Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Rail Journey Roundtrip from Chicago

Chicago roundtrip rail and rental-car trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone

Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Rail Journey Roundtrip from Chicago, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this 8-day independent rail vacation as a roundtrip from Chicago to two of the West's best-known national parks. The outbound and return legs are aboard the California Zephyr in Coach class, an overnight train that crosses Colorado and Utah on the way to Salt Lake City. From there, travelers pick up a rental car for the drive to Jackson Hole, the base for a guided wildlife tour of Grand Teton National Park, before continuing to Yellowstone National Park for a guided sightseeing tour that takes in geothermal features such as Old Faithful. The pace mixes overnight train travel with free evenings in Jackson Hole and two nights inside Yellowstone, so it suits travelers who want an independent itinerary with some structure built in for the parks. Amtrak Vacations offers a choice of hotels across Chicago and Salt Lake City rather than a single fixed property.

What to know before you look closer

  • Amtrak Vacations lists 17 hotel options across Chicago and Salt Lake City; the specific hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • The Yellowstone sightseeing tour varies by season: the Lower Loop Tour runs most of the year, with the Old Faithful Explorer Tour substituted during winter months.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak

    Depart Chicago

    Depart from Chicago's Union Station for a journey west to the national parks.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Salt Lake City

    Salt Lake City, UT

    The train journey today will take you through spectacular scenery. As the train makes its way through Colorado to Utah, you will be treated to an amazing array of mountain landscapes. This evening, you arrive to Salt Lake City and rest up for the night.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jackson Hole

    Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park

    Today you will take your rental car and drive up to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. From there, you will be exploring the beauty of Grand Teton National Park. Upon arrival check into your hotel and have the evening free to relax and explore this charming town.

  4. Day 4overnight: Yellowstone National Park

    Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park

    This morning, you are picked up and taken for a wildlife exploration of Grand Teton National Park. Your guide will be taking you to some of the best spots for spotting the area's abundant wildlife, including bison and elk. This afternoon, take the short drive to Yellowstone and check in to your hotel located in the heart of this national park.

  5. Day 5overnight: Yellowstone National Park

    Yellowstone National Park

    Today you will be whisked away on a journey through the vast beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Your guide will point out craggy peaks, sprawling meadows, and the abundant geothermal features such as the famous Old Faithful geyser.

  6. Day 6overnight: Salt Lake City

    Yellowstone to Salt Lake City

    This morning check out of your hotel and head back to Salt Lake City. Once you arrive back, check in to your hotel and have the night to relax on your own.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Salt Lake City to Chicago

    Board Amtrak and head back east to Chicago. As the train winds its way home, reflect on the wonderful national parks you have just explored!

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Chicago

    View The Full Map

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The California Zephyr crosses Colorado and Utah, showing an array of mountain landscapes, before arriving in Salt Lake City that evening.
  • Day 4A guided wildlife tour of Grand Teton National Park looks for bison and elk before the drive on to Yellowstone.
  • Day 5A guided tour of Yellowstone National Park takes in craggy peaks, sprawling meadows, and geothermal features including the Old Faithful geyser.
  • Day 7The California Zephyr carries you back east overnight from Salt Lake City to Chicago.

Included

  • 5 nights' hotel accommodations, 2 nights onboard Amtrak®
  • Half day sightseeing tour of Grand Teton National Park
  • Sightseeing tour of Yellowstone National Park (seasonal; Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour is seasonal, Old Faithful Explorer Tour substituted during winter months)
  • 5-day midsized car rental
  • Roundtrip Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Chicago, Illinois onboard the California Zephyr®

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Roundtrip Amtrak in Coach class from Chicago to Salt Lake City and back on the California Zephyr is included in the package.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Amtrak Vacations includes a rental car for the Grand Teton and Yellowstone portion, plus a guided half-day tour of Grand Teton and a guided sightseeing tour of Yellowstone.
Which train is used?
The California Zephyr, in Coach class, both ways between Chicago and Salt Lake City.
What hotels are included?
Amtrak Vacations offers a choice of 17 hotel options across Chicago and Salt Lake City; sample properties include the Palmer House Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Chicago in Chicago, and the Peery Salt Lake City Downtown and Hilton Salt Lake City Center in Salt Lake City.
What else is included besides the train and hotels?
A 5-day midsize car rental, a half-day sightseeing tour of Grand Teton National Park, and a sightseeing tour of Yellowstone National Park, which is seasonal (the Old Faithful Explorer Tour substitutes for the Lower Loop Tour during winter months).
How much does the trip cost?
Prices start from $2,239 per person, in USD.

Similar journeys, different answers