Trip Ideas

Bus and Train Travel

Buses and trains go almost everywhere in the world, allowing travelers to cover a lot of ground without the hassle of driving or the inflexibility of flights. Whether you want to embark on a romantic long-distance rail journey in Europe or a boozy excursion through Napa Valley’s vineyards, Travel + Leisure has the scoop on the latest routes — and the best bus and train travel ideas.

Latest Stories

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner traveling south on rail tracks through Del Mar, California.

This Solo Traveler Traveled All Over the U.S. Over 30 Days Using a Single $499 Amtrak Pass—Here's How

A train alongside a river

These Are the 7 Best Train Routes in the South

Eiffel Tower from a train

The Train Connecting Milan and Paris Is Finally Back — and Tickets Start at $35

The Jet bus in DC

This Bus Between New York City and Washington, D.C. Is One of the Most Glamorous Ways to Make the Trip — Here's What It's Like

Train station in Rabat

The Best Way to Travel Through Northern Morocco Is by Train — Here's How to Plan Your Trip

A woman rolling her luggage on an Amtrak platform in Washington DC

This Little-known Free Amtrak Hack Makes Train Travel Way Easier

Train at station

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling Italy by Train — From the Best Routes to Local Tips

Aerial of the Atlantic City boardwalk and beach

New Jersey Trains Are Free Next Week — What to Know

The bar at night on board the Orient Express

The Original Orient Express Train Is Coming Back in 2025 — Take a Sneak Peek Inside the Glamorous Remodel

Rendering of a train exterior

This Company Wants to Bring Modern Night Trains to the U.S.—Here's How It Could Change Domestic Travel

Aerial view of the Rovos Rail in Africa

This Luxurious African Train Trip Takes You From South Africa to Zimbabwe on Vintage Railcars — Here's What It's Like

The Grand Canyon Railway's 1923 steam engine GCR No. 4690

You Can Visit One of America's Best National Parks on a Vintage Steam Train This Summer

The Royal Gorge Route Railroad prepares to depart the station in Canon City

This Lesser-known 26-mile Train Ride Goes Through Some of Colorado's Most Stunning Sites

Train and track at The Mount Washington Cog Railway, Mount Washington, New Hampshire.

This Gorgeous Vintage Train Takes You to the Tallest Mountain Peak in the U.S. Northeast

Aerial view of Machu Picchu during sunrise

This Luxury Train Company Now Offers Trips to Machu Picchu, the Amazon Rainforest, the Galapagos, and More — With Some 25-day Itineraries

A view of the Duluth Zephyr train on the tracks

This Summer-only Lakefront Train Runs Along Lake Superior's Shores — With a Domed Glass-ceiling Car for Stunning Views

Exterior view of the Strasburg Rail Road

You Can Ride on the Oldest Continuously Operating Railroad in the U.S. — Complete With Quaint Vintage Train Cars

Exterior of Amtrak Airo

Amtrak's Next Generation of Trains Are Coming Soon—and They're More Spacious, Have Panoramic Windows, and Tons of Modern Upgrades

train tickets for The Hawaiian Railroad Society Train

There's a Vintage Train Hiding on This Hawaiian Island — and It Takes You Along a Stunning Coastline

Polar Express in snowy Colorado

This 'Polar Express' Train Is One of the Most Festive Ways to Celebrate the Holidays — and It Goes Through a Stunning Mountain Town

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada with a train.

This Mountainous Journey Was Named the Best Winter Train Route in the World

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway in the fall

See the Best Fall Foliage in the U.S. From 14,000 Feet on this Magical Train Ride

A red train engine along a lakeside track

This Scenic Fall Foliage Train Ride Is One of the Best Ways to Experience Autumn on the East Coast

Drone view of the Durango & Silverton train with cliffs and forest on either side of the track

The Most ‘Scenic Train Ride’ in the U.S. Added a New Golden Hour Excursion — and It Can Be Enjoyed From an Open-air Car

Canyon Spirit train

The No. 1 Luxury Train in the U.S. Is Expanding to Salt Lake City—What to Know

Aerial view of The train going through mountains by The Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

6 Best Luxury Trains in the U.S.

Alaska Railroad interior

This 11-day Train Ride Is the Ultimate Way to Explore Alaska—With Glass-dome Rail Cars, Stunning Scenery, and Visits to 2 Epic National Parks

Exterior of Rocky Mountaineer in Jasper, Canada

This Luxury Train Journey in Canada Is One of the Best Ways to Experience Jasper National Park — Here’s What It’s Like

The famous steam locomotive, Flying Scotsman, heads north on a summer's morning over Arten Gill.

