In fact, between 1980 and 2020, America’s freight railroads spent nearly $740 billion on capital expenditures and maintenance expenses . That means, on average, railroads spent approximately $25 billion a year on the locomotives, freight cars, tracks, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure and equipment required to keep rail shipments moving safely and efficiently. Not only is this a fun fact about trains; it also saves taxpayers money !

4. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to ship freight by land

On average, railroads are three to four times more fuel efficient than trucks on a ton-mile basis. Railroads can move one ton of freight more than 480 miles on a single gallon of fuel, generating a carbon footprint up to 75% less than trucks and making them the most fuel-efficient way to move freight over land.

Better fuel efficiency equates to fewer emissions. So while railroads move 40% of U.S. freight, they are only responsible for 2.1% of U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and just 0.5% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

What does using a more fuel-efficient way to ship freight look like? If 10% of the freight shipped by the largest trucks were moved by rail instead, it would cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 17 million tons each year — the equivalent of removing 3.35 million cars from our highways.

5. Locomotives can process a billion data points per second

Tier 4 locomotives are equipped with super computers that allow them to process massive amounts of data that allow them to improve operational and fuel efficiency. The units have 15 million lines of computer code, five times that of its predecessor.

"Tier 4" refers to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission-level standard that went into effect for new locomotives on January 1, 2015. Tier 4 locomotives earned their name because they comply with these emissions standards and reduce emissions by 90 percent compared to locomotives manufactured before the year 2000. This makes them the most fuel-efficient locomotives to date .

6. Drones help run the railroad

Perhaps one of the coolest train facts is that the railroad industry uses drones. In order to run a safe railroad, tracks must be in good shape. Drones help get the job done. They do so by flying over rail yards and around bridges, allowing ground-penetrating radar and wayside sensors to identify possible track defects.

That’s not the only technology making the railroad safer. Locomotives equipped with Positive Train Control (PTC) systems have on-board computer software that automatically stops a train in certain instances to reduce specific types of human-caused errors.

7. Trains have “cruise control”

Locomotives use energy management systems that take into account the topography of the land, the length of the train, and the weight of the train and its cars (tonnage) to optimally apply power and speed to the train. In other words, energy management systems are a lot like cruise control , as they use throttle (like applying the gas pedal in your car), coasting and braking to save fuel. The result is a fuel savings of 3-5%. That may sound small, but when you consider that larger railroads consume more than a billion gallons of fuel every year, it makes a big impact…with the potential to save millions of gallons of fuel annually.

8. Rocket boosters can ship by rail

Actually, most anything can ship by rail, but rocket boosters just happen to be one of the most interesting.

When NASA needed to ship rocket boosters from a manufacturing facility in Utah to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for its Artemis I mission, they used rail to make it happen. The two massive rocket boosters consisted of 10 13-foot wide and 32-foot-long segments weighing 180 tons each.

The historic shipment that launched on June 15, 2020, involved specialized rail cars, multiple railroads and lots of planning. But on June 15, 2020, the rocket boosters arrived safely by rail.

9. The railroad has its own language

Piggy backs. Demurrage. Lading. Those aren’t words most people use every day, but they are terms used frequently in the rail industry. The railroad actually has a long list of words that may seem foreign to those outside of the industry. Even more specific, train dispatchers have their own language , too.

Check out this bilingual guide to railroad terms to see some of the most common ones. Or, take a deeper dive with these glossaries .

10. One locomotive weighs about as much as 108 hippos

Tier 4 locomotives weigh a whopping 432,000 pounds — the same as 108 hippos weighing in at 4,000 pounds each. These 6-axle engines have 4,400 traction horsepower and can reach a maximum speed of 70 miles per hour pulling thousands of tons of freight.

11. More than 600 railroads operate in the United States

Freight rail shipments in the United States travel on seven Class I railroads (the largest railroads, five of which are U.S. based and two that are based in Canada but have tracks in the States) and approximately 630 Class II and III short line railroads (smaller railroads). Class I railroads operate over approximately 92,000 route miles in 47 states and short lines operate over approximately 45,000 route miles in 49 states.

12. Freight railroads haul about 1.7 billion tons each year

Our final fun fact about trains reveals the amount of goods railroads haul in 12 months. In a typical year, freight railroads haul about 1.7 billion (with a “B”!) tons of raw materials and finished goods. Improved rail car designs are making it possible for trains to ship more product. In 2000 the average freight train hauled 2,923 tons; in 2020, that average rose to 3,187 tons.

Freight railroads are part of the integrated freight transportation network which, in addition to trains, relies on truck, air and barge. Together, this transportation system delivers about 61 tons of goods per American each year .

