Train Over Plane: Why Slow Travel Is Making a Comeback

5. Amtrak California Zephyr: Scenery sells what planes can’t

Some routes are scenic enough that the ride becomes the reason to travel. The Amtrak California Zephyr is a prime U.S. example: its 42-hour passage through the Rockies and Sierra Nevada offers views you simply don’t get from 30,000 feet. Continuous landscapes — canyons, river valleys, and mountain passes — reward daylight travel and make a slow schedule feel deliberate and valuable. For travelers who prize photo opportunities, regional context, or a relaxed pace, scenic trains convert transit time into a central part of the trip. That’s why certain rail routes maintain loyal followings despite longer schedules. Scenic value also boosts tourism in smaller towns along routes that planes overlook, which spreads economic benefits beyond major airports. The trade-off is time: scenic trains require longer schedules than flights, and they suit travelers who can afford the extra hours. If your trip is about exploration rather than the minimal transfer time, scenic rail can be a much richer way to travel.