How much does it cost?

From £4,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,753 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Which trains will I ride?

You will travel on Amtrak services in California, the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Amtrak's California Zephyr from Grand Junction to Chicago (overnight), Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to Buffalo (overnight), and Amtrak from Buffalo to New York.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish. The group is capped at 40 travellers.

What meals are included?

Seven breakfasts are included. Most other meals are independent, allowing you to choose dining based on your preferences.

When does the tour run?

Great Rail Journeys has six departures: September 2026, October 2026, April 2027, May 2027, September 2027, and October 2027.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of the USA

Great Rail Journeys' Grand Tour of the USA is an 18-day escorted journey from San Francisco to New York City, combining some of America's most famous train routes with guided city tours and coach travel through stunning landscapes. Starting with San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, the itinerary follows coach and rail through Yosemite National Park, descends into Las Vegas for two nights, then crosses the Southwest via Route 66 to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. From Durango, travellers board the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad before joining Amtrak's California Zephyr for an overnight journey across the Rocky Mountains to Chicago. After exploring Chicago's architecture, the Lake Shore Limited overnight train carries the group to Niagara Falls and ultimately to New York City for guided tours of Manhattan's landmarks. With a UK Tour Manager, mixed accommodation in 3 and 4-star hotels, and seven included breakfasts, the tour suits couples, history enthusiasts, and first-time rail travellers seeking comprehensive American experiences without the logistics of independent travel.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £200 since 4 Jul, to £4,999.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The single supplement price (GBP 7,099) is significantly higher than half the double-room price, increasing solo travel costs substantially.
Two nights are spent on Amtrak coach seat sleepers, not private cabins; these offer a lying-down seat rather than a dedicated sleeper berth.
Maximum group size of 40 means this is a larger escorted tour; the experience will include numerous fellow travellers throughout.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: San Francisco
Flying to San Francisco
Your grand tour of the USA begins at London Heathrow, where you meet the Tour Manager and rest of the group before boarding a direct daytime flight to San Francisco. Arriving in the late afternoon, we are transferred to our hotel on Fisherman's Wharf, our base for the next two nights. Tonight is free to dine independently.
Day 2overnight: San Francisco
Getting to know San Francisco
After breakfast, we're introduced to San Francisco on a guided tour taking in the Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39, with free time before a cruise to Alcatraz for a self-guided tour of the former prison. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to explore. Dinner independently.
Day 3railovernight: Merced
Exploring Yosemite National Park
We transfer by coach to Emeryville station and board an Amtrak train to Merced, then continue by coach to Yosemite National Park for a guided tour of Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls. We return to Merced to check in to our hotel for the night. Dinner independently.
Day 4overnight: Las Vegas
Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas
We board the Amtrak service to Bakersfield through California's Big Valley, then continue by coach across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas, checking in for two nights at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Strip.
Day 5overnight: Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas
A free day to explore Las Vegas at your own pace, taking in the Fountains of Bellagio, the Luxor and the Strip's entertainment via the Las Vegas Monorail.
Day 6overnight: Flagstaff
To Flagstaff via the Hoover Dam
We leave Las Vegas by coach, stopping at the Hoover Dam viewing point before entering Arizona on Route 66 to Flagstaff, checking in to our hotel for two nights amid ponderosa pine forest.
Day 7railovernight: Flagstaff
Route 66 and the Grand Canyon Railway
We drive along Route 66 to Williams and board the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim, with free time to take in the Grand Canyon before returning to Flagstaff by coach.
Day 8overnight: Durango
Monument Valley and Goosenecks State Park
By coach through Navajo country to Utah's Monument Valley, with a stop at Goosenecks State Park before continuing to Durango, Colorado, for an overnight stay.
Day 9railovernight: Grand Junction
A trip on Colorado's Durango and Silverton Railroad
We board the Durango and Silverton Railroad for a journey through canyons and forests to Silverton, with free time for lunch, before continuing by coach to Grand Junction for the night.
Day 10railovernight: Aboard the California Zephyr
An overnight journey on Amtrak's California Zephyr
We transfer to Grand Junction railway station to board Amtrak's California Zephyr for a full day and overnight journey through the Rocky Mountains towards Chicago.
Day 11railovernight: Chicago
Arriving at the great city of Chicago
Our train crosses the Mississippi River into Illinois and arrives at Chicago's Union Station, where we transfer by coach to our hotel in the River North district for a three-night stay.
Day 12overnight: Chicago
Chicago Architecture Cruise
A cruise along the Chicago River showcases the city's skyline including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower and Willis Tower, with the afternoon and evening free.
Day 13overnight: Aboard the Lake Shore Limited
A free day in Chicago
A free day to explore Chicago's museums and green spaces at your own pace. This evening, we board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited for an overnight journey to Buffalo, near Niagara Falls.
Day 14railovernight: Niagara Falls
The tremendous Niagara Falls
Our train arrives in Buffalo and we transfer by coach to our hotel on the American side of Niagara Falls, visiting Niagara Falls State Park for our first views of the falls.
Day 15railovernight: New York
Arrival in the metropolis of New York City
We transfer to Buffalo and board the train to New York via Albany and the Hudson River, arriving at Penn Station before transferring to our hotel on Times Square for two nights.
Day 16overnight: New York
New York, New York
A guided tour of New York including a harbour cruise past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Grand Central Station, Central Park, the Rockefeller Centre and the Theatre District.
Day 17overnight: In flight
Homeward bound
A free morning in New York before transferring to the airport for a direct evening flight to London Heathrow.
Day 18
Arrival at London Heathrow
Touching down at London Heathrow this morning, your incredible holiday comes to an end.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Day 2: Self-guided tour of Alcatraz, the former maximum-security prison in San Francisco Bay.
Day 3Day 3: Guided tour of Yosemite National Park viewing Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls.
Day 7Day 7: Ride the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim with free time to view the canyon.
Day 9Day 9: Journey on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through Colorado canyons and forests to the Old West town of Silverton.
Day 10Day 10: Overnight on Amtrak's California Zephyr in the Observation Car, crossing the Rocky Mountains toward Chicago.

Included

Tour Manager: expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
Accommodation: 14 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation, 1 night in coach seat sleeper aboard the California Zephyr, 1 night in coach seat sleeper aboard the Lake Shore Limited
Transportation: Coach Seat Class rail travel; all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
Flights: direct flights from London Heathrow to San Francisco, New York to London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic
Food & Drink: 7 breakfasts
Excursions & Entertainment: all guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £4,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,753 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Which trains will I ride?: You will travel on Amtrak services in California, the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Amtrak's California Zephyr from Grand Junction to Chicago (overnight), Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to Buffalo (overnight), and Amtrak from Buffalo to New York.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish. The group is capped at 40 travellers.
What meals are included?: Seven breakfasts are included. Most other meals are independent, allowing you to choose dining based on your preferences.
When does the tour run?: Great Rail Journeys has six departures: September 2026, October 2026, April 2027, May 2027, September 2027, and October 2027.