The Prices of Train & Rail Tours to North America
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There's something timeless and enchanting about exploring North America by train. Train and rail tours through the region offer a relaxing yet adventurous way to journey through breathtaking landscapes, historic cities, and remote regions, all from the comfort of a seat with a view. Whether it's a scenic ride through villages, a journey across rolling countryside, or an iconic rail experience, these tours combine convenience and charm with the excitement of travel. In this article, we'll explore the costs of train and rail tours in North America, highlight some of the best options, and share destinations that make rail travel unforgettable.
To help you find the perfect rail adventure, we've thoroughly analyzed a variety of train tours in North America. By evaluating price ranges, tour quality, included amenities, and unique rail experiences, we've uncovered the best value options for travelers. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly rail trip or a luxurious train journey, these tours offer an exceptional way to see the world at a relaxed pace. So, sit back, enjoy the ride, and get ready for an incredible travel experience by rail.
Why does North America appeal to sightseers?
North America's efficient and scenic rail network appeals to travelers looking to explore in comfort and style. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and NYC offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. San Francisco is known for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and NYC are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. You can't miss the nightlife of Los Angeles, NYC, and Miami, either. The region's blend of iconic destinations and breathtaking rail routes makes it ideal for exploring by train.
How much do Train & Rail Tours in North America cost?
The average price per day for train and rail tours in North America is $322, based on our analysis of 6 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $135 to $440 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $205 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $414 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.
The Best Tours in North America
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable train and rail tours in North America average $205 per day, with daily prices from $135 to $275. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Ontario & French Canada with Ocean Train to Halifax here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical train and rail tours in North America that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $347 per day. Daily prices range from $330 to $365. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Canadian Train Odyssey.
Luxury Tours
Luxury train and rail tours in North America average around $347 per day, with daily costs ranging from $387 to $440. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Wonders of the Maritimes & Scenic Cape Breton with Ocean Train to Montreal.
Which tour companies offer train & rail tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer train and rail tours in North America. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Cosmos
Cosmos is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. A number of their tours visit destinations in Europe and North America. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Canada, Italy, and Argentina. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as snorkelling, cooking classes, and wine tasting.
Globus
Globus is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Great Britain, Italy, and Canada. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, snorkelling, and whale watching.
Calgary Tours
Focusing on Canada and the U.S., Calgary Tours is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. You have the option to tailor certain tours to fit your specific preferences. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.
See All Tours from Calgary Tours
Train & Rail Destinations in North America
Wondering where train & rail tours visit in North America? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a popular Canadian city on the west coast. It has a spectacular setting between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains. It's also a diverse city with a vibrant Asian population and many great restaurants. Visitors enjoy the cultural opportunities that the city offers, but also appreciate the opportunities to get out into nature in the surrounding areas.
Victoria
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. It is filled with parks and flower gardens, making it a beautiful place to visit. The city has many striking buildings as well, and a friendly atmosphere that is very welcoming.
Halifax
Halifax is a port city on the eastern side of Canada. It's in Nova Scotia and is a popular stop off for visitors exploring the area. It has a long maritime history with several historic sites and museums that you can explore.
Toronto
Toronto is the capital of Ontario, and its a large city that has climbing skyscrapers and a diverse population. The city is filled with amazing restaurants, great parks, countless museums, and plenty of entertainment options.
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Other popular destinations for train & rail tours through North America include Banff National Park, Niagara Falls (USA), Charlottetown, Lunenburg, and Kingston.
Train & Rail Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
Before deciding to book a tour or handle the planning yourself, it's important to consider the aspects of each travel style.
Organized Tours
Pros- Guided tours ensure you see all the major attractions efficiently.
- Professional guides provide historical context and interesting facts.
- You don’t need to navigate or worry about transportation.
- Tickets and entry to popular sights are often pre-arranged.
- Group tours can offer discounts on attractions and services.
- Local guides help you discover hidden gems and lesser-known spots.
- Tours often include additional perks like meals or refreshments.
- The itinerary is planned for you, saving you time and effort.
- You can meet other travelers with similar interests.
- Guides help with language barriers and local customs.
- The fixed schedule may not align with your personal preferences.
- Tours may include stops that don’t interest you as much as others.
- You have less flexibility to explore attractions at your own pace.
- Some tours cater to general audiences and may lack depth.
Independent Travel
Pros- You can create an itinerary tailored to your specific interests.
- Independent travel allows you to spend as much time as you want at each location.
- You have the freedom to explore at your own pace.
- Flexibility allows you to visit attractions on your own schedule.
- You can discover unique experiences not included in standard tours.
- Researching and planning can be time-consuming.
- You must navigate unfamiliar places on your own.
- Managing transportation between attractions can be challenging.
- Popular attractions may sell out or have long lines.
- You might miss out on local insights provided by professional guides.
- Language barriers can make communication more difficult.
- There’s no support system if unexpected issues arise during your trip.
Which is cheaper?
Is traveling independently less expensive than taking guided train and rail tours? The answer isn't straightforward. Guided tours often include services like hotels, transportation, meals, entry tickets, guides, and activities, all of which you would need to arrange and pay for individually if traveling on your own. To determine the cost difference, you'd need to compare the total cost of the tour package with the cost of booking everything separately. You may prefer a less expensive hotel or splurge on dining, so the cost of a tour could either save you money or cost you more. Be sure to review what's included in the tour package before making your comparison.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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