A solo traveler from Belgium turned a spontaneous idea into an unforgettable American adventure by crossing the U.S. with a $499 Amtrak USA Rail Pass.
At just 25, Luna Buttiens skipped flights and embraced slow travel, choosing trains to experience the country in a deeper, more meaningful way. What started as a last-minute impulse quickly became the highlight of her journey.
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 completely impulsive,” she shared. “I planned the entire trip just two days before leaving, and it ended up being the best decision.”
A last-minute impulse to take the Amtrak USA Rail Pass became the ‘best decision’ for one traveler from Belgium
Instead of rushing between cities by plane, Buttiens allowed herself to fully experience the journey itself. Long train rides offered time to ponder, notice, and connect.
Somewhere between Denver and San Francisco, she captured the spirit of her trip in writing.
“Traveling by train is about accepting where you are, not counting down until you arrive,” she explained. “On planes, it’s all about speed. On trains, time feels like it disappears.”
She noticed how fellow passengers were more open to conversation, games, and shared moments.
“People weren’t glued to screens. They were here,” she said. “It felt human.”
A young woman from Belgium explored the U.S. by train using the Amtrak USA Rail Pass
The Amtrak USA Rail Pass allowed Buttiens to travel through more than nine major U.S. cities, including:
- New York City
- Miami
- Washington, D.C.
- Chicago
- Denver
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- New Orleans
Starting in New York, when she saw the rail pass as the perfect way to explore before heading home.
“Yes, a Belgian selling Belgian waffles in New York,” she joked. “But before leaving, I wanted to see more of the U.S.”
Her spontaneous choice led to a meaningful journey and deep connections along the way
Traveling solo made human connections even more powerful. Buttiens says the people she met shaped her experience more than the destinations.
“The kindness of strangers defined this journey,” she shared. “Traveling alone opens you up to moments you wouldn’t experience otherwise.”
Each conversation added depth to her understanding of the country, reminding her that places are defined by people, not just landmarks.
She says the experience is not about luxury, but about presence, adventure, and discovery
While not luxurious, Amtrak’s Coach class surprised her with comfort.
“Seats are wider than airplane seats, recline well, and have leg rests,” she explained. “They were comfortable enough, even overnight.”
After several nights on the train, she did feel some physical strain.
“Sleeping was manageable, especially since I often had two seats,” she said. “But after many nights, my back definitely felt it.”
Still, the value was undeniable. For $499, travelers can take 10 train segments in 30 days to more than 500 destinations.
“The Rail Pass was absolutely worth it,” she said. “I saw so much more of the country from the train windows than I ever saw.”
Amtrak’s generous baggage policy was another bonus, allowing to carry two pages and a personal item at no extra cost.
What began as an impulsive decision turned into a transformative journey across America. For Luna Buttiens, traveling with the Amtrak USA Rail Pass wasn’t about luxury or speed.
It was about slowing down, connecting with people, and discovering the beauty of the journey itself.
After spending nearly 230 hours on Amtrak trains, she still wanted more.
“This trip wasn’t about indulgence,” she said. “It was about presence, connection, and embracing the unknown.”
For travelers seeking adventure, meaning, and a different way to see the U.S., her story proves that sometimes the best journeys start with a spontaneous yes.
