What could be better than awe-inspiring views, a comfortable lie-flat seat, and a lack of lengthy security lines? Relaxed travel may sound like a pipe dream in this day and age but traveling with children can be a huge pain. However, this is a reality that is not only closer than you might believe but also more reasonably priced. It turns out that these are just some of the pleasures that come with traveling by train.
When it comes to vacationing by train, families have a lot of options to choose from. There is a wide variety of destinations to choose from, the length of the voyage can range from a few hours to two or more days, and there are several opportunities to disembark and explore other locations along the way to your final destination. Train rides have the additional advantage of being more environmentally friendly than other forms of travel: Rail travel produces much fewer greenhouse gas emissions than either driving or flying, and depending on the distance traveled, train trips can reduce emissions by as much as 84 percent.
Train rides through breathtaking scenery, fun for the whole family
Check out some of these family-favorite train rides for some vacation ideas that will allow you and your loved ones calm down, enjoy the world, and have a multigenerational vacation that everyone from infants and toddlers to teenagers and grandparents can take part in.
1. The Winnipeg to Churchill service provided by Via Rail Canada
The fast train across the continent to the area of polar bears
Ideal for families traveling with teenagers or younger children who are patient.
It is probable that Manitoba has never appeared on your list of places that you absolutely must see during your lifetime. However, if you learn about the town of Churchill, which is also renowned as the polar bear capital of the world, your perspective might shift.
The train journey from Winnipeg to Churchill that lasts for two days and two nights and is offered by Via Rail is the ideal opportunity to discover the immense and spectacular landscape of Manitoba, including its thick boreal woods and wide arctic tundra. Churchill has opportunities to see more than only polar bears as well: This academically significant Arctic gateway is also one of the best places to experience Arctic activities such as seasonal kayaking with beluga whales, bird viewing, and marveling at the aurora borealis, which is visible approximately 300 nights out of the year.
Churchill is in a remote location on the Hudson Bay, and the train ride is both the only dry land passage to Churchill and the most climate-friendly option for getting there. This is a significant benefit if you are interested in polar bears and other animals that are being impacted by climate change.
Two times per week, Via Rail Canada’s Winnipeg station serves as the point of departure for this, the company’s most northern route.
2. The California Zephyr, a train operated by Amtrak and traveling from Chicago to San Francisco
Are you boarding from the east or the west?
Beneficial for: Families with children of all ages
The journey on the California Zephyr is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful train rides in the United States. Passengers traveling from the San Francisco Bay Area to Chicago will glide through the grain fields of the Great Plains, marvel at the vivid Utah desert, cross the Colorado River, and take in the beauty of the Rocky and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges along the way. Finally, they will arrive in Chicago.
While it takes the Zephyr a little more than two full days to get from San Francisco to Chicago, the journey to Colorado (from either beginning point) is the ideal train voyage for younger passengers because it only takes 24 hours. If a family only wants to spend one night on a train, they can choose from one of the five stops in Colorado, which include stations that provide service to Denver, Aspen, and Rocky Mountain National Park. This ensures that the family will be able to find the ideal combination of activities both on and off the train.
Because it travels over a significant portion of the original route of the transcontinental railroad as well as the Continental Divide, the Zephyr is an excellent option for people of any age who are interested in the history of the United States.
3. Switzerland’s Glacier Express
travel over the Swiss Alps via train
Beneficial for: Families with children of all ages
The Glacier Express provides the epitome of unhurried mountain scenery by winding its way through the Swiss Alps, plunging into valleys, across 291 bridges, and traveling through 91 tunnels. On this train trip that just takes one day, the passengers will be relieved to know that they won’t miss a single breathtaking view. The Glacier Express is the only train that travels directly from Zermatt to St. Moritz, and its journey of around 300 kilometers and eight hours takes passengers through one of the most desirable vacation destinations in Europe for families.
This train ride provides families ever-changing entertainment from the luxury of their seats in the fully sealed panoramic view coaches, including views of the Matterhorn and a trek into the Rhine Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. Families that do not choose to remain on the train for the full eight hours can disembark at any one of the various stops that are located along the route. This makes it simple to segment the journey into multiple segments or ride only a portion of the route.
4. The Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City segment of the Vietnam Railway Reunification Line
A magnificent demonstration of the benefits that can be gained by going off the usual path
Beneficial for Families in Which There Are Teenagers
It takes around 30 hours to go from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City via train on the Reunification Express, which travels from north to south through Vietnam. The train journeys through hustling urban districts, tranquil fishing communities, verdant farmland, and deep jungles.
The three-hour stretch that runs along the Hai Van Pass between Hué and Danang is an experience that should not be missed. The breathtaking environment gives passengers a view into a part of Vietnam that is not visible from the air, with tropical beaches bordering one side of the tracks and jungle encroaching from the opposite side of the lines. The Reunification Express is an incredible opportunity to learn about the benefits of venturing off the beaten path for families in which the children are at an appropriate age to appreciate the experience.
