Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Take The Scenic Route With This Train Ride From San Francisco to New York For Only $186

Take The Scenic Route With This Train Ride From San Francisco to New York For Only $186
DerekLow.com

America is big (like, real big) and filled to the brim with beautiful sights and exciting locales.

And yet, whenever we try to get from one place to another quickly, we wind up flying over most of it.


While some people prefer to drive, days of sitting in a driver's seat tends to dull the senses to the beauty of our nation.

Fortunately there's a cheap unique solution: trains!

Travel blogger Derek Low recently wrote about how affordable a cross-country train ride via Amtrak can be. Starting in San Francisco, CA, and ending in New York, NY, Low was able to see many of our country's greatest sights for only $429.

But, in truth, if your schedule is flexible and you don't mind riding coach, you can do it for much less. If you don't take any detours along the way, a straight shot on the California Zephyr costs only $186.


Low actually bought a 15-day rail pass that allowed him to disembark and split his journey between different trains. Though it was pricier, it allowed him to explore a few cities along the way.

Derek left from San Francisco, excited for four days of adventure!

DerekLow.com

Crossing the San Francisco Bay, only a foot or two from the water, was amazing...

DerekLow.com

...until the fog rolled in, that is.

DerekLow.com

Derek took a nap and woke back up to a prettier sight, however.

DerekLow.com

There are cabins on the train specifically designed for looking out the windows.

DerekLow.com

Before long, Low found himself passing through Reno, Nevada.

DerekLow.com

Shortly outside of Reno, however, there is no cell phone reception. That's right, none.

So, Derek spent some time getting the perfect selfie.

DerekLow.com

Then, before they fell asleep, the train got a good look at the perfect sunset.

DerekLow.com

Dinner is served every night in the dining car. Seating is limited, so passengers are often grouped up with strangers.

Low called it "dining roulette" and it was his favorite part of the trip. You never know who you'll meet on a train.

DerekLow.com

Some meals weren't so great according to Low, but others (like these baby back ribs) were actually pretty good!

DerekLow.com

Low disembarked for the first time in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he explored the Salt Lake Temple.

DerekLow.com

The next day, the train got some breathtaking views of the American west.

DerekLow.com

They also came upon some rafters enjoying the same sights.

DerekLow.com

In addition to coach style seating, sleeper cars, dining cars and the special viewing cars, most trains have lounges where passengers can work, eat, play cards or socialize.

DerekLow.com

Before long, the train poked out of the Rockies and a journey through the great plains began.

DerekLow.com

Each night, Low slept in his reclining train seat, something he describes as surprisingly comfortable.

Sleeping cars are available, albeit at a considerably higher price.

DerekLow.com

Derek disembarked for the second time in Chicago, where he saw the famous stairs from The Untouchables...

DerekLow.com

...as well as the gorgeous Chi-town skyline!

DerekLow.com

As the train made its way through the midwest, Low was able to do some happy writing.

DerekLow.com

When the train crossed the Hudson River, the passengers all knew their time together was coming to an end.

DerekLow.com

Low exited the train at New York's Penn Station and began enjoying the sights NYC has to offer.

DerekLow.com

Does Derek's trip look fun to you? For less than $200, it can be yours too!

H/T - Thrillist, DerekLow.com

More from Trending

Screenshots from Dove's ad featuring transgender women
Dove

'One Million Moms' Calls For Dove Boycott Over Hair Care Ad Featuring Trans Woman

The vehemently transphobic conservative group One Million Moms (OMM)—an arm of the Christian fundamentalist nonprofit American Family Association (AFA)—called for a boycott of Dove products after the company featured a transgender woman in an advertisement for their Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Conditioner.

The ad garnered attention after it was shared by the social media account Libs of TikTok—run by the anti-LGBTQ+ conservative Chaya Raichik—which described the ad as an example of "another woke company trying to erase women."

Keep ReadingShow less
Alyssa Milano; Julian McMahon
Michael Kovac/Elton John AIDS Foundation/Getty Images; Marcus Ingram/The Surfer/Getty Images

Alyssa Milano Shares Poignant Tribute To 'TV Husband' Julian McMahon After His Death At 56

Actor Julian McMahon lost his battle with cancer at the age of 56 earlier this week, and to say that the Charmed, Nip/Tuck, and Fantastic Four actor touched many lives would be an understatement.

When the news of McMahon's passing went public, his Charmed costar and "TV wife" Alyssa Milano came forward and expressed her sadness and condolences on Instagram. The pair were a favorite couple on Charmed, and it was clear from her post that their care for each other extended beyond the screen.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Who Slept With Their Best Friend Describe The Aftermath

When two people have a deep and meaningful friendship, the question might eventually come up of whether or not they could be more. Agreeing that their friendship might deserve more, they might try to date or at least explore physical intimacy.

But crossing that line carries with it consequences, and it's only once the pair crosses that line that they'll find out if crossing it was good or bad.

Keep ReadingShow less
child writing on chalkboard
Leonardo Toshiro Okubo on Unsplash

Bilingual People Explain Which Words They're Surprised Don't Exist In English

According to one report, approximately 3.3 billion people worldwide—43 % of the population—are multilingual, meaning they speak at least two languages. According to the last Census, 21.6% of people in the United States speak more than one language, while in the United Kingdom, the number is 36%.

More multilingual people speak English as a second language than English speakers who have learned another language besides English. Worldwide, people who learned English as a first language rate among the lowest in multilingual rates.

Keep ReadingShow less
Andrew Garfield at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival
Harry Durrant/Getty Images

Andrew Garfield meets fan with wild tweet!

American actor Andrew Garfield had a funny yet awkward reunion with a fan from a viral “Thirst Tweet” featured on Buzzfeed Celeb.

The Thirst Tweet compilation shows celebrities reading a collection of scandalous tweets from fans commenting on their looks, attractiveness, and sex appeal. Blushing stars include James McAvoy, Renee Rapp, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Mackie, and more recently, Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem, as they promote F1 the Movie that was released in theaters last week.

Keep ReadingShow less