Published 4th May. 2026
Written by Holly Catton
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Like all continents, North America is vast and varied, but its countries share a key similarity: the sheer size of their landmass. From Canada’s rocky regions to America's plentiful plains and Mexico’s sun-soaked swathes – there’s no shortage of ground to cover. With an abundance of sprawling landscapes and beautiful vistas, the best way to soak it all in is by train travel. But which trips to choose? A multitude of tracks crisscross these terrains, cutting through mountains and burrowing into lush fields. To sort the grand voyages from the locomotive let-downs, read on for our picks of the best train trips in North America...
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We’re pulling out of the station with a classic: The Rocky Mountaineer. This iconic train winds through the mountains in style, with sumptuous décor and large, arching windows to capture the glorious views.
And there are multiple routes to choose from. ‘Passage to the Peaks’ departs from beautiful Banff, gliding towards Jasper via the idyllic city of Kamloops; ‘Journey Through The Clouds’ delivers on its ambitious promise, climbing the highest peaks in the Rockies on its way from Jasper to Vancouver; while ‘First Passage to the West’ – the most popular route – cruises from Banff to Vancouver. But our favourite is ‘Rainforest to Gold Rush,’ which travels through the historic Cariboo gold rush region, uniting Vancouver’s urban buzz with Jasper’s secluded serenity.
Image by Tourism Vancouver / Rocky Mountaineer
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Another Canadian crusade, The Ocean traverses over 840 miles to link metropolitan Montreal with the far-flung hub of Halifax (Nova Scotia’s most populous city). On its travels, the train is embraced by the scattered slopes of the Monteregian Hills before meeting up with the Saint Lawrence River.
A nocturnal nomad, the train departs Montreal at dusk and reaches the charming coast of Baie-des-Chaleurs by dawn, providing a breathtaking introduction to the eastern corner of Canada. With plenty of stops along the way, you can pause to snap some photo-worthy views. For those keen to sample the European flair of Quebec and the rugged remoteness of New Brunswick, nothing beats taking a dip in The Ocean (sorry).
Image by Charles Knox / Getty Images / iStockphoto
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Over in America, the best way to travel far and felicitously is on the mighty Empire Builder, which winds through the rugged American West. Taking off in the Windy City, it journeys from Chicago to Portland along the historic Lewis and Clark Trail (which commemorates an expedition across newly acquired land in the west).
Fantastic views of the Mississippi River unfurl as the train glides through Illinois, followed by the vast plateaus of the North Dakota plains and the dramatic rockfaces of Glacier National Park in Montana. The tracks split in Spokane, with one set heading to Seattle and the other trailing on to Portland. But don’t be deceived by the destination. While Seattle might be the more popular city, the path to Portland is picturesque, passing through the swoon-worthy Columbia River Gorge.
Image by Getty Images / iStockphoto
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For a classic trip through a fabled landscape, Mexico’s El Chepe reigns supreme. Here, the train heads inland from the coastal city of Los Mochis towards Creel in Chihuahua – a journey it’s been undertaking since 1961.
En route, the train stops at El Fuerte, Bahuichivo and Divisadero before skirting through the stunning structures of Copper Canyon via a series of robust bridges and tunnels. Everything culminates in Creel, a culturally rich town and gateway to the Sierra Tarahumara, home to the indigenous Raramuri people. Make sure to check out the remarkable rock formations in the neighbouring valleys – Valle de los Monjes (Monks Valley), Valle de los Hongos (Mushrooms Valley), and Valle de las Ranas (Frogs Valley). The rocks really do resemble their namesakes.
Image by Austin / Unsplash
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Further south, Tren Maya – also known as The Mayan Train, Tsiimin-Kaak and (most elusively) Fire Horse – is a modern marvel whose route encircles the vibrant Yucatan Peninsula.
Divided into seven sections, it offers a variety of journeys. The Valladolid to Tixkokob stretch ticks off a number of iconic sites, including the ancient Chichen Itza, but if you’re keen to travel further afield, we’d recommend the Palenque to Campeche stretch. Not only is it the most aesthetically appealing portion of the trip, but it also introduces an often-overlooked section of southern Mexico. After all – and you’ll have to allow us to indulge in a cliche here – it's as much about the journey as it is the destination.
Image by Ianabyko / Getty Images
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At the end of the rail, we’re closing this list of the best train trips in North America with a double hitter. The Amtrak Adirondack traverses Canada and America, linking lively New York to charming Montreal through the verdant vistas of the Hudson Valley.
As the sun rises over America’s east coast, the train emerges from Moynihan Station’s glorious canopy of glass and propels towards the idyllic upstate haven of Albany. Further north, it cosies up to the border of Vermont, offering stunning views of quintessential New England landscapes. Once the light slips beneath the horizon and the Canadian border rises, the train reaches Montreal. A city with a buzzing nightlife so inviting it might just greet you at the station, you’ll be ushered into another urban wonderland.
Image by Vivicamacho / Pexels
Header image by Robert HAIDINGER / LAIF-REA
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Meet Jean-Francois Rial, CEO of Voyageurs du Monde – the French tour operator that’s been Original Travel’s parent company since 2017. A passionate advocate for sustainable travel, he’s been proposing ways for the industry to play its part in protecting the planet. Off the clock, he also runs an organic vegetable farm in France’s Orne region, proving that even CEOs can get their hands dirty. Intrigued by the people shaping the future of travel?
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