Key Highlights
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Take in Montana’s beautiful views when you ride on the Amtrak Empire Builder. This is the only passenger train route in the state.
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The Empire Builder links big cities, such as Chicago and Seattle, to more than ten spots in Montana.
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Stop by the old Whitefish train station. It is the busiest Amtrak station in Montana and has many good things for travelers to use.
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You get to Glacier National Park from the East Glacier Park station, which is open part of the year, and also from West Glacier station.
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See a bit of the past at stations that the Great Northern Railway first made.
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Travel in comfort with helpful amenities like waiting areas and baggage services at the main places.
Introduction
Welcome to your guide for train travel in Montana. If you want to see Big Sky Country in a new way, taking a train is a good idea. Train rides here give you something special. This guide helps you learn all you need about Montana’s Amtrak stations, the main routes, and how to plan your trip. Be ready to sit back and watch Montana’s wide-open land pass by your window. Amtrak trains are an easy and calm way to see the best of the state.
Overview of Montana’s Train Stations and Rail Travel
Montana has over 10 Amtrak stations. All of them are easy to get to and sit right on one of the most beautiful train routes in the United States. If you want to see the northern part of Montana, amtrak trains make it simple and direct. You can get to great places in the state this way.
From these stations, amtrak trains run every day. The trains go to big cities such as Chicago, Boston, Seattle, and Portland. If you want to travel around Montana or just pass through, train routes let you see the wide and pretty scenery. You also can earn points on your trip with amtrak guest rewards.
History of Railroads in Montana and Their Impact on Travel
The story of travel in Montana and its history is closely linked to the railroads. Big projects like the Great Northern Railway played a huge part in opening up this tough land. They helped connect small towns and made it possible for more people and goods to move in and out. These railways really were the lifelines of the American West.
Now, Amtrak trains carry on this idea. They run on the same paths as those old rail lines, like the famous empire builder route. Amtrak gives people in the United States a new way to ride across Montana and helps them feel that old spirit of discovery when they travel. Going on these old tracks lets you connect to what the state once was, while you move through it today.
There are more than ten main Amtrak train stations in Montana, all found along the well-known empire builder route. These Montana’s Amtrak stations keep the old tradition alive. People riding Amtrak trains get to look out and see the amazing Montana scenery from the train windows, feeling what early travelers saw back in the day.
Key Amtrak Routes Serving Montana, Including the Empire Builder
When you travel through Montana by train, you will be on one of Amtrak’s best-known train routes: the Empire Builder. This is the main and only passenger rail line that goes across Montana. So, planning your trip is easy, and you get to see some amazing views. All Amtrak stations in Montana are on the famous Empire Builder route.
The Empire Builder route is well-known for its beautiful scenery, especially where it goes through the northern Rocky Mountains. Amtrak trains here have large windows, so you can look out and see the wide plains and high mountain peaks.
Key features of the Empire Builder journey through Montana include:
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Direct access to Glacier National Park.
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Stops in over ten towns and cities across the state.
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A path that retraces parts of the Great Northern Railway.
Major Cities in Montana with Amtrak Service
Amtrak service in Montana lets you reach many places as you travel. You can visit not only big small towns but also quiet country spots. The Empire Builder stops at key places on its way. These stops act as main points for travelers who want to see the northern part of Montana.
No matter if you begin your journey here or just pass by, these cities offer what people need to have a good trip. There, you will get a warm welcome. You will find each Amtrak station gives people a way in to see the local way of life and enjoy the land. The next sections will talk about some important major cities in Montana where Amtrak goes, such as Whitefish, Shelby, and Havre.
Whitefish – Montana’s Busiest Train Station
The Whitefish train station is the busiest amtrak station in Montana. It sits in a beautiful old building. Every year, many people come through here because of the lively town, the great skiing, and how close it is to Glacier National Park. This amtrak station is important to the people living in Whitefish.
The Whitefish train station is a main stop in Montana and has many amenities for riders. There is a large and clean waiting area where you can sit and relax before your train goes. The station is made to help groups move in and out without any trouble.
At the Whitefish Amtrak Station, you’ll usually find:
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Staff ready to help with ticketing and baggage.
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Waiting areas and accessible restrooms.
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Cafes and shops nearby where you can go before you get on your train.
Shelby and Havre – Northern Montana Hubs
Shelby and Havre are two other major cities that Amtrak visits on its Empire Builder route across northern Montana. These stops are important because they help local people and visitors get on the national train system with no trouble. Every station shows off what makes its own prairie town special.
When you get to Shelby or Havre, you can look for station staff who are there to help you with ticketing, baggage, or any questions that you have. With their help, it is easy to get through these smaller but key Amtrak stations in Montana. They help make every trip smooth and good.
Shelby and Havre are part of more than 10 cities in Montana that have Amtrak service. These stops are important for the Empire Builder route. They help link the big fields and farms along the Hi-Line with places east and west. They open the door for you to go and see the northern part of the state.