What’s your favorite train fact?

Do you have a favorite train fact? Share it with us on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram . Or, to learn more about how your product can ship by rail, answer a few quick questions and a shipping expert will be in touch.

Related Articles

• Shipping by Rail 101: FAQs Answered
• Quiz: Is Rail the Right Fit for Your Shipments?
• What Are Short Line Railroads and Why Do They Matter?
• Railroad Terms and Definitions Translated: English and Spanish
• How to Ship Oversized Freight
• 11 Train Facts that Could Save Your Life
• How Much Freight Ships by Rail In the US?
• U.S. Freight Rail: The Envy of the World
• The Impact of Black Inventors on the Railroad

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Travel Classes in Indian Trains

Travelling is an integral part of the lives of human race. But the magnitude of travelling has changed a hell lot over the years. In olden days travelling merely meant getting from one place to another. People were not very choosy for a particular class while travelling via railways and luxury was never a part of travelling in those days. Trains used to be comprised of coaches where seats were made of iron rods that were moulded to form bench where people could sit.

But with advancements in technology, features, services people started taking care of these details while travelling. Soon came the sleeper classes, coaches with toilets, washbasins, cushioned berths and what not. It was then that the concept of AC Coaches started in Frontier mail (Now known as Golden Temple Mail). Although the technology used for air conditioning was quite unconventional way back in 1934. Thanks to the modern day Indian Railways that are employed to provide comfort and ease to the passengers at every step.

With changing travelling needs there are now various options of classes available by the Indian Railways to travel anywhere in India. I enjoy every bit of travelling but little do I know about the various abbreviations used by the Indian Railways like First AC (1A), Second AC (2A), Third AC (3A), First Class (FC), Executive Class (EC) etc and what are the differences between these different classes?

First AC (1A)

First AC sleeper Class of the Indian Railways are the most expensive mode of travelling. These are fully AC coaches. It consists of 4 or 2 berths per compartment and there are no side upper or side lower berths in 1A coaches. Compartment having 2 berths are called coupe and ones with 4 berths are called cabin .

Each compartment has a door which passengers can lock from inside. Charges are rocket high for First AC, sometimes even more than those of flight ticket but is worth giving a try. The berths are more comfortable and spacious, there is a small ladder to reach upper berth, dustbins to throw garbage (thanks to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan) and there are small tables for every passenger to have meals.

For trains like Rajdhani and Duronto, food is served in cutlery plates and bowls and there is special menu for 1A passengers unlike in 2A and 3A coaches where food is loaded from IRCTC’s Kitchen setups at various places. Also in some trains there is a button in each First AC compartment to call attendant at any point of time.

In some trains even washbasins are provided inside each compartment. There is also one washroom with shower facilities per coach where passengers can bathe and get ready. The curtains used in these coaches are fire-proof and blankets are covered and clean. Chart is prepared manually for 1A coaches hence, passengers get seat numbers only after chart is prepared.

If you are lucky, you might be welcomed with a flower and a welcome drink in this class making you feel like a Maharaja of some era.

• Total Berths: 18-24
• Chart Prepared manually.
• Food prepared inside the train in pantry cars.
• Pets (Dog or any other pet) allowed in this class subject to various conditions.
• Washrooms to take shower (In some trains).

Executive Anubhuti (EA)

Executive Anubhuti coaches are furnished with aircraft like amenities by the Indian Railways. These coaches are equipped with enhanced features when compared to the executive class of Shatabdi trains. Executive Anubhuti classes have been recently added in some Shatabdi trains. It does not have sleeper berths. It is a fully AC 56-seat coach that has a chair car seating arrangement of 2X2 fashion along with LCD screens. LED lights are fitted in these coaches which provides appropriate lighting in train. It has recliner seats and cushioned leg rests to ensure a comfortable journey to the passengers.

Railways have also provided headphones on each seat to watch movies and music for the entertainment of passengers on board. Charging sockets are also available in between two seat joints. Automatic doors are there in which passengers do not have to slide/push the door. Above each seat it also has attendant call button. The food tables are attached under armrest which can be opened just with a click button and pushed inside when not in use. Passenger details also gets displayed on the panels which are in the middle of each coach like speed of train, upcoming station, etc.

In order to keep the tracks defecation-free, anubhuti coaches have modular bio-toilets furnished with touch-free taps. At the end of each coach, there is also a washroom occupancy indicator by which you can get to know that it is vacant or occupied.

Luggage racks, washrooms, doorway area, exterior of coaches are exquisitely covered with anti-graffiti vinyl wrapping. Fare of such coaches is very high which also includes the catering charges.

