Amtrak Vacations
Northern Rail Experience
Independent 9-day Amtrak loop from Chicago through Seattle and San Francisco
9 daysfrom $1,629
56% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Glacier National Park and Seattle Roundtrip from Chicago
Chicago roundtrip rail trip to Glacier National Park and Seattle
Amtrak Vacations runs this 9-day, 8-night independent rail trip as a roundtrip from Chicago to Glacier National Park and Seattle. The outbound leg is an overnight ride on the Empire Builder in Coach class, followed by two nights at the Glacier Park Lodge. A full day covers the Big Sky Circle Tour across Marias Pass and along the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, with a stop at Goat Lick to watch for wildlife, and a second day brings a boat cruise on Two Medicine Valley with Blackfeet Indian folklore about the area. That evening, travelers board the Empire Builder again for an overnight ride to Seattle, where two nights include a CityPASS covering the Space Needle, the Seattle Aquarium, and other attractions at your own pace, before boarding the train again for two more nights back to Chicago. This suits travelers who want the scenery of a long train ride in both directions rather than a one-way trip.
What to know before you look closer
- The package lists 13 named hotel choices across Chicago, Glacier National Park, and Seattle, from the Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown to the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, so your actual hotel comfort depends on what is chosen at booking.
- The Big Sky Circle Tour and Two Medicine Valley boat cruise are both marked seasonal in the evidence with no specific operating months given; confirm timing with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
- Only 4 meals (2 breakfasts and 2 dinners) are included across the 8-night trip; other meals are on your own.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Chicago to Glacier National Park
Board Amtrak's Empire Builder today in Chicago for your comfortable and scenic overnight journey to Glacier National Park.
- Day 2overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Welcome to Glacier National Park! Upon arrival, check in at the Glacier Park Lodge for a two-night stay and begin to discover your gorgeous surroundings.
- Day 3overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Today, discover Glacier National Park on the Big Sky Circle tour. Drive over the breathtaking Maria's Pass. Stop at Goat Lick for some wildlife viewing. Venture along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a windy-mountain thoroughfare that spans 50 miles through the park. Don't forget your camera today as the views are spectacular!
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Glacier National Park, MT
Today, you'll explore more of the serene sights of Glacier National Park on a scenic boat cruise of Two Medicine Valley. Enjoy a relaxing cruise while listening to the Blackfoot Indian folklore surrounding this gorgeous area. The Two Medicine Valley boat cruise will take your breath away! This evening, make your way to the train station adjacent to your hotel for the comfortable overnight journey to Seattle.
- Day 5overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Welcome to Seattle! Upon arrival in the city, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Get to know the "Emerald City" with your Seattle CityPASS, giving you access to dozens of attractions including the Seattle Aquarium, the Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and more! Also, don't miss Pike Place Market, Seattle's Great Wheel and many more popular destinations while in the city.
- Day 6overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Continue exploring Seattle at your leisure today using your CityPASS. Discover the Space Needle, the most iconic structure in the city, and enjoy the stunning 360-degree views from the observation deck of snow-capped Mt. Rainier, the lights of downtown Seattle, and picturesque Elliott Bay.
- Day 7railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Spend the day today exploring more of the great city of Seattle before boarding the train in the late afternoon for your return journey to Chicago. Spend two more nights on the Empire Builder, relaxing and enjoying some of the amazing sights you may have missed on the way.
- Day 9
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Empire Builder carries travelers overnight from Chicago to Glacier National Park.
- Day 3The Big Sky Circle Tour crosses Marias Pass, stops at Goat Lick for wildlife viewing, and follows the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park.
- Day 4A Two Medicine Valley boat cruise includes Blackfeet Indian folklore about the area, before an evening departure on the overnight train to Seattle.
- Day 6The Space Needle's observation deck gives 360-degree views of Mt. Rainier, downtown Seattle, and Elliott Bay.
- Day 7The return journey boards the Empire Builder again in the late afternoon for two more nights onboard back to Chicago.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Glacier National Park; Glacier National Park to Seattle; and Seattle back to Chicago onboard the Empire Builder®
- 4 nights' hotel accommodations; 4 nights onboard Amtrak
- 4 meals included (2 breakfasts and 2 dinners)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the whole roundtrip by train?
- Yes. Amtrak's Empire Builder in Coach class covers Chicago to Glacier National Park, Glacier National Park to Seattle, and the full return to Chicago.
- How many nights are spent on the train?
- Four: the outbound overnight to Glacier National Park, the overnight from Glacier National Park to Seattle, and two more nights onboard on the return trip to Chicago.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation, with the Big Sky Circle Tour and Two Medicine Valley boat cruise included at Glacier National Park, and a Seattle CityPASS to use at your own pace.
- What hotels are used?
- A choice of 13 named hotels across Chicago, Glacier National Park (Glacier Park Lodge), and Seattle (including Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown and Hotel Andra Seattle), with the exact hotel depending on what is selected at booking.
- Are meals included?
- 4 meals are included: 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Other meals are on your own.
- When does this trip run?
- The Big Sky Circle Tour and Two Medicine Valley boat cruise are both marked seasonal in the evidence, though no specific months are given; confirm current timing with Amtrak Vacations.
