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Consider taking a snowy train ride across the US or Europe this winter.
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Many operators provide discounts for children.
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Amtrak’s California Zephyr and Europe’s Glacier Express are among BI’s favorites.
As the holidays approach, it can be difficult to think of fun activities that the whole family will enjoy.
A winter train ride is a fun and affordable option, especially since many rail operators provide discounts or allow children under a certain age to travel for free.
Below are the best train journeys around the world for you and your family to see the snowy scenery.
Amtrak’s California Zephyr is the ultimate cross-country winter experience.
California Zephyr Amtrak It’s a 51-hour train route across the US, starting in Chicago, Illinois, and ending in San Francisco, California, according to Amtrak website.
The website dubs this route “one of the most beautiful train journeys” in North America, and it’s not hard to imagine why. This tour offers a unique opportunity to see a wide range of the country’s natural landscapes, including the Rocky Mountains, Colorado’s Gore Canyon, and Winter Park, which are magically transformed by snow caps in the winter months.
Ticket fares vary depending on the chosen route and departure station. Children under the age of two travel free, and those between the ages of two and 12 receive a 50% discount on all Amtrak services, according to the website.
The Polar Express in upstate New York is a family favorite for the holidays.
The Polar Express is a Christmas-themed train operated by the Adirondack Railroad in Utica, New York, that runs from November 17 to December 18, according to an online press release.
The two-hour ride departs from Utica Union Station and ends at North Pole, a town in New York.
Families with young children prefer this train ride. Passengers are treated to hot chocolate and cookies and Santa Claus, the website says, will visit families. Guests are also encouraged to stay cozy and wear pajamas throughout the tour, according to the website.
Ticket prices start at $47 for adults and $39 for children.
The Glacier Express is one of the most luxurious winter train journeys in Europe.
The Glacier Express train in Switzerland is also known as a “window to the Alps” because it offers a panoramic view of various mountains, according to its website. The route takes eight hours and starts in St. Moritz, a resort town in southeastern Switzerland, and ends in Zermatt, another town in southern Switzerland.
Price range depending on departure station and ticket type. A standard ticket for adults, called the Classic Glacier Express, starts at 159 Swiss Francs, or about $179, for the entire route, according to the website.
A “Best Class” ticket includes a number of luxury amenities, including a five-course meal and concierge service. Prices start at 470 Swiss Francs, or about $529, the website says.
Children under the age of six travel free, while those between the ages of six and 16 are given a 50 percent discount on fares, the website says.
The Bernina Express travels on the highest railway tracks in Europe.
The Bernina Express departs from St. Moritz in Switzerland and ends in Tirano, a town in Italy near the border between Switzerland and Italy.
Traveling through the highest train tracks in Europe and the steepest tracks in the world, according to its website, this train ride is bound to offer a bird’s eye view of glaciers and mountain ranges.
Whether you’re thinking of taking a family ski trip or just want to enjoy snowy scenery in the distance, the views from this train are likely to be the highlight of your European vacation.
Ticket fares for adults start at 132 Swiss Francs, or about $148, for a round trip, the website says.
Children under the age of six travel free, while those between the ages of six and 16 receive a 50% discount, the website says.
In Scotland, the West Highland Line provides a romantic look at winter.
The IS West Highland Line a five hour and 30 minute journey operated by Scotrail.
The route starts in Glasgow, the country’s largest city, and ends in Mallaig, a town on the west coast of the Highlands. This train is famous for crossing the Glenfinan viaduct, which is used as the backdrop for the fictional Hogwarts Express train in the “Harry Potter” films.
In the winter months, the viaduct is often surrounded by frozen lakes and snow-covered trees and mountains.
Ticket prices for adults start at £42, or about $51, for a round trip, according to the website. And tickets for children aged five to 15 cost as little as £1, or about $1.25, as part of Scotrail’s “kids for a quid” campaign which is part of a larger government trial allowing all train passengers in Scotland travel without delay. peak tickets at any time of day until March 31, 2024.
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