AC Executive Class (EC)

These are Executive Class coaches by the Indian Railways. It is said to be Railway’s Business Class mode of travelling like in aircrafts. It is fully AC class with only Chair Car type seating arrangements. There are no Sleeper berths in these coaches. It is similar to CC (Chair Car) class like the one’s in Shatabdi trains. The only difference being seat arrangements are in 2 X 2 fashion in Executive Class making it more comfortable and spacious. Therefore there is more leg space and middle walk way is also wide.

Washrooms are clean and hygienic in this class. There are small tables attached to the back of your front seat, which can be used to have meals or to keep your belongings. The Executive class is present in Shatabdi trains, tejas express and in a handful double decker trains too. Fares for this class is too high, similar to first ac. Catering charges are included in ticket fare for this class for shatabdi trains. And as you know, the higher the class, the less noise; hence in this class too you would find people engrossed in their own world and you would hardly find any co-passengers chit chatting in this class.

Second AC or AC 2-tier (2A)

This is second AC Sleeper class by the Indian Railways. In terms of features it stands less than the first ac coaches but in terms of service and comfort this class is way above 3A class. It has 6 berths in each compartment. Only 2 berths are there on each side of the compartment and there is no middle berth.

Therefore, it is also sometimes classed ac 2-tier. This gives ample space to passengers unlike crowded third AC coaches. The seats are spacious and curtains are provided in each compartment unlike in 3A coaches where curtains were removed recently. There is a reading lamp provided on each berth for anyone to use it personally.

Food served in second ac and third ac are same! Although you would feel attendants are more attentive and would bring you anything you demand (be it extra roti or extra rice or more dal or even extra pillow etc.) in 2A while in 3A attendants are more adamant and might refuse to bring you anything extra.

As a traveller I miss the train discussions and random communication with co-passengers here, since people do not indulge into much discussions and talking in these coaches generally. It is quieter in Second AC coaches compared to Third AC and Sleeper class coaches.

• Total Berths: 48-54
• Reading Lamps

First Class (FC)

First Class are the non ac coaches by the Indian Railways. This class was very popular in late 70’s and early 80’s amongst VIPs and politicians. But with the introduction of AC coaches, FC classes phased out slowly. Now only handful of trains offer First Class.

This class too have 2 Berth Coupes and 4 Berth Cabins with a door which can be latched from inside just like the ones in AC First class. The main reason for passengers to still continue to travel in this class is for the safety and peace of mind. There are no attendant call button or dustbins inside the cabins or coupes in this class, although these coaches comes equipped with reading lamps and are clean and hygienic.

Ticket fare of this class is comparatively higher than third ac and ac chair car while it is lower than the fares of second ac and first ac classes. Since people could travel in third ac with lesser money, almost everyone started preferring third ac over first class which further led to its demise.

Some of the toy trains too have first class. The FC class of toy trains and some of the short distance trains and passenger trains in India have seating arrangements only. Seats are in 2 X 1 fashion or 2 X 2 fashion . For example Rail Motor- 72451 have only FC class which have only seating arrangements. There are other short distance trains that have only FC class coaches for the entire train.

But it seems like this class would soon become extinct just like the dinosaurs, in coming years.

• Safe due to doors per compartment.
• Clean and hygienic.

Third AC or AC 3-tier (3A)

This is the most common and most preferred class of travel by the Indian middle class passengers. Third AC Sleeper has 8 berths in each compartment. The backrest of the lower berth is pulled upward to make it a middle berth and since each side of the compartment has three seats, it becomes impossible for an adult to sit upright when all three berths are open.

Also, there is no reading lamps on the berths which is there in second ac class. The side upper and lower berth resemble the same to that provided in 2A Sleeper the exception being reading lamps. Hence there is extra head space in side berths and you might not risk getting hit on side berths. Washrooms are not as clean as in 2AC and First AC Sleeper coaches. The 8-berth compartment composition makes it little crowded.

Third ac coaches are normally heaviest coaches of the train. Well one thing I like about this class is that people get into discussions more frequently in this class, so if you are not looking out for personal space, you could indulge into group discussions with your co-passengers. If not, you can get on the upper berth and avoid any communication with others.

• Total Berths: 64-72
• No curtains

Third AC Economy (3E)

This is very rare AC 3 tier Economy class available by the Indian Railways. They are just like 3A coaches the only difference being in the number of berths in each compartment. In 3A class there are 6 berths and 2 side berths in each compartment, but in 3E class there are 3 side berths making it a total of 9 berths per compartment. This class is available in some of the Duronto trains and Garib Rath Express (translates to poor man chariot).