Featured Historic Train Stations in Montana
Montana has many train stations that are more than just quick stops. These places, including the one by the historic Glacier Park Lodge, let you see what travel was like many years ago. They help you step back in time to when people used trains a lot more.
You can still find the old look and feel of the early 1900s at these stations. That was when the Great Northern Railway first set up many train routes here. Going to see them lets you enjoy the history as you ride Amtrak through Montana. Check out the info below to learn more about these train stations, which are doors to Glacier National Park.
Belton/West Glacier Station – Gateway to Glacier National Park
The Belton Station, now called the West Glacier station, is the starting point for many people heading to Glacier National Park. The station brings people right to the edge of this amazing place. It has a cozy style and is easy to get to, so many people like to stop here.
This amtrak station is in Montana, and it is in a great spot if you want to see the west side of the park. Many come for the Lake McDonald area. The train ride here is known as one of the most beautiful in the U.S. You get to see great mountain views right from the train.
Key features of the West Glacier station include:
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Its status as a registered historic place.
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Direct access to park shuttles and tour operators.
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A prime location for starting your Glacier adventure.
East Glacier Park Station – Seasonal Access and Features
The East Glacier Park station gives you a way to get to the east side of Glacier National Park during the right time of year. This amtrak station, built back in 1912 by the Great Northern Railway, is simple but pretty. It sits next to the well-known Glacier Park Lodge. This is good for people who want to visit, as there are not many steps to get from the train to their rooms.
The east glacier park station works like a front door for everyone wanting a mountain trip. It only opens from mid-spring to mid-fall. When it is open, this amtrak station has staff to help you. You can buy tickets, get help if you need it, or use the baggage service for your bags in this waiting room.
Remember, this is a seasonal stop, not a place that is open all year. You should look at the Amtrak schedule before you plan the trip. The waiting room and other things are open when the train comes and goes, so staff will be there at the same time that you will need them.
The Empire Builder Route Across Montana
The Empire Builder is your ticket to a great trip across Montana’s wide open lands. This famous Amtrak route goes across the top part of the state. You can see amazing views out the windows of the Amtrak trains, from gentle flat land to the tall, rough peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
The Empire Builder route follows the same path as the old Great Northern Railway. Because of this, the trip is about more than getting from place to place. You get to see American land and hear about its story as you ride. While the train moves through Montana, you get a travel experience you will not forget. The scenery on the trip is just as good as the places where you stop.
Towns and Landscapes Along the Empire Builder Line
The Empire Builder route connects you to the heart of authentic Montana, stopping in numerous small towns that each have their own unique charm. As your Amtrak train travels along the historic Hi-Line, you’ll pass through communities that were born from the railway itself.
From the train’s large windows, you can watch the landscape transform. The journey takes you from the vast, open plains in the east, through agricultural heartlands, and finally to the dramatic mountain scenery surrounding Glacier National Park. All Montana’s Amtrak stations are situated on this storied route.
Here are some of the stations you’ll find along the Empire Builder route in Montana:
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Station Code |
Station Name |
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WFH |
Whitefish |
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WGL |
West Glacier |
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EGP |
East Glacier Park |
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CTB |
Cut Bank |
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SBY |
Shelby |
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HVR |
Havre |
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MAL |
Malta |
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GLS |
Glasgow |
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WPT |
Wolf Point |
Scenic Views and Highlights from the Train
Riding the Empire Builder across Montana is one of the best train routes in the United States for beautiful views. The Amtrak trains have large windows, so you get to see all the amazing scenery as you go.
The most exciting part of the trip is when the train moves along the south side of Glacier National Park. It goes through deep valleys and past high, snow-covered mountain peaks. These views are something you just can’t get when you drive a car. This spot on the route is great for taking photos.
Other scenic spots from the train include:
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Crossing the big Gassman Coulee Trestle near Havre.
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Seeing the land change from open prairies to the tall Rocky Mountains.
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Traveling beside the pretty Flathead River near West Glacier.
Station Services and Amenities for Travelers
When you travel by Amtrak in Montana, you will see that each amtrak station is a bit different. Big stations usually have more things to help you, but some small ones just have what you need for a safe trip and a good time.
Most amtrak stations with staff have a waiting area, restrooms, and baggage service. Some stations may let you park your car too. Please know that things like Wi-Fi are not always ready for you to use. It is a good idea to look up what every amtrak station on your trip has before you go.
Ticketing, Baggage, and Accessibility at Key Stations
At key Amtrak spots in Montana, like Whitefish and the East Glacier Park station, you will find many things to help with your trip. There are staff at the ticket office who can sell you tickets or help you plan your trip.
Baggage service is there too. You can check your baggage if you have big or heavy items. Staff will give help with luggage if you need it. Some places even have baggage carts and ways to store your bags for a fee.
