Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Coast to Coast: New York to San Francisco

Coast to Coast: New York to San Francisco, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

See the USA by rail on Amtrak's California Zephyr and Lake Shore Limited with overnight journeys and city stays in New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: New York City

    Arrival in New York City

    Arrive in New York and transfer on your own to your centrally-located hotel, with the remainder of the day at leisure.

  2. Day 2overnight: New York City

    New York City sightseeing

    A guided tour of the city's highlights by vehicle and by boat, seeing the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, 9/11 Memorial, Central Park and Rockefeller Center.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Train (Lake Shore Limited)

    Lake Shore Limited to Chicago

    Time to wrap up sightseeing before the afternoon overnight train journey to Chicago, passing West Point Academy, Bannerman's Castle and the Hudson River.

  4. Day 4overnight: Chicago

    Arrival in Chicago

    Arrive in Chicago and transfer on your own to your centrally-located hotel, with the evening at leisure to visit Millennium Park or Navy Pier.

  5. Day 5overnight: Chicago

    Chicago sightseeing

    An architecture tour on the Chicago River (available March-November; a bus tour substitutes December-February), with the rest of the day free to explore Wrigleyville, Willis Tower or optional activities.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Train (California Zephyr)

    Onboard the California Zephyr

    Transfer to the rail station in the afternoon to board the California Zephyr, settling into onboard accommodations for a day of passing scenery from the Sightseer Lounge car.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Train (California Zephyr)

    En Route to San Francisco

    Views of the Rockies as the train winds through tunnels and mountain curves, including Glenwood and Ruby Canyons and the Moffat Tunnel.

  8. Day 8overnight: San Francisco

    Arrival in San Francisco

    Spend the day onboard enjoying passing scenery, arriving in San Francisco in the early evening and transferring on your own to your centrally-located hotel.

  9. Day 9overnight: San Francisco

    San Francisco sightseeing

    A guided tour of the city's most iconic sights, visiting Chinatown, Haight Ashbury, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Coastal Redwoods of Muir Woods.

  10. Day 10

    Homeward bound

    The coast to coast vacation comes to an end this morning.

Included

  • 6 nights' hotel accommodation
  • 1 night aboard Lakeshore Limited and 3 nights aboard the California Zephyr in coach
  • Rail travel on Amtrak (3 nights on train)
  • Meals onboard the train when upgrading to private sleeping accommodations
  • All tour excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

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