With summer in full swing, travelers must beware that artificial intelligence (AI) systems could spot mishaps and misbehaviors that might otherwise go unnoticed by a human employee.
Car rental company Hertz, which also owns Dollar and Thrifty, is using AI to scan returned vehicles for damage, automatically charging customers for what the system flags, according to The New York Times.
That’s what happened to a couple who rented from Hertz at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the newspaper reported. A human employee cleared the car but the AI saw a dent and billed them $195 — $80 for the damage and $115 in fees.
Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty are also using the AI system at Newark Liberty International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tampa International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
European rental firm Sixt also has adopted similar practices, according to the Times. But Enterprise Mobility, which owns Enterprise, National and Alamo rental car companies, said it does not. Avis Budget Group, whose brands are Avis, Budget and Payless, has tested AI damage scanning but said the process today is led by humans.
A Sixt spokesperson told PYMNTS that its customers “value transparency — and we take that seriously. That’s why we photograph each vehicle at select locations like airports before and after every rental and make these images available. As advanced technology helps us, decisions are always made by human experts. If potential damage is detected, it is carefully reviewed by our trained staff to ensure fair and customer-oriented outcomes.”
Click-ins, a company that uses AI and its own proprietary system to spot car damage, told PYMNTS that insurers, vehicle auction houses and other companies are using AI to more accurately assess vehicle damage, automate claims processing and avoid disputes.
Other companies offering similar AI-powered vehicle inspections include UVEye, which is Hertz’s partner, CCC Intelligent Solutions, Tractable, Solera and Snapsheet.
Hotels Tap Into Tech
Hotels are moving in a similar direction. Jordan Hollander, co-founder of research platform HotelTechReport.com, told CNBC that many hotels are already experimenting with artificial intelligence, though without automated billing.
Some hotels are using AI-powered sensors to detect air quality issues and impose smoking or vaping fines — but not always accurately, Hollander said. “Like someone using a hairdryer or aerosol spray — and guests get hit with $500 charges without ever lighting up.”
Hollander cautioned that hotels should tread carefully. “There’s a risk of backlash if hotels start billing guests based solely on what an algorithm says. The moment a guest gets a charge and can’t get a straight answer about why or how it was verified, you’re in dangerous territory,” he said.
Online travel booking platform MakeMyTrip has introduced an AI-powered virtual travel agent that can guide users through every step of their journey on the website, from trip planning and booking to handling post-sales queries such as cancellations and refunds, via both voice and text.
Users can ask complex and open-ended queries in the realm of travel in Hindi or English like “Where can I go in August for a relaxing holiday with my kids?,” or “I want to go to south India to cover Madurai, Rameswaram, Kovalam, Kodaikanal. Can you suggest me the best route? But I don’t want to travel via flight”.
The virtual assistant Myra is built on a network of specialised AI agents across all major travel categories, flights, accommodation, holidays, ground transport, visas, and forex. It supports multimodal input (text, voice, image, video), continuous back-and-forth dialogue, itinerary edits, and post-sales support — all within the same interface.
Myra will gives user personalised answers based on up-to-date availability, prices, and relevance. MakeMyTrip claims that while most AI travel tools only offer suggestions to users, this tool goes a step further by helping users move from travel ideas to actually helping travellers book their travel and complete payment online – something that hasn’t been tried before. It will offer assistance not just with flights and hotels but also holiday planning, ground transport such as cabs and buses, visas and forex.
CEO Rajesh Magow said such digital innovations helped “reach the deepest corners, and bringing seamless, intelligent travel booking to those who have long been underserved by digital platforms.”
“MakeMyTrip has seen travel demand penetration grow deeper over the years, from metro to top 15 cities many years ago to now as many as 2,000 unique cities,” he told The Hindu. The portal commands more than 50% market share among all online travel booking portals.
Myra may be able to facilitate bookings for an individual but it lacks the complexities of negotiating, handling customer bargains, accounting for individual preferences for a group bookings like a human travel agent, or helping during a travel emergency.
“Even if AI is able to do 50% of a human tour manager’s work, there will still be room for workforce in other tasks and AI related human intervention,” he added.
The tool is currently available in Hindi and English and will be expanded to include other regional languages too. It is currently available in beta version which will be released to a limited group of real users for testing before the official launch.
Group Chief Technology Officer Sanjay Mohan called the product “the most ambitious build” undertaken by the company.
In the next stage, MakeMyTrip will add smarter search tools that can understand the meaning behind what you’re looking for, even from images and videos. This means one won’t have to rely only on fixed filters and can search in a more intuitive manner. The system will be able to pick up on subtle travel needs, making it easier and more personal to find what you want.
Not every Amtrak route is designed for scenic splendor—most just get you where you need to go. But for those who believe that travel is as much about the journey as the destination, a long-distance train trip offers an unmatched way to see America. From towering peaks to rolling plains, desert canyons to forested coastlines, a train’s window seat can feel like front-row access to the country’s most stunning views.
Last year, Amtrak recorded its highest ridership in history—over 32 million passengers. While many of them were commuting, thousands were traveling simply to see the sights. Whether you’re tucked into a private roomette or lounging in an observation car, certain routes serve up cinematic landscapes that make the miles fly by.
