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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Empire Builder with Glacier National Park - Chicago to Seattle

Seven-day Chicago-to-Seattle rail journey with Glacier National Park stays

Illustration of Empire Builder with Glacier National Park - Chicago to Seattle

Vacations By Rail's Empire Builder with Glacier National Park is a seven-day independent rail journey from Chicago to Seattle that breaks up the long train ride with a four-night stay in Montana's Glacier National Park region. You begin with one night aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder in Coach seating, passing through North Dakota plains and the Gassman Coulee Trestle. Upon arrival at East Glacier Station on Day 2, you transfer to Glacier Park Lodge, a Swiss chalet-style hotel where you stay for two nights. Days 3 and 4 focus on park exploration: a scenic cruise on St. Mary Lake and a guided open-air Red Jammer bus tour along Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass on the Continental Divide, with an optional lunch stop at Lake McDonald Lodge. After returning to St. Mary's Lodge for one more night, you have a leisurely day at Glacier Park Lodge with access to its golf course and hiking trails before reboarding the Empire Builder for the final leg through Washington's Cascade Mountains and the town of Leavenworth, arriving in Seattle on the afternoon of Day 7. This trip suits repeat rail travellers comfortable with Coach seating and couples seeking a blend of train travel and mountain scenery with guided highlights and ample free time.

What to know before you look closer

  • National park entrance fees are not included and must be purchased separately.
  • One reviewer reported the train tracks are not well-maintained, resulting in a rocky riding experience on some sections.
  • Coach seats on the Empire Builder are standard; Roomette and Bedroom upgrades are available but cost extra and include complimentary meals, whereas coach passengers may purchase food from the Dining Car subject to availability.
  • Going-to-the-Sun Road tours are subject to seasonal road closures and may change.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Train (Empire Builder)

    Beginning your cross-country journey in Chicago

    Board Amtrak's Empire Builder at Chicago's Union Station for the overnight journey west, settling into a reclining Coach seat. Light meals, snacks and beverages available for purchase; Dining Car subject to table availability. (Upgrades to Roomette/Bedroom available, which include complimentary meals.)

  2. Day 2overnight: Glacier Park Lodge (East Glacier Park)

    Across the North Dakota plains to East Glacier

    Pass the Gassman Coulee Trestle and cross into Montana. Arrive at East Glacier Station this evening and walk to the Glacier Park Lodge, a Swiss chalet-style hotel with a nine-hole golf course.

  3. Day 3overnight: St. Mary Village

    Dramatic views from St. Mary's Lake

    Coach transfer to St. Mary Village, near the eastern entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road. Shuttle to Rising Sun Boat Dock for a scenic cruise on St. Mary Lake. (Park admission is not included and must be purchased separately.)

  4. Day 4overnight: St. Mary Village

    Alpine sightseeing from Going-to-the-Sun Road

    Open-air Red Jammer bus tour along Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass on the Continental Divide, with a stop at Lake McDonald Lodge for an optional lunch, before returning to St. Mary Village. (Subject to change based on seasonal road closures.)

  5. Day 5overnight: Glacier Park Lodge (East Glacier Park)

    Relaxing at Glacier Park Lodge

    Leisurely morning at St. Mary Village, then an included coach transfer back to Glacier Park Lodge, with time to enjoy the golf course, horseshoe pit or gift shop.

  6. Day 6overnight: Train (Empire Builder)

    A day in East Glacier before reboarding the Empire Builder

    Free day at the lodge or hiking nearby trails; optional shuttle (payable locally) to the Two Medicine Valley for boat tours, kayaking or canoeing. Reboard the Empire Builder this evening bound for Seattle.

  7. Day 7rail

    Traveling home

    The train passes through Washington's Cascade Mountains and the town of Leavenworth, arriving in Seattle this afternoon. Free time to see the Space Needle or Pike Place Market, or transfer to the airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Amtrak's Empire Builder at Chicago's Union Station for an overnight westbound journey across more than 2,200 miles toward Seattle.
  • Day 2Pass the Gassman Coulee Trestle and cross into Montana, arriving at East Glacier Station in the evening to walk to Glacier Park Lodge, a Swiss chalet-style hotel.
  • Day 3Cruise St. Mary Lake by boat near the eastern entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road, viewing the surrounding mountains and glacial landscapes.
  • Day 4Ride an open-air Red Jammer bus along Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass on the Continental Divide, with a stop at Lake McDonald Lodge.
  • Day 7The Empire Builder passes through Washington's Cascade Mountains and the town of Leavenworth before arriving in Seattle.

Included

  • 4 nights' hotel accommodation
  • 2 nights in Coach aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder
  • All rail, boat and coach travel throughout the tour
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes two nights aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder in Coach seating, plus all rail, coach, and boat travel throughout the tour. Roomette or Bedroom upgrades are available for an additional fee.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. Vacations By Rail markets this as independent travel. You have a guided Red Jammer bus tour of Going-to-the-Sun Road and a St. Mary Lake boat cruise, but most days allow free time to explore on your own.
What hotels are included?
Four nights' hotel accommodation: two nights at Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier Park and two nights at St. Mary's Lodge in St. Mary Village.
What is not included?
National park entrance fees, flights, airport transfers, and cancellation or travel insurance are not included.
How much time do I spend in Glacier National Park?
Four nights in the Glacier Park region, with Days 3 and 4 dedicated to park activities: a St. Mary Lake cruise and a Red Jammer bus tour of Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass. Days 5 and 6 are free time at the lodges with optional local activities.
When does this trip run?
The operator does not publish specific departure dates in the available information. Contact Vacations By Rail to confirm current availability.

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