Search

No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. Live alternatives are under Similar journeys below.

Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Grand Canyon Winter Experience by Rail

Chicago to Grand Canyon by Amtrak and historic railway, winter escape

Illustration of Grand Canyon Winter Experience by Rail

Vacations By Rail's Grand Canyon Winter Experience is a 6-day self-guided rail journey from Chicago to one of the world's Seven Natural Wonders. The adventure begins with an overnight ride on Amtrak's Southwest Chief, crossing snow-covered plains and river valleys of the American heartland before arriving in Arizona. From Flagstaff, a shuttle takes you to Williams, a former railway town on Route 66, where you spend two nights at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. On day 3, you board the 120-year-old Grand Canyon Railway through ponderosa pines and desert to the South Rim, then enjoy the narrated Freedom Tour motorcoach excursion to overlooks like Mohave Point and Hermits Rest. You stay two nights at the Maswik Lodge, a historic 1927 motor lodge built by the Grand Canyon Lodges company. Day 4 offers complete freedom to explore the rim's historical buildings, museums, and visitor center on your own. The winter season means fewer crowds and frosted scenery that feels magical. This trip suits first-time rail travellers, couples celebrating milestones, and independent explorers who want structure with plenty of free time.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of 1,295 USD per person is for Coach seating on both trains; upgrades to Roomette, Bedroom, First Class, Observation Dome, Luxury Dome or Parlor Class are available at extra cost.
  • Only one breakfast and one dinner are included; other meals are your responsibility.
  • Flights to and from Chicago are not included; the package accommodates flights departing Flagstaff after 1:45 p.m. on day 6.
  • Return rail travel to Chicago can be added on request but is not part of the base package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Train (Amtrak's Southwest Chief)

    Boarding the Southwest Chief in Chicago

    Arrive at Chicago's historic Union Station and board Amtrak's Southwest Chief for the overnight journey to Flagstaff, Arizona, in Coach accommodations (upgrades to Roomette or Bedroom available).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Williams

    Across the Southwest to Arizona

    The Southwest Chief crosses the snow-covered plains of Kansas, the Purgatoire and Arkansas River Valleys of Colorado, and into New Mexico before arriving in Flagstaff, Arizona this evening; a shuttle transfers to Williams, AZ, checking into the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Grand Canyon Village

    The Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim

    Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, then board the Grand Canyon Railway (Coach standard; upgrades to First Class, Observation Dome, Luxury Dome or Parlor Class) to the South Rim, followed by the Freedom Tour, a narrated motorcoach excursion to scenic overlooks including Mohave Point, Pima Point, the Abyss and Hermits Rest, then check into the Maswik Lodge for two nights.

  4. Day 4overnight: Grand Canyon Village

    A free day at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World

    A full free day to explore the Grand Canyon at your own pace, including historical buildings such as Buckey O'Neill's Cabin, Bright Angel Lodge, Lookout Studio, Hopi House, the Geology Museum and the Visitor Center; free shuttles connect the South Rim's popular sites.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Williams

    Traveling back to historic Williams

    A free morning to continue exploring the Grand Canyon before reboarding the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams, checking back into the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel with dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

  6. Day 6rail

    Tour conclusion

    Free time to continue exploring Williams before an included transfer to Flagstaff's airport (accommodates flights departing after 1:45 p.m.); a return journey to Chicago by rail can be added on request.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart Chicago's historic Union Station and board Amtrak's Southwest Chief for an overnight journey across America.
  • Day 2Watch the Southwest Chief cross snow-covered plains of Kansas, Colorado river valleys, and New Mexico before arriving in Flagstaff.
  • Day 3Board the Grand Canyon Railway through ponderosa pines and desert to the South Rim, then take the Freedom Tour motorcoach to scenic overlooks including Mohave Point and Hermits Rest.
  • Day 4A full free day at the Grand Canyon to visit historical buildings including Buckey O'Neill's Cabin, Bright Angel Lodge, and the Geology Museum; free shuttles connect all sites.
  • Day 5Reboard the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams, returning to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel with dinner included.

Included

  • 4 nights' hotel accommodation
  • 1 night in Coach aboard Amtrak's Southwest Chief
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes one night in Coach aboard Amtrak's Southwest Chief from Chicago to Flagstaff and standard-class travel on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim. Upgrades to higher classes are available for an additional fee.
Is this an escorted tour or self-guided?
Vacations By Rail describes it as self-guided. You follow a well-planned itinerary on your own. The Freedom Tour motorcoach excursion at the Grand Canyon is narrated, and day 4 is entirely free to explore at your own pace.
What hotels are included?
The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams (2 nights) and the Maswik Lodge, built in 1927, at Grand Canyon Village (2 nights).
When does this trip run?
Vacations By Rail markets it as a winter experience. Specific departure dates are not listed in the available information; contact the operator for the current schedule.
What is included in the price?
Four nights' hotel accommodation, one night in Coach on Amtrak's Southwest Chief, standard-class rail travel, all rail and coach travel throughout the tour, one breakfast and one dinner, and all guided tours and excursions including the Freedom Tour.
How much walking is involved?
Days at the Grand Canyon include walking to historical buildings and visitor centers. Free shuttles connect the South Rim's popular sites. The motorcoach excursion to scenic overlooks involves getting on and off the coach, but no backcountry hiking is mentioned.

Similar journeys