The extra side middle berth in 3E class makes it bit congested in daytime journeys while it is comfortable or rather manageable during night journeys. Due to the side middle berth the head space in side berths are too less unlike in 3A coaches where there are ample of head space for the side berth passengers. The concept of Garib Rath was introduced by the then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in view of passengers who could not afford to travel in AC Coaches.

For this class of travel in Garib Rath Express bedroll charges are not included in ticket fare and passengers need to opt the same during ticket reservation for which they are charged Rs. 25 extra. For the 3E class of other trains no extra bedroll charges are incurred and are already included in the ticket fare.

• Total Berth: 72-81
• Bedroll charges extra Rs. 25/- for some trains.
• Side middle berth extra.

AC Chair Car (CC)

This is Chair Car class by the Indian Railways. It consists of only seating arrangements with 3 X 2 seats per row. Each seat is dedicated to one passenger. This is fully AC coach. This type of class is available in short journey trains. Premium trains like Shatabdi Express and some of the Duronto trains (Day time) has Chair Car coaches. Sometimes jan-shatabdi trains also have 1-2 ac chair car coaches. There is a space overhead to keep luggage and it is placed safe in your sight at all times.

There are small tables attached on the back of your front seat which a passenger can open to have meal or to keep their belongings. These coaches are clean and well maintained by the Indian Railways. I think travelling in Chair Car gives you a combined feeling of flight and bus journey. The fare for this class is higher than sleeper but lower than third ac.

Sleeper (SL)

These are sleeper class coaches by the Indian Railways. These are Non-AC Coaches and have 8 berths per compartment. The windows are not shielded with thick glasses unlike in AC coaches hence there is enough air ventilation. But with air comes dust, sunrays and water (During rainfall) through the windows. It gets too hot in daytime and too cold during nights in these coaches. One can view and feel beautiful countryside sceneries more in Sleeper Class coaches.

Since attendants are not there for these coaches, safety remains a major issue in this class of travel. There are lots of hawkers selling tea, coffee, bhelpuri, books and lots of other stuff inside the train in this class. The best part with these hawkers coming and going is that it reminds you of your childhood memories. These hawkers are not allowed to board the train in AC class coaches. Since travelling in sleeper class is very economical, it is mostly preferred for short overnight journeys by the passengers.

One can see people discussing a hell lot on any topic in this class. There is a great deal of noise (from the windows and from the chit chatting going around). The capacity of this coach is normally 72 passengers but don’t be surprised if you see twice or more passengers inside a sleeper coach. This is because a lot of people having waitlisted ticket or unreserved ticket also travel in this class. So if you are looking for some lonely quiet time, we would highly recommend not to prefer this class.

• Total Berth: 72-80
• 8 berths per compartment.
• Usually 2 windows that can be opened/closed manually.

Second Seating or 2S:

These are Second Seating Class by the Indian Railways. 2S is a Non AC class coach which are the cheapest class to travel by the Indian Railways. This class is common in most daytime Intercity and Janshatabdi trains. 2S can be reserved or unreserved. For reserved 2S category coaches are equipped with chair car seats in 3X3 fashion. Since it is non AC class, it gets quite uncomfortable at times during summer. Also, 3X3 seating makes it bit compact and congested.

For the unreserved class seats are bench like just like in buses and local trains and 3 passengers can accommodate per bench. You would find this class to be most lively as there is always some movement going around in this class. You would find various short distance passengers who would always occupy seats in this class and would be engaged in highest level of discussions.

For long journeys it is not advisable to travel by this class. Many a times people fight over seat in this class due to the unreserved nature and big demand.

Do you know there is luggage allowance in railways too just like in airways. There is a maximum limit for the luggage load allowed per passenger in trains beyond which a passenger is liable to be charged extra. This is different for different classes by the Indian Railways. Although I never found this rule to be followed very strictly by the passengers and railway employees but if a passenger is seen carrying shit load of extra luggage, they need to take special permission from the railway authority for which they are charged extra. There are specified luggage dimension too for the passengers to carry them in their compartment. Your luggage’s outside dimensions for trunks, suitcases and bags should not exceed 100cmsX60cmsX25cms (length X breadth X height). Anything beyond this might be objected by the railway authorities. In case a luggage dimensions fall beyond this capacity, it needs to be carried only by brake van/luggage coach car.

The dimensions of berths differs for different classes and for different category of trains. For instance first ac coaches are very spacious and 2 people can easily accommodate on a single berth of this class while it is narrow in Sleeper class (SL) coaches. Also side berths are shorter in length compared to its opposite lower, middle or upper berths for all the classes. Dimensions for lower/middle and upper berths are usually in the range of 181cms-190cms (length) while it is 179 cms-188 cms (length) for side berths.

