How much does it cost?

From £2,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,781 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The package includes Coach Class rail travel on the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to San Francisco, an overnight Superliner Roomette from Oakland to Portland, and Coach Class from Portland to Seattle, plus return economy flights from London.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

This is an independent fly-rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides flights, rail reservations, hotel bookings, and travel documentation, but there are no guides. You explore each city on your own.

Which hotels are featured?

The Millennium Biltmore in Los Angeles (3 nights), Riviera Beach Hotel in Santa Barbara (2 nights), Handlery Union Square in San Francisco (3 nights), Hotel Zags in Portland (2 nights), and Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle Downtown (3 nights), each marked as 'or similar'.

Can I extend this trip?

Yes. Optional extras include extending by train across the border to Vancouver, Canada, or picking up a cruise to Alaska. The holiday can also be taken in reverse, starting in Seattle and finishing in Los Angeles.

Tailor Made Rail · Independent fly-rail holiday

Coast Starlight: Los Angeles to Seattle by Rail

Amtrak Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle with sleeper and hotel stays

Tailor Made Rail operates this 16-day independent rail holiday combining the famous Amtrak Coast Starlight with handpicked hotels and return flights from London. You depart Los Angeles and travel north via Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, ending near the Canadian border. The journey spans three rail segments: the Coast Starlight down the California coast to San Francisco (Day 4), an overnight sleeper in a Superliner Roomette through the Cascade Range and past Mount Shasta from Oakland to Portland (Day 9-10), and a final coach service to Seattle (Day 12). Along the way you spend three days exploring Los Angeles, two in Santa Barbara, three in San Francisco, two in Portland, and three in Seattle, with breakfast included at each hotel and free time to visit landmarks such as Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, the Saturday Market in Portland, and the Space Needle in Seattle. This trip suits first-time rail travellers and independent explorers who prefer to organise their own activities rather than follow a guide.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £2,799 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 2 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Hotels are listed as 'or similar'; your final accommodation depends on availability and tier
The from-price (GBP 2,799) includes flights and rail but does not list meals or activities beyond breakfast; confirm inclusions with Tailor Made Rail before booking
Day 6 involves a connecting Thruway bus from Emeryville into San Francisco in the evening; this is not a train leg

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Fly into Los Angeles and check in for a 3-night stay at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel (or similar), in the Downtown area.
Day 2overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Explore LA's diverse districts including Hollywood, the Miracle Mile District, or Santa Monica.
Day 3overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles
A further day to explore Los Angeles.
Day 4railovernight: Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara
The first rail journey aboard the Coast Starlight, just under 100 miles up the California coast. Check in at the Riviera Beach Hotel Santa Barbara (or similar) for a 2-night stay.
Day 5overnight: Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara
The hill-top Old Mission, or seafood at the historic Stearns Wharf.
Day 6railovernight: San Francisco
Santa Barbara to San Francisco
An onward train continuing up the coast, arriving into Emeryville in the evening, then a connecting Thruway bus into San Francisco. Check in at the Handlery Union Square (or similar) for a 3-night stay.
Day 7overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco
Cable cars, the Palace of Fine Arts, Fisherman's Wharf, and a harbour cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, or a tour of Alcatraz.
Day 8overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco
A further day exploring San Francisco.
Day 9railovernight: Sleeper train
Depart San Francisco
A further full day in San Francisco before collecting bags and returning to Emeryville in the early evening to catch the overnight train north towards Oregon.
Day 10overnight: Portland
Arrive Portland
Overnight in a Superliner Roomette watching the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta pass by. On arrival in Portland this afternoon, check in at the Hotel Zags (or similar) for a 2-night stay.
Day 11overnight: Portland
Portland
Distillery Row's craft breweries, the Saturday Market in Chinatown, Washington Park and Pittock Mansion.
Day 12overnight: Seattle
Seattle
A short journey to finish the trip. Check in at the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle Downtown (or similar) for a 3-night stay.
Day 13overnight: Seattle
Seattle
The Space Needle, the Seattle Center Monorail, and T-Mobile Park.
Day 14overnight: Seattle
Seattle
A further day exploring Seattle.
Day 15
Seattle to London
Return flight to London.
Day 16
Arrive London
Arrival in London.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Day 4: board the Coast Starlight in Los Angeles and travel just under 100 miles up the California coast to Santa Barbara
Day 9Day 9-10: overnight in a Superliner Roomette, watching the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta pass by en route from San Francisco to Portland
Day 7Day 7: cable cars, the Palace of Fine Arts, Fisherman's Wharf, and a harbour cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Included

Return flights from London to Los Angeles and Seattle to London in Economy Class
Coach Class rail travel with seat reservations
13 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
Overnight sleeper from Oakland to Portland in a Superliner Roomette
Easy-to-follow travel documentation
A Seat61 Recommended Holiday

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,781 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The package includes Coach Class rail travel on the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to San Francisco, an overnight Superliner Roomette from Oakland to Portland, and Coach Class from Portland to Seattle, plus return economy flights from London.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: This is an independent fly-rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides flights, rail reservations, hotel bookings, and travel documentation, but there are no guides. You explore each city on your own.
Which hotels are featured?: The Millennium Biltmore in Los Angeles (3 nights), Riviera Beach Hotel in Santa Barbara (2 nights), Handlery Union Square in San Francisco (3 nights), Hotel Zags in Portland (2 nights), and Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle Downtown (3 nights), each marked as 'or similar'.
Can I extend this trip?: Yes. Optional extras include extending by train across the border to Vancouver, Canada, or picking up a cruise to Alaska. The holiday can also be taken in reverse, starting in Seattle and finishing in Los Angeles.