There is a focus on accessibility at these stations. Many places have:
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Accessible platforms and waiting rooms.
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Wheelchair lifts and help on board.
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Ticket offices and restrooms that all people can get into.
These services in Montana make travel easier for everyone using Amtrak at places like east glacier park, the east glacier park station, and Whitefish.
Parking, Wi-Fi, and Waiting Areas
Amenities at each Amtrak station in Montana are not always the same. Some have parking, Wi-Fi, and waiting areas, but not all. Bigger stations like Whitefish often have long-term parking, but the smaller or older ones, such as East Glacier Park, might not have any parking for your car. It is best to check ahead before you go to see if parking is available.
Most of the time, you will find a waiting area at staffed stations. But Wi-Fi is not common. That means most stations along the Montana route will not have public Wi-Fi. You will either need to use your own data or just spend some time offline while you wait for your train.
The waiting room at an Amtrak station is there to give you a safe and covered place to relax before you leave. When there is staff at the station, the waiting room usually opens when trains come in or go out. Be sure to check the hours for any Amtrak station in Montana. This way, you will know if the waiting room will be open when you arrive.
Planning Your Montana Train Journey
Ready to plan your own trip by train? Setting up your Montana rail trip is easy to do. All stations sit along one main route, so you can mark your stops on a map. You can then choose what parts of Montana you want to see on an Amtrak train.
Booking your ticket and packing what you need is simple, too. A bit of planning helps a lot before you go. You might want to sign up for Amtrak Guest Rewards. You can get points during your travel, and later use them for another trip. Keep reading to get tips for booking and making your Amtrak trip in Montana a great one.
How to Book Amtrak Tickets for Montana Destinations
Booking your Amtrak tickets for a trip to or from Montana is easy and can be done all online. To do this, just go to the main Amtrak website. There, you can see trip times, check fares, and buy your tickets in only a few steps.
When you book, you’ll need to give some information, like your name, travel dates, and your email address. Amtrak will send your e-tickets to that email. You can also book your tickets on the Amtrak app or by calling their customer service.
Here are the steps you should follow to book your ticket:
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Go to Amtrak.com and type in your starting point and where you want to go.
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Pick your travel dates and say how many people will go.
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Pick your type of fare. Then, pay for the tickets using your payment information and email address. You can also sign up for Amtrak Guest Rewards at this time.
Tips for a Comfortable and Memorable Rail Experience
To help make your rail trip in Montana better, there are a few things you can do. First, check the amenities on the train and at the station where you get off. Knowing what you will get there helps you decide what to pack.
It is a good idea to get to the station early. If you have baggage to check or you need help as a passenger, Amtrak says you should get to the station at least 45 minutes before the train leaves. This gives you enough time to sit down in the waiting area and not feel rushed.
To make your ride go even better, try these:
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Pack snacks and a reusable water bottle.
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Book rental cars or any other ride from your station before your trip.
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Bring a portable charger for your electronic devices.
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If you travel often, join Amtrak Guest Rewards to get points every time you take a trip.
Conclusion
To sum up, checking out the train stations in Montana gives you something special that you will remember. The railroads helped shape Montana, and you can still see this through each stop along the Empire Builder route. Every station, from the ones near Glacier National Park like the Belton/West Glacier Station, to Whitefish with its nice amenities, has its own story and feel.
If you want to travel to Glacier National Park, the train ride from West Glacier Station is an easy way to go. The amazing scenery on the Empire Builder route will make your trip even better. Montana’s trains are good for both fun and getting somewhere.
All you need to do is pack your bags, get on board, and you are set for a good time. If you like great views or just want a smooth way to travel, taking the train in Montana will give you memories that stay with you. Happy travels!
Frequently Asked Questions
When do seasonal Montana train stations open and close?
Seasonal Montana Amtrak stations, like the east glacier park station, are usually open from the middle of spring to the middle of fall. This matches the busy time for glacier national park. Before you plan your trip, you should look at the official Amtrak website to see the exact opening and closing dates, and get the proper arrival times for east glacier park and other stations.
What services are unique to the Whitefish and Wolf Point Amtrak stations?
Services do not change much, but the Whitefish train station, which is the busiest in Montana, gives you more amenities. It has a big waiting room and staff are there more often. The Wolf Point station is smaller. It gives you the basics, but it may not be open as much. For more details on the waiting room or other amenities at Wolf Point station or Whitefish train station, always check Amtrak.com.
Is there freight rail service in addition to passenger trains in Montana?
Yes, besides the passenger service people get from Amtrak trains, Montana also has a big freight rail network. These freight lines are important because they move goods all over the United States. Many of these cargo trains use the same old rail paths as the Empire Builder. This train goes through towns like Cut Bank and other places, showing how Montana’s rails work for both people and goods.