See The Most Beautiful Sites Across The U.S. By Taking This Train

Trains are a fantastic way to get around. They are comfortable, luxurious, and – best yet – affordable. A train allows you to sit sipping your tea as you look out the window and watch countless miles pass you by. Trains might be slower than airplanes, but they allow you to see so much more of the country.

Americans often think of trains as pastimes or something you might see in a foreign country, but luxury train rides have their place in America too – and they are incredibly affordable. Travel blogger Derek Low shares how he traveled from coast to coast for just $213.

For that kind of price, you might expect an uncomfortable journey, but this is not the case at all. The train ride from San Francisco to New York comes with food, beverages, and a killer view.

This adventurous journey covers 3,397 miles of land and 11 different states, giving the train’s passengers a feel for what life is like all over the country. A California Zephyr ticket, which gets you from the golden state to Chicago, only costs $130. From there the Lake Shore Limited train can take you the rest of the way, for an additional cost of $83.

Spending $273 to see most of the continental country is actually pretty cheap; this is only a fraction of the cost of flying from one major airport to the next. And the views you will have access to are absolutely breathtaking. Mountains, pastures, and even water will dominate the ever-changing scenery.

The entire journey does not have to be done in one go. If you want to take a little more time and explore the regions rather than simply running through them, you can take advantage of Amtrak’s 15 day rail pass. With this pass you are free to get off on any stop you like. All you have to do is make sure you are at your final destination at the end of the 15 days.

This might sound like a dream come true, but it gets even better. If you are already considering this incredible opportunity, you won’t be able to pass it up once you get a glimpse of the sights you will see along the way.

The San Francisco Bay