This spring and summer, traveling by train is our preferred mode of transportation due to the return of scenic Amtrak routes to sought-after destinations. Crowded planes and tiring road trips are forgotten. According to Condé Nast Traveler, Amtrak is resuming three notable, passenger-favorite routes that weave through picturesque landscapes, including mountains, lakes, rivers, and seashores, and reach cities in Quebec, the Pacific Northwest, and the Berkshires.
In addition to the stunning scenery, Amtrak journeys offer spacious seats, free Wi-Fi, and are generally less stressful than flying. Here are three newly restored train routes we are excited to ride when the weather gets warm.
The Adirondack line to Montreal is resuming service for the first time since 2020 after being on pause for nearly three years due to the pandemic. The route is a 10-hour journey from New York Penn-Moynihan Station that passes through the Hudson River Valley, along Lake Champlain, and into Quebec, making a total of 17 stops before arriving at Montreal’s Central Station. Passengers and politicians had long been pushing for the beloved route’s resumption.
The Berkshires Flyer train, which runs from New York Penn-Moynihan Station to charming Pittsfield, Massachusetts, with six stops including Poughkeepsie, Hudson, and Albany, is back for another season after winning over travelers in its pilot program last summer. Tickets for summer 2023 go on sale in early April, and passengers are advised to book as early as possible due to high demand last summer.
The full Cascades route has resumed service from Portland, Oregon, to Vancouver for the first time since the pandemic began. The Portland-to-Seattle leg of the journey offers some of the route’s most beautiful vistas, including sweeping views of Mount St. Helen’s snow-capped peaks and pine-laden cliffs as the train crosses the Columbia River Gorge. Passengers can choose from round-trip fares starting at about $50 in coach and about $100 in business class.
Source: Condé Nast Traveler