Amtrak Vacations
Coast to Coast - Los Angeles to New York
10-day rail trip from Los Angeles to New York via Chicago
10 daysfrom $1,279
50% of days by rail
Amtrak Vacations
Grand Canyon Express
One-way Chicago to Los Angeles rail trip via the Grand Canyon
Amtrak Vacations operates the Grand Canyon Express as a one-way, 10-day, 9-night rail journey from Chicago to Los Angeles by way of the Grand Canyon. The trip opens with two nights in Chicago, including an included architecture river cruise along the Chicago River and a dinner at a local restaurant, before travelers board the Southwest Chief for an overnight ride to Williams, Arizona. From there, the Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers to the South Rim for two nights, with an included sightseeing tour and free time to visit the Hopi House and Visitor Center. The return leg is another overnight ride on the Southwest Chief into Los Angeles, where a multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour covers the Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, and other landmarks over two more nights. Because two of the nine nights are spent on the train rather than in a hotel, this suits travelers who want the cross-country rail experience itself as much as the stops along the way.
Price history
Across 5 checks, this price has risen US$20 since 4 Jul, to US$1,569.
Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.
What to know before you look closer
- Only 3 meals (1 breakfast, 2 dinners) are included across the 9 nights; other meals are on your own.
- The Chicago-to-Williams and Williams-to-Los Angeles legs are each an overnight journey on the Southwest Chief, so two of the nine nights are spent on the train rather than in a hotel.
- The information available to us lists several hotel options in each city (six in Chicago, two near the Grand Canyon, six in Los Angeles); the specific hotel you get will depend on availability.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Chicago
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! Make the most of your time in the 'Windy City' exploring all the top attractions in this friendly, vibrant city. Take a walk down Magnificent Mile.
- Day 2overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Continue exploring Chicago at your leisure today. Take your included architecture river cruise and learn about the fascinating history of the impressive buildings that line the river. Dinner this evening at a popular restaurant in Chicago is included.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Head to Chicago's Union Station and board the Southwest Chief for your overnight journey west to the Grand Canyon.
- Day 4railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Wake up to spectacular scenery and a relaxing day on the train. Arrive into Williams, AZ this evening and spend the night in this nature lover's paradise.
- Day 5railovernight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Enjoy breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant this morning before boarding the Grand Canyon Railway for your journey to the Canyon. Your included tour picks you up from the South Rim and takes you all around for sightseeing.
- Day 6overnight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Enjoy the day at your leisure today in the Grand Canyon. Take some time to visit local attractions such as the historic Hopi House and the sprawling Visitor's Center.
- Day 7railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, take the scenic Grand Canyon Railway train from South Rim back to Williams for your train journey to Los Angeles. Before departing, enjoy dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant.
- Day 8overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to Los Angeles! Get ready to tour the entire 'City of Angels' on your hop-on, hop-off tour today. See iconic landmarks, like the Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, the Walk of Fame, Paramount Studios, and many more.
- Day 9overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Enjoy the day at your leisure in sunny Los Angeles. Continue discovering the sights you haven't yet seen with your hop-on, hop-off tour.
- Day 10
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2An included architecture river cruise in Chicago covers the history of the buildings lining the river, followed by an included dinner.
- Day 5After breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, the Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers into Grand Canyon National Park, where an included tour covers the South Rim.
- Day 6A free day at the Grand Canyon allows time to visit the Hopi House and the Visitor Center.
- Day 8A hop-on, hop-off tour of Los Angeles covers landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, the Walk of Fame, and Paramount Studios.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Williams; Williams to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief®
- Roundtrip in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway Train
- 7 nights' hotel accommodations
- 3 meals included (1 breakfast, 2 dinners)
Questions travellers ask
- How much does it cost?
- From $1,569 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,569 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel on the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Williams to Los Angeles, plus a roundtrip on the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Which trains are used?
- The Southwest Chief and the Grand Canyon Railway.
- What is included?
- 7 nights of hotel accommodations, the rail travel described above, an architecture river cruise in Chicago, a Grand Canyon sightseeing tour, a movie stars' homes tour and multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour in Los Angeles, and 3 meals (1 breakfast, 2 dinners).
