Many visitors are surprised to find that the United States does have passenger trains, though they're nothing like those in Europe or Japan. Amtrak, the national rail company, connects hundreds of cities, but across much of the country the train is slow and runs once or twice a day, and for most long trips flying is still faster. Where the train shines is on short hops between nearby cities, such as New York, Philadelphia and Washington, and on the great scenic journeys that cross mountains and deserts over two days. This guide explains how train travel in the United States works for a visitor: routes, Amtrak, the $499 rail pass, high-speed trains, Brightline in Florida and when the train is really worth it. Last checked November 6, 2026.
Train travel at a glance
- Are there trains in the US? Yes. Amtrak serves more than 500 stations in 46 of the 48 contiguous states, according to Wikipedia.
- Where they make sense. On the Boston-New York-Philadelphia-Washington corridor, along the California coast and between Miami and Orlando on Brightline.
- To cross the country. The USA Rail Pass costs $499 and includes 10 segments in 30 days, according to Amtrak.
- Bullet trains. There's no European-style high-speed rail; the fastest train is the Acela, on the East Coast.
Amtrak: the national railroad
Amtrak was founded in 1971 and, according to Wikipedia, operates more than 500 stations and about 34,400 kilometers (21,400 miles) of routes. In fiscal year 2025 it carried 34.5 million passengers. It reaches 46 of the 48 contiguous states, plus the capital; it doesn't reach South Dakota, and in Wyoming it has only bus connections. The busiest station in the country is Penn Station in New York.
There are three kinds of service worth telling apart. Regional trains, such as the Northeast Regional on the East Coast or the Pacific Surfliner in California, make short trips several times a day. The Acela is the East Coast's fast train. And long-distance trains cross half the country in one or two days, with sleeper cars, a dining car and observation cars.
Train routes that are actually worth it
- New York-Philadelphia-Washington. The stretch where the train beats the plane: city center to city center, with no airports or security lines. From New York to Philadelphia, the Northeast Regional takes about an hour and a half.
- Los Angeles-San Diego. The Pacific Surfliner runs right along the ocean for much of the way.
- Miami-Orlando. On Brightline, the country's only private higher-speed train, explained below.
The long-distance scenic trains
For many travelers, the appeal of the train in the US isn't getting there fast, but the journey itself. The two most famous:
- California Zephyr. From Chicago to Emeryville, next to San Francisco, about 3,924 kilometers (2,438 miles) in just over 52 hours, according to Wikipedia. It crosses the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, and it runs daily.
- Coast Starlight. From Seattle to Los Angeles via Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area, about 2,216 kilometers (1,377 miles) in about 35 hours, also daily.
These are trips to enjoy, not to save time: delays of several hours are common because passenger trains share tracks with freight trains. In a sleeper, meals are usually included; in coach, you pay separately in the café car.
Is there a bullet train in the US?
Not like in Japan, France or Spain. Amtrak's fastest train is the Acela, linking Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington; according to Wanderu, the fastest Acela runs New York to Philadelphia in 1 hour and 6 minutes. But it shares old track for much of the route, so its average speed is far from a bullet train's. There are projects underway: Brightline West, which will link Southern California with Las Vegas, is under construction, with service planned for 2029, according to Wikipedia.
Brightline: the Miami-Orlando train
Brightline is a private train linking Miami with Orlando, with intermediate stops along the Florida coast. According to Wikipedia, it reaches up to about 200 km/h (125 mph), makes the full trip in about 3 hours and 25 minutes, and its Orlando airport station opened in September 2023. In 2025 it carried more than 3 million passengers. It's comfortable, punctual and a good alternative to driving between Miami and the Orlando theme parks.
The USA Rail Pass: is it worth it?
Amtrak sells a pass for traveling around the country: according to its website, it costs $499 and includes 10 segments in 30 days, which works out to less than $50 per segment. You have 120 days from purchase to start using it, and once you take your first trip, 30 days to complete the segments. It isn't valid on the Acela, the Auto Train, the Canadian portion of the Maple Leaf or some connecting buses. Each child needs their own pass.
It pays off if you take long trips, like the California Zephyr or the Coast Starlight, where a single ticket is expensive. For short, cheap segments such as New York to Philadelphia, buying individual tickets in advance is better. Note: the pass covers coach seats; sleepers cost extra.
How to buy train tickets in the US
Amtrak tickets are sold on its website and app, and it's worth booking ahead, because prices rise as the date approaches. The ticket goes to your phone and the conductor scans it on board; many stations have no turnstiles. As for luggage, Amtrak lets each passenger bring one personal item of up to 25 pounds and two carry-on bags of up to 50 pounds each at no charge, according to its website, a far more generous policy than budget airlines'.
Light rail and subways: trains within cities
Beyond intercity trains, many cities have light rail or subway systems that are very useful for visitors, especially to get from the airport to downtown. Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, New York, Miami and Phoenix have systems that connect to the airport or pass nearby.
Train, plane or car: how to decide
- Under 4 or 5 hours between cities with good service. Train, especially on the East Coast.
- Coast-to-coast distances. Plane, unless you want the scenic journey.
- National parks and small towns. Car, because the train almost never gets there. Read driving with a foreign license.
- Cities with good transit and expensive parking. Train and subway, plus the occasional ride-hailing app.
Frequently asked questions
Are there trains in the United States?
Yes. Amtrak operates more than 500 stations, and in Florida the private Brightline train runs between Miami and Orlando.
How much does the Amtrak rail pass cost?
The USA Rail Pass costs $499 and includes 10 segments in 30 days, according to Amtrak. It isn't valid on the Acela.
Is there a train from the US to Mexico?
No Amtrak passenger service crosses the border into Mexico. The usual approach is to take the train to a border city and cross by land.
Is there a bullet train in the US?
Not like in Europe or Japan. The fastest is the Acela, on the East Coast, and Brightline West, between California and Las Vegas, is under construction.
Is train travel in the US comfortable?
Yes: seats are roomy and the carry-on allowance is generous. The downside is delays on long-distance routes.
What is the most scenic train trip in the US?
The California Zephyr, from Chicago to San Francisco, through the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, is the most famous.
How long is the train from Chicago to San Francisco?
The California Zephyr takes just over 52 hours between Chicago and Emeryville, next to San Francisco, according to Wikipedia. From Emeryville, a connecting bus crosses the bay. Allow for possible delays, which are common on this route.