Train Over Plane: Why Slow Travel Is Making a Comeback

8. Amtrak Coast Starlight: Practical U.S. slow-travel options

North American rail options matter to the MSN audience, and several Amtrak routes show how slow travel can work domestically. The Coast Starlight down the U.S. West Coast, the California Zephyr across the Rockies, and the Adirondack between New York and Montreal all offer scenic, often overnight, experiences for American travelers. They also reveal limits: frequencies are lower than European counterparts, schedules can be slow, and investment in corridor electrification and faster services lags. Still, these routes demonstrate the practical wins: direct city-to-city connections without the hassle of large airports, impressive scenery, and the chance to fold an overnight into a broader itinerary. Riders who want to test slow travel without crossing an ocean can do so on these lines. If you’re based in North America and curious, pick a route with strong scenic or convenience value and try a single overnight leg before committing to longer itineraries.