🌍 North America

0 countries with railway stations.

North America's rail network reflects the continent's vast geography and its historical preference for car and air travel. Amtrak, the United States' national passenger railroad, operates long-distance trains across 500 destinations in 46 states, covering over 34,000 km of track. Its flagship route, the Northeast Corridor, connects Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., and is the only segment of the U.S. network that offers true high-speed service, with Acela Express trains reaching 240 km/h on limited sections, though average speeds remain considerably lower due to shared track infrastructure. Canada's VIA Rail serves 450 communities and operates the renowned Canadian transcontinental train between Toronto and Vancouver — a three-day, 4,466 km journey through the Canadian Shield, prairies, and Rocky Mountains that is considered one of the world's premier long-distance rail experiences. Mexico's passenger rail service is limited, though the country opened the Tren Maya, a 1,554 km tourist and regional railway through the Yucatan Peninsula, in 2023. Unlike Europe or East Asia, North America lacks a network of city-to-city high-speed trains, and long-distance Amtrak routes often run on freight-owned tracks where freight trains have priority, leading to significant delays. Despite these limitations, train travel remains a uniquely immersive way to see the continent's dramatic landscapes, and several proposed high-speed projects — including Texas Central and Brightline West — aim to change the equation in the coming decade.

Amtrak's Northeast Corridor is the busiest passenger rail corridor in North America, carrying over 12 million passengers annually.

VIA Rail's The Canadian runs 4,466 km from Toronto to Vancouver over three days through some of North America's most dramatic scenery.

The proposed Brightline West high-speed line aims to connect Las Vegas to Southern California by 2028.

Amtrak serves over 500 stations across 46 U.S. states, though most routes run on freight-owned track.

Mexico's Tren Maya, opened in 2023, spans 1,554 km through the Yucatan Peninsula, linking tourist destinations with regional communities.

Countries

Frequently Asked Questions

Train travel is most practical on the Northeast Corridor between Boston, New York, and Washington D.C., where Amtrak is competitive with flying. For long-distance routes across the country, trains are significantly slower than flying and prone to delays on freight-owned tracks. However, they offer a comfortable, scenic alternative for travelers with flexible schedules.
Amtrak's USA Rail Pass provides a set number of travel segments within a defined period — for example, 10 segments within 30 days. It is useful for travelers planning multiple long-distance routes. For the Northeast Corridor alone, individual tickets bought in advance are typically cheaper. The pass offers the best value for those combining multiple regions of the country.
The Canadian can be booked through VIA Rail's website up to one year in advance. The train offers economy seats, Touring class with meals included, and Sleeper Plus class with private cabins. Sleeper berths sell out quickly for peak season (June through September) and should be booked months ahead. The full Toronto-Vancouver journey takes approximately 87 hours.
The U.S. has one high-speed-capable train, the Acela Express, which runs on the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington D.C. It reaches 240 km/h on a few segments but averages around 110 km/h due to curves and shared track. A higher-speed upgrade to the NEC is underway. Brightline West is building a true high-speed line between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, California, targeting 300 km/h and a 2028 opening.
VIA Rail's The Canadian through the Canadian Rockies is widely regarded as one of the world's great rail journeys. Amtrak's California Zephyr between Chicago and San Francisco crosses the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada. The Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle traverses Glacier National Park country, and the Coast Starlight offers stunning Pacific coastline views between Los Angeles and Seattle.
Mexico's passenger rail network is very limited — the Tren Maya is the main modern option, running between Cancun, Merida, and Palenque through the Yucatan. It opened in 2023 and offers air-conditioned coaches with reliable service. For other intercity travel in Mexico, buses are the dominant form of public land transport and are generally efficient and well-priced.