Amtrak Vacations
America Coast to Coast - LA to Boston
Independent coast-to-coast US rail trip on four Amtrak trains, LA to Boston
10 daysfrom $1,809
100% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Northern Rail Experience Roundtrip from San Francisco
Independent 10-day Amtrak roundtrip from San Francisco via Chicago and Seattle
Amtrak Vacations operates this independent, 10-day rail vacation that starts and ends in San Francisco, with two-night stops in Chicago and Seattle. Day 1 opens with an overnight ride on the California Zephyr east, climbing through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. After two nights in Chicago, including a hop-on, hop-off tour past the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier and Millennium Park, the Empire Builder carries travelers across the Missouri River and the North Dakota plains, through Big Sky Country and past Glacier National Park, to Seattle. Two nights there include a hop-on, hop-off tour connecting Pike Place Market, the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden & Glass. The Coast Starlight then returns travelers to San Francisco past the Cascade Mountain Range. Five of the nine nights are spent onboard Amtrak in Coach class. The operator's own description calls this trip suited to train-buffs and first-time travelers alike.
What to know before you look closer
- No meals are listed as included on this itinerary; the included list covers only rail travel and hotel nights.
- The hotel is chosen from 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities, so the exact hotel depends on what's booked.
- All the Amtrak travel, including the 5 overnight legs across three trains, is Coach class seating rather than a sleeper cabin.
- The evidence includes no current departure dates or seasonal information for this trip; confirm availability directly with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today you will board Amtrak's California Zephyr for your trip east to Chicago. Take in the gorgeous landscape of the American countryside, the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, and the heart of the Rocky Mountains along this leisurely ride!
- Day 2overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
- Day 3overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Welcome to Chicago! This afternoon check-in to your hotel and then take the afternoon to explore Chicago on your own. Known for its iconic architecture and culture, there is plenty to experience in Chicago.
- Day 4overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Today you will continue to take in the best of what "The Windy City" has to offer. A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour will bring you to such important Chicago stops as the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park. With the ability to hop on and off the tour at your leisure, this tour is both convenient and a great way to experience Chicago!
- Day 5railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This afternoon you will board Amtrak's famous Empire Builder for your trip across the top of our country towards Seattle. Settle in for one of the most scenic train rides in the country, marvel at the stunning views of the Missouri River, the beautiful North Dakota plains, "Big Sky" Country, and of Glacier National Park.
- Day 6railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This afternoon you will board Amtrak's famous Empire Builder for your trip across the top of our country towards Seattle. Settle in for one of the most scenic train rides in the country, marvel at the stunning views of the Missouri River, the beautiful North Dakota plains, "Big Sky" Country, and of Glacier National Park.
- Day 7overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Welcome to Seattle! the "Emerald City" is full of gorgeous sights just waiting for you to discover! Upon your arrival, you will travel to your hotel to drop off your luggage. Then, the rest of the day is yours to explore all Seattle has to offer.
- Day 8overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to see some of Seattle's most popular sights! Your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing 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 9railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning, board Amtrak's Coast Starlight for your trip back to San Francisco. Sit back and relax as the train makes its way past the Cascade Mountain Range and through the hills and mountains of the Northwest.
- Day 10
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The California Zephyr climbs through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rocky Mountains on the overnight journey east to Chicago.
- Day 4A hop-on, hop-off tour of Chicago stops at the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier and Millennium Park.
- Day 5The Empire Builder crosses the Missouri River and the North Dakota plains through Big Sky Country, passing Glacier National Park, on the way to Seattle.
- Day 8A hop-on, hop-off tour of Seattle connects Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass, and the waterfront.
- Day 9The Coast Starlight passes the Cascade Mountain Range on the return trip to San Francisco.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Chicago; Chicago to Seattle; and Seattle to San Francisco onboard the California Zephyr®, the Empire Builder®; and Coast Starlight®
- 4 nights' hotel accommodations; 5 nights' onboard Amtrak
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Roundtrip Coach class travel on the California Zephyr (San Francisco to Chicago), the Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle), and the Coast Starlight (Seattle to San Francisco).
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's an independent rail vacation. Travelers check in to their own hotel and explore Chicago and Seattle on their own between the included tours.
- Which trains are used?
- The California Zephyr, the Empire Builder, and the Coast Starlight, all in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities, for example the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago; the exact hotel depends on what's booked.
- How much of the trip is onboard the train versus in a hotel?
- 5 of the 9 nights are spent onboard Amtrak across the three trains; the other 4 are hotel nights, split evenly between Chicago and Seattle.
- Are meals included?
- No meals are listed as included on this itinerary.