5. Alaska Railroad
A cozy lookout point from which to see the beauty of Alaska
Beneficial for: Families with children of all ages
Because Alaska is a destination that requires careful preparation, the services provided by Alaska Railroad are all the more alluring because of this. This is a journey that can be adapted to accommodate people of any age and any number of family members, as it is convenient, picturesque, and close to all of that wonderful nature. You may design your train vacation anyway you like, be it a single-day excursion, a multi-day train trip, stops along the way, or direct train journeys. Whatever you desire, we can make it happen.
The Alaska Railroad provides passenger transportation to a number of the state of Alaska’s most popular tourist attractions, including Anchorage, Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Fairbanks, among others. In addition, taking the train to select locations in Alaska, such as the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop in the Chugach National Forest, is frequently the only method to reach certain locations.
The narration that takes place on board enhances the experience by providing the backstory of the sites being seen. You can select a summer or winter exploration package and let Alaska unfold around you while you watch the scenery pass by while riding the train to a certain destination. Every family is sure to find a vacation package that is just right for them among those that range in length from two to ten days.
6. Great Journeys of New Zealand on Board the Kiwirail
The most breathtaking sights in New Zealand, as seen from the train
Beneficial for: Families with children of all ages
The Great Journeys of New Zealand routes offered by Kiwirail provide something for every member of the family, with the longest trip clocking in at just 12 hours and the opportunity to purchase a Scenic Rail Pass for multiple days. Fans of Lord of the Rings will like taking the Northern Explorer route from Wellington to Auckland because it travels through the volcanic heart of New Zealand. Because visitors may hike up an active volcano and get a glimpse of the inspiration for the fictional Mount Doom in the movies, a visit to Tongariro National Park is an absolute necessity.
The Coastal Pacific route provides beachgoers and nature enthusiasts with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience stunning beach communities as well as the ecologically significant destination of Kaikura, which is home to a population of animals that outnumbers human residents. It’s the ideal place to get sight of humpback, blue, sperm, and orca whales, among others.
7. Eurail, the Train Network Serving Europe
Train travel will be used to familiarize the next generation with Europe.
Beneficial for: Families with children of all ages
Are you prepared to go across Europe by train? Even though it is not a single route, the number of train journeys that are available with a Eurail pass is practically infinite. The Eurail pass is an absolute necessity for any family that wants to take their trip to Europe in a more stress-free manner because it features an easy-to-use booking app and is one of the best travel deals in Europe for families with younger children (each paying adult can add two child passes for ages four to 11 to their ticket at no additional cost).
The Eurail pass is valid for travel on over 40,000 different train routes throughout 33 countries in Europe (including the Glacier Express, which was previously stated). A Eurail Pass provides families with the flexibility to arrange a train vacation that is exactly suited for their family, whether that be an overnight train ride from Paris to Rome, touring around Spain, or adding a Greek Island Ferry Pass as a means to visit the Greek Islands.
It is important to keep in mind that certain train rides, such as those on high-speed trains or sleeper trains, do demand a seat reservation and, on occasion, a reservation charge.
8. The Amtrak Auto Train, which travels between Washington, District of Columbia, and Orlando
A new take on the classic road trip
Beneficial for: People who want to avoid taking Interstate 95, as well as families with young children.
On your next rail excursion, make sure to bring along the automobile, a small boat, or even a jet ski. You and your vehicle, complete with all of your belongings, are able to travel from Washington, DC to Orlando using Amtrak’s Auto Train. Stations for this service are located inside the metropolitan areas of both cities.
The 17-hour train ride is ideal for families who want to experience the excitement of overnight train travels but still want their automobile when they get to their destination because it allows passengers to drive themselves there. Because the train leaves at 4:00 p.m. (vehicle loading begins earlier), and arrives the following morning at 9:00 a.m., the time that your family spends onboard the train can be focused on the fun of the train, including exploring, dinner, and sleeping in a time frame that works for younger travelers.
When you take the train instead of driving, the lengthy journey with the family becomes an opportunity to relax, play, and even get some sleep. Families traveling to Florida have convenient access to theme park lands such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Disney and Universal. And if you have a car, it won’t be difficult for you to transform that holiday into a road trip and see other places in Florida that are sure to please the whole family, such as Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center.
It doesn’t matter if you want to discover the best places to take your children on vacation in the United States or anywhere else in the globe; train travels can help you achieve it in luxury and elegance. The most effective strategy for determining which vacation is best for your family is to begin with shorter routes for younger children and work your way up to longer train travels as you progress through the planning process. You will be prepared for your next holiday if you take the train if you bring along your sense of adventure.