Amtrak Coast Starlight train in San Luis Obispo County, California, USA
Not every Amtrak route is designed for scenic splendor; most just get you where you need to go. But for those who believe that travel is as much about the journey as the destination, a long-distance train trip offers an unmatched way to see America. From towering peaks to rolling plains, desert canyons to forested coastlines, a train’s window seat can feel like front-row access to the country’s most stunning views.
Last year, Amtrak recorded its highest ridership in history with over 32 million passengers. While many of them were commuting, thousands were traveling simply to see the sights. Whether you’re tucked into a private roomette or lounging in an observation car, certain routes serve up cinematic landscapes that make the miles fly by.
So, which routes are the most beautiful? We asked ChatGPT to rank the top five, and while we mostly agree, there are a few snubs worth noting. Let’s dive into the AI’s picks first.
ChatGPT’s Picks – America’s 5 Most Beautiful Train Routes
“Most beautiful” is subjective—but if you combine dramatic scenery, historic significance, and rave reviews from travelers over the decades, these five Amtrak routes rise to the top. According to ChatGPT, these are the most beautiful train rides in America:
1. California Zephyr
Wikimedia Commons
Amtrak train traveling through California desert landscapes in the American West
Often described as the most scenic train route in U.S. rail travel, the California Zephyr takes riders on a two-day adventure through the heart of the American West from Chicago, IL to Emeryville, CA near the San Francisco area. Highlights include the soaring peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the red rock canyons of Colorado, and the snowy Sierra Nevada. You’ll pass through the famed Moffat Tunnel and over 30 others as you climb the Continental Divide, delivering dramatic mountain and desert landscapes.
Since its original launch in 1949 by the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy (CB&Q), Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW), and Western Pacific (WP) railroads, the California Zephyr has been dubbed “the most talked-about train in America.”
2. Empire Builder
Shutterstock
The Empire Builder long-distance Amtrak train
Traveling through the vast northern wilderness frontier, the Empire Builder travels from Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA and Portland, OR, offering sweeping views of the Mississippi River bluffs, the North Dakota plains, and Glacier National Park. The approach to the Cascade Mountains near the end of the route is especially breathtaking.
The route was named for James J. Hill, the “Empire Builder” of the Great Northern Railway, and has been in service (in various forms) since the 1920s.
3. Coast Starlight
Shutterstock
Amtrak Coast Starlight train in California, USA
For those who want ocean views and mountain backdrops, the Coast Starlight delivers both—offering arguably the most diverse coastal scenery of any U.S. train route. Stretching from Seattle, WA, to Los Angeles, CA, the section between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara is particularly memorable, as the train hugs the Pacific coastline with almost uninterrupted sea views, running just feet from the ocean cliffs. Along the way, passengers also pass through redwood forests, California wine country, and the dramatic Cascade Range.
The Coast Starlight carries the legacy of the Southern Pacific Railroad, whose pre-Amtrak trains like the Coast Daylight and The Lark defined the golden age of West Coast rail travel. These trains set the standard for elegance and comfort along the Pacific corridor—a tradition the Coast Starlight continues today.
The Southwest Chief route from Chicago, IL, to Los Angeles, CA, showcases the painted deserts and red rocks of New Mexico, the dramatic mesas, and the high plains of Kansas and Colorado. It also traces part of historic Route 66. Climbing over Raton Pass and traversing remote stretches of the Southwest, this journey evokes a rugged, cinematic feel and covers one of the most challenging sections of rail in the country.
Its claim to fame? The Chief is a direct descendant of the Santa Fe Railway’s legendary Super Chief—known as the “Train of the Stars” from the 1930s to the 1960s. It was the preferred mode of cross-country travel for Hollywood elites during the golden age of American rail.
5. Adirondack
Courtesy of Amtrak Media Center
Amtrak’s Adirondack Train in Autumn
A very different kind of beauty, the Adirondack—running from New York City to Montreal—is all about lush river valleys, misty mountain ridges, and vibrant fall foliage. Arguably one of America’s most underrated train journeys, it offers a quieter kind of scenic experience that’s intimate and perfect for leaf-peepers in autumn. Travelers are treated to views of the Hudson River Valley, the Catskill Mountains, and Lake Champlain. Compared to the grand vistas of Western routes, the Adirondack delivers a more tranquil charm, defined by dense forests and winding waterways.
As for its history, the Adirondack became an official Amtrak route in 1974, retracing portions of the Delaware and Hudson Railway’s famous resort lines to the Adirondack Mountains.
Route
Distance
Key Scenery
Duration
California Zephyr
2,438 mi
Rockies, Sierra Nevada, desert canyons
~52 hours
Empire Builder
2,206 mi
Glacier National Park, Cascades
~46 hours
Coast Starlight
1,377 mi
Pacific coast, redwoods, wine country
~35 hours
Southwest Chief
2,265 mi
Painted desert, high plains
~40 hours
Adirondack
381 mi
Hudson Valley, Lake Champlain
~11 hours
All five of these routes definitely deserve their fame. The high-profile stops, paired with awe-inspiring beauty along the tracks themselves, make these true heavyweights in the train travel world. But is ChatGPT really capturing the whole picture?
