Why I’m Choosing Rail Adventures for My Next Vacation and You Should Too

Hot take: flying isn't what is used to be. The days of plane travel's glamorous allure are long gone, snuffed out by long, shuffling airport lines, eye-watering ticket prices, and increasingly cramped seating. Nowadays, rather than relaxing en route to adventure, a plane ride makes me feel like a canned sardine hurtling through the atmosphere.

With this in mind, I've decided to revisit rail travel. This may seem old-fashioned— trains are America's first form of fast, long-distance transit — but trains may also transform how you think about getting from Place A to Place B. After all, no one can say, "It's not the destination; it's the journey," while anticipating a red-eye flight. But on a train? Suddenly, taking in breathtaking views from your seat or lingering in the dining car, that truism begins to make sense.

Trains have the power to rekindle the joy of the ride.

Train-curious? Across the country, a variety of local routes invite the adventurous to test this type of travel. Whether it's Washington's annual Polar Express, which links the charming town of Elbe to majestic Mount Rainier, or the equally quaint Greenbrier Express of West Virginia, with its mesmerizing Appalachian views, you don't need to commit to a multi-day expedition to reap the benefits of riding the rails.

In fact, you'd be surprised by how easily a train trip can be integrated into your travel plans. Personally, I love taking the Amtrak from Seattle, Washington, to Portland, Oregon. Though it adds some time to the trip, it's a refreshing reprieve from the monotony of the freeway. If anything, you've been given time back! As a driver, you're obliged to stay glued to the traffic around you. As a passenger, you're free to catch up on work, chat with friends (or make new ones), and even sip a cool beer in the bar.

Planning a longer journey? Amtrak is the perfect place to start. Far from limiting, Amtrak travels to over 500 destinations in the country! There's need to worry about going stir-crazy on a long-haul line. Famous routes allow passengers to hop off and back on at iconic spots along the way, meaning you're not just seeing the landscape flash pass, you're going to explore it in person. The Coastal Starlight, for instance, has 28 stops on its path from Seattle to Los Angeles. In between, you'll see lush fields, towering forests, and dramatic Pacific vistas.

Returning Home Refreshed

If vacations are meant to refresh us, then why do we often return home so drained? Instead of fresh tans and bright smiles, we return to work groggy, with cramps and colds as souvenirs. By changing the pace of travel, trains alleviate the stress. Gone are the nail-biting sprints to your gate, the cold wars over the center armrest, the temperatures that verge between sweltering and glacial. Amtrak, in particular, offers an incredibly laidback experience, with relaxation beginning at the journey's start, not just at its destination.

Take the Amtrak Adirondack, which winds from New York City to Montreal, passing through the fertile wine country of Hudson Valley and arriving just in time for dinner in either city. Traveling in the fall? Enjoy the famous foliage of a Northeastern autumn just outside your window. When you've had enough of those gorgeous views, stretch out, take a nap, or chat with fellow passengers. A leisurely schedule means there's time to build rapport with your car-mates, a friendly atmosphere you won't find on a plane.

Another benefit of trains? Trains are significantly more energy efficient than planes, meaning you can ride through Montana's Glacier Park -- one of the breathtaking landscapes you'll see on Amtrak's Empire Builder -- with a clear conscience.

So, when you're picturing your next destination, imagine getting there being as much fun as being there. Whether you're integrating rail into your usual city to city jaunts or planning a cross-country expedition, trains make travel feel like it used to: romantic, scenic, and, most importantly, relaxing. That's why, in my opinion, a train ticket is one of the best gifts for the explorers among us.