Independent rail travel guide · checked October 2026
Train travel in the USA and Canada
Every Amtrak long distance and corridor route, VIA Rail across Canada, scenic railroads, major stations and practical guides. Written to help you plan a real trip, with honest journey times and no booking tricks.
The network at a glance
North America's passenger rail network is thinner than Europe's, but it reaches almost every major region. Amtrak runs a national network in the United States, built around overnight long distance trains from Chicago, New York and Washington, and busy daytime corridors such as Boston to Washington, Chicago to Milwaukee and Los Angeles to San Diego. In Canada, VIA Rail runs frequent trains between Quebec City and Windsor and a handful of long distance and remote services, including the four day Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver. Each line on the map links to its route guide.
- Amtrak long distance
- Amtrak corridor and state routes
- VIA Rail
- Brightline
- Rail tours
- Alaska Railroad
Alaska's railroad is shown on the full network map.
Long distance departures
These are the overnight trains that make North American rail travel special: two or three days on board, dining cars, sleeping rooms and big landscape windows. Journey times are typical end to end figures, rounded.
| Train | Between | Journey | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Zephyr | Chicago to San Francisco (Emeryville) | ≈ 51 to 52 hours end to end | Daily in each direction |
| Southwest Chief | Chicago to Los Angeles | ≈ 43 hours end to end | Daily in each direction |
| Empire Builder | Chicago to Spokane and Seattle and Portland | ≈ 45 to 46 hours end to end | Daily in each direction |
| Coast Starlight | Seattle to Los Angeles | ≈ 35 hours end to end | Daily in each direction |
| Sunset Limited | New Orleans to Los Angeles | ≈ 46 to 48 hours end to end | Three times a week in each direction |
| Texas Eagle | Chicago to San Antonio | ≈ 32 hours Chicago to San Antonio | Daily between Chicago and San Antonio |
| City of New Orleans | Chicago to New Orleans | ≈ 19 to 20 hours end to end | Daily in each direction, overnight |
| Lake Shore Limited | Chicago to New York and Boston | ≈ 19 hours Chicago to New York | Daily in each direction |
| Cardinal | New York to Chicago | ≈ 26 to 28 hours end to end | Three times a week in each direction |
| Crescent | New York to New Orleans | ≈ 30 hours end to end | Daily in each direction |
| Silver Meteor | New York to Miami | ≈ 27 to 28 hours end to end | Daily in each direction |
| Floridian | Chicago to Miami | roughly 45 to 48 hours end to end | Daily in each direction (temporary service, as of 2026) |
| Capitol Limited | Chicago to Washington, DC | ≈ 17 to 18 hours when it ran as a separate train | Suspended as a separate train since November 2024 |
| Silver Star | New York to Miami | ≈ 30 to 31 hours when it ran as a separate train | Suspended as a separate train since November 2024 |
| Palmetto | New York to Savannah | ≈ 15 hours end to end | Daily in each direction, daytime |
| Auto Train | Lorton to Sanford | ≈ 17 to 18 hours overnight | Daily in each direction, nonstop |
Amtrak
The US national operator, created in 1971. Long distance trains cross the country once a day or a few times a week; corridor trains run many times a day in the Northeast, the Midwest, California and the Pacific Northwest. Start with the USA rail guide.
VIA Rail Canada
Canada's national operator. Most passengers ride the Corridor between Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor. The Canadian and the Ocean are classic long distance trains, and remote trains serve places with no road. Read the Canada rail guide.
Scenic and private trains
Brightline runs fast trains between Miami and Orlando. Rocky Mountaineer and the Alaska Railroad sell daylight rail tours, and dozens of heritage lines run steam and vintage trains. Browse the scenic railroads.
Popular city to city trips
- Chicago to New Yorkabout 19 hours
- Chicago to Los Angelesabout 43 hours
- New York to Washington, DCabout 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours
- Chicago to Washington, DCabout 15 to 18 hours
- New York to Philadelphiaabout 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes
- New York to Bostonabout 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours
- Chicago to San Francisco (Emeryville)about 51 to 52 hours
- Chicago to Seattleabout 45 to 46 hours
- Los Angeles to Seattleabout 35 hours
- New York to Montrealabout 10 hours 30 minutes to 11 hours
- New York to Torontoabout 12 to 13 hours
- Los Angeles to San Francisco (Emeryville)about 11 to 12 hours
- Chicago to Bostonabout 22 hours
- Boston to Washington, DCabout 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours
- Seattle to Vancouverabout 4 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes
- Montreal to Torontoabout 5 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes
- Seattle to San Francisco (Emeryville)about 21 to 26 hours
- Washington, DC to Philadelphiaabout 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
Canada by train
- VIA Rail long distanceThe CanadianToronto to Vancouverabout four days and four nights end to end
- VIA Rail long distanceThe OceanMontreal to Halifaxabout 22 to 23 hours end to end
- VIA Rail CorridorVIA Rail Montreal to TorontoMontreal to Torontoabout 5 to 5 hours 30 minutes
- VIA Rail regionalJasper to Prince RupertJasper to Prince Ruperttwo days in daylight, with an overnight stop in Prince George (you book your own hotel)
- VIA Rail regionalWinnipeg to Churchill (Hudson Bay train)Winnipeg to Churchillabout two days and two nights end to end
- Rail tour (daylight)Rocky Mountaineer: First Passage to the WestVancouver to Banfftwo days in daylight with an overnight hotel stay in Kamloops
Scenic railroads worth a detour
- Grand Canyon RailwayWilliams, Arizona
- Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge RailroadDurango, Colorado
- Cumbres and Toltec Scenic RailroadChama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado
- Mount Washington Cog RailwayBretton Woods area, New Hampshire
- White Pass and Yukon RouteSkagway, Alaska
- Alaska RailroadAnchorage, Alaska
- Napa Valley Wine TrainNapa, California
- Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog RailwayManitou Springs, Colorado
- Georgetown Loop RailroadGeorgetown and Silver Plume, Colorado
- Royal Gorge Route RailroadCañon City, Colorado
- Leadville RailroadLeadville, Colorado
- Verde Canyon RailroadClarkdale, Arizona
Start here
Frequently asked questions
Can you cross the USA by train?
Yes. You can ride from New York or Washington to Chicago on one overnight train, then from Chicago to the West Coast on another, such as the California Zephyr, Southwest Chief or Empire Builder. Allow at least three days of travel and one change in Chicago. See the long distance routes for the options.
Is train travel in the USA expensive?
Coach seats booked early are often cheaper than flying, especially on corridor routes. Private sleeping rooms on overnight trains cost more, but they include meals in the dining car. Fares rise as trains fill, so booking early matters. Our booking tips explain the fare system.
Is this the official Amtrak or VIA Rail website?
No. USA by Rail is an independent guide with no connection to Amtrak, VIA Rail or any railroad. Book tickets only on the operators' own websites or apps, such as amtrak.com and viarail.ca.
Do I need a passport for trains between the USA and Canada?
Yes. Three trains cross the border: the Maple Leaf, the Adirondack and Amtrak Cascades. Everyone on board goes through border inspection. Read crossing the border by train before you go.
How accurate are the times on this site?
We give approximate journey times and frequencies, dated to when we last checked. Timetables change several times a year, so always confirm on the operator's website before booking.