The Scenic Route: Why Long Train Rides Are the Most Underrated Way to Travel

Most travelers planning their dream vacation want the quickest way to get from Point A to Point B. What’s not to love about a plane zipping you across the country—or to an entirely different one!—in a matter of hours? You only have so much time off, and you want to experience the very best of your destination…which means getting there fast!

But here’s the question: do you have time to experience the entire journey rather than just the destination?

The convenience of travel has made us forget that the actual transport from one place to another can be a positively fantastic part of the trip—we prioritize the place we want to get to and see the method of how we arrive as a checkbox.

But let us shift your perception a little bit and suggest train travel as an alternative to air travel. We’re talking long train rides, like those where you can get a comfy room all to yourself, with delicious meals, gorgeous views, new friends, and a soft bed to stay overnight, lulled to sleep by the ambient noise and gentle motion of the cars moving methodically and quickly along the tracks.

The Views Are Half the Fun

All right—we know that nothing gives you the view that an airplane does. But if you’ve gotten tired of clouds or a fleeting patchwork of farmland from 30,000 feet, consider the alternative view that a long train journey can give you. We don’t mean bullet trains, where the scenery rushes past before you can appreciate it—we mean the slower, more scenic ones like the California Zephyr, which is arguably the most beautiful train ride in the entire United States.

Imagine this: you’re gliding past golden fields of wheat swaying in the breeze, riverbanks dotted with wildflowers, and dark, dense forests that stretch for miles and miles. You’ll pass tiny villages where church steeples rise above red-tiled roofs, farmhouses with laundry fluttering on the line, and busy markets dotting the myriad towns and cities you’ll pass through. At sunrise, the light spills over misty valleys, painting the landscape in pastel pinks and golds. By evening, the setting sun casts a fiery glow over distant mountains while you enjoy a relaxing glass of wine. How romantic!

Ideal Time to Breathe, Relax, and Reflect

There’s a unique sense of calm that comes with train travel, especially when you’re on a longer ride where you can zone out and enjoy the experience. The steady rhythm of the tracks and the peaceful swaying of the carriage make it the perfect atmosphere to unwind. Forget the frenzied rush of airports or the robotic efficiency of high-speed rail—during a long train journey, time is a gift instead of an enemy. If you have a good book or podcasts to catch up on, this is the perfect time—same with listening to your favorite music while playing a quiet game of solitaire on your phone.

This kind of travel gives you the opportunity to pause and reflect. Maybe that’s journaling about your trip, thinking about life, or just losing yourself in the passing landscapes. Long train rides let you step off the treadmill of daily life and fully embrace the journey.

Comfort That Puts Planes to Shame

Let’s face it: economy-class flights are basically exercises in how much discomfort you can endure. Cramped seats, elbow wars over the armrest, and trays so tiny they make your snacks feel like giants. Sound familiar?

Now imagine this: on a long train ride, you’ve got spacious seats with legroom that actually lets you stretch out—maybe even recline. There’s no seatbelt sign stopping you from getting up to wander. Feeling peckish? Head to the dining car for a meal or snack without juggling a tray in your lap. On many long-distance trains, you’ll find cozy observation lounges where you can enjoy the view or strike up a conversation with a fellow traveler.

Sure, not every train is a luxury liner, but many long-distance trains—like those on Amtrak, in Japan or China, or the stunning luxury lines in Switzerland—make comfort their priority. Rolling through the countryside in a train that feels more like a lounge on wheels? That’s the kind of travel worth savoring.

Conversations You’ll Actually Remember

There’s something uniquely social about long train rides. Planes are loud, cramped, and generally too chaotic for meaningful connections. But trains? Trains invite conversation. Whether you’re sharing a table in the dining car, enjoying the view from an observation deck, or simply passing time in your seat, the atmosphere encourages people to chat in a way that feels natural and unhurried.

Maybe it’s the slower pace or the sense of shared adventure, but fellow travelers on a train are often more open. You might meet someone who’s crossing the country to visit family, a backpacker sharing their best travel tips, or even a local with insights into the region you’re passing through. Long train rides create the perfect setting for stories you’ll remember long after the journey ends.

You’re Unplugging Without Missing Out

Planes may force you into airplane mode, but they hardly deliver on tranquility. Between the crying baby a row back, the jostling for the armrest, and the claustrophobic vibes, it’s hard to call it relaxing.

Long train rides, though, turn disconnecting into a luxury. Put down your phone (except to snap a photo or two) and let the slower pace of the journey set the tone. Watch the scenery roll by—mountains, rivers, quaint villages—and feel like you’re actually part of the landscape. Take a book, listen to music, or simply enjoy the rhythm of the train on the tracks. It’s the kind of peaceful escape that leaves you feeling refreshed and recharged, without the fear of missing out.

Featured image by Stephen Mease on Unsplash