Amtrak Vacations
Coast to Coast Across the USA
16-day USA rail crossing from New York City to San Francisco
16 daysfrom $3,039
56% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Grand National Parks with Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon Roundtrip San Francisco
Independent Amtrak roundtrip from San Francisco to Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 16-day rail vacation that starts and ends in San Francisco, travelling to Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, Chicago, Salt Lake City and Yellowstone National Park before the return west. There is no tour manager: the itinerary repeatedly leaves free time, noting on arrival days that "the evening is yours" or "this morning is yours" to explore at your own pace. Four nights are spent onboard Amtrak in Coach seating, including overnight rides on the Southwest Chief between Los Angeles and Williams, Arizona, and on the California Zephyr between Chicago and Salt Lake City. On day 5, the Grand Canyon Railway carries travellers from Williams into the park through ponderosa pine forest. Included park visits cover Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, each with a sightseeing tour. It suits independent travellers who want a long rail itinerary through several major national parks, setting their own pace rather than following a group leader.
What to know before you look closer
- This is an independent rail vacation, not an escorted tour: there is no tour manager, and many days are left free ("the evening is yours").
- The evidence lists 35 accommodation options across the cities and price tiers on this trip, so which hotel you get in each city depends on what is booked.
- All the Amtrak travel, including the four overnight legs, is in Coach class rather than a sleeper cabin.
- Only one meal, a single breakfast, is included across the full 16-day, 15-night trip.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: San Francisco
Your Journey Begins in San Francisco
Once you arrive in San Francisco, check into your hotel to relax or head out to enjoy dinner or some sights in the city. The evening is yours!
- Day 2overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
Today's day trip to Yosemite National Park is one of the highlights of your journey. On your tour experience all the park is famous for - rocky peaks such as El Capitan, abundant pine forest, a variety of wildlife, and so much more!
- Day 3overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
This morning you begin a truly scenic journey down to the California coast. Savour the beautiful rolling hills and amazing ocean views as you travel south.
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Before your train departs in the evening, take some time to explore Los Angeles on your included tour. You'll learn all about Hollywood with a visit to some of the homes of the stars.
- Day 5railovernight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park
Arrive in Williams, Arizona this morning then board the Grand Canyon Railway. This classic train ride runs through the largest expanse of ponderosa pine forest views of some charming southwest scenery.
- Day 6railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
This morning is yours to continue exploring the Grand Canyon. Relax by the Canyon and just enjoy the atmosphere. In the afternoon, you will return to Williams on the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Day 7railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today you depart from Williams in the morning. Enjoy the desert sunrise as your train winds its way east.
- Day 8overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Welcome to the Windy City! Enjoy all the sights and attractions at your leisure during your time in Chicago, including Skydeck Chicago, Navy Pier, Millennium Park and more.
- Day 9overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Enjoy the morning exploring Chicago before heading to historic Union Station and boarding the California Zephyr for a glorious ride to Salt Lake City.
- Day 10overnight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
This journey from Chicago takes you across the waving fields of grain that make up the Great Plains and through the soaring peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
- Day 11overnight: West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone, MT
Awake this morning and continue on to Yellowstone. Your cross-country journey takes in some amazing mountain scenery along the way.
- Day 12overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Today you will experience the majesty of Yellowstone, the world's first national park. It is full of alpine lakes, flowing rivers, jagged peaks, expansive forests, hot springs and geysers. Keep your eyes open for the abundant wildlife that inhabit Yellowstone such as elk, bears, pronghorn, and even wolves!
- Day 13railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
You are transported back to Salt Lake City today to board your train heading to the West Coast and Yosemite National Park.
- Day 14overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
This evening you will arrive in San Francisco. Check into your hotel to relax or head out to enjoy dinner or some sights. The evening is yours.
- Day 16
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
View The Full Map
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A day trip from San Francisco visits Yosemite National Park, taking in granite peaks such as El Capitan and the park's pine forest.
- Day 5The Grand Canyon Railway carries travellers from Williams through ponderosa pine forest to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
- Day 9Travellers board the California Zephyr at Chicago's historic Union Station for the ride to Salt Lake City.
- Day 12A full day in Yellowstone National Park takes in alpine lakes, rivers, hot springs and geysers, with a chance to see elk, bears, pronghorn and wolves.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations San Francisco to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to Williams; Williams to Chicago; Chicago to Salt Lake City and Salt Lake City to San Francisco on the California Zephyr®, Southwest Chief® and Coast Starlight®
- 10 nights’ hotel accommodations
- 4 nights’ onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal included (1 breakfast)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Amtrak Vacations includes Coach-class travel on the Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief, California Zephyr and Grand Canyon Railway between San Francisco, Los Angeles, Williams, the Grand Canyon, Chicago and Salt Lake City.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's an independent rail vacation. The itinerary gives free time in each city, such as "the evening is yours," rather than following a guided group schedule.
- Which trains are used?
- The Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief, California Zephyr and Grand Canyon Railway, all in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- The package lists 35 accommodation options across the cities and price tiers, including hotels such as the Fairmont San Francisco, InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco and Regent Santa Monica; the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
- How many nights are spent onboard the train?
- 4 nights, on the overnight Amtrak legs after Los Angeles, after Williams, after Chicago and after Salt Lake City.
- What is included besides rail and hotels?
- 10 hotel nights, 4 nights onboard Amtrak, 1 breakfast, and sightseeing tours of Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.
