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 Grand Canyon to Yosemite Roundtrip Chicago
Grand Canyon and Yosemite rail roundtrip from Chicago on four named trains
Amtrak Vacations runs this 9-day independent rail vacation as a loop out of Chicago, using four named trains to link two of the country's best known national parks. The trip opens with an overnight ride on the Southwest Chief to Williams, Arizona, followed by a two-hour trip on the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim, where travelers spend a full day taking in the view from around 50 marked viewpoints. From there the Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight carry travelers overnight to San Francisco for two nights, with a day tour to Yosemite National Park's waterfalls, granite cliffs, and lakes. The journey back to Chicago spans two more nights aboard the California Zephyr, following the Colorado River up through the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevada, and Donner Pass. Hotel stays are brief, one night each in Williams and Grand Canyon Village, so this suits travelers who want to keep moving and see a lot of ground rather than settle in for long stays.
What to know before you look closer
- The San Francisco hotel is one of six listed options (including the WOW InterContinental, Kimpton Alton, Fairmont, Hilton Union Square, Infinity Hotel and InterContinental Mark Hopkins), so which one you get depends on the tier chosen at booking.
- Only 2 meals are included across the 9 days, one breakfast and one dinner, both at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel; other meals are on your own.
- The return journey includes two consecutive overnight nights aboard the California Zephyr in Coach class, not a private sleeper cabin.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Board the Southwest Chief and depart Chicago for your overnight rail journey to Williams, Arizona.
- Day 2overnight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Welcome to the Gateway to the Grand Canyon! When you arrive, check into your hotel for an overnight stay and start exploring. Located on the famous Route 66, the quaint mountain town of Williams, Arizona, serves as the perfect jumping off point for your journey to the South Rim. It is also just steps away from the beauty of the outdoors: hiking, fishing, and camping. Visit the Williams Visitor Centre and Museum to learn about this town's past and present, stop at Pete's Route 66 Gas Station Museum (a time capsule full of gift shop treasures), or take a horse and buggy ride on your own through the city.
- Day 3railovernight: Grand Canyon Village
Williams to The Grand Canyon
Enjoy breakfast at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and then board the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams for your two-hour ride straight to the national park's South Rim. Seeing the Grand Canyon on a postcard or during a travel documentary will never compare to seeing it in person. This special place is truly a sight to behold. Along the South Rim, there are around 50 incredible viewpoints each with something magical to offer and 20 of which are easily accessible by vehicle. Some of the greatest viewpoints include Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Desert View, Grandview Point, and Hermit's Rest. Enjoy your included Freedom Rim tour narrated by a knowledgeable guide and see all the picturesque landscapes you wouldn't have time to walk to.
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Grand Canyon
Tonight, have dinner at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Then, board the Southwest Chief before switching onto the Coast Starlight as you head north to San Francisco.
- Day 5overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Upon arrival into San Francisco, make your way to your hotel and ease into this beautiful, pacific coastal city.
- Day 6overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
Prepare to experience the grandeur of Yosemite National Park with your included day tour from San Francisco. You'll certainly fall in love with the park's unforgettable scenery lakes, mountain peaks, waterfalls, granite faces, an array of wildlife, and lush wilderness. The entire park features dramatically breath-taking vistas and landscapes.
- Day 7railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, you'll begin your rail journey back to Chicago on the California Zephyr. Travel along America's earliest transcontinental route as it follows the Colorado river up the Continental Divide and passes through Denver and the spectacular Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevadas and the famed Donner Pass.
- Day 8railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Continue your rail journey to Chicago on the California Zephyr as it travels through the heart of the mid-west.
- Day 9
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The trip begins with an overnight ride out of Chicago on the Southwest Chief.
- Day 3The Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers on a two-hour ride from Williams straight to the South Rim.
- Day 6An included day tour reaches Yosemite National Park's lakes, mountain peaks, waterfalls and granite faces.
- Day 7The California Zephyr climbs the Continental Divide and crosses the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada and Donner Pass on the way back to Chicago.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Williams; Williams to San Francisco; San Francisco to Chicago on the Southwest Chief®, Coast Starlight®, and California Zephyr®
- 4 nights' hotel accommodations
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel from Chicago to Williams, Williams to San Francisco, and San Francisco back to Chicago on the Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight and California Zephyr is included, along with the Grand Canyon Railway round trip from Williams.
- Which trains does this trip use?
- The Southwest Chief, the Grand Canyon Railway, the Coast Starlight, and the California Zephyr.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- It is sold as an independent rail vacation. Sightseeing tours of the Grand Canyon and Yosemite are included, but travelers move between hotels and cities on their own.
- What hotels are included?
- One night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, one night at Yavapai Lodge in Grand Canyon Village, and 2 nights in San Francisco chosen from six hotel options.
- Are meals included?
- Two meals are included, one breakfast and one dinner, both at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. All other meals are on your own.
