Amtrak Vacations
Grand Rail Experience with Glacier National Park
Independent Amtrak roundtrip with a 3-night Glacier National Park stop
17 daysfrom $4,079
53% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Rail vacation package
Grand National Parks with Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park Roundtrip Los Angeles
17-day Amtrak roundtrip from Los Angeles to three national parks
Amtrak Vacations operates this 17-day rail vacation package roundtrip from Los Angeles to three national parks, with 11 nights in hotels and 5 nights spent onboard the train. After a first night in Los Angeles, Day 2 boards the Coast Starlight up the California coastline to San Francisco, the base for a Yosemite National Park sightseeing day and a hop-on-hop-off city tour. The Empire Builder then carries travelers north through Seattle to Glacier National Park for three nights, including the Big Sky Circle Tour along Going-to-the-Sun Road and a Two Medicine Valley boat cruise, before the route continues east to Chicago for a Skydeck visit. The return leg heads to Williams, Arizona, where the historic Grand Canyon Railway climbs to the South Rim, and finally back to Los Angeles's Union Station. Hotels are drawn from a list of 26 options across tiers and cities rather than one fixed property per stop. With four named long-distance trains, the trip suits travelers who want the classic cross-country rail experience paired with pre-arranged park touring.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotels are chosen from 26 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than fixed properties; the actual hotel depends on the tier and city selected.
- Only 8 meals are included across the 17-day trip (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners); most meals are not included.
- No current departure dates are listed in the evidence; confirm timing directly with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Los Angeles
Your Journey Begins in Los Angeles
Arrive in Los Angeles today, check in to your hotel and get a good rest before your Grand Rail Vacation begins!
- Day 2overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Board Amtrak in Los Angeles's Union Station and ride up the spectacular California coastline on the Coast Starlight.
- Day 3overnight: San Francisco
Yosemite National Park
Head off to experience the wonders of Yosemite National Park, from bold rocky peaks such as El Capitan to sprawling piney forests. This evening you return to San Francisco.
- Day 4overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Use your included hop-on, hop-off tour pass to enjoy a narrated tour of San Francisco featuring Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, Union Square and more.
- Day 5railovernight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
As your train heads to Seattle, experience the relaxing scenery of the Pacific Northwest. You will arrive to Seattle in the evening and check in to your hotel.
- Day 6overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Free morning to explore Seattle; admission to the Space Needle Observation Deck is included. This afternoon, you depart on the Empire Builder heading to Glacier National Park.
- Day 7railovernight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park
Your train arrives in Glacier National Park this morning. Your hotel is right across from the depot. Take some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.
- Day 8overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park
Your Big Sky Circle Tour picks you up from the hotel and carries you through the park along Going-to-the-Sun Road, past Logan Pass and Goat Lick, with narration on the park's history, geology and native tribes.
- Day 9overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park
Transported to Two Medicine Valley for a sightseeing boat cruise, taking in the natural beauty of the valley, the lake, and its wildlife.
- Day 10railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
After breakfast this morning, you'll board the train heading to Chicago, taking in soaring snow-capped peaks, rolling foothills, and wide-open plains.
- Day 11railovernight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Enjoy a relaxing day on the train taking in America's beautiful landscapes before a late afternoon arrival into Chicago.
- Day 12railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Use your included admission to the Skydeck Chicago for amazing views of the city and Great Lakes! Later this afternoon, head over to Union Station in Chicago to board the Empire Builder train heading West.
- Day 13overnight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Enjoy the beautiful western scenery as you head towards the Grand Canyon. This evening you will arrive in Williams, AZ, a quaint Route 66 community.
- Day 14railovernight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park
After an included breakfast at the Grand Depot Café, board the historic Grand Canyon Railway for the trip up to the Grand Canyon. Your tour picks you up from the depot and takes you all around the South Rim.
- Day 15railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
The morning and early afternoon are yours to continue exploring the Grand Canyon. This afternoon, the Grand Canyon Railway brings you back to Williams. Enjoy an included dinner as you prepare to board Amtrak once more for your journey to the West Coast.
- Day 16railovernight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Arrive in Los Angeles this morning as your train pulls into the iconic Union Station. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the City of Angels.
- Day 17
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2Board Amtrak at Los Angeles Union Station and ride the Coast Starlight up the California coastline to San Francisco.
- Day 8Big Sky Circle Tour through Glacier National Park along Going-to-the-Sun Road, past Logan Pass and Goat Lick.
- Day 12Skydeck Chicago admission for views of the city and the Great Lakes, before boarding the train west toward Williams and the Grand Canyon.
- Day 14Board the historic Grand Canyon Railway up to the South Rim, with a tour around it from the depot.
- Day 16Arrival by train into Los Angeles's famous Union Station.
Included
- Sightseeing tour of Yosemite National Park
- Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of San Francisco
- Admission to the Space Needle Observation Deck
- Big Sky Circle Tour of Glacier National Park
- Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruise of Glacier National Park
- Admission to the Skydeck Chicago
- Roundtrip service in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway
- Motorcoach Freedom Tour of the Grand Canyon's South Rim
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Los Angeles/San Francisco to Seattle; Seattle to Glacier National Park; Glacier National Park to Chicago; Chicago to Williams; Williams to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder and Southwest Chief
- 11 nights' hotel accommodations
- 5 nights onboard Amtrak
- 8 meals included (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Long-distance Amtrak routes are included in Coach accommodations: the Coast Starlight (Los Angeles to San Francisco to Seattle), the Empire Builder (Seattle to Glacier National Park to Chicago), the Southwest Chief (Chicago to Williams to Los Angeles), and the Grand Canyon Railway (Williams to the South Rim).
- How many nights are spent onboard the train versus in hotels?
- 5 nights are spent onboard Amtrak and 11 nights in hotels, across the trip's 16 total nights.
- What is included?
- One-way Coach-class Amtrak travel on all named routes, the Grand Canyon Railway, a motorcoach Freedom Tour of the Grand Canyon's South Rim, a Yosemite National Park sightseeing tour, a hop-on-hop-off San Francisco tour, Space Needle admission, the Big Sky Circle Tour and Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruise in Glacier National Park, Skydeck Chicago admission, 11 nights of hotels, and 8 meals (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners).
- What hotels are used?
- The package draws from 26 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than one fixed property per stop; sample options include the Regent Santa Monica and Kimpton Everly Hotel in Los Angeles, and the Kimpton Alton Hotel in San Francisco.
- How much walking or activity is involved?
- Sightseeing is mostly by included motorcoach and boat tour, a Yosemite tour, the Big Sky Circle Tour, the Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruise and the Grand Canyon Freedom Tour, rather than hiking, though free time allows for more active exploring at each park.
