Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks with Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon Roundtrip San Francisco
Independent Amtrak roundtrip from San Francisco to Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone
16 daysfrom $3,079
44% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Coast to Coast Across the USA
16-day USA rail crossing from New York City to San Francisco
Amtrak Vacations runs this 16-day, 15-night independent rail vacation across the United States, from New York City to San Francisco. Three days in New York City open the trip, including the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock and a ferry to the Statue of Liberty, before the Northeast Regional carries travellers to Washington, DC for two days of Smithsonian museums and an evening Monuments by Moonlight tour. The Capitol Limited then runs overnight to Chicago, followed by the Southwest Chief south toward Arizona, where the Grand Canyon Railway reaches the South Rim for a guided tour. From there, the Southwest Chief continues to Los Angeles, and the Coast Starlight runs up the Pacific coastline to San Francisco for two final days of sightseeing. This itinerary suits travellers who want an extensive cross-country rail trip anchored by a guided city tour in every stop, with the Grand Canyon as a signature detour partway across the country.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotels are offered as 32 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than one fixed hotel per stop.
- All rail travel is booked in Coach accommodations across five train routes plus the Grand Canyon Railway, not a premium or sleeper service.
- Only 2 meals are included across the 16-day trip (1 breakfast, 1 dinner); other meals are not listed.
- The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package, though it is shown under a 'Flash Sale' category.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Welcome to New York City! Today is free for you to relax or explore the city on your own.
- Day 2overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Today you will get to explore the city on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour! Use your pass to easily get to all of the major attractions around Manhattan such as Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the American Museum of Natural History.
- Day 3overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Continue to explore with your hop-on, hop-off tour. You also have admission to either the Empire State Building Observatory or access to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. Then head over to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to experience some truly iconic American landmarks.
- Day 4overnight: Washington, DC
Washington, DC
This morning, board Amtrak's Northeast Regional route to head down to Washington, DC. Upon arrival begin to explore the city. Use your hop-on, hop-off tour to stop at any of the exciting attractions, including the Smithsonian Museums, the White House, and the US Capitol Building.
- Day 5overnight: Washington, DC
Washington, DC
Today you can continue your journey around the city with your hop-on, hop-off tour. Take time to stop and stroll around the National Mall. Tonight visit the major monuments on an evening tour, illuminated against the night sky.
- Day 6overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning is yours to enjoy the city. This afternoon board Amtrak's Capitol Limited route for your overnight trip to Chicago.
- Day 7overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Welcome to the Windy City! Check into your hotel and begin exploring the city. Stop by Navy Pier, stroll through Millennium Park and visit the Bean, or enjoy shopping along the Magnificent Mile. Your hop-on, hop-off tour will bring you to all of Chicago's fantastic locations!
- Day 8overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This afternoon board Amtrak and the Southwest Chief to journey south towards the Grand Canyon, through the plains, deep forests, wheat fields, and the desert.
- Day 9railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
This evening the train will arrive in Williams. Check into your hotel and settle in for the night. Tomorrow you will get to visit the iconic Grand Canyon!
- Day 10railovernight: Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Today wake up and enjoy a hearty breakfast. After your meal, board the famous Grand Canyon Railway for a trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the region.
Meals: B
- Day 11railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning is open for you to explore around the South Rim on your own. Later in the afternoon, board the Grand Canyon Railway to travel back to Williams. Upon arrival enjoy dinner in the iconic Route 66 town of Williams before an evening departure onboard the Southwest Chief westbound to California!
Meals: D
- Day 12overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to Los Angeles! You have the entire day to explore Hollywood with a hop-on, hop-off tour of the city, taking in the Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica Beach, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Day 13railovernight: San Francisco
Los Angeles to San Francisco
This morning you will board the Coast Starlight for your journey up to Los Angeles. Enjoy this scenic ride on the train as you head north, following along the beautiful Pacific Ocean as you make your way up along the coast. Tonight, settle in to your hotel for your stay in San Francisco.
- Day 14overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Today you can explore San Francisco with a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing pass, bringing you to landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, and Union Square.
- Day 15overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Continue to enjoy San Francisco and hit all of the stops you missed yesterday on your tour. Visit Pier 39, experience the nation's oldest Chinatown, or enjoy a full tour of the "City by the Bay."
- Day 16
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 5An evening Monuments by Moonlight tour in Washington, DC visits the capital's monuments illuminated against the night sky.
- Day 8The Southwest Chief runs south toward the Grand Canyon through plains, deep forests, wheat fields, and desert.
- Day 10The Grand Canyon Railway carries travellers to the South Rim for a guided Freedom Rim Tour.
- Day 13The Coast Starlight follows the Pacific Ocean coastline on the ride north to San Francisco.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New York City to Washington, DC; Washington, DC to Chicago; Chicago to Williams, AZ; Williams to Los Angeles; and Los Angeles to San Francisco on the Northeast Regional®, Capitol Limited®, Southwest Chief®, and Coast Starlight® routes
- 12 nights' hotel accommodations; 3 nights' onboard Amtrak
- Roundtrip service in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $5,049
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes. The package includes one-way Amtrak travel in Coach accommodations on the Northeast Regional, Capitol Limited, Southwest Chief, and Coast Starlight, plus a roundtrip on the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation with guided or hop-on, hop-off tours included in every city plus a guided tour of the Grand Canyon's South Rim.
- Which trains are used?
- The Northeast Regional, Capitol Limited, Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight, and the Grand Canyon Railway.
- What hotels are used?
- The package offers 32 accommodation options across tiers and cities; examples include the Waldorf Astoria New York and the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Washington, DC.
- What is not included?
- Only 2 meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner) are included across the 16-day trip; other meals are not listed.
