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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Grand Canyon Discovery

Independent Southwest rail vacation from Chicago to the Grand Canyon

Illustration of Grand Canyon Discovery

Railbookers runs this ten-day, nine-night independent rail vacation from Chicago to the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff. The first two nights are in Chicago, with a multi-day hop-on, hop-off pass covering 13 miles of sights including the Art Institute, the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park. On day 3, travelers board an overnight Amtrak Southwest Chief train through curving canyon passages to Santa Fe, where day 4 is a free day and day 5 brings a guided walking tour in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Day 6 continues by train to Williams, Arizona, before day 7's Grand Canyon Railway ride and a motorcoach tour of the South Rim. After a free morning at the Canyon, day 8 heads to Flagstaff, and day 9 is a day trip to Sedona with an included jeep tour of the Red Rocks. With one overnight train in Coach accommodations and free time built into several days, the trip suits independent travelers who want a train-led look at the American Southwest.

What to know before you look closer

  • The overnight Amtrak segment is Coach accommodations, a seat rather than a private sleeper cabin.
  • Only two meals (one breakfast, one dinner) are included across the 10-day trip; other meals are on your own.
  • The listed hotels are a set of 21 accommodation options across price tiers and cities; the specific hotel depends on the tier and city choice, not a single fixed stay.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    Multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing pass covering 13 miles, including the Art Institute, the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Millennium Park.

  2. Day 2overnight: Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    Enjoy the second day of your hop-on, hop-off city tour of Chicago.

  3. Day 3overnight: Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Board the Southwest Chief® to Santa Fe through curving canyon passages.

  4. Day 4overnight: Santa Fe

    Santa Fe, NM

    Free day exploring Santa Fe's art, culture and cuisine.

  5. Day 5overnight: Santa Fe

    Santa Fe, NM

    Guided walking tour of Santa Fe, nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Williams

    Santa Fe to Williams

    Board the train to Williams Junction, then transfer to Williams, AZ.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Grand Canyon

    Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

    Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, then board the Grand Canyon Railway. Motorcoach tour of the South Rim.

    Meals: B

  8. Day 8overnight: Flagstaff

    Grand Canyon to Flagstaff

    Free time at the Canyon in the morning, then depart for Flagstaff.

  9. Day 9overnight: Flagstaff

    Day Trip to Sedona

    Explore the Red Rocks of Sedona with an included Canyons & Cowboys jeep tour.

  10. Day 10

    Your Journey Ends in Flagstaff

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1A multi-day hop-on, hop-off pass covers 13 miles of Chicago sightseeing, including the Art Institute, the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park.
  • Day 3An overnight Amtrak Southwest Chief journey to Santa Fe passes through curving canyon passages.
  • Day 5A guided walking tour of Santa Fe covers the city in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
  • Day 7Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant is followed by the Grand Canyon Railway and a motorcoach tour of the South Rim.
  • Day 9A Canyons and Cowboys jeep tour explores the Red Rocks of Sedona.

Included

  • One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Santa Fe; Santa Fe to Williams Junction in Coach accommodations on the Southwest Chief®
  • 8 nights' hotel accommodations; 1 night on board Amtrak
  • 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
  • One-way shuttle transfer from Maswik Lodge in the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff hotel
  • Roundtrip transfer from Flagstaff to Sedona

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel is included from Chicago to Santa Fe and Santa Fe to Williams Junction on the Southwest Chief, plus roundtrip Coach service on the Grand Canyon Railway.
Is the overnight train a private sleeper cabin?
No, the included Amtrak fare is Coach accommodations, a seat rather than a private cabin.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation, with free days such as day 4 in Santa Fe and a free morning at the Grand Canyon on day 8, alongside guided tours in Santa Fe and Sedona.
Which hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 21 accommodation options across the trip's stops and price tiers, including hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria Chicago and La Posada de Santa Fe; the exact hotel depends on the tier and city option chosen.
What is included besides the trains and hotels?
A multi-day hop-on hop-off Chicago sightseeing pass, a Santa Fe walking tour, a motorcoach tour of the Grand Canyon's South Rim, a shuttle transfer from the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff, and a roundtrip Sedona jeep tour.
How many meals are included?
Two meals, one breakfast and one dinner, are included across the 10-day trip; other meals are on your own.

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