Chicago by train - Stepping into Chicago - HighRes

Chicago, one of the biggest cities in the USA. An impressive skyline, amazing architecture and thé hub for train traveling.

If you want to travel throughout the United States of America by train, Chicago will be your transfer point. Chicago is a wonderful city to explore, with impressive tall buildings and an amazing gothic architecture. Presumably, Chicago is the inspiration for Batman’s Gotham. Stroll through the city, soak in those sights and walk alongside Lake Michigan. The Chicago Skyline is world-famous, so be sure to look for those tall buildings and walk up all those steps. From Chicago the whole United States opens up for you, with trains in the direction of San FranciscoLos AngelesNew Orleans, Washington and Seattle.

Chicago by train - A raw city
Chicago by train – A raw city

Also, after immersing yourself in the vibrant energy of Chicago, why not extend your journey into the serene beauty of the Smoky Mountains? Gatlinburg, nestled in the heart of Tennessee, offers a luxurious escape surrounded by nature’s splendor. Imagine a vacation where the hustle and bustle of city life fade away, replaced by the tranquility of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In Gatlinburg, a Stay Simpli cabin becomes your private retreat, providing a perfect blend of comfort and elegance.

Gatlinburg’s luxury cabins offer an unparalleled experience, allowing you to unwind in a cozy haven amidst the lush greenery. Picture yourself soaking in a hot tub on a private deck, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Smokies. A Stay Simpli cabin in Gatlinburg provides not only a lavish accommodation but also a gateway to explore nearby attractions like Ober Gatlinburg, renowned for its skiing and wildlife encounters. As you revel in the luxurious amenities of your cabin, you’ll find that Gatlinburg offers a perfect balance between adventure and relaxation, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a sophisticated yet nature-infused vacation experience.

Why traveling through the United States by train?

When you think of traveling through the United States, you think of a road trip. Driving alongside the ocean shore, having the time of your life. Or cruising through an endless landscape enjoying the views for hours after hours. I was confronted with that thought when I traveled to the United States for work in 2018. After 2 months of extremely hard working I was ready for another adventure. I can’t remember how, but the thought of traveling by train came up. I had plenty of experience traveling by train within Europe, but not at all in the USA. After some research it turned out that it was possible to travel to the other side of the USA by train, and back, within 2 weeks. So without further hesitation, I started my research and quickly after bought a 15-day Amtrak rail pass. Who would have expected that?.

In this blog I will tell you about all sights around Chicago and how to travel to the other side of the United States by train.

Sightseeing around Chicago

The train station of Chicago, Union Station, is in the middle of all sights of Chicago. Once you step out of the train, and exit the train station, you will be engulfed by the grandeur of the skyscrapers of Chicago. The very first impression is amazing, as you enter downtown via one of the many stunning bridges crossing the water of Lake Michigan. Walk straight towards the Art Institute and be amazed by all sights. You’ll stumble upon amazing achitecture. Such as the construction of a metro line above street-level, or the sight of the impressive Chicago Tribune Tower.

If you walk further you’ll eventually see Lake Michigan, which will lead you to a lovely walking path called ‘The Riverwalk‘. Follow the path all the way until you reach the crossing with views of the impressive Trump Tower. Close to there you’ll find the most amazing Nutella cafe (Ferrero Rocher’s first restaurant in the US) to soak up some energy! Cross the DuSable Bridge towards the Chicago Tribune Tower and explore the northern part of Chicago. In summary, everything in Chicago is doable on foot! Be sure to dress properly, as it can get quite chilly.

Chicago by train - View of the infrastructure
Chicago by train – View of the infrastructure

Traveling throughout the United States

If you want to travel to the other side of the United States by train, you’re bound to go via Chicago. From there all the amazing trains such as the “California Zephyr” and the “Sunset Limited” depart. Fares towards the east coast start at around $150 single trip. Instead of buying single trips, it might be cheaper to look into one of the Amtrak Rail Passes. I took the 3:00 PM “Southwest Chief” from Chicago towards Los Angeles, with an intermediate stop in Kansas City. My second segment of my round-trip journey.

Roughly half an hour before the train departs you are allowed to start boarding. Upon entering the train you will be assigned a seat number, which will remain yours during the journey. After everyone has settled in, you may ask for another place if you wish. There was something special on this train, as everyone seemed to be crammed in the same coaches. I did not have a window seat, and it was quite busy, so I decided to walk through the train to see if there were better spots available.

From busy to deserted

Stepping into the next coach, I arrived at a completely deserted setting. There was no-one there! I asked the conductor why it was empty. He replied that this was a very out-dated coach and that people were more conveniently seated in all other coaches. However he did not make any objection for me moving to this coach. I noticed quite some other travelers watching me making my way towards the other coach, while trying to not stumble over all luggage that was scattered around. A family decided to go for it as well, gratefully thanking me for making that move.

I found these seats much more convenient! The ride towards Kansas City was extremely relaxing, quiet and I was able to enjoy all those stunning views form the train. Lesson to be learned: always look for better seating alternatives on such a long journey. It will definitely be worth the effort. The other coaches remained completely full, while I enjoyed the quietness and space.

Chicago by train - One of the 4 seasons viewed on the train journey
Chicago by train – One of the 4 seasons viewed on the train journey

Trains are almost always delayed

Right on time the train departed from Chicago, with various intermediate stops till Kansas City where I would arrive at 10:11 PM the same evening. As mentioned in my first blog, the seats offer an amazing amount of leg space. Furthermore the seats are ‘recliners‘, which can be put in quite a comfortable angle. If you prefer, you can also book sleeping accomodation, but that’s quite expensive! I really enjoyed the amazing views while rushing through stunning landscapes and small towns. The train is really comfortable and also offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and other types of beverages and snacks if you desire.

There is only one downside about traveling through the United States by train: delay. The very first train I took, from Washington D.C. to Chicago had a delay of 2 hours and 30 minutes. On this journey I only arrived 50 minutes late in Kansas City, which can be considered as on time. All other journeys that followed after this one were without delay, which is a miracle! But those stories will be for the next blogs.

Read more about my travel experiences in the United States and get inspired!

Chicago by train - With lack of space, just construct above the road
Chicago by train – With lack of space, just construct above the road