The Black Girl’s Guide To Travel: Planning The Perfect Solo Traincation

Woman leaning out of train window traveling By Sojourner White · Updated April 20, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… Everyone says Black women should experience a solo trip at least once. But I take it a step further to say every Black woman should experience a solo train trip – aka, a solo traincation. Whether you are looking for a ride through the mountains or a trip with ocean views, there is an option that reflects your travel style and vacation personality. As a train travel expert who has taken over 30 scenic rides, I’ve put together a guide to help you plan your first solo traincation with four types of journeys to consider. Solo Traincation Tips to Know Budgeting Tips: Train ride prices vary based on the country. In the U.S., riding in an Amtrak sleeper car can cost $400-$900+ one-way for a long-distance ride in a roomette or bedroom. However, they offer rail passes for coach class if you want to plan stops along the way. I’ve paid under $200 for a luxury train experience on Vietnam’s Vic Sapa Train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. But shelled out as little as $5 on short trains like the Aoniyoshi Sightseeing Limited Express in Japan. Always do your research when budgeting. Booking Tips: Train prices do not fluctuate as much as plane prices. So I prefer to book at least three months in advance, especially for U.S. sleeper trains. It is also common for train companies to have apps to make booking easier. For example, if you travel by train in other count…