If you’re thinking of taking a train trip soon, you’re probably not the only one. For the past two years, rail travel has been experiencing a significant rise in popularity, filling up trains with travelers all over the world. Earlier this year, Eurail, the biggest name in the world of European train travel, told Matador Network that 2023 was its biggest year on record, with more than 1,237,000 Interrail and Eurail passes sold, a 25 percent growth from 2022. But it’s not just Europe seeing a rail revival. In a December 3 press release, Amtrak reports that 2024 broke ridership records, too.
Photo: Peter Titmuss/Shutterstock
More People Than Ever Rode Amtrak Trains in 2024
Amtrak welcomed 32.8 million riders in its trains in 2024, a 15 percent growth from 2023, and the most customers that the National Railroad Passenger Corporation has ever seen in its 53 years in existence.
While we don’t know why more people decided to ride the rails in 2023 and 2024, what we do know is that traveling by train is a greener choice than traveling by plane, with train travel emitting significantly less CO2 per passenger than flying. Something all travelers should keep in mind when planning trips.
That said, it’s undeniable that riding the rail in the US tends to be more time-consuming that flying, especially on long-distance routes, but it’s an exercise in slow travel, and an adventure that many seem to be keen to try, despite the long delays Amtrak is known for.
According to a report by Amtrak, in 2023, all 15 of the railroad company’s long-distance routes, and 15 of the 24 state-supported routes, failed to meet the Federal Railroad Administration’s punctuality standard. Most of the delays, however, can be attributed to freight train interference. In 2023, freight trains caused an incredible 1.5 years of delay to Amtrak trains.
“Breaking our ridership record is just the beginning,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “This record ridership shows that travelers throughout the US want efficient travel options, and we are committed to meeting that demand.”
To satisfy customer demand, this past November, Amtrak launched a new route, The Floridian, bringing a daily and direct train service between Chicago and Miami. And in 2025, also by popular demand, Amtrak will restart the route between New Orleans and Mobile, which was suspended in August 2005 after Hurricane Katrina.
“We are modernizing our network and fleet so we can make every journey with Amtrak world-class,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “As we build for the future, our investments in new equipment, expanded service, and critical infrastructure will continue to elevate the experience from coast to coast.”
Amtrak’s rolling stock is in the process of being renewed, with 28 next-generation high-speed trains on order to replace the current Acela fleet, and Amtrak Airo trains, the first one of which will enter passenger service in 2026, to replace the current fleet on 14 long-distance overnight routes.
Amtrak hopes to double its ridership to 66 million customers by 2040. 