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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Glacier National Park & Chicago

Chicago to Glacier on Amtrak's Empire Builder, lodges, Red Jammers

Illustration of Glacier National Park & Chicago

Vacations By Rail's 7-day Glacier National Park & Chicago journey combines the urban energy of Chicago with the mountain wilderness of Glacier National Park. You depart Chicago's Union Station aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder, an overnight sleeper train, crossing the Midwest grasslands of the Dakotas and into Montana. After arriving at East Glacier Park on Day 2, you stay two nights at the Swiss chalet-style Glacier Park Lodge, then move to St. Mary Village for two more nights near the park's eastern entrance. Days feature a scenic boat cruise on St. Mary Lake and an open-air Red Jammer bus ride along Going-to-the-Sun Road over the Continental Divide. The return journey reboards the Empire Builder for another overnight crossing eastbound to Chicago. This independent package suits explorers who want the structure of a planned itinerary without a tour manager, first-time rail travellers drawn to America's classic sleeper train, and budget-conscious couples seeking a week of lodges, mountain air, and train travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • Park entrance fees (for Glacier National Park) are not included and must be purchased separately.
  • Going-to-the-Sun Road excursion is subject to change based on seasonal road closures; confirm availability when booking.
  • Roomettes and Bedrooms on the Empire Builder include complimentary meals, but the base Coach fare does not; lunch and dinner are available for purchase on the return leg (Day 6).
  • The trip ends in Chicago on the late afternoon of Day 7; you are free to disembark and travel home on your own, as airport transfers are not included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Train

    Depart Chicago aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder

    Board the Empire Builder at Chicago's historic Union Station for an overnight journey west in a reclining Coach seat, through the grasslands and prairies of the Midwest. Upgrades to Roomettes and Bedrooms (with complimentary meals) available.

  2. Day 2overnight: Glacier Park Lodge

    Ever-changing views en route to East Glacier Park

    Pass North Dakota, the Gassman Coulee Trestle and into Montana; access to the Sightseer Lounge. Arrive East Glacier Station this evening and walk to Glacier Park Lodge, modeled after a Swiss chalet with a nine-hole golf course.

  3. Day 3overnight: St. Mary Village

    Alpine views from St. Mary 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 not included, purchased separately.

  4. Day 4overnight: St. Mary Village

    Traversing Going-to-the-Sun Road on Red Jammers

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

  5. Day 5overnight: Glacier Park Lodge

    Returning to Glacier Park Lodge

    Leisurely morning at St. Mary Village, then an included coach transfer back to Glacier Park Lodge for the afternoon and evening at leisure.

  6. Day 6overnight: Train

    Reboarding the Empire Builder

    Morning departure from East Glacier Park station eastbound on the Empire Builder, with the Sightseer Lounge available; lunch and dinner available for purchase.

  7. Day 7

    Traveling home

    Continue toward Chicago through Minnesota and Wisconsin, via Milwaukee, arriving in Chicago in the late afternoon; free to disembark and travel home, or extend the stay in Chicago.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Amtrak's Empire Builder at Chicago's Union Station for an overnight journey west through the Midwest grasslands and prairies in a reclining Coach seat, or upgrade to a Roomette or Bedroom with complimentary meals.
  • Day 2Pass through North Dakota and the Gassman Coulee Trestle into Montana, arriving at East Glacier Station in the evening and walking to the Swiss chalet-style Glacier Park Lodge with its nine-hole golf course.
  • Day 3Ride a shuttle to Rising Sun Boat Dock for a scenic cruise on St. Mary Lake, admiring the alpine views of Glacier National Park from the water.
  • Day 4Travel in an open-air Red Jammer bus along Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass at the Continental Divide, with an optional lunch stop at Lake McDonald Lodge before returning to St. Mary Village.

Included

  • 4 nights' hotel accommodation
  • 2 nights in Coach aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder
  • All rail 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 all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes all rail travel on Amtrak's Empire Builder (2 nights in Coach or upgraded cabins) and all coach transfers throughout the tour.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an independent rail vacation. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary with no tour manager.
Which hotels are included?
Vacations By Rail includes 4 nights' hotel accommodation: 2 nights at Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier Park and 2 nights at St. Mary's Lodge in St. Mary Village.
What is included in the tour price?
The package includes 4 nights' hotel accommodation, 2 nights on Amtrak's Empire Builder, all rail and coach travel throughout the tour, and all guided tours and excursions (St. Mary Lake cruise and Red Jammer scenic drive).
Do I need to pay separately for Glacier National Park entrance?
Yes. National park entrance fees are not included and must be purchased separately when you visit.
What is a Red Jammer bus?
Red Jammer is an open-air bus operated by historic Glacier Park lodges. On Day 4, you ride one along Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass at the Continental Divide.

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