Here is a comparison list of various features for different classes in Indian Railways:

Here is the price comparison between different classes for trains between Mumbai and Ahmedabad

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These Maps Show How Ridiculously Long U.S. Travel Took in 1800

We complain that it takes over four hours to travel from New York to Washington, D.C., but it’s easy to forget that modern transportation is pretty damn fast. Over the course of the 19th century, the United States was transformed by the development of its rail network — before then, a trip to D.C. would have taken days .

Infrastructure improvements sound dull, but they have the ability to transform how we think about geography and time. It’s possible for a New Yorker to take a (very, very short) weekend trip to California, but in the year 1800, you would have needed to take the entire summer just to visit someone in Chicago. And if you made a friend on that vacation and then left, you probably wouldn’t ever see them again.

Look at this map below, taken from the Atlas of the Historical Geography of the United States published in 1932, which shows how long it would take someone in 1800 to travel across the country, using New York as a starting point:

It seems unfathomable these days, but the above situation didn’t last for long. By 1830, infrastructure was on the move. The first commercial railroad was built in Massachusetts in 1826, which led to the gradual development of further tracks based on British steam locomotive technology . At the same time, roads were rebuilt, extended and improved, which led to more vehicles. By now, you could probably visit your friend in Chicago in around six weeks. Here’s the same map in 1830:

In the ensuing period, rail went full steam ahead. By 1840, around 3,000 miles of railroad track had been built, and the earlier noisy trains improved and were made faster. Your friend in Chicago? You could visit them during a long weekend. By 1857, New Yorkers could travel to other northeastern cities in a matter of hours:

The improved infrastructure led to a dramatic change in American industry. Goods could now ship far further than ever before. The end of the First World War led to an increased construction workforce, as military men sought to use their skills for other projects. In 1830, three days travel would take you as far as North Carolina, but by 1930, you could reach the Californian coast:

These days? You can fly from New York City to Los Angeles in around six hours. Way back in 1800 you probably wouldn’t have made it out of New Jersey by that point. Your friend in Chicago is now just a two-and-a-half-hour flight away, and the rest of the world is open for us to explore.

I've spent hundreds of hours on long-haul Amtrak rides. Here are my 10 best tips for first-time riders.

Is Brightline safe? How many people have been killed in train crashes? Here's what to know

As Brightline pushes forward with plans to expand its service , concerns about the train's safety measures continue to linger. With the announcement of a new stop in Cocoa , which could be years away, the train service has faced increased scrutiny in recent months.

The addition of the Cocoa stop comes amidst mounting pressure on Brightline to address safety concerns following a series of accidents involving the Brightline trains . The incidents, which occurred in Melbourne , Rockledge and Micco, resulted after vehicles or pedestrians entered the train tracks as the high-speed train approached.

As a result, the company enhanced safety measures at crossings as well as launched public education campaigns.

How many fatal Brightline train accidents have occurred?

As of May 16, seven people in Brevard have been killed in train-related incidents with six of the deaths involving Brightline.

• On  Oct. 19 , 2023, a 60-year-old woman was struck and killed by a Brightline train near Aurora Road and Cypress Avenue in Melbourne. Lisa Marie Molnar was found near the tracks where she had been walking leading up to her death.
• On Dec. 24, 2023, a 36-year-old woman , another pedestrian, was killed in Melbourne in a collision with a Brightline train. Identified as  Katherine Stimus, the woman was killed a short distance from where the Oct. 19 collision occurred.
• On Jan. 11, 2024, a 62-year-old man was killed in a collision involving a Brightline train in Melbourne. The man, Charles Julian Phillips, reportedly drove an SUV onto the tracks in an attempt to go around the lowered barrier arms. Three other passengers in the SUV were transported to the hospital with serious injuries at the time.
• On Jan. 12, 2024, two people were killed along the same corridor along U.S. Highway 1 in Melbourne in a separate incident. They were in a truck at the time and officials reported that the vehicle had attempted to bypass the barrier arms that had been lowered in advance of the oncoming train. 52-year-old driver Lisa Ann Batchelder and her 54-year-old passenger, Michael Degasperi were both killed.
• On Feb. 8, 2024, a 34-year-old Indialantic man was killed when he was struck by a Brightline train at the Fee Avenue crossing. Witnesses at the time told police that the man, Mark L. Segretto, had lain down on the tracks and waited as the southbound passenger train approached.
• On April 18, 2024, an adult male was killed when he was struck by a Brightline train at the Barefoot Bay and Ron Beatty train crossing. The pedestrian was reported dead at the scene.
• On May 14, 2024, an adult female was killed when she was struck by a Brightline train at Ansin Road near Rockledge. No details had been released in the case.

