Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Choosing Train Travel

Millennials and Gen Z are not the new kids on the block anymore. Adults in these two generations range from ages 18 to 43, and together they are now the biggest travel spenders of any age cohort. The two generations also have high expectations from travel operators that are trying to appeal to them.

Unlike their parents and grandparents, Millennials and Gen Z no longer see flying and driving as the default travel options. The new generation is open to alternatives and they are increasingly choosing trains as their preferred travel method.

The shift is so great that Amtrak ridership is at its highest level ever — it is on track to carry more than 32.3 million passengers this year and break its pre-pandemic record. Amtrak anticipates growing ridership to 66 million passengers per year by 2040.

Leading this trend among young adults is a deep frustration with airlines, changes in travel preferences and expectations, and a desire for make more climate-friendly choices. In this article we’ll dive deeper into some of the major contributors and why these might tilt travelers towards more train travel.

1: Air Travel Has Gone From Bad to Worse

Last year, the airline industry lobbying firm, Airlines for America, found that 73% of customers were not fully satisfied with their air travel experience. The situation has only worsened since 2023. Airline passengers this year have experienced widespread service meltdowns and harrowing safety mishaps on top of already cramped seats and poor service.

Millennials and Gen Z are demanding better, and rail travel offers a compelling alternative for short intercity trips. The Washington, D.C. to Boston corridor has replaced more flights and cars than any other rail line in the US, with major stops in New York City and Philadelphia. Amtrak reported in 2021 that rail accounted for a whopping 78% of travel market share between New York and Washington, D.C., while air held just 22%. Between New York and Boston, rail held 54% of market share and air held 46%.

2: Remote and Hybrid Workers Need to Work On-The-Go

Despite popular misconceptions, remote and hybrid work is on the rise. Just 62% of workers are in the office full-time (down from 66% in 2023), with 27% working hybrid jobs and 11% working fulling remotely. Remote and hybrid workers are taking their work with them when they travel and they want to be productive while on-the-go. Not only do the spacious seats on trains allow these “laptop luggers” to work comfortably, onboard Wi-Fi and personal 5G hotspots enable blazing fast internet connections that are unavailable on airplanes.

Contrast that with trying to work on airplane, where seats are elbow-to-elbow and using your laptop on the tray table risks it being crushed should the person in front of you decide to recline their seat, and it’s easy to see why working on the train is far more desirable.

3: Travelling by Train is a Unique Experience

The slow, scenic pace of train journeys also matches a growing preference for experiential travel. According to a survey conducted by Thrillist, a travel publication, 77% of Millennials and Gen Z choose travel experiences based on their passion points rather than the destination. This includes prioritizing comfort and relaxation over speed, using the time on trains to work, socialize, or disconnect from the fast pace of modern life. The preference for “slow travel” emphasizes enjoying the journey itself rather than just the destination.

Additionally, trains offer a unique social and immersive travel experience. With a rising focus on wellness and meaningful connections, these generations are gravitating toward travel modes that allow them to unplug and engage more deeply with the environment and fellow travelers. This mirrors trends like “digital detox” tourism, where travelers seek less technology-dependent experiences to combat burnout.

A powerful snowball effect is emerging that is keeping rail travel in the zeitgeist and highlighting the unique value it offers to travelers. A recent Wall Street Journal report covered the growing demand for rail travel nationally, and how both Amtrak and new private companies are responding with expanded services. Business Insider has published several stories that reviewed Amtrak’s overnight trains, and more travel bloggers across social media platforms are posting train-focused content.

4: Environmental Impact Remains a Top Concern

Aside from seeking greater comfort and convenience, Millennials and Gen Z are keen to be aware of their environmental impact. More than half of people in these generations say that they intentionally think about their climate impact when traveling, and that they are willing to pay more for travel providers that demonstrate environmental responsibility. Both generations have growing concerns about the climate impact of flying and driving, and transportation accounts for 28% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States (flying and driving accounts for 89% of transportation emissions).

Not only do airplanes output significantly more CO₂ per passenger than a typical train, their jet engines emit other pollutants that double the warming effect compared to CO₂ alone. Rail, on the other hand, produces up to 83% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than driving and up to 73% fewer emissions than flying, according to Amtrak. This can be further reduced by zero emissions technologies like electrified rail, batteries, and green hydrogen fuel. Between technological breakthroughs and upcoming regulatory requirements, zero emissions train operations could be a reality within the next few years.

Airplanes could take decades to significantly reduce their climate impact, if it’s even possible. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the industry’s current best option for reducing emissions, is neither sustainable nor realistic. This leaves rail as the top choice for climate-conscious travelers.

5: Taking the Train is More Convenient

According to Pew Research, the majority of Millennials and Gen Z live in major metropolitan areas, where trains typically depart and arrive in city centers and have connections to regional transit. Avoiding lengthy trips is an appealing proposition when travel to and from airports around large cities like New York and Philadelphia can often take up to an hour or more. And further, getting to the airport is an additional expensive in and of itself — parking fees are typically charged by the day, and rideshares or airport shuttles can be a pricey option to start or end an already expensive trip.

—

These are just a few of the reasons why Millennials and Gen Z are choosing train travel over flying and driving on short intercity trips. But they start to illustrate a broader reimagining of domestic travel in the U.S., with trains becoming more appealing for their comfort, convenience, environmental benefits, and potential to deliver rich travel experiences.

Despite the overall increases in train ridership, Millennial and Gen Z ridership remains low on Amtrak’s long-distance routes, which are trains that travel 750 miles or more. Amtrak reported in 2020 that Millennials comprised just 16% of adult long-distance passengers, even though the group accounted for more travel spending than any other age cohort. Amtrak cites several reasons for this low ridership, including poor reliability and inconvenient schedules. If trains are going to attract Millennials and Gen Z on trips longer than a few hours, innovative services that meet their unique must be developed.