Amtrak Vacations
Highlights of America - Coast to Coast
Independent cross-country rail trip, Washington DC to Los Angeles
11 daysfrom $1,649
45% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Grand Canyon to Yosemite Roundtrip from Chicago
Roundtrip rail trip from Chicago to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite
Amtrak Vacations operates this 11-day, 10-night rail journey as a roundtrip from Chicago to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite. The outbound leg is an overnight ride on the Southwest Chief to Williams, Arizona, followed by the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim for two nights, including the Grand Canyon Freedom Rim tour. From there, travelers board the Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight overnight to San Francisco for three nights, with a hop-on, hop-off city tour, a bay cruise, and a day tour of Yosemite National Park covering El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Yosemite Village. The return trip is two more nights onboard the California Zephyr back to Chicago. In total, 4 of the 10 nights are spent on the train rather than in a hotel. Because the trip mixes guided sightseeing with unguided time, such as a free day in San Francisco, it suits travelers who want a long rail itinerary covering two major national parks in one trip.
What to know before you look closer
- Only 2 meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner) are included across the 10 nights; other meals are on your own.
- 4 of the 10 nights are spent onboard Amtrak trains rather than in a hotel: the outbound overnight to Williams, the overnight to San Francisco, and two more nights on the California Zephyr on the way back to Chicago.
- The itinerary boards the train in Chicago on day 1 with no Chicago hotel night included; the accommodation list names several hotel options in San Francisco (six properties, each for 3 nights), and which one you get will depend on the tier you select.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Depart Chicago's Union Station onboard the Southwest Chief today for an overnight journey to Williams, Arizona.
- Day 2overnight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Welcome to the quaint mountain town of Williams, Arizona, famous for being the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon" and its location along historic Route 66.
- Day 3railovernight: Grand Canyon
Williams to Grand Canyon
After breakfast at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, board the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Take advantage of your included Freedom Rim tour and ponder the Grand Canyon's beauty and mystery.
- Day 5railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Ride the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams, enjoy an included dinner at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, then board Amtrak's Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight trains to San Francisco.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 6overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Welcome to San Francisco! Check out Top of the Mark, stop to see the switchbacks of Lombard Street, or relax in Mission Dolores Park.
- Day 7overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco
Use your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour and bay cruise to visit Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown, North Beach, and the ruins of Sutro Baths at Lands End.
- Day 8overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Yosemite
During your day tour of Yosemite from San Francisco, see El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Inspiration Point, Half Dome, and Yosemite Village. Arrive back in San Francisco for sunset in Fisherman's Wharf.
- Day 9overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the California Zephyr for your scenic, long-haul journey back to Chicago.
- Day 10overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Continue riding the rails en route back to Chicago and take in views of gorgeous grasslands, snow-capped peaks, and vast plains.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3After breakfast at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, the Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
- Day 5Travelers ride the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams, have dinner at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, then board the Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight overnight to San Francisco.
- Day 8A day tour from San Francisco covers El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Inspiration Point, Half Dome, and Yosemite Village in Yosemite National Park.
- Day 9Travelers board the California Zephyr in San Francisco for the long overnight journey back toward Chicago.
Included
- Roundtrip service in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway
- Sightseeing tour of the Grand Canyon
- Sightseeing tour of Yosemite National Park
- Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of San Francisco (stops include Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park, and more)
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Williams; Williams to San Francisco on the Southwest Chief®, Coast Starlight®, and California Zephyr®
- 6 nights' hotel accommodations; 4 nights onboard Amtrak®
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes. Roundtrip Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Williams, and Williams to San Francisco, on the Southwest Chief, the Coast Starlight, and the California Zephyr, plus roundtrip service on the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Which trains are used?
- The Southwest Chief, the Coast Starlight, the California Zephyr, and the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Is it guided or independent?
- It combines guided elements, the Grand Canyon Freedom Rim tour, a hop-on, hop-off tour and bay cruise in San Francisco, and a day tour of Yosemite, with unguided free time such as day 6 in San Francisco.
- What is included?
- 6 nights of hotel accommodations, 4 nights onboard Amtrak, the rail travel described above, sightseeing tours of the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, a hop-on, hop-off tour of San Francisco, and 2 meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner).
- How much does this trip cost?
- From $1,939 per person.