How many people have been killed by trains in Florida?

Since 2017, at least  370 people  in Florida have been  killed by trains  belonging to 13 different companies, according to a TCPalm analysis in 2023. Of those, 97 were killed by Brightline trains.

About half the cases involved people walking or running on or along the tracks, records show. Several were documented as suicides, a statistic TCPalm excavated from the “narrative” category of the FRA casualty database. The standard  Railroad Injury and Illness Summary form  doesn’t include a dedicated category for suicides, leading some rail safety experts to conclude  suicides by train are undercounted .

Brightline taking safety measures

Following the recent series of fatal accidents involving Brightline trains, the company has taken steps to enhance safety measures at crossings along its service route. Some of the measures include the installation of exit gates and increased safety outreach efforts.

Brightline has also secured a $25 million federal grant to improve safety measures in response to these incidents. The company's executives are expanding safety initiatives, with a focus on public education and awareness to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Additionally, Brightline has been working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to implement a $45 million plan aimed at eliminating train-crossing deaths.

How to stay safe around Brightline trains

The most important thing is to be attentive when approaching a railroad. Brightline trains are much quieter than freight trains and other passenger trains, and they move much faster, meaning it's important to be extra cautious near the tracks.

Brightline has a  list of safety tips  for being safe around their high-speed trains, mostly suggesting alertness around the tracks. The Federal Railroad Administration distributed safety pamphlets that included  the following tips :

• At railroad crossings, slow down and approach with care.
• Listen carefully for trains.
• Look both ways, bending forward to see around obstructions.
• Be aware of your surroundings and prepare to stop.
• Do not enter a crossing unless you can drive completely through it without stopping.
• Keep driving through the crossing even if the lights flash and the gates come down.
• Leave at least 6 feet between your vehicle and the rails because trains are wider than the tracks.
• Keep a cell phone on hand for emergencies.

What to do if your vehicle stalls on the tracks

If your vehicle stalls on the tracks:

• Get out immediately.
• Walk toward the oncoming train and move away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle. If a train hits your vehicle, the debris will move in the same direction as the train.
• Call 911 or the emergency phone number posted on the blue signs at crossings.

Tyler Vazquez  is the Brevard County watchdog reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at  321-480-0854 or   [email protected] .

TCPalm reporter Lindsey Leake contributed to this story.

AAA Newsroom

Automotive, Travel, and Traffic Safety Information

Top Labor Day Travel Trends of 2024

Aaa booking data shows alaska cruises, european cities, and tourist attractions are most popular.

WASHINGTON, DC (Aug. 19, 2024) – This year’s record-breaking , blockbuster summer travel season comes to a close with many Americans exploring Alaska by cruise. According to AAA booking data, Seattle is the number one Labor Day weekend* destination, up nearly 30% from last year when it also topped the list. Anchorage and Juneau are also on the top ten list of Labor Day destinations.  

“This is the time of year to go on an Alaska cruise,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “There are fewer crowds compared to earlier in the summer, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of fall colors! It’s no surprise Alaska cruises are sold out this Labor Day weekend.”  

AAA travel experts say if you’re interested in going on an Alaska cruise next summer, the time to book is now to lock in the best rate and ensure you get the type of cabin you want.   

According to AAA booking data, o verall domestic travel over Labor Day weekend is up 9% compared to last year , while the cost to travel domestically is down 2%. Other top Labor Day destinations include Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco. For many families, Labor Day is the last hurrah before school begins. To make the most of those trips, AAA recommends identifying must-see sights and creating a flexible itinerary ahead of time. “ Trip Canvas is a great free resource for travelers in the planning phase,” Twidale said. “You can find free things to do in Denver or the best museums in New York City .”  

Travelers taking road trips should expect to pay less for gas compared to last year. The national average over Labor Day weekend in 2023 was $3.81. In recent weeks, gas prices have remained steady, hovering around $3.50. Despite the popularity of summer road trips, overall gas demand is down as daily driving habits have changed post-pandemic, preventing pump prices from spiking. Hurricanes hitting the Gulf and affecting regional refineries could cause gas prices to go up as the peak of the season approaches in September. For drivers taking road trips in their electric vehicles, AAA now offers information on the cost of Level 2 commercial EV charging and updates that data weekly .   

International travel over Labor Day weekend is down 4% compared to last year, per AAA booking numbers , while the cost to travel internationally is up 11%. Most of those travelers are heading to Europe. Eight out of the top ten international destinations booked through AAA are European cities. Travelers renting a car abroad should consider getting an International Driving Permit (IDP), which translates their driver’s license information into 10 languages. Some countries – including Italy and Spain – require it. AAA is the only entity in the U.S. authorized by the State Department to issue an IDP.   

