2025-10-01T19:45:06Z
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As autumn arrives in full force, one of the most delightful and memorable ways to appreciate the transformation of the landscape is by embarking on a scenic train journey. Across the United States, Canada, and Europe, a remarkable selection of railway routes offers front-row seats to the natural spectacle of fall. Certain trips promise indulgent luxury with fine dining and panoramic observation cars, while others provide a more modest yet equally awe-inspiring adventure for under fifty dollars. Regardless of budget or travel style, the crisp air, brilliant foliage, and comforting seasonal atmosphere create settings that captivate the senses.

The unmistakable hallmarks of the fall season are already here: temperatures are steadily declining, shelves overflow once more with pumpkin-flavored treats, and trees across the northern hemisphere are turning rich shades of crimson, amber, and gold. There is perhaps no better time to step aboard a long-distance rail line, where hours of uninterrupted views highlight the fleeting beauty of autumn. Fortunately, the timing is perfect. Interactive foliage maps demonstrate how colors are at their peak across northern states in October, making this period a prime opportunity for travel enthusiasts.

Several outstanding routes traverse iconic regions, each offering a distinctly atmospheric journey through landscapes brushed in seasonal hues. Pricing and schedules remain accurate through October 2025, allowing travelers to plan their excursions accordingly.

**Amtrak’s Vermonter: Washington, D.C. to Northern Vermont**
The Vermonter is a quintessential New England experience, whisking passengers from the nation’s capital to St. Albans, nestled in Vermont’s northern reaches. Over nearly fourteen hours, riders pass through the Connecticut River Valley, cross portions of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and finally enter the unparalleled scenery of Vermont’s Green Mountains. Along the way, forests filled with maple and oak trees create a flame-colored corridor that grows more vibrant as the train pushes north. Roundtrip fares for this immersive experience generally begin at around $240 in October, according to Amtrak.

**Amtrak’s Adirondack: New York to Montreal**
Equally celebrated is the Adirondack route, beginning in bustling New York City and concluding in the cultural hub of Montreal. This ten-hour journey proceeds through the Hudson Valley, continues past the resort town of Saratoga Springs, and skirts the historic site of Ticonderoga. As the train winds along the edges of Lake Champlain, passengers are treated to a dramatic blend of lakefront vistas and the towering Adirondack Mountains. This striking blend of water and forest makes it one of the most beloved foliage itineraries in North America. Roundtrip tickets between New York and Montreal typically start at approximately $144.

**Vigezzina–Centovalli Railway: Italy to Switzerland**
In Europe, the compact yet stunning Vigezzina–Centovalli Railway offers thirty-two miles of dramatic scenery, earning the affectionate nickname “the foliage train.” Beginning in Domodossola, Italy, and concluding in Locarno, Switzerland, the line takes riders across an impressive variety of landscapes, from deep gorges and mountainous passes to sparkling rivers and waterfalls. Particularly in autumn, the journey feels like traveling through a living postcard, with ticket prices beginning near €39 (around $45 USD).

**West Highland Line: Glasgow to Mallaig, Scotland**
Scotland’s legendary West Highland Line begins in urban Glasgow and ends in the quaint Highland port town of Mallaig. The five-and-a-half-hour ride threads through a realm of lochs, sweeping valleys, and ornate woodlands glowing in fiery shades during fall. The route is globally recognized not only for its raw beauty but also for featuring the Glenfinnan Viaduct, immortalized by its cinematic portrayal as the track of the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. Tickets for this celebrated route start near £51 (about $68 USD).

**The Rocky Mountaineer: Canada and the American Southwest**
For ultimate luxury, few journeys compare to the Rocky Mountaineer. Covering extensive territory across western Canada and the American Southwest, this train provides unparalleled amenities. With glass-domed windows offering panoramic perspectives and gourmet meals served on board, passengers enjoy complete immersion in the autumn landscapes. Because the train runs exclusively during daylight hours, no scenery is missed. Pricing reflects its prestige: travel packages begin at approximately $1,700.

**Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: Ohio**
Travelers in search of a more affordable yet equally delightful experience will find the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad enticing. Winding through the protected lands of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, this thirty-mile round trip unfolds over about three and a half hours. Family programs, themed excursions, and relaxed sightseeing rides are all available, making it versatile for travelers of any age. Best of all, ticket prices are impressively low, starting at just $26 for a full-day pass.

**Agawa Canyon Tour Train: Ontario, Canada**
For a deeper immersion into Canadian wilderness, the Agawa Canyon Tour Train ventures into northern Ontario at the season’s zenith. Traversing forested stretches of the Canadian Shield and gliding beside rivers and lakes, this ten-hour journey culminates dramatically at Agawa Canyon itself, where the train descends 500 feet to reach the valley floor. The itinerary includes a 90-minute stop for exploration within the canyon park. Roundtrip tickets begin at approximately CA$166 (about $119 USD).

**Amtrak’s Empire Builder: Chicago to the Pacific Northwest**
The Empire Builder embodies the scale of classic American rail travel. Beginning in Chicago, the route stretches 2,200 miles across seven states all the way to either Seattle or Portland. The 46-hour voyage captures practically every autumnal landscape imaginable: the Mississippi River near Wisconsin, the vast Dakota plains, Montana’s Glacier National Park, and the dramatic cliffs of Washington. Passengers may further enhance the experience at the observation lounge, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows. October fares between Chicago and Seattle typically start at $490.

**Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer: Oklahoma to Texas**
For travelers with limited time, the Heartland Flyer offers a compact but rewarding option. Covering the four-hour passage from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, this train highlights warm-toned hills, riverside forests, and the rolling prairies that characterize the region in autumn. With connections to fourteen different foliage road trip routes and numerous fall festivals in Oklahoma, the journey can easily be paired with further seasonal exploration. Roundtrip fares start at around $56.

**Bernina Express: Switzerland to Italy**
The Bernina Express is not merely scenic; it has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, underscoring its engineering marvel as well as its natural surroundings. Operated by the Rhaetian Railway, the route threads through the Swiss Alps and into northern Italy, crossing 196 bridges and passing through 55 tunnels. Autumn paints the alpine valleys in exquisite shades, making the experience especially memorable. One-way fares begin at approximately $83 USD.

**Amtrak’s California Zephyr: Chicago to California**
For those who desire endurance journeys across multiple geographic regions, the California Zephyr is unmatched. Taking more than fifty hours to travel from Chicago to Emeryville, near San Francisco, this transcontinental rail line offers a panoramic showcase of the American West. Highlights include the dramatic Rocky Mountains, Colorado’s Gore Canyon, and the awe-inspiring Glenwood Canyon. In autumn, these rugged settings are framed by bursts of seasonal color. Roundtrip pricing from Chicago begins around $476.

**Conway Scenic Railroad: New Hampshire**
Finally, no list of autumn train experiences would be complete without highlighting New Hampshire, long lauded as the quintessential fall destination. The Conway Scenic Railroad offers an especially nostalgic experience aboard its Mountaineer train, decorated in charming 1950s style. The five-and-a-half-hour journey crosses the Mount Washington Valley and Crawford Notch before entering the dramatic White Mountains. Tickets for this supremely scenic rail route begin near $83.

Taken together, these diverse journeys illustrate the unmatched capacity of rail travel to celebrate autumn. Whether one seeks the luxury of the Rocky Mountaineer, the grand expanse of the Empire Builder, or the charm of a short ride through Ohio’s forests, there exists a route for every traveler. As foliage peaks, these experiences transform ordinary train rides into timeless seasonal adventures, creating lasting memories framed in red, orange, and gold.

Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/best-train-rides-fall-foliage-views