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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Grand Rail Experience

14-day cross-country Amtrak rail circle from Chicago

Illustration of Grand Rail Experience

Railbookers operates the Grand Rail Experience, a 14-day, 13-night independent rail trip that circles the United States by Amtrak, starting and ending in Chicago. The route uses five named long-distance trains, the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, Sunset Limited, Crescent, and Capitol Limited, in Coach class, with stops in Seattle, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Washington, DC. Seven of the thirteen nights are spent onboard the train, so days alternate between one- or two-night hotel stays and long stretches of scenery from the window, including the Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park, the Pacific Coast, and the southern deserts on the way to New Orleans. A guided city tour is included in New Orleans; the rest of the sightseeing, including hop-on hop-off tours in Seattle and Los Angeles, is at each traveler's own pace. The trip suits independent travelers who want to see a wide cross-section of the country by rail. Prices start from $2,069 per person.

What to know before you look closer

  • The included Amtrak fare is Coach class. The itinerary's overnight legs, such as Chicago to Seattle and Los Angeles to New Orleans, are spent in coach seating rather than a private sleeper roomette unless you upgrade.
  • 30 accommodation options span a wide range, from the Hampton Inn to the Waldorf Astoria and Sofitel, so the actual hotel standard depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • The included items are limited to rail travel and hotel nights; no meals are listed among the inclusions beyond that.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak

    Your Journey Begins in Chicago

    Begin your journey in Chicago. Head to the Amtrak station and board the Empire Builder® to Seattle. Sit back and relax as you head west to begin your around-the-country adventure.

  2. Day 2overnight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Wake up and enjoy the amazing views that slip by your window as you continue to make your way west, through the great northern plains, the Rocky Mountains, and passing by Glacier National Park.

  3. Day 3overnight: Seattle

    Seattle, WA

    Today you will arrive in the shining city, Seattle. Check-in to your hotel and prepare for a fun couple of days in "the Emerald City". Perhaps stroll down to Pike's Place Market, or enjoy the Seattle Waterfront.

  4. Day 4overnight: Seattle

    Seattle, WA

    Today you will get to explore Seattle with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour! Travel around to Seattle's top attractions such as the iconic Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, Pioneer Square, and Pike's Place Market.

  5. Day 5overnight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Check-out of your hotel and travel on your own to the Amtrak station to board the famous Coast Starlight. As you head south to Los Angeles you will travel past the Cascade Range, lush forests, and fertile valleys.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, CA

    As the train makes its way south, enjoy the panoramic views of the Pacific Coast. Tonight, arrive in Los Angeles and check-in to your hotel, tomorrow you will get to explore the "City of Angels".

  7. Day 7overnight: Onboard Amtrak

    Los Angeles, CA

    Today you will get to enjoy the best of what Los Angeles has to offer. Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, Universal Studios, and the Hollywood Sign. Tonight, board the Sunset Limited and head east to New Orleans.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Your trip continues as the Sunset Limited makes its way through the southern parts of the country. Glide through the sprawling deserts, past mountains, and cacti as the train heads towards New Orleans.

  9. Day 9railovernight: New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    After passing through Texas and Louisiana, the train will arrive in New Orleans. Check-in to your hotel and head to sleep, tomorrow you will get to explore "the Big Easy."

  10. Day 10overnight: New Orleans

    New Orleans, LA

    Today you will get to experience New Orleans on a guided sightseeing tour, taking in the French Quarter, historic Jackson Square, the cemeteries known as the "Cities of the Dead", and the bayous.

  11. Day 11overnight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    This morning check out of your hotel and head over to the Amtrak station to board the Crescent for your trip up to Washington, DC.

  12. Day 12overnight: Washington, DC

    Washington, DC

    Welcome to Washington, DC! Upon arrival check-in to your hotel and begin exploring Washington. Stroll through the Smithsonian museums, the Capitol Building, and the White House. Tonight enjoy the Monuments by Moonlight tour.

  13. Day 13overnight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Today you will check out of your hotel and board the Capitol Limited to head back to Chicago.

  14. Day 14

    Your Journey Ends in Chicago

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A full day aboard the Empire Builder through the northern plains, the Rocky Mountains, and past Glacier National Park.
  • Day 6Panoramic Pacific Coast views from the train as the Coast Starlight nears Los Angeles.
  • Day 8The Sunset Limited crossing sprawling deserts and past mountains and cacti on the way to New Orleans.
  • Day 10A guided sightseeing tour of New Orleans' French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the above-ground cemeteries known as the Cities of the Dead.
  • Day 12The Monuments by Moonlight tour in Washington, DC.

Included

  • Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Seattle; Seattle to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to New Orleans; New Orleans to Washington, DC; and Washington DC to Chicago onboard the Empire Builder®, Coast Starlight®, Sunset Limited®, Crescent®, and Capitol Limited®
  • 6 nights' hotel accommodations
  • 7 nights' onboard Amtrak

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel across all five legs is included, aboard the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, Sunset Limited, Crescent, and Capitol Limited.
Is it escorted or independent?
Independent overall; a guided sightseeing tour of New Orleans is included on day 10.
Which cities does it visit?
Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Washington, DC, ending back in Chicago.
How many nights are spent on the train versus in hotels?
7 nights onboard Amtrak and 6 nights in hotels, across 14 days.
What class is the rail travel?
Coach class.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $2,069 per person (USD).

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