Heading to Colorado and want to see one of the tallest peaks in the US? The Pikes Peak Cog Railway will get you there, all while giving you amazing views!
The Pikes Peak Cog Train transports hundreds of guests every day from the town of Manitou Springs, Colorado, to the summit of Pikes Peak. The train ride travels 8.9 miles up the steep mountainside, and the entire experience lasts around 3 hours with a 1-hour ride up, 40 minutes to view Pikes Peak, and an hour back down the mountain. The price of round-trip tickets begins at ~$70 per adult and goes up from there.
I’m Cheryl, and my husband and I write travel guides. We have actually written five for Colorado and have visited several times. I’ve also gone on many train rides in the West, including the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
Read on for my completely honest review and handy tips to help you decide if riding the Pikes Peak Cog Train is right for you. If you want the Cliff’s Notes version, check out the table below!
| Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Train if… | Don’t Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Train if… |
| Driving your own car to the peak scares you | You would like more time at the summit of Pikes Peak |
| You love riding trains | Are on a tight budget |
| You want to learn more about Pikes Peak | Want views of the winding Pikes Peak Highway |
| You can’t get a reservation to drive to Pikes Peak in your car |
In the late 1880s, Zalmon Simmons, inventor and founder of the Simmons Beautyrest Mattress Company, visited the Pikes Peak Region. He had to take a two-day trip on a mule. He loved the views but was determined there had to be a more comfortable way to make this journey (leave it to a guy who makes comfy mattresses!)
The owner of the hotel where he was staying mentioned the idea of building a train to get to the top. The rest is history, and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway made its maiden journey in 1891 and has been transporting guests ever since.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the most iconic way to reach the summit. It is the highest cog train in the United States, reaching a summit of 14,110 feet! It is also the 2nd oldest cog train in the US.
Today, over 750,000 people visit Pikes Peak a year, and many of them reach the summit by taking the cog train!
Get our done‑for‑you, 7‑14 day route with exact drives, maps, and must‑see stops
so you don’t waste time in traffic or miss the best views
*Day‑by‑day plans for Colorado’s national parks and mountain towns
*Details you need: best activities, hikes, drives, and where to sleep each night to reduce back-tracking
*Best Friend Guarantee: love it or get your money back
The cog train was updated in 2021, and it appears the railway station got an upgrade too (or they are doing a fantastic job maintaining it!) The paint colors were bright and inviting, and it had a historic feel without feeling run-down. We visited in September and they also had fall decor that made it especially fun. We enjoyed walking across the bridge that goes over the tracks and watching other cog trains arrive and depart.
My train was two cars long, with three chairs on one side and two on the other. I highly advise sitting on the three-seat side of the train. The views are much better! The seats often face each other and lack the cushion that many scenic trains have. This isn’t too big of a problem because the ride is only around one hour.
The cars are heated (but no AC). You are able to open and close your window and it is significantly cooler the closer to the top you get (~ 35° F difference!)
GOOD TO KNOW: My cell phone had no service while riding the train.
The cars are quiet and don’t rock too much; it’s a really pleasant ride.
A tour guide gives a narration on the ride up. To be honest, I only rode the train down (more on that later), but I asked several of my fellow passengers about their experience on the way up and they really enjoyed it!
On the way down, the tour guide gave us all the opportunity to ask questions about the train. She wore a microphone so we all could hear, and she walked up and down the train to make sure everyone had a chance to get their question answered.
The bad. I was pleasantly surprised that our tour guide was so warm and kind on the ride down because all three employees I interacted with prior to boarding the train were incredibly rude, including the same tour guide. I saw them curtly answering other passengers’ questions, barking commands to get on the train, and being quite bossy about making people throw away their food and drinks. Smiles and kind words were at a minimum and I’ve seen employees at the subway system have more class.
HANDY TIP: There are no restrooms on board the cog train, but there are plenty at the train depot and at the summit.
DON’T MISS: One Perfect Day in Aspen, Colorado: Maroon Bells, Walking Tour, and Independence Pass
I really enjoyed the views! My ride began at the top. The first thing I could see was amazing views of the valley below. The landscape was really rocky and the sky was so blue. I could see for a long way out because trees aren’t able to grow above 11,500 feet, so my view was completely unobstructed.
Once we hit the treeline, it was forested and beautiful as well. It’s common to see big horn sheep and prairie dogs. It’s possible to see a bear or a mountain lion. I saw deer, a marmot, and some squirrels and chipmunks. I thought the rocks of the mountain were also colorful and interesting. I also saw a small waterfall.
All along the way, people were standing up, trying to get the perfect photos and videos. The views were definitely something you would want to capture and remember. I felt bad for the people sitting on the two-car side of the train because their views were not as good.
GOOD TO KNOW: The cog train and the Pikes Peak Highway travel on different sides of the mountain. You will get different views depending on which way you travel. Although I loved my views from the cog train, I was more impressed with the views from the road. Read all about it, 10 Things To Know About Driving Pikes Peak
The train drops you off and the clock is ticking because you only have 40 minutes to explore before you have to get back on the train. You have an assigned train to get back on- it’s not one of those experiences where you just catch the next train. Your seat is assigned. That being said, I do think 40 minutes is about the right amount of time.
The Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center is impressive! There is a huge, flat top viewing area outside. The views go for miles and miles.
