Amtrak Vacations
America Coast to Coast - DC to San Francisco
Amtrak coast-to-coast rail journey from Washington DC to San Francisco
9 daysfrom $1,049
33% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Essential American - Majestic Landscapes
Cross-country rail journey linking New York City, Chicago and San Francisco
Amtrak Vacations operates this 9-day independent rail vacation from New York City to San Francisco, with a stop in Chicago along the way. There is no tour manager; sightseeing in each city runs on included hop-on, hop-off passes, covering stops such as the Top of the Rock in New York and the Skydeck at Willis Tower in Chicago. Between cities, the Lake Shore Limited and the California Zephyr carry travelers west, with two nights on the train broken up by a single overnight stop in Chicago. The Zephyr leg through the Great Plains, the Colorado Rockies and Utah's desert country is billed as one of Amtrak's most scenic routes. New York and San Francisco each get two nights; Chicago gets one. This trip suits independent travelers drawn to the scenery of a long-distance train journey as much as the cities at either end, without a group or guide traveling with them.
What to know before you look closer
- The pack lists 18 accommodation options across New York City and Chicago hotels in different tiers; the specific hotel depends on the tier and city option you choose.
- Chicago is a one-night stop between two overnight train journeys, shorter than the two nights given to New York City and San Francisco.
- The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: New York City
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Welcome to New York City! Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and begin exploring the 'Big Apple.' Start by using your admission to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for amazing 360-degree views of the entire city from the top three floors of the GE ('30 Rock') Building in Rockefeller Center.
- Day 2overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Experience firsthand what the excitement of the Big Apple is all about today with a one-day sightseeing tour on a hop-on, hop-off bus! Visit must-see attractions like the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Modern Art and more!
- Day 3railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited today for the overnight journey to Chicago. Rest up and relax as the train winds its way west.
- Day 4overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Breeze into the Windy City this morning and begin to explore Chicago! Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and set out to discover the city. Use your admission to the Skydeck Chicago to get a spectacular 360-degree bird's eye view of the entire city from the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower. In addition, use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to take in all the popular city landmarks, including Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and much more!
- Day 5railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Take the morning to enjoy more of Chicago's sights before making your way to Union Station and boarding Amtrak's iconic California Zephyr. This route promises amazing views so sit back, relax and get comfy as the train makes its way through the Great Plains as the sun sets.
- Day 6railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Get ready for some epic mountain and desert views out your window today as the train pushes through the Colorado Rockies and into Utah. Many consider this one of Amtrak's most scenic journeys.
- Day 7overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Wake up this morning to more beautiful views out your window as you traverse the Nevada desert and finally head into California. Arrive in San Francisco in time to check in at your hotel and have a nice dinner - Fisherman's Wharf is just steps away from your hotel.
- Day 8overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Enjoy touring the 'City by the Bay' today with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Stops include Lombard Street, Embarcadero Center, Union Square, the Palace of Fine Arts and the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Day 9
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3The Lake Shore Limited departs on an overnight run west from New York City to Chicago.
- Day 4In Chicago, the Skydeck at Willis Tower offers a 360-degree view from the 103rd floor, including the glass-floor Ledge balcony.
- Day 5The California Zephyr rolls through the Great Plains as the sun sets, heading toward the Rocky Mountains.
- Day 6The train pushes through the Colorado Rockies and into Utah, on what the itinerary calls one of Amtrak's most scenic journeys.
- Day 8A hop-on, hop-off tour of San Francisco stops at Lombard Street, the Embarcadero, Union Square, the Palace of Fine Arts and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Included
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from New York City to Chicago; Chicago to San Francisco on the Lake Shore Limited and California Zephyr
- 5 nights' hotel accommodations
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel is included on the Lake Shore Limited from New York City to Chicago, and on the California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- Independent. There is no tour manager; each city's sightseeing runs on an included hop-on, hop-off pass instead.
- Which trains does this itinerary use?
- The Lake Shore Limited and the California Zephyr, both in Coach class.
- What hotels are included?
- The pack lists 18 accommodation options across the cities on this route, in a choice of tiers; 5 nights' hotel accommodation are included in total.
- Are meals included?
- No meals are listed among the inclusions; only rail travel and hotel nights are described as included.
