500 destinations throughout the country, not less than 4 transcontinental lines with mythical names.

Between them are the California Zephyr or the Empire Builder, following the historical traces, along rivers and deserts, ascending cliffs and mountains, going across the mountainuous reliefs such as the Rocky Mountains, for the biggest pleasure of its passengers, witnessing the spectacular views from the train's panoramic wagons.

On board, hotel personnels will ensure your comfort. Passengers traveling in private cabins can go to the mobile restaurant, a place to meet and greet other passengers.

Other than people going across the continent, Amtrak also serves as a connection between the big cities of Northeast. Discovering the Northeastern megapolises has never been so simple : from Boston to New York, passing through Philadelphia, on board of Amtrak.

For those who love to discover more of the country, Amtrak has launched a kind of pass which allows travelers to go through unlimited trajects in each half of the country (West or East) as well as the whole country during 15 days or a month.

The Trains
Not less than 2,141 wagons are now on duty : 760 equipped with seats, 168 with sleeping beds, 126 first classes, 66 for the personnels, 225 equipped with salons and cafes and 92 restaurant wagons, the rest are for bagages.

On a total of 425 locomotives, 351 are diesel and 74 electric. Besides, 19 Acela Express trains offer you a high speed trip between Washington and Boston in the Northeast.

Main Lines

Amtrak serves now 500 stations in 46 States, except Alaska, Hawaii, South Dakota and Wyoming.
During one week, Amtrak administrate 256 trains daily, not including the suburb trains.

The Passes
Reserved for international tourists, these passes will allow you to discover most of the country with interesting prices. Four different USA Rail Pass are proposed, covering different geographic sectors, for a period of 15 or 30 days. There is also a 5-Day Pass for Northeast region.

The National Pass allows tourists to travel from one coast to another all along the Amtrak network.

The USA Rail Pass can only be bought by permanent residents other than the ones of USA and Canada. You must present your pass and your passport each time you get the ticket.

Children from 2 to 15 years accompanied by an adult can have a less 50% price.

Students have a discount of 15%.

You will quickly understand the utility of a pass. On a distance such as New York to Los Angeles, the price without a pass varies between US$ 260 in high season and US$ 133 in normal season.

The Cabins
Classic wagons are equipped with titling seats and folding plates to work or to eat, plus a reading lamp. Hand luggages are to be arranged in a rack above the seats. On certain lines, electronic plugs are planned for laptops. And on long distance trains, the space between the seats are bigger, so that you can extend your legs comfortably.

Despite everything, we can still travel more comfortably in cabins.

Certainly more expensive, but if you travel with a companion, it is better to take a cabin for two, meals included.

An example :
On our route from New York to Los Angeles, off season price is US$ 133, we add US$ 722 for a standard cabine, for a total of US$ 855. A high price, but do not forget that it includes transport for a 4,000 km distance, plus lodgings and meals.

The price of a cabin is calculated with a 2-person base : 2 adults will pay :

(US$ 133 x 2) + US$ 722 = US$ 988.

-Do not forget that apart from your hand bagages (two per person), you will not be able to open your big luggages before the end of the trip, so do not leave your precious or useful objects there, bring them with you (digital cameras, books, sandwiches, glasses, cellphone).

-The coaches are not overheated : bring your own warm clothes with you. Nothing prevents you from bringing your own pillow and a compact sleeping bag.

Some Mythical Lines
Certain big lines allow you to go across the continent from an extremity to another. A great occasio to discover fabulous landscapes.

THE EMPIRE BUILDER
With the Empire Builder, it is a journey across the great wild regions of North USA, following the traces of Lewis and Clark.

You will see grandious views on the Mississippi and the illuminated skylines of Minnesota anda Saint Paul.

The next morning, here we are in the vast plains of North Dakota, then in the basin of Missouri, after that it would be the turn of the great skies of Montana.

Then, the train goes along the Glacier National Park.

From Spokane, you can go further to Seattle, or return to the path of Lewis and Clark towards the powerful Columbia River and Portland, with a spectacular view towards Mount Hood and Beacon Rock.

Considered as the most beautiful train by the Americans, since August 2005 the Empire Builder has a new look.

Their sleeping wagons are renovated wholly, and passengers can taste special foods coming from regions they are crossing.

New : "Trails and Rails". A partnership between the National Parks and Amtrak, where rangers would share you their stories about the new regions such as the Mississippi River.

The Empire Builder is already one of the most popular trains, counting up to half a million passengers per year. Needless to say why : the train travels across the most grandious landscapes of USA : the Mississippi river valley, the Great Plains of the North, the Rocky Mountains, the gorges of Columbia River, and the Glacier National Park.

Trajectory : Chicago, Williston, Havre, Shelby, Whitefish (Glacier National Park), Seattle, Portland.

THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR
From Chicago to San Francisco, the California Zephyr will lead you along the path of the pioneers, on the traces of Pony Express and the first American transcontinental road, across landscapes of farms in the prairies and on the mountains. Comfortable panoramic coaches allow you to discover the natural Western splendor while traveling across it.

Trajectory : Chicago, Denver, the Ski Stations of Vail / Aspen / Glenwood Springs / Winter Park, Grand Junction, Grand Mesa, Salt Lake City, Reno, San Francisco.



THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
More than 1,600 km from north to south, between Chicago and New Orleans, going across the regions traditionally marked by various musical cultures : of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to the Jazz of New Orleans, via the Blues of Beale Street in Memphis where you will stop by.

Observe along the track, some farms and plantations, small towns with wooden churches, old residences with vast verandas.

From New Orleans, we can continue to Los Angeles with the Sunset Limited, or to the East towards Jacksonville and Orlando.

Trajectory : Chicago, Memphis, Jackson, New Orleans.


Tickets are sold at the Interface Tourism – 11 bis, rue Blanche – 75009 PARIS - France