Take the Durango Train to Silverton and Step Back in Time

When looking for a vacation spot in Colorado, you should consider visiting Durango. There are a lot of things to do in Durango, Colorado. My #1 pick is to take the authentic train ride to the legendary town of Silverton on the coal-fired, steam powered Durango train. It is fun for the whole family and an experience you will never forget. Here are some tips for planning your Durango train ride.

First you may want to secure reservations in advance. This can be done on-line at www.Durangotrain.com or by telephone at 1-888-TRAIN07. Be sure of the date you want to reserve, there is a $6 per ticket change fee. The tickets are non-refundable if not canceled 48 hours prior to your trip departure, if you cancel 48 hours or more, you will be refunded but with an added service fee of $14 per each adult ticket and $7 per each child's ticket. On our Durango vacation, we waited until the day we arrived and after checking the weather forecast, we made our reservations by phone to ride the Durango train. Before making your reservations, you need to determine which of the four different car classes offered are right for you. My family chose the open-air Gondola for our Durango train ride, the open-air car really helped keep the kids entertained.

Presidential Class is for anyone 21 years or older. These two legendary private cars, Nomad & Cinco Animas, have appointed seating areas and a large outdoor viewing platform. Cost: $159 per ticket.

First Class is a ride in comfort and style on the Silver Vista (age 16 and over) or the Alamosa Parlour Car (age 21 and over). An attendant will serve complimentary morning pastries, non-alcoholic beverages and other amenities. Cost: $149 per ticket.

Deluxe Class is a ride for families age 12 and over, looking for that added comfort. These three cars, Rio Grande, San Juan Coach & Prospector Family, have been recently refurbished and offer larger seating and a more adult atmosphere. Cost: $109 per ticket.

Standard Class is a ride for families of all ages in Vintage Coach or Open-Air Gondola seating. The Gondola's have full roofs, open sides and seating that faces outward. Cost: Adults (ages 12 & over): $79 per ticket and Children (ages 4-11): $49 per ticket.

The Durango train to Silverton is a breathtaking ride and worth every penny. There are daily train rides through the summer and fall, May 2-October 31. The trains depart early morning at different times, 8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. and return anywhere from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Dates and departure times vary with each class of service. The final boarding is 30 minutes from departure. When you arrive in the little mining town of Silverton it will feel like a step back in time. There will be a layover of 2 hours and 15 minutes for lunch and shopping. There are plenty of restaurants and shops to explore. We ate at the Brown Bear Café which was really good with fair pricing. Since they allow you so little time on your layover, it would be wise to research the town of Silverton ahead of time and have a plan. A good website for this is www.silvertoncolorado.com. A word of advice for Durango train riders, be sure you are at the train on time for your departure back to Durango.

Things You Need on Your Durango Train Ride:
Wear tennis shoes
Bring a jacket, even in the summertime
Bring sunscreen and sunglasses
Bring a camera; you will have numerous photo opportunities

If you plan to stay in Durango there is plenty of lodging available, such as hotels, lodges, ranches and campgrounds. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Durango on Main Ave. The room was clean and comfortable, the Cloud Nine Beds are an extra perk. They offer a free hot tasty breakfast every morning and they have a nice indoor swimming pool. The summertime rates for a double-bed room runs around $209 per night. But if researched on-line a cheaper rate could probably be found.

I hope I have given you helpful tips that will aid you in planning your Durango train ride. Have a Great time!