Amtrak Vacations
America Coast to Coast - DC to San Francisco
Amtrak coast-to-coast rail journey from Washington DC to San Francisco
9 daysfrom $1,049
33% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Northern Rail Experience
Independent 9-day Amtrak loop from Chicago through Seattle and San Francisco
Amtrak Vacations operates this independent, 9-day rail vacation that starts and ends in Chicago, with stops in Seattle and San Francisco. Travelers arrange their own transfers between hotels and Amtrak stations at each stage. The Empire Builder covers Chicago to Seattle on day 1, passing the Missouri River, the plains of North Dakota, and Glacier National Park along the way. After a day exploring Seattle by hop-on, hop-off tour, the Coast Starlight carries travelers south to San Francisco for two nights, including a day trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to the redwood forest at Muir Woods and the coastal town of Sausalito. The California Zephyr then returns travelers to Chicago, climbing through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rockies past the Moffat Tunnel and Glenwood Canyons. Five of the eight nights are spent onboard the train in Coach class. This suits independent travelers who want a cross-country rail experience covering three of Amtrak's best-known long-distance routes.
What to know before you look closer
- The included list states 4 nights' hotel accommodations and 5 nights onboard Amtrak (9 nights total), but the day-by-day itinerary shows only 3 hotel nights (Seattle, day 3; San Francisco, days 5 and 6) and 5 nights onboard (days 1, 2, 4, 7, 8), for 8 nights total, matching the trip's stated 8-night length. Confirm the exact night breakdown with Amtrak Vacations.
- The hotel is chosen from 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities, from the Holiday Inn to the Waldorf Astoria in Chicago, so the exact hotel depends on what's booked.
- Only 1 meal, a dinner, is included across the whole 9-day trip; other meals are on your own.
- All the Amtrak travel, including the 5 overnight legs, is in Coach class seating rather than a sleeper cabin.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! This afternoon, travel on your own to Chicago's Union Station and board Amtrak to Seattle. The Empire Builder takes you along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail. Settle in for an exciting adventure through the majestic wilderness as you venture out West, following the footsteps of early pioneers!
- Day 2overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning, you will travel through the gorgeous North Dakota plains heading west. Enjoy stunning views of the Missouri River, the longest river in North America, as you wind through the "Big Sky Country" of Montana, passing by the magnificent Glacier National Park.
- Day 3overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Welcome to Seattle! the "Emerald City" is full of gorgeous sights just waiting for you to discover! Upon arrival, you will travel on your own to your hotel to drop off your luggage. Then, the rest of the day is yours to explore all Seattle has to offer. Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to see some of Seattle's most popular sights! Your tour will connect you to downtown attractions such as Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Seattle Center, Seattle's Waterfront and more!
- Day 4overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, travel on your own to Seattle's Amtrak station and prepare to take a beautiful ride on the Coast Starlight to San Francisco. The scenery along the Coast Starlight route is truly breathtaking. Enjoy the majestic landscapes right outside your window as you wind through lush forests and fertile valleys.
- Day 5overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
You will arrive in San Francisco this morning and then head to your hotel to check in and drop off your belongings. Then, it's time for some sightseeing! Climb aboard a hop-on, hop-off tour that includes all San Francisco's great locations, like Fisherman's Wharf, Downtown, the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, and many more. You can hop off the tour at any of the designated stops to explore them at your own pace.
- Day 6overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Today, get ready to discover the beauty of the Muir Woods and Sausalito! On the drive to Muir Woods, you'll cross over the Golden Gate Bridge and disembark in the serene redwood forest. Once you've taken in all that Muir Woods has to offer, you'll stop over in Sausalito, a "California original." This charming coastal town is home to many artists and has a delightful array of restaurants, galleries, walking paths, and spectacular Bay and City views. You'll have some free time to explore all Sausalito has to offer before your 30-minute bay cruise, which takes you back to Fisherman's Wharf. This evening, enjoy your included dinner at a popular local restaurant.
- Day 7railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning, travel on your own to the Amtrak station and board the California Zephyr® back to Chicago. This route is said to be one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America. As you climb through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and the heart of the Rockies, you may find it hard to disagree. Sit back, relax, and take in the stunning scenery.
- Day 8railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Wake up this morning on the California Zephyr and take in the gorgeous landscape of the American countryside as the train ventures east to Chicago. There are so many great sights to behold on this ride! Keep your eyes peeled for the Moffat Tunnel, Glenwood Canyons, and Midwest plains.
- Day 9
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Empire Builder departs Chicago's Union Station and follows major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail heading west.
- Day 2The train passes the Missouri River and the North Dakota plains, then crosses Montana's Big Sky Country by Glacier National Park.
- Day 6A day trip from San Francisco crosses the Golden Gate Bridge to the redwood forest of Muir Woods, then stops in the coastal town of Sausalito.
- Day 7The California Zephyr climbs through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rockies on the way back toward Chicago.
- Day 8The Zephyr passes the Moffat Tunnel and Glenwood Canyons on the final stretch of countryside before Chicago.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® from Chicago to Seattle on the Empire Builder®; Seattle to San Francisco on the Coast Starlight®; San Francisco to Chicago on the California Zephyr® in Coach accommodations
- 4 nights' accommodations; 5 nights on board Amtrak
- 1 meal included (1 dinner)
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $2,449
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Coach class travel on the Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle), the Coast Starlight (Seattle to San Francisco), and the California Zephyr (San Francisco to Chicago).
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's an independent rail vacation. Travelers travel on their own to the Amtrak station and hotel at each stop.
- Which trains are used?
- The Empire Builder, the Coast Starlight, and the California Zephyr, all in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities are listed, for example the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago and the Hampton Inn & Suites in Seattle; the exact hotel depends on what's booked.
- How much of the trip is onboard the train versus in a hotel?
- 5 of the 8 nights are spent onboard Amtrak across the three long-distance trains; the rest are hotel nights in Seattle and San Francisco.
- What is not included?
- Meals beyond the one included dinner, and travel between hotels and Amtrak stations, which travelers arrange on their own.