I've Taken 30 Train Rides Through the U.K. – Here Are 8 of My Favorites

A train dining car

One of the Most Luxurious Trains in the World Is Bringing Michelin Chefs to Serve World-class Meals — What to Know

A baby on an amtrak train and train tracks

I Took a 91-hour Amtrak Train Ride With My 1-year-old Baby — Here's What It Was Like and Why I'd Do it Again

Pike's Peak Cog Railway in Colorado in winter

This Is the No. 1 Winter Train in the U.S. — and It Goes Through a Forest, Gorgeous Rock Formations, and Passes by a Waterfall

Clear sky on Bernina Express train crossing the forest covered with snow, Chapella, Graubunden canton, Engadine, Switzerland

This 180-mile Scenic Train Is Called the 'Window to the Swiss Alps' With Panoramic Views and Gourmet Dining

observation car on the Britannic Explorer

Belmond Is Launching the First-ever Luxury Sleeper Train in England and Wales — What to Know

Napa Valley Wine Train with a holiday wreath

This 90-minute Train Through Napa Valley Is Perfect for the Holidays — and There's a Dome Car to Enjoy Scenic Views

Venice Simplon Orient Express exterior

This 59-day Train Journey Passes Through 12 Countries — and Includes Rides on 7 Iconic Luxury Locomotives in the World

A train in landscape in Peru.

I’ve Traveled Around the World by Train — and This Luxury Rail Journey in Peru Might Be My Favorite

Shots of people in a train

Amtrak's Longest Route Is More Than 65 Hours — Combining 2 Iconic Trains From Chicago to Los Angeles

View of a European cityscape from on board the Venice Simplon Orient Express

I'm a Luxury Train Travel Expert — and These Are the 5 European Journeys I Always Recommend

Conductors standing outside of a train

Travel to the Grand Canyon on This 65-mile Scenic Train Ride — Stunning Views and Live Entertainment Included

A passenger train crossing a bridge in Spain

I Traveled Through Northern Spain by Luxury Sleeper Train — Here’s How You Can, Too

Front of train

This Vintage Train Takes Riders on a Scenic, 26-mile Journey Through Georgia's Appalachian Foothills

An Amtrak train pulled into the station in Washington D.C.

Your Amtrak Ride Could Be Delayed Due to the Summer Heat — What to Know

A shinkansen N700A series, or high speed bullet train, arrives at night in Tokyo

Everything You Need to Know About Japan's Bullet Trains

Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Johan Cruijff Arena on July 04, 2024 in Amsterdam

Brightline Is Launching Taylor Swift-themed Train Rides to Her Miami Shows — Sing-alongs Included

Pair of photos from Laos, one showing monks crossing a bridge, and one showing a view of trees from a window

I Explored the Lesser-known Parts of Laos on a New High-speed Train — Here's What to Know

An Amtrak train pulled into the station in Washington D.C.

Amtrak Is Expanding Its Midwest Service — and Tickets Start at $41

Exterior of the Brightline train in Florida

These Are the 6 Most-anticipated New Trains to Ride in 2024

A suite from on board the La Dolce Vita Orient Express

This Highly Anticipated Italian Train Is Taking Reservations Soon — Here's a Peek Inside

A train passing through the Italian countryside

I Ditched the Fancy High-speed Trains and Tried an Older Route Through Italy’s Countryside — Here’s Why You Should, Too

Aerial shot of two trains in the Orlando station

Florida's Incredible New High-speed Train Now Goes From Orlando to Miami — and I Was One of the First on Board

The exterior of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

I Rode One of the World's Most Luxurious Overnight Trains Through Italy — Here's What It's Like on Board

A train goes around a mountain

This U.S. Train Was Voted the Best in the World — and It Has Luxury Cars, Delicious Food, and Stunning Mountain Views

Cityscape of Tende, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence, France

This French Riviera Train Route Takes You to Quaint Mountain Villages, Hiking and Cycling Trails, and a National Park

An Amtrak train with a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child wrap at a train facility

This Harry Potter-themed Amtrak Train Is the Hogwarts Express of the Northeast — Here's Where to Board

The front of the Napa Valley train

7 Boozy Train Rides Around the World That Offer Specialty Sips and Stunning Views

Amtrak passengers at breakfast

Why Everyone Should Sign Up for Amtrak's Guest Rewards Program — Not Just Frequent Train Travelers

Aerial view of Bergen from Scandinavian railway through Norway in winter

This Is One of the Most Scenic Train Rides in Europe — Here's What It's Like on Board

Exterior of the train that went from Baden bei Wien to Vienna

I Visited Some of Europe's Most Charming Spa Towns by Train — Here's What It Was Like

Texas State Railroad

6 Best Train Rides in Texas — Vintage Cars and Scenic Views Included

Golden Pass Express rail through Switzerland during summer

This Is the First Train in the World That Will Change Height and Jump Tracks — and It Connects 3 Idyllic Swiss Towns

view of the Rocky Mountaineer train as it passes Castle Mountain

Travel + Leisure Readers' 3 Favorite Trains of 2023