Here’s What We Think Of AI’s Amtrak Picks
Loco Steve/Flickr
Our top choice? Without question, the California Zephyr. Spanning over 2,400 miles from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay, it’s not just the longest Amtrak route—it’s the most visually diverse. With sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains, red rock canyons of Colorado, open plains, and the snowy Sierra Nevada, the Zephyr delivers a cinematic, coast-to-coast journey that captures the essence of American train travel. For sheer variety and scale, no other route matches its grandeur.
As of 2025, tickets on the California Zephyr start at around $288 for coach and $1,036 for a private room, though prices vary by season and how early you book.
While we mostly agree with ChatGPT’s top five picks, we believe a few scenic stunners were overlooked. Here are seven more routes that deserve recognition—and when added to the original five, round out our list of America’s 12 most beautiful train journeys.
7 More Scenic Routes We Think Deserve Recognition:
Cardinal: Chicago, IL to New York, NY – Crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, and the New River Gorge—especially stunning in autumn.
Sunset Limited: New Orleans, LA to Los Angeles, CA – From Gulf Coast bayous and sugarcane fields to desert expanses in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Cascades: Eugene, OR to Vancouver, BC – Offers forested Pacific Northwest views, Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and scenic coastal curves.
Pacific Surfliner: San Diego, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA – Hugs Southern California’s coastline—at times just feet from the beach. A favorite for photographers and day-trippers.
Pennsylvanian: Pittsburgh, PA to New York, NY – Passes through Appalachian tunnels, wooded valleys, and small industrial towns full of charm and history.
Vermonter: Washington, D.C. to St. Albans, VT – A fall foliage favorite, with maple groves, covered bridges, and picturesque New England scenery.
Lake Shore Limited: Chicago, IL to New York, NY – Follows Lake Erie and the Mohawk River Valley, combining tranquil waterways with skyline arrivals.
AI may be missing a few under-the-radar gems, but it nailed the spirit of scenic rail travel. The five routes chosen are undisputed icons of American train travel. But beauty is in the eye of the traveler. Whether you’re chasing sunsets on the Pacific coast or admiring fall colors in Vermont, there’s a train route for every kind of dreamer. AI has named America’s most beautiful train routes—and while we mostly agree, we think there’s even more beauty to be found beyond the top five.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the tourism industry in India, with nearly 40% of Gen Z bookings on travel platform Yatra made just 3-5 days prior to a trip. AI helps personalize offers and push relevant options, even for last-minute travel. Digital payments, particularly UPI, are becoming the default, with a 10-12% higher usage in younger cohorts. Platforms are responding to changes in how travel destinations are discovered, with social media influencing destinations and booking behavior. Mobile-driven micro-travel is also on the rise, with travellers looking for quick combinations of stay, transit, and local experiences.
Title: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in India’s Tourism Industry
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the tourism industry in India, significantly impacting travel planning, booking behavior, and payment methods. According to a report by Tourism Economics on behalf of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), nearly 40% of Gen Z bookings on travel platform Yatra are made just 3-5 days prior to a trip, facilitated by AI’s ability to personalize offers and push relevant options [1].
AI is not only changing how travel is booked but also how it is paid for. Digital payments, particularly Unified Payments Interface (UPI), are becoming the default method, with a 10-12% higher usage among younger cohorts [2]. This shift is driven by the convenience and security offered by digital payments, which are increasingly preferred over traditional cash or card transactions.
The way travel destinations are discovered is also evolving, with social media playing a pivotal role. Platforms are responding to these changes by integrating AI-driven recommendations and personalized content to influence destinations and booking behavior [3]. This trend is particularly evident among younger travelers who are more likely to discover and book travel options through social media platforms.
Mobile-driven micro-travel is another emerging trend, where travelers look for quick combinations of stay, transit, and local experiences. AI helps in optimizing these experiences by providing real-time recommendations and seamless booking processes [4]. This shift towards mobile-driven micro-travel is driven by the convenience and flexibility it offers, allowing travelers to plan and execute trips quickly and efficiently.
The integration of AI in the tourism industry is also influencing the broader economy. The Indian IT outsourcing industry, valued at $283 billion, is increasingly utilizing AI across various domains, from basic coding to customer support. This shift is leading to job displacement in traditional IT functions while creating new opportunities in AI development and management [5].
However, the impact of AI on employment in the IT sector is complex and varies across companies. While some, like Microsoft, are openly embracing AI-driven restructuring, others, like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), are cautious in attributing job cuts directly to AI advancements [6]. This contrast highlights the need for companies to navigate the delicate balance between technological advancement and workforce management.
In conclusion, AI is significantly transforming India’s tourism industry, influencing travel planning, booking behavior, payment methods, and the discovery of travel destinations. While these changes offer new opportunities and efficiencies, they also pose challenges in terms of employment and workforce management. As AI continues to evolve, companies will need to adapt to these changes and find ways to balance technological advancement with the well-being of their workforce.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login