Amtrak Vacations
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Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Grand Rail Experience Roundtrip from Washington, D.C.
Independent Amtrak roundtrip from Washington, D.C. around the US
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 14-day rail vacation that starts and ends in Washington, D.C., connecting Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles and New Orleans by train. There is no tour manager: the itinerary repeatedly has travellers travel on their own to the Amtrak station between legs. Seven of the thirteen nights are spent onboard Amtrak in Coach seating across five long-distance trains. On day 1, the Capitol Limited crosses Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana on the way to Chicago. On day 7, the Coast Starlight takes in the Pacific Ocean on the way south to Los Angeles, where a hop-on, hop-off tour visits Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Venice Beach Boardwalk. On day 13, the Crescent rides the rails through Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia back to the capital. It suits independent, experienced rail travellers who want the full cross-country Amtrak experience starting and ending on the East Coast.
What to know before you look closer
- This is an independent rail vacation, not an escorted tour: travellers repeatedly "travel on their own" to the Amtrak station between legs, and there is no tour manager.
- No meals are included on this itinerary; the included list covers only the rail travel and the hotel nights.
- The evidence lists 30 accommodation options across the cities and tiers on this trip, from the Holiday Inn to the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., so the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
- All the Amtrak travel, including the seven overnight legs across five different trains, is in Coach class rather than a sleeper cabin.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Washington, D.C.
Board Amtrak's Capitol Limited train for your journey west to Chicago. You'll traverse through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana en route to Union Station in Chicago.
- Day 2overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
After getting settled in, why not use your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour to experience the best that Chicago has to offer? Then, you may want to explore on your own and discover a great place to indulge in some traditional deep-dish pizza.
- Day 3railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Travel on your own to Union Station in Chicago to board the Empire Builder train to the west coast. Along the way to Seattle, you'll pass through the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and Washington.
- Day 5overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Today you will arrive in the Emerald City, Seattle. Check into your hotel and get ready for a fun couple of days exploring. There is plenty to do and see in this beautiful city.
- Day 6overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Make use of your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour to visit all of Seattle's top landmarks and attractions. Some highlights will include Chinatown, Pike Place Market, the Waterfront, and much, much more.
- Day 7overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Travel on your own to King Street Station and board the Coast Starlight for your trip down to Los Angeles. Along the way, take in the Pacific Ocean, stunning landscapes, and the onboard experiences that so many travelers have come to love.
- Day 8overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to the City of Angels! After checking into your hotel, settle in for the evening or step out to enjoy the city lights.
- Day 9overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Use your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour to get to know this world-famous city! Highlights of today's tour include Beverly Hills, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip, Santa Monica, Olvera Street, Chinatown, Venice Beach Boardwalk, and plenty more! Later, travel on your own to Union Station and board the Sunset Limited to New Orleans.
- Day 10overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
You'll spend the entire morning, afternoon, and night onboard the Sunset Limited, taking in the sights and experiences of this iconic route.
- Day 11railovernight: New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
After passing through Texas and Louisiana, the train will arrive in New Orleans. Check into your hotel and get some rest. Tomorrow, you will get to explore the Big Easy.
- Day 12overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Experience New Orleans on a guided sightseeing city tour. Your tour will take you all around the City that Care Forgot to see the French Quarter, historic Jackson Square, the cemeteries known as the "Cities of the Dead", and many other incredible stops.
- Day 13railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Check out of your hotel and travel to the Amtrak station to board your final train back to Washington, D.C., where your roundtrip journey ends. The Crescent rides the rails through Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia.
- Day 14
Your Journey Ends in Washington, D.C.
View The Full Map
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Capitol Limited crosses Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana on the way from Washington, D.C. to Chicago.
- Day 3The Empire Builder heads west from Chicago through Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana to Washington state.
- Day 7The Coast Starlight takes in the Pacific Ocean on the way south to Los Angeles.
- Day 9A hop-on, hop-off tour of Los Angeles visits Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and Venice Beach Boardwalk, before boarding the Sunset Limited that evening.
- Day 13The Crescent rides the rails through Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia on the way back to Washington, D.C.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Washington, D.C. to Chicago; Chicago to Seattle; Seattle to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to New Orleans; New Orleans to Washington, D.C. onboard the Empire Builder®, Coast Starlight®, Sunset Limited®, Crescent®, and Capitol Limited®
- 6 nights' hotel accommodations; 7 nights' onboard Amtrak
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Amtrak Vacations includes roundtrip Coach-class travel on the Capitol Limited, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, Sunset Limited and Crescent, starting and ending in Washington, D.C.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's an independent rail vacation. Travellers travel on their own to the Amtrak station between legs, and there is no tour manager.
- Which trains are used?
- The Capitol Limited (Washington, D.C. to Chicago), Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle), Coast Starlight (Seattle to Los Angeles), Sunset Limited (Los Angeles to New Orleans) and Crescent (New Orleans to Washington, D.C.).
- What hotels are used?
- 30 accommodation options across the cities and tiers, for example the Kimpton Hotel Monaco or Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., and the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago; the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
- How many nights are spent onboard the train?
- 7 nights onboard Amtrak, against 6 nights in hotels, across the round trip.
- What is included besides rail and hotels?
- Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours in Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles, plus a guided sightseeing tour of New Orleans.
