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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Glacier National Park Escape - Chicago Roundtrip

Five-day Chicago roundtrip to Glacier National Park aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder

Illustration of Glacier National Park Escape - Chicago Roundtrip

Vacations By Rail's Glacier National Park Escape is a five-day independent rail vacation from Chicago to the heart of one of the United States' most celebrated national parks. You depart Chicago aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder, traveling northwest along a historic pioneer route through the Northern Prairies. After two nights onboard the train with meals and views from the Sightseer Lounge, you arrive at East Glacier Park, where you spend two nights at Glacier Park Lodge. On Day 3, a full-day sightseeing tour takes you over Marias Pass, through forests and valleys, and along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in vintage Red Jammer Buses, with wildlife spotting at Goat Lick and visits to historic lodges. You then return to Chicago aboard the eastbound Empire Builder. This trip suits independent rail travellers seeking a classic long-distance US train experience combined with national park exploration, without a tour manager's daily guidance.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 3 park sightseeing is subject to seasonal road closures; confirm availability when booking.
  • This is an independent vacation with no tour manager; you arrange your own transfer to the Amtrak station on Day 4.
  • The from-price of USD 1,595 covers the package only; rail fare is included as round-trip Amtrak transportation.
  • An optional post-night hotel stay in Chicago is available at additional cost.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Train

    Amtrak's Empire Builder: Chicago to Glacier

    Board the Empire Builder at Chicago's Union Station in early afternoon for its northwest departure following an old pioneer trail.

  2. Day 2overnight: Glacier Park Lodge

    Arrival in East Glacier Park

    Relax onboard with views from the Sightseer Lounge; arrive in East Glacier Park this evening at the edge of Glacier National Park's 1.2 million acres.

  3. Day 3overnight: Glacier Park Lodge

    Glacier National Park Sightseeing

    Drive over Marias Pass, wildlife spotting at Goat Lick, visit the Izaak Walton Inn, through forests to Lake McDonald Lodge, then the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Red Jammer Buses into St. Mary Valley. Subject to change based on seasonal road closures.

  4. Day 4overnight: Train

    Return to Chicago

    Transfer independently to the Amtrak station for the morning Empire Builder eastbound, passing through the Northern Prairies.

  5. Day 5

    Tour Conclusion

    Through Minnesota and Wisconsin to an afternoon arrival at Chicago Union Station, where the tour concludes; optional post-night hotel stay in Chicago.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Amtrak's Empire Builder at Chicago's Union Station in early afternoon for the northwest departure following an old pioneer trail.
  • Day 2Arrive in East Glacier Park at the edge of Glacier National Park's 1.2 million acres after relaxing onboard with views from the Sightseer Lounge.
  • Day 3Drive over Marias Pass, spot wildlife at Goat Lick, travel the Going-to-the-Sun Road in vintage Red Jammer Buses, and visit Lake McDonald Lodge and St. Mary Valley.
  • Day 4Return eastbound aboard the Empire Builder, passing through the Northern Prairies and arriving at Chicago Union Station on the afternoon of Day 5.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 2 nights at Glacier Park Lodge
  • Round-trip transportation aboard Amtrak (2 nights on train)
  • Meals onboard train when including train sleeping accommodations

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes round-trip transportation aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder, plus two nights onboard with sleeping accommodations and meals.
Is this escorted or independent?
This is an independent vacation. You travel on your own following a planned itinerary; there is no tour manager.
What is included in the price?
The package includes two nights at Glacier Park Lodge, round-trip Amtrak travel with two nights onboard, and a full-day park sightseeing tour. Meals are included onboard the train with sleeping accommodations.
What happens on Day 3 at Glacier National Park?
You take a full-day sightseeing tour by coach and Red Jammer Buses, driving over Marias Pass, spotting wildlife at Goat Lick, traveling the Going-to-the-Sun Road, visiting the Izaak Walton Inn and Lake McDonald Lodge, and exploring St. Mary Valley. This itinerary is subject to seasonal road closures.
When does the Empire Builder run?
The operator publishes no specific departure dates in this information. Confirm current schedules and availability with Vacations By Rail before booking.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, cancellation and travel insurance, and meals not served onboard the train are not included.

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