  Top Labor Day Destinations  

  Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car over Labor Day Weekend   

INRIX , a provider of transportation data and insights, says car travelers should avoid the afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday, as those times will be the most congested. Drivers should hit the road in the morning unless they’re leaving on Saturday when the best time to travel by car is in the afternoon. Travelers returning on Sunday and on Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic in the afternoon.    

“Drivers should expect the most severe traffic jams before the holiday weekend as commuters mix with travelers,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Monitoring traffic apps, local news stations, and 511 traveler information services may help drivers navigate around congestion and reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”  

Source: INRIX  

*Labor Day Weekend   

AAA looked at booking data for Thursday, August 29 through Monday, September 2, and compared those numbers with booking data for that same five-day period in 2023.   

About AAA   

Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe mobility, AAA has transformed into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA delivers exceptional roadside assistance, helps travelers plan their dream vacations and adventures, offers exclusive member discounts and benefits, and provides trusted financial and insurance services – all to enhance the life journey of our 64+ million members across North America, including over 57 million in the United States. To learn more about all AAA offers or become a member, visit AAA.com.  

  About INRIX  

Founded in 2004, INRIX pioneered intelligent mobility solutions by transforming big data from connected devices and vehicles into mobility insights. This revolutionary approach enabled INRIX to become one of the leading providers of data and analytics into how people move. By empowering cities, businesses, and people with valuable insights, INRIX is helping to make the world smarter, safer, and greener. With partners and solutions spanning across the entire mobility ecosystem, INRIX is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology and transportation – whether it’s keeping road users safe, improving traffic signal timing to reduce delay and greenhouse gasses, optimizing last mile delivery, or helping uncover market insights. Learn more at INRIX.com.   

How a rail stoppage could affect freight, farming, french fries and more

A railway shutdown would have consequences in big ways and small.

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For the first time, Canada's two main railway companies, Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), are on the verge of a simultaneous labour stoppage.

The companies say they will start locking out workers in the early hours of Thursday if they cannot reach a deal, while the union says it is ready to call a strike for that day. 

The Teamsters union is demanding better wages and benefits, including provisions for fatigue management and better crew scheduling. 

The two rail lines play an outsized role in the Canadian economy, moving roughly $1 billion worth of goods per day, according to the Railway Association of Canada.

• Canada is barrelling towards a massive rail shutdown. Leaders urge railways, union to finalize deal

Here's a look at how a stoppage could affect business, and people's everyday lives.

Getting around

For most people, a freight rail stoppage won't have an immediate impact on how they get around. But more than 32,000 rail commuters could be affected in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. 

Transit authorities say select commuter lines that run on CPKC tracks will be suspended should dispatchers walk off the job alongside 3,200 other workers.

How Toronto transit, businesses could be affected by possible railway strike

The commuter lines affected by the potential work stoppage are TransLink's West Coast Express in the Vancouver area, Metrolinx's Milton line and Hamilton GO station in the Greater Toronto Area, and Exo's Candiac, Saint-Jerome and Vaudreuil/Hudson lines in the Montreal area.

Via Rail would also see service disrupted along a route in northern Ontario that runs through Sudbury, a spokesperson said.

Grocery stores

The threat of a rail stoppage could also have an effect on what we see on grocery store shelves, especially if the dispute drags on.

Already, some perishable food is not being shipped by rail, said Michael Graydon, chief executive officer of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada, an industry group. 

Graydon said frozen food, such as french fries, could already have stopped being shipped. Meat and fruit such as bananas, which often arrive in Canada by rail after first arriving in the United States, could also be affected, he said.

He said parts of Western Canada and Atlantic Canada area likely to be most affected .

Graydon also raised concern the type of "consumer hoarding" we saw during the pandemic could compound any potential shortage and put additional strain on suppliers.

Small businesses

A stoppage would have consequences for many businesses if a strike were to drag on — particularly small ones with a smaller stockpile of goods and fewer options to get more.

Fraser Johnson, a professor at Western University's Ivey Business School specializing in supply chains, said small businesses "don't have the flexibility to be able to redirect freight as large companies."

He said retailers like Walmart can make "contingency plans" to move goods through alternate routes in the U.S. "and back up into Canada to its various stores."

Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, said in some cases small businesses are already feeling the effects.

"The impact would be huge," he said. "Even in retail, there's so many goods that go into Canada that use rail ... to get to their final destination." 

'If there's no railcars, there's really no work,' says London business owner

Canada's agricultural sector, particularly in the Prairies, is heavily reliant on rail for shipping out its product.

