The week of Thanksgiving 2025 we learned more than 5,000 flights across the US were delayed or cancelled on Monday and Tuesday due to widespread severe weather conditions.

Storms, including massive thunderstorms in the South and heavy snow in the Intermountain West and Midwest, were significantly disrupting travel plans nationwide.

Around 73 million people traveled by road.

There are plenty of reasons why people choose to travel by train and not fly—or drive. Aside from simply climbing aboard and letting someone else do all the driving and navigating, it was our chance to enjoy landscapes. We would never have the opportunity to experience these moments of adventure otherwise.

Here are some tips you can follow for your train vacation. Regardless of which destinations you may want to visit, make simple preparations to achieve a smooth, headache-free trip.

For us, we found our train journey to be hassle-free, comfortable, and memorable.

1. There are no security lines or airport hassles

I’ve been stranded in too many hour-plus airport security lines to count. When we arrive at the train station, we simply wait for my track to be announced, which typically occurs 15 minutes before departure, and then board the train when it arrives.

There aren’t any annoying security lines or shuttles to take between terminals, so we can get to the train station around 30 minutes before the train leaves. Plus, boarding usually goes pretty fast because the train attendants can stagger the boarding lines between train cars.

2. We don’t have to worry about size restrictions or checking too many bags

Have you ever shed a tear watching TSA throw away a precious perfume or hand lotion you just bought?

One of the nice things about traveling by train is that there are no size restrictions on liquids.

Amtrak has a really generous luggage policy. Each passenger is allowed one personal item, two carry-ons, and two checked bags free of charge. Additional checked luggage is only $20 a bag.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Probably one of the most stressful aspects of traveling is getting ready for the trip. There are quite a few things worth arranging and planning while you’re still at home to ensure you’ll have a smooth train journey.

• Identification – Your photo ID or passport.

• Train Tickets – Make sure you have your eTicket on your electronic device or your printed paper ticket.

• Travel Insurance – Protect yourself against unforeseen travel misfortunes.

• Medications – Bring your medication with you, especially if you know you’ll be requiring it en route to your destination. However, you must bring it in your carry-on and be capable of administering the medication yourself.

• Personal Care Items – Soap, toothbrush/toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, lotion, hand sanitizer, and more.

3. It’s a beautiful train ride

Lastly, it’s a scenic ride. Although I try to focus on getting some writing done or taking stock of my priorities, both personally and professionally, I sometimes can’t help but get lost in the views for hours.

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