Train Journeys Offer the Best Views of Autumn Colors. Experience These 13 Trips.

The peak season for fall foliage is just around the corner in the United States and beyond. Rather than sticking to your usual driving route, consider switching to train travel to enjoy the vibrant scenery. Here are 13 of our top picks for fall foliage train rides that provide a fresh perspective on leaf watching.

1. Mountaineer on the Conway Scenic Railroad

On the 1950s-era streamlined passenger cars of the Conway Scenic Railroad Mountaineer, you’ll traverse some of New Hampshire’s most breathtaking landscapes, including the renowned Crawford Notch pass of the White Mountains, which bursts into vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange from September to mid-October each year. During this period, the railroad extends its usual Crawford trip one station further to Fabyan, making it a 5.5-hour round trip. For an additional $100 per ticket, you can book premium seats in upper dome cars to enhance your viewing experience.

2. Mount Washington Cog Railway

Embark on a three-hour round-trip journey to the summit of Mount Washington on this railway, a beloved attraction in New Hampshire’s White Mountains since 1869. The railway still operates two vintage steam locomotives while also using seven biodiesel locomotives along the route to help minimize emissions. Plan your visit by mid-October to witness the fall colors at their most vibrant.

On Vacations By Rail’s nine-day New England in the Autumn tour, you can enjoy a ride on the Mount Washington Cog Railway alongside excursions on the Conway Scenic Railroad and Amtrak’s Downeaster.

3. Denali Star Train of the Alaska Railroad

Dinogo associate editor Bailey Berg captures the stunning scenery of Alaska’s autumn foliage by train: “the vibrant blue of the swiftly flowing Chulitna River, the deep red of the shrubs lining its banks, the bright yellow of the lower birch trees, and the rich emerald of the deciduous trees higher up the slopes. Surrounding you are panoramic views of the grayish-purple Alaska Range, each summit dusted with early snowfall.”

In Alaska, the foliage transforms early, reaching its peak in late August and the first few weeks of September each year. While enjoying the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows through the dome car windows during the 12-hour journey from May to September, you can also catch glimpses of Denali and, weather permitting, the northern lights in Fairbanks.

4. Tuckasegee Steam Train on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers a variety of excursions throughout the year, with the Tuckasegee River Excursion on a vintage steam train being the most picturesque during fall. On this four-hour round-trip, you’ll enjoy river valley views from the train’s panoramic windows and have a chance to visit shops and restaurants in the quaint town of Dillsboro during a 90-minute stop. For the best fall colors, book one of the steam train excursions that depart at 12 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in October.

Seeking more than just a day trip? The steam train features in Vacations By Rail’s nine-day Smoky Mountain Rail Adventure, which transports travelers from Nashville to Asheville, including stops for rides on the Tennessee Valley Railroad’s Summerville Steam Special and the Incline Railway on Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga.

5. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

This scenic train ride is available during the summer, but October is the perfect time to witness the sugar maples and dogwood trees transforming into vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow on a 2-hour round trip through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Trains run from Wednesday to Sunday at 11:10 a.m. and 1:40 p.m. from the Peninsula Depot Station in Peninsula, Ohio, and at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. from the Akron Northside Station. For just $5 more than a first-class ticket, you can reserve seats in the upper dome observation cars—go ahead and treat yourself.

6. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Until October 21, 2023, this narrow-gauge steam train operates daily, except Mondays, between two charming towns right on the Colorado–New Mexico border. The ticket includes lunch at the halfway point in Osier, Colorado, along with access to the open-air gondola car for optimal photo opportunities of the aspen trees that glow bright yellow in autumn.

7. Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad

The fall foliage excursions on the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad are set for October 1, 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2023. The vintage train will depart at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on those days for a two-hour round trip through the Susquehanna River Valley, showcasing a tapestry of red, orange, and yellow trees. All journeys start and conclude at the Milford Depot, located about a 15-minute drive south of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

8. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

From September 21 to November 6, 2023, experience the vibrant autumn hues on this four-hour round-trip journey along the Toccoa River within the Chattahoochee National Forest. You can choose tickets for a seat in a climate-controlled enclosed train car or savor the pleasant fall weather from an open-air car. Trains depart daily at 3 p.m., excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Travelers have the option to book either a two-hour or four-hour ride. The shorter journey provides a quick tour focusing on downtown Blue Ridge, while the four-hour adventure includes stops in the charming towns of McCaysville and Copperhill.

9. Amtrak Adirondack

You can usually board the Amtrak Adirondack at New York’s Penn Station, traveling through the scenic Hudson Valley and ascending into the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. The journey continues along the picturesque shores of Lake Champlain, arriving in Montreal approximately 10 hours later. In 2023, the train resumed full service for the first time since 2020, departing from Penn Station at 8:41 a.m.

10. Agawa Canyon Tour Train

This picturesque train offers a full-day adventure, departing from the lakeside city of Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario and traveling 114 miles north to Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park. Once there, you'll have 90 minutes to enjoy a hike or have a picnic by the Agawa River. If you’re considering this trip, act fast—tickets for peak season (September 15 to October 10, 2023) sell out rapidly.

11. The Jacobite

Fans of Harry Potter will recognize this classic steam train as the real-life counterpart to the Hogwarts Express, famously crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the movies. Although you won’t be heading to Hogwarts, you’ll certainly enjoy enchanting views along the 84-mile ride. Morning services are available until October 27, 2023, while afternoon services conclude on September 29, 2023.

12. Bernina Express

The Rhaetian Railway, winding through the Albula and Bernina Passes in the Alps, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2008 due to its remarkable architectural and engineering feats, featuring numerous viaducts and bridges that navigate high mountain passes. This train operates year-round, but autumn showcases particularly stunning vistas in this part of Switzerland.

13. Sagano Scenic Railway

Just a 15-minute ride from Kyoto, you can board the Sagano Scenic Railway at Saga Torokko Station. This 25-minute journey takes you through the picturesque Hozukyo Ravine, where Japanese maple trees burst into vibrant reds and oranges each fall, concluding at Kameoka Torokko Station.

This article was first published online in 2018 and was most recently updated on August 11, 2023, to provide the latest information.