Solo Traveler Makes Cross-Country Trek with $499 Amtrak Pass, Says It Was the ‘Best Decision’ (Exclusive)

A young woman from Belgium explored the U.S. by train using the Amtrak USA Rail Pass.
Her spontaneous choice led to a meaningful journey and deep connections along the way.
She says the experience is not about luxury, but about presence, adventure and discovery.

When a 25-year-old woman from Belgium set off on an adventure across the United States, she made a bold and spontaneous choice — traveling by train with the Amtrak USA Rail Pass.

Instead of opting for the speed of flying, Luna Buttiens decided to take her time, exploring the country from the windows of a train. What began as an impulsive decision turned into an unforgettable journey, one that gave her the opportunity to experience the U.S. in a way few travelers do.

“It was a very last-minute decision. I planned the whole trip just two days before setting off,” Buttiens tells PEOPLE exclusively. “It was completely impulsive, but looking back, it was the best decision I could have made.”

While on the train, somewhere between Denver and San Francisco, Buttiens wrote a reflection that captured the essence of her journey.

“Traveling by train is about fully accepting where you are — not counting down the time until you get ‘there.’ This feels very different from flying, where it’s all about getting to your destination as fast as possible. I’ve noticed that I don’t even check the time while being on this train,” she wrote.

“People here seem more open to talking to strangers, exploring, playing cards and engaging in real human interaction instead of staring at a tiny screen,” she says. “They may not realize it, but they are fully present in this moment. Not trying to kill time, because on these trains, it feels like time doesn’t exist.”

For Buttiens, the train wasn’t simply a mode of transportation — it became a symbol of slow travel, a chance to be fully immersed in the present moment.

The train itself was an essential part of her journey, even if not perfectly luxurious. With the USA Rail Pass, Buttiens traveled in Coach, which provided a level of comfort that allowed her to relax during her travels.

“Coach seats are wider, recline significantly further, and come with leg rests. As a 25-year-old, I found them comfortable enough, even for overnight travel,” Buttiens explains.

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Despite enjoying the extra space compared to airplane seats, she did acknowledge the wear and tear on her body after several nights on the train.

“Sleeping in these seats was manageable, and since I traveled during the off-season, I was lucky enough to have two seats to myself at many times,” Buttiens says. “Still, after spending multiple nights on the train, my back started to hurt, so I’d recommend scheduling a massage after your trip.”

The USA Rail Pass allowed her to visit a variety of cities across the country, including Miami, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and New Orleans.

Buttiens started her travels in New York City, where she had been working for a Belgian waffle company since September 2024.

“Yes, a Belgian girl selling Belgian waffles in the Big Apple, pretty ironic,” Buttiens laughs. “But before heading home, I wanted to explore more of the U.S., and purchasing a Rail Pass seemed the perfect way to do so.”

As per Amtrak’s website, travelers can take 10 rides (segments) over the course of 30 days to their choice of over 500 destinations for just $499.

“Looking back, I can truly say I made the most of the Rail Pass,” Buttiens admits. Despite traveling to nine cities during the 10 segments, train travel offered her a unique vantage point that couldn’t be experienced from a plane.

“I’ve seen so much more of this country through the train’s windows,” she adds, emphasizing how the journey itself was just as valuable as the destinations.

While all the cities she visited had their own unique charm, the people she met along the way were what left the most lasting impression.

“The kindness and warmth of strangers played the biggest role in defining my journey. Especially because I traveled solo,” Buttiens reveals. “Time and again, I was welcomed with such open hearts, reminding me that the true spirit of a place isn’t just in its streets or landmarks, but in the people who call it home.”

For anyone considering the trip, Buttiens says the price tag of Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass was well worth it. “If you look at all the places I was able to visit, the $499 for the Rail Pass was absolutely worth it,” she says.

Additionally, Amtrak’s generous baggage allowance made traveling even more convenient. “You can bring two carry-on items and one personal item at no extra cost. This made traveling far less stressful,” Buttiens mentions, though she managed to travel with just one hiking backpack.

Despite the journey being valid for 30 days, Buttiens bought an extra ticket to extend her travels. Her adventure began on January 28th and ended on March 4th with her return to New York City.

“I enjoyed my trip so much that I decided to buy an extra ticket to extend my travels just a little longer,” Buttiens tells PEOPLE. “Surprisingly enough, even after spending around 230 hours on Amtrak trains, I just couldn’t get enough of it.”

She urges people not to expect luxury in the conventional sense when traveling by Amtrak. “This journey isn’t about indulgence; it’s about presence, connection, and the beauty of embracing the unknown,” Buttiens says.

Her decision to travel by train was more than just a transportation choice – it became a transformative experience that helped her connect deeply with the country and its people. For Buttiens, it was a journey she would never forget.

Read the original article on People

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