The visitor center, cafe, and gift shop are inside. It’s not uncommon for there to be a big line at the restrooms (flushing toilets-yea!) and to get donuts at the cafe. These lines can fluctuate based on the arrival of shuttle buses and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
PRO TIP: Most people head straight to the restroom after getting off the train and end up waiting in a big line. If you can, go BEFORE you leave the train station at the bottom, or if you need to use the restroom up top, do your viewing and then hit the restroom 10 minutes before you have to get back on the train.
You can get a little reprieve from the crowds by walking around the Summit Loop Trail and looking at the interpretive signs. It’s a nice little flat, paved walk that I think you’ll enjoy (+ it’s accessible).
FUN FACT: Mount Blue Sky is actually the highest peak that you can drive to in Colorado (it’s only 156 feet taller!) It’s much less developed up top, but also offers incredible views. Check out our video, Driving the Highest Road in America: Mount Blue Sky
GOOD TO KNOW: The Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center opened in 2021. It’s a really nice facility. The donuts they serve at the cafe are supposed to be special because cooking them at high altitude makes them really good. My husband really enjoyed his, though some people say they are over-hyped. You should give them a try and see what you think.
Tickets are required and it’s best to book in advance at cograilway.com. Not only do you get a bit of a discount for booking online, but you also get your first pick of the seats. Remember, get your tickets on the 3-seat side of the train! Walk-up tickets are sometimes available. I asked the employee at the ticket booth about the best time to get your tickets and they said to buy tickets at least a day and a half in advance. If you are a planner, I recommend doing this even earlier, especially if you are traveling during peak season (July- September). I recommend this so that you can get the best seats on the train and not get stuck in a middle seat.
Pricing varies by season, time of day, and seating class. Expect ~$67–$96 for adults, and ~$57–$86 for children (ages 3–12). Children under 3 ride free on a lap.
Parking at the depot is ~$20. I recommend this, as the nearest parking lots in Manitou Springs are far away and also cost money. The depot has a gift shop and café, and the entire boarding area has been recently remodeled.
Things to Know
IMPORTANT: Tickets are refundable up to 7 days before departure (as of this writing). Make sure you know the current refund policy and a positive you will be there in time to make your assigned train time.
As mentioned earlier, you can also drive your own vehicle to the top of Pikes Peak via the Pikes Peak Highway. It’s a two-way road that is open year-round (weather permitting) and can be driven in a regular vehicle. Visitors should plan on 3 hours to half a day to do the 19-mile drive, explore the visitor center, and drive back down. Timed-entry reservations are required, as well as an entry fee. The drive is scenic and intimidating and not everyone feels comfortable navigating this road. You can read all about driving the Pikes Peak Highway in our article 10 Things To Know Before Driving the Pikes Peak Highway.
If you don’t want to pay to ride the cog train or drive yourself, you can also take the shuttle. The shuttle operates from Mile 7 to the summit of Pikes Peak. Shuttles run every 30 minutes and make 5 stops on the way up. Shuttle season runs Memorial Day weekend through mid-August. It’s a 40-minute trip up, 1+ hour at the summit, and 40 minutes back down. Unlike the train, you can stay at the top as long as you like.
It costs ~$35 for adults, ~$10 for children and includes the required Day Pass fee (ya!). Reservations required at coloradosprings.gov/drivepikespeak. When booking, select a 30-minute departure time slot (first at 9:30 am, last at 3:30 pm). Arrive at the Pikes Peak Highway entrance at least 30 minutes before your departure time—this gives you time to drive the non-scary stretch to the Mile 7 parking lot, where the shuttle starts.
| Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Train if… | Don’t Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Train if… |
| Driving your own car to the peak scares you | You would like more time at the summit of Pikes Peak |
| You love riding trains | Are on a tight budget |
| You want to learn more about Pikes Peak | Want views of the winding Pikes Peak Highway |
| You can’t get a reservation to drive to Pikes Peak in your car |
I thoroughly enjoyed my ride on the cog train. I enjoyed learning more about Pikes Peak, the views of the animals and mountains, and thought the train overall was super cool! However, I did find that I enjoyed the views MORE on my drive on the Pikes Peak Highway and since I travel with my husband, who isn’t afraid to drive roads like this, it’s my preferred way to summit Pikes Peak.
Colorado is an incredible state filled with beautiful mountains and rivers, lakes, scenic drives, gondolas, mine tours, ziplines, theaters, hikes, charming mountain towns, four national parks, and more. Because Colorado is so big and there is so much to do, planning a trip there can be tricky.
Get our done‑for‑you, 7‑14 day route with exact drives, maps, and must‑see stops
so you don’t waste time in traffic or miss the best views
*Day‑by‑day plans for Colorado’s national parks and mountain towns
*Details you need: best activities, hikes, drives, and where to sleep each night to reduce back-tracking
*Best Friend Guarantee: love it or get your money back
We have written five guides to help you see the best of Colorado, including the Grand Tour that will take you around the entire state in 7-14 days!
Each guide includes
One Perfect Day in Aspen, Colorado: Maroon Bells, Walking Tour, and Independence Pass
Should You Visit Glenwood Hot Springs Pool? An Honest Review
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Our Full Review + Helpful Tips
How to Visit the Four Corners: Perfect 7-Day Itinerary
Rocky Mountain Trip Planner Page
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.
