Fall is in full swing, and that means now is the time to seek out autumnal experiences like leaf peeping and pumpkin patch wandering. While shoulder season is a great time to find international travel deals, it is also the perfect time to explore more of the U.S.—and a new study has the perfect domestic trip inspiration.
Japan Rail Pass released a report on the best autumn train journeys in the world, using information from Tripadvisor reviews, Instagram hashtags and seasonal weather data. Using all of that, a ranking of the best train rides with the clearest skies and most idyllic experiences was created.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad took the top spot in the study, scoring a 9.08 out 10 on the JR Pass scale.
The train route winds through Colorado and New Mexico through the San Juan Mountains. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, the railroad dates back to the mining days of the 1880s. The 64-mile train route the authentic steam train crosses the border between Colorado and New Mexico 11 times.
On the official website for the train ride, the experience promises “zigzagging along canyon walls, burrowing through two tunnels, and steaming over 137-foot Cascade Trestle.” The train includes views of wildflowers, geologic formations, deer, antelope, elk, fox, eagles, and sometimes even bears.
With an average rating of 4.48, the reviews for the experience are overwhelmingly positive. “The weather was perfect, and we absolutely enjoyed every moment of our train ride,” one customer wrote on Tripadvisor.
One of the biggest appeals of the train ride is the open carriages on the route, which allow passengers to sit and enjoy the fresh air. The rides are also pretty affordable; six hour train rides start at just $115 per person for Coach seating and go up to $205 for Deluxe or $275 for Parlor seating. The full train experience runs for seven hours and 45 minutes, and starts at $135 per person.
The rest of the JR Pass top five train routes include one in Japan, two in Europe, and one more in the U.S. Below are the top five train rides for fall in the world:
1. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, U.S., Colorado/New Mexico
2. Tren de Sóller, Spain, Palma de Mallorca to Soller
3. GoldenPass Line, Switzerland, Montreux to Interlaken
4. Oigawa Railway, Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture
5. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, U.S., Georgia
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