Amtrak Vacations
Highlights of America Eastbound
Independent cross-country rail trip, Los Angeles to Washington DC
12 daysfrom $2,199
42% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Rail vacation
Old West Rail Journey
Southwest rail trip: Los Angeles to Santa Fe via Grand Canyon
Amtrak Vacations runs this 12-day rail vacation across the American Southwest, from Los Angeles to Santa Fe, on the Southwest Chief and the Grand Canyon Railway. After a day in Los Angeles that includes a tour of celebrity homes, the Southwest Chief carries travelers overnight to Williams, Arizona, the historic gateway to the Grand Canyon, where the Grand Canyon Railway continues to the South Rim for two nights, including a free day to explore on your own. From Williams, road transfers connect Sedona, where an included jeep tour takes in the red rock landscapes, and Flagstaff, before the Southwest Chief resumes to Albuquerque for a history tour of Old Town and on to Santa Fe for a walking tour of the plaza and adobe neighborhoods. Only one of the eleven nights is spent onboard the train; the rest are hotel stays across seven different stops. This suits travelers who want a Southwest itinerary that mixes rail travel, road transfers, and a string of one and two-night stops.
What to know before you look closer
- The hotel is chosen from 23 accommodation options across tiers and cities, so the exact hotel depends on what's booked.
- Only 2 meals, 1 breakfast and 1 dinner, are included across the whole 12-day trip; other meals are on your own.
- Two of the twelve days, the transfers from Williams to Sedona and Sedona to Flagstaff, are by road rather than rail, so this is not an all-rail journey despite the rail vacation billing.
- The evidence includes no current departure dates or seasonal information for this trip; confirm availability directly with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Los Angeles
Your Journey Begins in Los Angeles
Welcome to bustling Los Angeles! Known as the entertainment capital of the world, there is much to see, do and experience. Check into your hotel for a one night stay before stepping out and exploring the city on your own.
- Day 2overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, enjoy your included tour of famous celebrity homes! Later, travel on your own to Union Station and board Amtrak's Southwest Chief to Williams, Arizona.
- Day 3railovernight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
This morning, the train arrives in Williams, Arizona, famous for being the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon." Enjoy an included breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant and browse the gift shop before boarding the Grand Canyon Railway to the awe-inspiring South Rim.
- Day 4overnight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The entire day and night is free for you to explore the South Rim on your own.
- Day 5railovernight: Williams
Grand Canyon to Williams
Board the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams. Enjoy the gorgeous landscapes one more time before arriving back in town and having dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant.
- Day 6overnight: Sedona
Williams to Sedona
Transfer from Williams to Sedona today and get ready to discover the unforgettable red rock landscapes on your included jeep tour.
- Day 7overnight: Flagstaff
Sedona to Flagstaff
Embark on another scenic Sedona tour on an open-air vehicle! Later, transfer from Sedona to Flagstaff.
- Day 8overnight: Albuquerque
Flagstaff to Albuquerque
Board the Southwest Chief again today for your journey from Flagstaff to Albuquerque. Famous for its diverse ethnic heritage (especially Native American), Albuquerque is a gem in the Southwest.
- Day 9overnight: Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM
Enjoy your included history tour of Old Town in the Northwest. The narrow streets are dotted with boutiques, museums, beautiful adobe buildings and Hispanic architecture, including the city's oldest building, the San Felipe de Neri Church.
- Day 10railovernight: Santa Fe
Albuquerque to Santa Fe
Travel to the Amtrak station on your own and board your train. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and begin exploring the city and taking in the high desert landscapes.
- Day 11overnight: Santa Fe
Santa Fe, NM
Discover Santa Fe's compelling history, treasured architecture on your included walking tour! Setting out on foot is the best way to find its hidden charms, see the busy plaza, adobe neighborhoods, and learn all about the Latin culture.
- Day 12
Your Journey Ends in Santa Fe
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2Board Amtrak's Southwest Chief in Los Angeles for the overnight journey to Williams, Arizona, the historic "Gateway to the Grand Canyon."
- Day 3The Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers from Williams to the South Rim, with an included breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant beforehand.
- Day 6A jeep tour explores the red rock landscapes of Sedona after the transfer from Williams.
- Day 9A history tour of Albuquerque's Old Town takes in adobe buildings and the city's oldest building, the San Felipe de Neri Church.
- Day 11A walking tour of Santa Fe explores the plaza, adobe neighborhoods, and the city's Latin culture and history.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Los Angeles to Williams; Flagstaff to Albuquerque; Albuquerque to Santa Fe on the Southwest Chief®
- Roundtrip in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway Train
- Transfers from Williams to Sedona; Sedona to Flagstaff
- 10 nights' hotel accommodations
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Coach class travel on the Southwest Chief (Los Angeles to Williams; Flagstaff to Albuquerque; Albuquerque to Santa Fe), plus a roundtrip on the Grand Canyon Railway between Williams and the South Rim.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It mixes free time, such as a full day and night to explore the Grand Canyon South Rim on your own, with included guided tours in Los Angeles, Sedona, Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
- Which trains are used?
- The Southwest Chief and the Grand Canyon Railway, both in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- 23 accommodation options across tiers and cities, for example the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams; the exact hotel depends on what's booked.
- What is not included?
- Meals beyond 1 breakfast and 1 dinner. The transfers between Williams, Sedona and Flagstaff are included, but by road rather than rail.
- How much walking is involved?
- Sightseeing is by walking tour in Santa Fe and Albuquerque and by jeep tour in Sedona, plus two free days to explore the Grand Canyon South Rim on your own; the evidence describes no strenuous hikes.
