Staunton by Rail: Your Plane and Car-Free Escape!

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Don’t you dread facing airport delays or sitting behind the wheel in heavy traffic? Are potential problems and roadblocks putting a damper on your travel plans? What if you could pick a delightful destination, kick back in a comfortable seat, sip a glass of wine, and relax as the scenery unfolds before you? If that sounds like your kind of trip, it’s time to rediscover the romance and reliability of train travel. Ditch the airport and highway stress and, instead, embrace a scenic journey to Staunton, a town that’s perfectly poised for a car-free adventure. Here’s how to easily reach all the culture, cuisine, and captivating fun of Staunton’s walkable downtown by rail.

Your Amtrak Adventure

Forget the hassles of highway driving and let Amtrak whisk you to (or away from) Staunton. Staunton is located in the middle of Amtrak’s Cardinal long-distance passenger train route, which stretches 1,146 miles connecting New York’s Penn Station to Chicago’s Union Station. Riders can pick stops at 32 points of interest like Philadelphia, Charleston, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis in between. From Staunton, you can hop on an Amtrak train and set off for destinations like New York for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago to stroll the Magnificent Mile, or Washington D.C. to tour the Smithsonian. 

Amtrak’s Cardinal offers three round trips each week. It heads west from New York on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. It departs from Chicago and goes east on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Once you catch the train, you’ll enjoy comfortable, hassle-free travel, wifi, a lounge car, and incredible views. Hungry? You can enjoy the Flexible Dining menu of hot meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or grab a la carte food and drinks from the Cafe Car menu. The menus include alcoholic beverages as well as healthy dining choices. You can even bring your small dog or cat on trips that last fewer than seven hours!

Part of the appeal of traveling by rail is the journey itself, which is good, since the point-to-point trip takes a total of 26 ½ hours. You’ll have plenty of time to chat with your traveling companions, read that book you’ve been meaning to, or take some well-earned naps. And if you’re looking to sightsee, Virginia and West Virginia will not disappoint you in the scenery department. A ride east travels through beautiful farmland, and the western route crosses the Allegheny Mountains and passes through New River Gorge National Park. Trips are even timed so that they reach the park in daylight year round. This is an extremely popular spot during leaf peeping season!

Amtrak Tips

• Staunton’s station is unmanned, so you’ll need to arrange your travel online.
• Children 2 through 12 years old ride half-price every day
• Military personnel and their families, veterans, seniors, and students may be eligible for discounts.
• Not only is train travel more relaxing, but it’s also a smart choice for your wallet! Amtrak offers a fantastic 15% year-round discount for trips within Virginia and Washington D.C.

Other Excursions By Rail

Travelers who want to explore Virginia can take advantage of Virginia by Rail-designed experiences. Virginia by Rail connects six different regions of Virginia, helps travelers get there, and identifies the best sites and events in each area. Connected cities include Norfolk, Richmond, Lynchburg, and D.C.

Another great way to ride the rails is to take a Virginia Scenic Railway excursion in a stylishly renovated passenger car. These three-hour trips depart Staunton from the historic train station and roll gently through the countryside toward the Blue Ridge Tunnel to the east or the Allegheny Mountains to the west. Choose between a seat in the traditional dining car or the new dome car, which offers panoramic views and boxed meals or café dining with bar access.

Look for special seasonal trips, such as the Shenandoah Valley Limited this fall, which departs from Goshen and is pulled by the last remaining Norfolk & Western No. 611 J-class steam locomotive, “widely hailed as the finest steam locomotive in the world.” 

Make plans to celebrate the holidays on The Santa Express. These festive and family-oriented rides last 60 minutes and feature decorations, holiday treats, and visits from the jolly elf himself. The Santa Express also offers new Holiday Spirits seating for the 21+ crowd hoping to raise their glasses to Santa this year.

If you’re in Staunton May through October, make a trip to Gypsy Hill Park on the weekend to take a ride on the Gypsy Express Mini-Train. The Gypsy Express has been sharing fun and adventure with the young and young at heart for 60 years!

Explore Staunton on Foot

Once you arrive in Staunton by train, you won’t need your car keys. Everything you need for a fantastic trip is within easy strolling distance. Though it’s changed a lot over the years, the area has been a hub for commerce since it first welcomed the railroad in 1854. 

As you exit or board the train, make sure to note the 1902 Bungalow-style C&O Train Station. This station is actually Staunton’s third. The first was strategically destroyed during the Civil War and the second was demolished by a train wreck in 1890. Some say the site is haunted. The tall buildings surrounding the train station were originally built as warehouses to store freight and businesses to serve railway passengers. Now many have been reimagined as dining, lodging, and retail space.

Delicious Dining

While most of Staunton is easily walkable, restaurants closest to the train station include Crucible Coffee Roasters, where you can plan your day over a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. Byers Street Bistro serves drinks and elevated pub fare, and the Mill Street Grill is known for steak, ribs, seafood, and pasta. Taste of India serves authentic Indian food, and you can savor authentic Latin American flavors at Latin Soul. For a taste of Staunton’s railroad heritage, dine at The Depot Grille, located in the historic train station building itself, offering American classics in a kid-friendly and casual setting. New to Staunton is The Frenchman, just off the tracks and offering counter-service breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day! They are serving tasty soups, fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, and scrumptious crepes, with dinner service expected to begin late 2025.

If you’re a wine enthusiast, a visit to the Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room is a must, where you can sample exquisite local wines. And for something truly unique, head to Ciders From Mars for an out-of-this-world selection of craft hard ciders pressed from local apples. Here on a Saturday? Don’t miss the Staunton Farmers’ Market in the Wharf parking lot for fresh produce, baked goods, and a chance to enjoy the Staunton community.

Trackside Shopping

The holidays are coming quickly. Start your shopping by finding the perfect gift for a child (or your own inner child) at Pufferbellies Toys and Books and The Tubular Toy Box. 

Discover one-of-a-kind vintage treasures at Eclectic Retro. For the outdoor adventurer, Wilderness Adventure has all the gear you need. Seek out tabletop games and gaming accessories at The Dragon’s Hoard, or treat your furry friends at Well Balanced Paw. Tap into tranquility with the serene scents of candles, soaps, and body butters at Essentially Zen.

Engaging Activities

Staunton is brimming with activities that don’t require a car. Challenge your mind and teamwork at Crack the Code Escape Room. Enjoy a lively evening with craft brews, good company, and live music, trivia, or other fun at Redbeard Brewing. Or witness the mesmerizing art of glassblowing when you watch artisans create stunning pieces at Sunspots Studios. 

For an unparalleled theatrical experience, catch a live performance at the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre. And remember when we mentioned the (possibly) haunted train station? Learn all about it when you join a Ghosts of Staunton tour for spooky and entertaining haunted history.

Comfortable Car-Free Lodging

After a day of exploration, retreat to one of Staunton’s welcoming accommodations, all easily accessible from the train station, even if you’re dragging a suitcase. Gibson’s Warehouse is a four-suite loft lodging in a warehouse built in 1905. Originally used to store hay, fertilizer, and farm equipment, the building is now the epitome of comfort and industrial cool. Plus, it’s right across the street from the station. The elegant and newly-opened Barrister’s Row offers seven beautiful suites in the shadow of Staunton’s historic courthouse. And or a grand stay in a historic landmark with modern amenities, choose Hotel 24 South. 

Leave the driving, the delays, and the canceled flights behind. Book your ticket, pack your bags, and get ready to experience Staunton by rail!