Take 25% Off Regular Summer Excursions
- Promo Code: USATODAY#1
- Valid for June, July & August 2026 Coach Class tickets
- Regular daily excursions: All Aboard, Limited, Express
- Excludes special events
- Code good through Sunday, June 7, 2026
How to Redeem
By Phone: Call our reservations team at 888-286-2737 to book your trip. Mention the promo code USATODAY#1 to get the discount.
Online:
- Select your excursion and travel date
- Continue to the booking page. Select your tickets.
- Scroll down the page. Under the ‘Additional Information’ section, scroll until you see the blue ‘Add promo or discount code’ link.
- Click the link and enter the code USATODAY#1 in the field. You’ll see the 25% discount applied.
- Finish your setup by agreeing to the Terms and Conditions and answering any required questions on the page.
- Click the blue ‘Add to Cart’ button to go to the Checkout page and complete your booking.
Cumbres & Toltec Voted #1 Scenic Train Ride by USA TODAY 10Best
CHAMA, N.M. & ANTONITO, CO (May 20, 2026) — The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) was voted the “Best Scenic Train Ride” in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest. C&TSRR was also the top winner in 2016, 2019, and 2020.
Owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad travels 64 miles between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico, crossing state lines 11 times while traversing mountain passes, deep gorges, tunnels, trestles, and high-desert landscapes. The route includes Cumbres Pass at 10,015 feet — the highest mountain pass reached by a steam railroad in the United States.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by the readers of USA TODAY as the Best Scenic Train Ride in the country,” said Eric Mason, CEO of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. “This award reflects the breathtaking beauty of the San Juan Mountains, and the dedication of our staff, volunteers, partners, and loyal passengers who continue to support and preserve this living piece of American history.”
In celebration of the award and as a thank-you to supporters and future passengers, C&TSRR is offering a special 25 percent discount on coach class tickets for regular daily excursions in June, July, and August 2026. The offer excludes special events and is valid for new reservations made by June 7, 2026. Guests must redeem the offer by calling 888-286-2737 using promo code USATODAY#1.
The railroad also congratulates the other Top 10 winners and noted that four Colorado railroads ranked among this year’s winners, highlighting the state’s significance as a destination for heritage rail travel during Colorado’s 150th anniversary year.
The Top 10 Best Scenic Train Ride winners for 2026 are:
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- East Broad Top Railroad
- Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
- The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
- Georgetown Loop Railroad
- Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
- Skunk Train
- Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
- Adirondack Railroad
The Cumbres & Toltec recently announced a delayed start to its 2026 operating season due to ongoing drought conditions and elevated wildfire risk across the region. The railroad is currently scheduled to begin operations on June 9.
Originally constructed in 1880 as part of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad’s San Juan Extension, the line was preserved in 1970 through a joint effort by the states of Colorado and New Mexico. Today, it is recognized as one of the nation’s premier living history rail experiences.
