TRAIN DECK
The Train Deck: Rail Travel
When the train fits a short trip, the station and schedule matter as much as the ride. Compare rail with the drive or flight it replaces.
Train Travel Articles & Routes
Chicago to Milwaukee by Train: Is the Hiawatha an Easy Weekend Escape?
Use the Hiawatha for a compact downtown weekend, with sample train windows and a car-free plan.
Boston to Portland, Maine by Train: The Car-Light Weekend
Use the Downeaster, one station transfer, and a downtown hotel to keep a three-night Portland weekend car-light.
Chicago to Milwaukee by Train: When It Beats Driving
Compare Hiawatha tickets, station walks, three hotel bases, and parking avoided on a three-night Milwaukee trip.
Scenic Short Routes: Why the California Zephyr Beats Driving
Looking for a 2–4 day getaway by train? The California Zephyr's short segments offer stunning mountain and canyon views - and significant savings over driving.
Find routes and trip notes that account for station access, travel time, parking avoided and the destination at the other end.
Why Travel by Train?
Stunning Scenery
Trains travel through landscapes you'll never see from a highway or plane - mountain passes, coastal cliffs, canyon floors, and rolling farmland.
Eco-Friendly
Train travel produces significantly less CO₂ than flying or driving. It's one of the greenest ways to explore the country on a quick getaway.
Stress-Free Travel
No security lines, no baggage fees, no traffic. Board downtown, arrive downtown, and enjoy legroom the whole way.
Value Fares
Amtrak fares for short segments can run $50–$100 round-trip. Use Amtrak Guest Rewards points to ride for free on select routes.