10 Best Retirement Train Trips
Category: Adventurous retirement
October 20, 2022 — Our retired friend EZ loves a great train trip, and hates everything about flying. He resents getting to the airport hours early, parking in a remote lot, shuffling through security lines, worrying that some delay will make him miss the flight – all to have the airline delay or cancel it anyway. So when he visits his grandchildren in Colorado, he takes the EZ way. That means the Shoreline Express to New Haven, where he switches to the Acela to Washington. From there it’s the Capitol Limited (with roomette) to Chicago. There he pickes up the California Zephyr. He enjoyes everything about that train trip too – resting in his roomette, eating in the dining car, chatting up interesting passengers, and enjoying the view from the observation cars. It takes a little longer, but is so much more pleasurable. BTW, his wife flies out to Colorado separately!
Many people in retirement are looking for an adventure, and a train ride makes for an exciting one. From around the world, here are 10 of the best train rides you might want to try in retirement. Some are fairly short and not that expensive, while others can go for days and can be quite costly. One advantage that most train rides offer is that you can get off and spend a day or more at as many stops as you would like.
Comments on "10 Best Retirement Train Trips"
BillyBogey says:
WOW!! Starting in North America. Going Coast to Coast!! Every "which" way!!
Sue says:
This summer we took the 7 hour train from Oslo to Bergen, Norway. Stunning scenery, comfortable train and spent five days in lovely Bergen. I highly recommend this trip.
Ray says:
Just back from New Zealand. Highly recommend the TranzAlpine train across the Southern Alps. We took the train from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass. It continues on to Greymouth on the western coast. Breathtaking scenery of the Southern Alps.
I got COVID in New Zealand, but that's another story.
John Brady says:
Lyn wrote to tell us that she thought Switzerland's Glacier Express was a fabulous trip.
Jan Cullinane says:
We are seeing Scotland by rail in the summer of 2023. Cannot wait!
Sara May says:
I understand from a friend who has done it that a train trip through Mexico’s Copper Canyon is a do-not-miss experience.
Admin says:
All of these suggestions remind me of the golden days of my Europass when I graduated from college in 1970. My friend and I went anywhere at the drop of the hat - in first class. When we ran low on money, just take an overnight train somewhere, the first class cabins were very comfortable!
Admin says:
Just saw an ad from GeoEx (Geographic Expeditions) on some of their exotic train trips. There is one to Uzbekistan, another though the Silk Road, and a third, Caspian Odyssey, on the Golden Eagle, which goes along the Caspian Sea. We are familiar with GeoEx and they are first rate. https://www.geoex.com/trips/treasures-of-uzbekistan/
Admin says:
NPR has a new interview with a retired traveler, Nat Reid, who has ridden every single mile of the AMTRAK network. He loves train travel, and the interview is a lot of fun! https://www.npr.org/2023/08/04/1192246110/a-loyal-amtrak-rider-says-his-best-travel-memories-happened-aboard-trains
Staci says:
Has anyone traveled with Vacations By Rail? We saw a trip
Through the Swiss Alps coupled with a French river cruise that looks great!!