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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail and cruise vacation

Empire Builder - Glacier National Park & Alaska Cruise

Rail and cruise from Chicago through Glacier National Park to Alaska

Illustration of Empire Builder - Glacier National Park & Alaska Cruise

Vacations By Rail's 14-day Empire Builder and Alaska cruise combines two of North America's most celebrated rail and coastal journeys. The trip begins in Chicago, where guests explore the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier on a hop-on/hop-off trolley tour. Day two brings a 2:15 pm departure from Union Station aboard Amtrak's legendary Empire Builder, a 2,206-mile overnight train journey through North Dakota and into Montana. Upon arrival at Glacier National Park, guests spend two days at Glacier Park Lodge and take the included Big Sky Circle Tour, driving over Marias Pass, visiting Goat Lick for wildlife viewing, and traversing the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass through cedar and hemlock forests. The train journey resumes to Seattle, where a second hop-on/hop-off tour covers the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Chinatown. From Seattle, the itinerary transitions to a seven-night Alaska cruise aboard Holland America's ms Westerdam, sailing the Inside Passage with stops in Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria. All train meals, cruise meals, and four nights of hotel accommodations are included, along with guided and hop-on/hop-off sightseeing. The package suits couples and repeat rail travellers seeking a blend of mountain scenery, glacier views, and coastal cruising with structured guidance at key points.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price; plan these separately.
  • The activity level is noted as generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility; confirm accessibility needs with Vacations By Rail before booking.
  • The only included hotels are Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier Park, and Sheraton in Seattle; the remaining nights are spent on the train or ship.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Chicago

    Arrive Chicago

    Check into a centrally-located hotel and explore Chicago on a hop-on/hop-off trolley tour, seeing the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and the John Hancock Observatory.

  2. Day 2overnight: Train (Empire Builder)

    Depart Chicago aboard the Empire Builder

    Board Amtrak's Empire Builder at Union Station for a 2:15 pm departure, beginning the overnight journey toward Glacier National Park.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Glacier Park Lodge

    Arrive in East Glacier Park, Montana

    Rail journey through North Dakota into Montana, arriving at Glacier National Park in the evening. Check in to the Glacier Park Lodge.

  4. Day 4overnight: Glacier Park Lodge

    Big Sky Circle Tour

    Inclusive tour of Glacier National Park: a drive over Marias Pass with wildlife viewing at Goat Lick, the Izaak Walton Inn, the Lake McDonald Valley's cedar and hemlock forests, Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the St. Mary Valley, and the Wild Goose Island overlook.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Train (Empire Builder)

    Depart Glacier National Park for Seattle by Train

    A final afternoon in Glacier National Park before boarding the Empire Builder this evening for the overnight journey to Seattle.

  6. Day 6overnight: Seattle

    Seattle

    Mid-morning arrival in Seattle; check into a centrally-located hotel and explore the city, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and Chinatown, on a Hop-On Hop-Off Tour.

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Seattle and Alaska Cruise Departure

    Free morning, then set sail at 4:00 pm on the Alaska cruise through the Inside Passage.

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    At Sea

    A day at sea to enjoy the ship's spa, the Culinary Arts Center (presented by Food & Wine Magazine), and the casino, with a gourmet dinner and dancing.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Juneau, Alaska

    Visit the Juneau Icefield (over 30 glaciers, including the Mendenhall Glacier), the Tongass National Forest, or ride the Mt. Roberts Tramway.

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Glacier Bay National Park & Icy Strait Point

    Cruise into Glacier Bay to view Margerie Glacier (21 miles long) among more than 1,000 glaciers in the preserve, with wildlife including humpback whales, orcas, otters, sea lions and bears. Visit Icy Strait Point's former cannery buildings.

  11. Day 11overnight: Ship

    Sitka, Alaska

    Explore Sitka's Russian-settlement history, including St. Michael's Cathedral.

  12. Day 12overnight: Ship

    Ketchikan, Alaska

    Self-guided walking tour including Creek Street and Misty Fjords National Monument.

  13. Day 13overnight: Ship

    Victoria, British Columbia

    Explore Victoria's British heritage and visit the 55-acre Butchart Gardens.

  14. Day 14

    Welcome Back to the Emerald City

    Dock in Seattle this morning; transfer available to the airport for flights after 1:00 pm, or extend the stay to explore further.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Depart Chicago's Union Station at 2:15 pm aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder for an overnight journey across North Dakota and into Montana.
  • Day 4The Big Sky Circle Tour drives over Marias Pass, stops at Goat Lick for wildlife viewing, and traverses the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass with views of Lake McDonald Valley's cedar and hemlock forests.
  • Day 10Cruise into Glacier Bay National Park to view Margerie Glacier, a 21-mile glacier among more than 1,000 in the preserve, with sightings of humpback whales, orcas, otters, sea lions, and bears.
  • Day 13Explore Victoria's 55-acre Butchart Gardens and British heritage before returning to Seattle.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 4 nights
  • 7-night cruise aboard Holland America's ms Westerdam
  • Transfer to the cruise terminal
  • Transportation aboard Amtrak (2 nights on train)
  • All meals aboard the train and ship

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Two nights aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder are included, with accommodations in a Roomette (Bedroom upgrade available for an additional fee). All meals aboard the train are included.
Is the Alaska cruise included?
Yes. A seven-night cruise aboard Holland America's ms Westerdam is included, with all meals and the transfer to the cruise terminal.
Which hotels are included?
Palmer House Hilton in Chicago (1 night), Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier Park (2 nights), and Sheraton in Seattle (1 night) are included. The remaining nights are aboard the train (2 nights) and the ship (7 nights).
Is the tour guided or independent?
The trip is independent travel with included hop-on/hop-off tours in Chicago and Seattle, and a guided Big Sky Circle Tour of Glacier National Park. Some days, such as in Ketchikan and Seattle on day 6, feature self-guided exploration.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, cancellation and travel insurance, and optional upgrades (such as a Bedroom on the train) are not included.
What is the physical activity level?
The operator notes the trip is generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. The Big Sky Circle Tour involves driving and walking through Glacier National Park, and port days in Alaska require exploration on foot.

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