Stephen Vandervalk, who farms near Fort Macleod, Alta., and is the vice-president of the Wheat Growers Association, called the situation "completely out of control."

"Harvest is right now. We're combining. Bids are dropping daily because elevators don't want grain, and they're stopping deliveries from grain," Vandervalk told CBC .

Fertilizer Canada, an industry advocacy group, warned that even the threat of a work stoppage has taken its toll.

"Farmers around the world rely on Canada's fertilizer industry to maximize crop yields, and the fertilizer industry relies on rail to get our products to market," Karen Proud, head of Fertilizer Canada, said in a statement.

The supply chain

In addition to the agricultural sector, the automotive sector and Canada's ports would be among those most affected by a stoppage, said Western University's Fraser Johnson.

Johnson said rail is "an integral part of our supply chain that handles, for example, 50 per cent of all Canadian exports, but it's incredibly important to a number of [domestic] industries." 

Car manufacturers, for instance, "still receive a lot of components from suppliers via rail and certainly ship out cars from their assembly plants via rail as well," he said.

International shipping giant Maersk said it is making contingency plans, but for now continues to ship goods into Canadian ports.

Some companies rely exclusively on rail to ship out their product. Toronto's Chemtrade Logistics Inc., for instance, said it  provides chlorine for 40 per cent of Western Canada's drinking water, as well as much of the western United States. 

Its product cannot move by truck or ship, and safety regulations cap the amount that can be stockpiled.

Bob Masterson, CEO at the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, told The Canadian Press if a stoppage were to drag on for more than a week the lack of chlorine shipments could affect the water supply in some municipalities. 

Possible consequences

It's unlikely a stoppage could have an immediate effect on the price of goods, said Johnson.

CN went through an eight-day strike by more than 3,000 workers represented by Teamsters Canada in November 2019.

• How Canada reached the brink of an unprecedented railway stoppage

That strike halted shipments and disrupted industries across the country, but the overall economic impact was still "relatively small,"  according to RBC analysis . RBC found the strike reduced annualized quarterly growth by only 0.1 percentage points.

This time around, a full stoppage of both rail lines for both rail lines would be more consequential, at least on the sectors directly affected, Johnson said.

"The major impact will be the potential for lost sales for businesses and layoffs and lost wages in these areas," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Benjamin Shingler is a senior writer based in Montreal, covering climate policy, health and social issues. He previously worked at The Canadian Press and the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal.

With files from The Canadian Press

Related Stories

• 'Rail is our lifeline': Businesses brace for possible CN/CPKC shutdown amid lockout-strike threats
• Here's how a possible railway stoppage would land in Alberta
• Rail shutdown would be 'devastating' for small businesses: CFIB

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TSA readies for busiest Labor Day travel period on record, provides top travel tips to help airline passengers prepare

WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared to screen more than 17 million people during what is expected to be the busiest Labor Day travel period on record, which will run Thursday, August 29 through Wednesday, September 4. The peak travel day is projected to be August 30, when TSA expects to screen 2.86 million people.

Air travel volumes this summer are the highest the agency has seen in its history. The agency expects passenger volumes to be 8.5 percent higher than last year during this time, and has already screened 239.8 million people since Memorial Day weekend, which is an average of  2.7 million per day. The top ten busiest travel days in the agency’s history have all occurred this year since May 2024. The agency reached a new milestone on July 7, when Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) screened more than 3 million people in a single day.

“People are traveling more than ever this summer and TSA along with our airline and airport partners stand ready to close the busiest summer travel period on record during this upcoming Labor Day weekend,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “I commend our vigilant workforce, from our TSOs on the front lines at airport security checkpoints across the country to those behind the scenes, working hard to keep the transportation system secure—especially as we continue to roll out new checkpoint technology that improves security effectiveness, efficiency, and the passenger experience.”

TSA is staffed to meet its wait time standards, which are 10 minutes and under in TSA PreCheck® lanes and 30 minutes and under in standard screening lanes. With this increase in travel volumes, TSA recommends airline passengers travel with ease by enrolling in the TSA PreCheck Trusted Traveler Program , where members do not need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, food items, and light jackets at the checkpoint. TSA PreCheck members are reminded to make sure their Known Traveler Number (KTN) is in their airline reservation so it appears on their boarding pass.

REAL ID will go into effect in less than nine months, starting May 7, 2025. Airline passengers will soon need a REAL ID-compliant form of identification when flying. If the driver’s license is not REAL ID-compliant, they must have another form of acceptable identification, such as a U.S. passport. REAL ID driver’s licenses and identification cards have a small star in the upper right corner indicating they meet federal regulations that establish minimum security standards.

Check out TSA’s top travel tips for an efficient and successful trip through security.