Amtrak Vacations
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Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Northern Rail Experience Roundtrip from Pittsburgh
Independent 11-day Amtrak roundtrip from Pittsburgh via Seattle and San Francisco
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 11-day rail vacation that starts and ends in Pittsburgh, connecting to Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco on four named trains. The Capitol Limited carries travelers overnight from Pittsburgh to Chicago, where they transfer to the Empire Builder, tracing major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail past the Missouri River and the North Dakota plains on the way to Seattle. After a day exploring Seattle by hop-on, hop-off tour, the Coast Starlight heads south to San Francisco past lush forests and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline, for two nights that include a day trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to the redwoods of Muir Woods and the coastal town of Sausalito. The California Zephyr and Capitol Limited then return travelers east through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rockies to Pittsburgh. Seven of the ten nights are spent onboard Amtrak in Coach class. This suits independent, experienced rail travelers drawn to a long, four-train cross-country round trip.
What to know before you look closer
- The itinerary has no day-by-day description for days 3, 9 and 10; the included list's count of 7 nights onboard Amtrak, across the Capitol Limited, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight and California Zephyr, implies these are additional overnight legs, but the operator's page does not describe the specific route or scenery for those days.
- The hotel is chosen from named options across three cities and several tiers, from the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Pittsburgh to the Fairmont San Francisco, so the exact hotel depends on what's booked.
- Only 1 meal, a dinner in San Francisco, is included across the whole 11-day trip; other meals are on your own.
- All the Amtrak travel, including the 7 overnight legs across four different trains, is Coach class seating rather than a sleeper cabin.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Begin this epic train journey in Pittsburgh, where you will board Amtrak's Capitol Limited for a comfortable overnight journey to Chicago. Once in Chicago, you will transfer to Amtrak's iconic Empire Builder for your journey further west. First, 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. The Empire Builder takes you along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail, so settle in for an exciting adventure through the majestic wilderness as you follow in the footsteps of early pioneers!
- Day 2overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
- Day 4overnight: 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 5overnight: 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, fertile valleys, and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline.
- Day 6overnight: 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 7overnight: 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 8railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning, travel on your own to the Amtrak station and board the California Zephyr® 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. As the train continues its journey east to Chicago, take in the gorgeous landscape of the American countryside. There are so many great sights to behold on this ride! Keep your eyes peeled for the Moffat Tunnel, Glenwood Canyons, and Midwest plains. Finally, take the return train back home from Chicago to Pittsburgh.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in Pittsburgh
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Capitol Limited carries travelers overnight from Pittsburgh to Chicago, where they transfer to the Empire Builder, tracing the Lewis and Clark trail past the Missouri River and the North Dakota plains.
- Day 5The Coast Starlight runs south from Seattle to San Francisco past lush forests, fertile valleys, and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline.
- Day 7A 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 8The California Zephyr climbs through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and the heart of the Rockies on the way back toward Chicago.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® from Pittsburgh to Chicago on the Capitol Limited®; One way Chicago to Seattle on the Empire Builder®; Seattle to San Francisco on the Coast Starlight®; San Francisco to Chicago onboard the California Zephyr®
- 3 nights' hotel accommodations; 7 nights onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal included (1 dinner in San Francisco)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Roundtrip Coach class travel on the Capitol Limited between Pittsburgh and Chicago, plus one-way legs 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 Capitol Limited, the Empire Builder, the Coast Starlight, and the California Zephyr, all in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- Named hotel options across Pittsburgh, Seattle and San Francisco, for example the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Pittsburgh and the Fairmont San Francisco; the exact hotel depends on what's booked.
- How much of the trip is onboard the train versus in a hotel?
- 7 of the 10 nights are spent onboard Amtrak across the four long-distance trains; the rest are 3 hotel nights in Seattle and San Francisco.
- What is not included?
- Meals beyond the one included dinner in San Francisco, and travel between hotels and Amtrak stations, which travelers arrange on their own.
