With the advent of airplanes, the proliferation of personal cars, and the incredible amount of attention given to the draws of America’s exciting urban centers, the convenience of train travel has become an overlooked gem. Once the railroad was a symbol of industrial progress and the only link connecting the various populated areas of the country. Just as railroads are still used to carry freight cross-country, they can also be enjoyed by travelers looking for a unique experience.

The cost of a trip by train will vary depending on the specific niche you seek to experience. While a basic Amtrak excursion is easy to book online and quite inexpensive compared to air travel, there are also companies, which offer upscale train vacations that outfit their customers in a luxurious surrounding.

One particularly popular route for the latter kind of train vacation is the northwest-pacific region of the united states, known for its rugged beauty and local dedication to nature preservation. It is often possible to book a combination trip in which the first leg of the journey consists of a train ride from the northwest, through Canada, on to Alaska, and the rest of the trip is completed by a cruise through the wild waters of our most northern state.

The American Rail Excursions service is a leading provider of luxury train getaways that evoke the uniquely romantic atmosphere that is so difficult to achieve with more commonly used forms of transportation. The Amtrak service, often used by commuters for short distances, also offers well-known trips such as the Coast Starlight, which includes unparalleled Pacific views, and historically charged White Pass/Yukon Route.

Whatever rail line and route you choose for your luxury train vacation, it is important to first take into consideration one issue: your susceptibility to motion sickness. While a train vacation is certainly smoother than a commuter train, if you have a high susceptibility to motion sickness, you may want to try out a short trip before you book a longer scenic vacation- especially as the major feature of a train trip is gazing out the window to take in your surroundings.

Nothing can compare with the comfort of traveling by train. The scene above sounds like something from a black-and-white 1940’s noir film, but it is a scene that still plays out every day all across North America. Despite what many may believe, train travel is alive and well, and a great way to begin a memorable vacation is to take to the rails.

For someone interested in a one-day trip, many tourist railroads operate all throughout the U.S. and Canada. Many of these tourist short lines operate on trackage formerly owned by the major railroads of days gone by. The Pennsylvania Railroad, the New York Central, the Baltimore & Ohio and many other “old-time” railroads may no longer exist, but you can still ride their rails on one of many tourist railroads. While many one-day rail vacations are strictly for scenery, many offer more than just a pretty view. Dinner theater trains and “murder mystery” trains are among the most popular, but nearly every small tourist line has its own unique qualities to make your rail vacation an enjoyable experience.

Steam train excursions are the most common nostalgic trips, and many steam locomotives still operate in limited excursion service throughout the U.S. and Canada. Rail fans of all ages, from the old-timers looking to recapture a bit of their youth to the young children who stare wide-eyed at a steam-belching behemoth from the past, can board a steam excursion and have a real taste of yesteryear.

For those interested in longer trips, many scenic rail vacation packages are available. Amtrak in the United States and VIA Rail in Canada operate regular long-distance passenger trains. People from all over the world travel to Canada for a railroad experience, as traveling across Canada by train is recognized as one of the best train vacations available.

Few things can compare with the experience of long-distance Canadian train trips in terms of beautiful scenery and comfortable, luxurious travel. VIA Rail, for example, offers vacation packages that include not only travel and accommodations but guided tours as well. Trips can be organized based on scenery, special events, lifestyles, wine tours…. the possibilities are endless.

For those most interested in a beautiful scenic trip, nothing beats a train vacation through the Canadian Rockies. Rockies Rail Experience offers weeklong steam train excursions via such locations as Banff and Crowsnest, and a “Rockies Rail Round Trip” steam excursion that includes locations such as Lake Louise, the Rockies, Icefields Parkway, Lethbridge and The Prairies. The Rocky Mountaineer offers similar trips, including trips through Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies, and the near-nationwide Trans-Canada Adventure.

For those more interested in relaxing in the fine accommodations that only rail travel can provide, the crown jewel of vacations is a trip on the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train, recognized as “the finest luxury rail tour in the world.” Weeklong trips are luxuriously appointed, including comfortable suites, dining car and lounge car facilities and a staff that is always eager to please. For the sportsmen, Canadian Pacific even offers a 6-day Royal Fly-Fishing Adventure, where travel through the majestic Rockies is accompanied by fishing trips in the mountain streams of Canada.

Whether you are taking a day trip, a long trip or simply a nostalgia trip, treat yourself to a memorable experience, and take your vacation by rail.