Amtrak Vacations
Grand Canyon to Yosemite Roundtrip from Chicago
Roundtrip rail trip from Chicago to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite
11 daysfrom $1,939
45% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Highlights of America - Coast to Coast
Independent cross-country rail trip, Washington DC to Los Angeles
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 11-day rail journey coast to coast, from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles. The route covers 2 nights each in Washington and Chicago, then single nights in Williams, Arizona, at the Grand Canyon, and in Los Angeles, connected by 3 overnight legs aboard Amtrak where travelers sleep and dine onboard. Day 3 boards the Capitol Limited overnight to Chicago, day 6 boards the Southwest Chief overnight toward the Grand Canyon, and day 8 rides the Grand Canyon Railway through ponderosa pine forest to the South Rim for a guided canyon tour. Along the way, hop-on, hop-off passes cover the sights in Washington and Los Angeles, and an architecture river cruise and Skydeck visit fill the Chicago stop. This suits travelers who want a genuine cross-country rail experience, including real overnight train travel, rather than a trip built mainly around flights or driving.
What to know before you look closer
- Williams, the Grand Canyon and Los Angeles are each just a single night, so that stretch of the trip moves quickly compared with the two-night stays in Washington and Chicago.
- The evidence lists no specific departure dates; confirm current availability and pricing with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Washington, D.C.
Your Journey Begins in Washington, D.C.
Welcome to Washington, D.C! Upon arriving into the city, check into your hotel and start enjoying your time in the nation's capital.
- Day 2overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC
Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour today to check all the monuments and memorials throughout DC.
- Day 3railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today you will board Amtrak to Chicago, enjoying the experience of traveling by train, sleeping and dining onboard as fascinating landscapes roll by.
- Day 4overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Arrive in Chicago, drop off your bags at your hotel and begin exploring. Take a stroll on Navy Pier and through Millennium Park, then head to the Willis Tower Skydeck for the best views of the city and Lake Michigan.
- Day 5overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Continue exploring Chicago at your leisure today. Take your included architecture river cruise and learn about the history of the buildings that line the river.
- Day 6overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Head to Chicago's Union Station and board the Southwest Chief for your overnight journey west to the Grand Canyon.
- Day 7railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Wake up to spectacular scenery and a relaxing day on the train. Arrive into Williams, AZ this evening and spend the night before heading into the Grand Canyon tomorrow.
- Day 8railovernight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
Board the Grand Canyon Railway for your journey to the Canyon, running through ponderosa pine forest. Your included tour picks you up from the South Rim for sightseeing while your guide provides information about the area.
- Day 9railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Take the scenic Grand Canyon Railway train from South Rim back to Williams for your train journey to Los Angeles. Before departing, explore the old Route 66 town of Williams.
- Day 10overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Welcome to Los Angeles! Tour the entire 'City of Angels' on your hop-on, hop-off tour today, seeing the Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, the Walk of Fame, Paramount Studios, and more.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles
Journey concludes in Los Angeles.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3Board Amtrak for the overnight journey to Chicago, sleeping and dining onboard as the landscape rolls by.
- Day 6Board the Southwest Chief at Union Station for the overnight journey west to the Grand Canyon.
- Day 8Ride the Grand Canyon Railway through ponderosa pine forest to the South Rim, with a guided sightseeing tour of the canyon.
- Day 10A hop-on, hop-off tour of Los Angeles passes the Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, the Walk of Fame, and Paramount Studios.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Washington, DC to Chicago; Chicago to Williams; Williams to Los Angeles on the Capitol Limited® and Southwest Chief®
- Roundtrip in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway Train
- 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 3 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Amtrak Vacations includes one-way Coach travel on the Capitol Limited (Washington, DC to Chicago) and the Southwest Chief (Chicago to Williams to Los Angeles), plus a roundtrip on the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's an independent rail vacation, using hop-on, hop-off sightseeing passes plus a guided tour at the Grand Canyon.
- Are there overnight trains?
- Yes. 3 nights are spent onboard Amtrak, on days 3, 6 and 9, sleeping and dining on the train.
- What hotels are used?
- The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC (2 nights), the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, in Chicago (2 nights), the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams (1 night), the Yavapai Lodge in Grand Canyon National Park (1 night), and the Regent Santa Monica in Los Angeles (1 night).
- What meals are included?
- 2 meals: 1 breakfast and 1 dinner.
- How much walking is involved?
- Hop-on, hop-off city tours in Washington and Los Angeles, an architecture river cruise and Skydeck visit in Chicago, and a guided tour of Grand Canyon viewpoints from the South Rim; no hikes or high-altitude activity are described.
