Amtrak Vacations
Grand Rail Experience with Glacier National Park
Independent Amtrak roundtrip with a 3-night Glacier National Park stop
17 daysfrom $3,929
53% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Great American - Southern Trail
Los Angeles to New York rail trip across the American South
Amtrak Vacations packages this 17-day, 16-night independent rail vacation across the southern United States, from Los Angeles to New York City. The Sunset Limited carries the trip east through desert and western vistas to San Antonio, where a hop-on, hop-off pass covers the Alamo and the Riverwalk, before continuing to New Orleans for a guided tour of the French Quarter, the Garden District, and the above-ground cemeteries known as the Cities of the Dead. The Crescent then runs overnight to Atlanta, where a CityPASS covers the Georgia Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta, and on to Washington, D.C. for a hop-on, hop-off tour and a Monuments by Moonlight evening. The Northeast Regional completes the trip with a multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour of New York City. Two or more nights are spent in every city along the route, so the pace stays unhurried despite the distance. This suits travelers who want a genuine cross-country rail trip through six major American cities rather than a single regional loop.
What to know before you look closer
- Amtrak Vacations lists 35 hotel options across the 6 cities on this route; the specific hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
- Only 1 meal is included across the 17-day trip, a brunch in New Orleans; other meals are on your own.
- The two overnight legs (Los Angeles to San Antonio, and Atlanta to Washington, D.C.) are in Coach class, not a private sleeper cabin.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to Los Angeles! Check-in to your hotel and begin to explore the city. Perhaps you want to journey down to the farmer's market or go shopping along Rodeo Drive.
- Day 2overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Today you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city as well as the homes of the stars. Your fully guided tour will lead you all around the city to visit the Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Sign, and the Walk of Fame, then take you outside the city to visit the homes of the stars.
- Day 3railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Travel to the Amtrak Station and board the Sunset Limited for your journey east to Texas. Say goodbye to California as the train begins to wind its way east.
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Continue your journey today as the train journeys east to San Antonio. Enjoy the views of the scenic deserts and western vistas that unfold for you from the window of the train.
- Day 5overnight: San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
This morning you will arrive in San Antonio. Check-in to your hotel and begin to explore the city. Start using your multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour that will guide you all around to visit the Alamo, the famous Riverwalk, as well as Market Square.
- Day 6overnight: San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Continue exploring San Antonio with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. If there's a landmark or neighborhood you didn't have a chance to visit yesterday, today is the perfect opportunity to discover more of the city's rich history, culture, and attractions at your own pace.
- Day 7railovernight: New Orleans
San Antonio to New Orleans
This morning travel to the Amtrak Station and on to New Orleans. Enjoy the beautiful Texas scenery during your full day train ride. This evening, arrive in New Orleans and settle in for the night.
- Day 8overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Today you will absorb the sights and sounds of the "Crescent City". A guided tour will bring you to iconic New Orleans sites such as the French Quarter, the cemeteries known as the "Cities of the Dead", and the beautiful Garden District.
- Day 9overnight: New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
This morning you will enjoy a brunch at a historic restaurant in the French Quarter. After this you are free to stroll the streets of New Orleans on your own.
- Day 10railovernight: Atlanta
New Orleans to Atlanta
Travel to the Amtrak station and spend a relaxing day on the train to Atlanta. This evening, arrive in Atlanta and transfer to your hotel for a good night's rest.
- Day 11overnight: Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
Explore the capital of Georgia and one of the largest cities in the Southeastern United States. Use your CityPASS to visit some of the main attractions including the Aquarium, the Coca-Cola Center and the Zoo Atlanta.
- Day 12railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Spend your day continuing to use your CityPASS and enjoy everything Atlanta has to offer. This evening, travel to the Amtrak Station for your overnight train to Washington, DC.
- Day 13overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC
Welcome to our Nation's Capital! This morning is free for you to enjoy the city on your own. Feel free to walk along the National Mall or stop by any of the many Smithsonian Museums. This evening you will enjoy a Monuments by Moonlight tour.
- Day 14overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC
Today journey around the city on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Washington, DC. Your guided tour will take you to the National Cathedral, the U.S. Capitol, and the Supreme Court Building.
- Day 15overnight: New York City
Washington, DC to New York City
Board Amtrak in Washington, DC and travel north to New York City! Upon arrival you will have a multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of the city, bringing you to such iconic New York attractions as the Empire State Building, Times Square, and the New York Public Library!
- Day 16overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Today continue to journey around the city on your sightseeing tour. Stop off at Central Park for a leisurely stroll, go shopping along Fifth Avenue, and then stop off at Rockefeller Center where you can use your admission to the Top of the Rock.
- Day 17
Your Journey Ends in New York City
View The Full Map
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A guided tour of Los Angeles visits the Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Sign, the Walk of Fame, and the homes of the stars.
- Day 8A guided tour of New Orleans visits the French Quarter, the Garden District, and the above-ground cemeteries known as the 'Cities of the Dead.'
- Day 13A Monuments by Moonlight tour visits Washington, D.C.'s memorials after dark.
- Day 15Amtrak carries you from Washington, D.C. to New York City, where a multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour begins.
Included
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Los Angeles to San Antonio; San Antonio to New Orleans; New Orleans to Atlanta; Atlanta to Washington, DC; and Washington, DC to New York on the Sunset Limited®, Crescent®, and Northeast Regional®
- 14 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights' on board Amtrak
- 1 meal (1 brunch)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak in Coach class from Los Angeles to San Antonio, San Antonio to New Orleans, New Orleans to Atlanta, Atlanta to Washington, D.C., and Washington, D.C. to New York, on the Sunset Limited, Crescent, and Northeast Regional, is included.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation with included guided tours in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and a Monuments by Moonlight tour in Washington, D.C.; San Antonio and New York City use hop-on, hop-off passes and Atlanta uses a CityPASS.
- Which trains are used?
- The Sunset Limited from Los Angeles to San Antonio and New Orleans, the Crescent from New Orleans to Atlanta and Washington, D.C., and the Northeast Regional from Washington, D.C. to New York, all in Coach class.
- What hotels are included?
- Amtrak Vacations offers a choice of 35 hotel options across the 6 cities; sample properties include the Regent Santa Monica and InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown in Los Angeles, and the DoubleTree by Hilton San Antonio Downtown.
- What does the Atlanta CityPASS include?
- The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Zoo Atlanta, plus a choice of 2 of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, or the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
- What is not included?
- Only 1 brunch is included across the 17-day trip; other meals are on your own.
