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 · Rail vacation
Pacific Coast, Grand Canyon, and Vegas
Three-train rail journey from San Francisco to the Grand Canyon and Vegas
Amtrak Vacations runs this 11-day, 10-night rail vacation across four classic Western destinations: San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas. Three days in San Francisco open the trip with a land and sea guided tour that sails under the Golden Gate Bridge and circles Alcatraz, along with free time for Chinatown and Lombard Street. The Coast Starlight then carries travellers down the coast to Los Angeles for a guided tour of movie stars' homes along the Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive. From there, the Southwest Chief and the historic Grand Canyon Railway lead to two nights at the South Rim, with a free day to watch the sunrise or visit the Desert View Watchtower. A shuttle completes the journey to three nights in Las Vegas. The mix of guided city tours and open days suits travellers who want a broad, multi-stop rail sampler with some independent time built in.
What to know before you look closer
- Several days are unguided free time, including the final day in San Francisco and the second day at the Grand Canyon, so plan your own sightseeing for those days.
- The trip switches from rail to a shuttle for the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas leg, so not every segment is by train.
- Only 2 meals are included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner) across the 10-night trip; the rest are on your own.
- The evidence lists 19 accommodation options across tiers and cities, so the exact hotel in San Francisco or Los Angeles depends on what is booked.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: San Francisco
Your Journey Begins in San Francisco
Welcome to San Francisco! After you check in at your hotel, the day is yours to start exploring the "City by the Bay." Take a stroll along Fisherman's Wharf and enjoy the bay views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Day 2overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco
Enjoy a land and sea guided tour of San Francisco today. Included in your tour is a bay cruise to complete your panorama of San Francisco from land and sea! After you sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, you'll circle Alcatraz and see every angle of this mysterious island.
- Day 3overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco
Spend final day in San Francisco at your leisure, exploring more of city. Discover winding Lombard Street, Chinatown, the bohemian vibe of Haight-Ashbury, Chabot Space & Science Center, the Maritime Museum, and so much more. This evening, enjoy a special dinner in Fisherman's Wharf.
- Day 4railovernight: Los Angeles
San Francisco to Los Angeles
This morning, board Amtrak's Coast Starlight train for the wonderfully scenic day time journey to Los Angeles. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay.
- Day 5overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Live the grand celebrity lifestyle today on your guided tour of the movie stars' homes. Tour LA's most exclusive residential neighborhoods, cruise the famous Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive and see over 40 breathtaking mansions.
- Day 6overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Enjoy discovering more of LA on your own today. Later, transfer on your own to Union Station and board Amtrak's Southwest Chief to Williams, Arizona.
- Day 7railovernight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
After arriving in Williams this morning and having breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, board the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. During your Grand Canyon Freedom Rim tour, you'll discover why the South Rim has been hosting visitors since the 1850's.
- Day 8overnight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
Use your free day today to see any sights and capture memories that you didn't get a chance to yesterday. Watch the sunrise or sunset, visit the Yavapai Geology Museum or Desert View Watchtower.
- Day 9overnight: Las Vegas
Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Enjoy a relaxing morning at the South Rim. This afternoon, board the shuttle to Las Vegas. Once you arrive, check in at your hotel for a three-night stay and begin discovering the world's entertainment capital!
- Day 10overnight: Las Vegas
Las Vegas
Today, experience all of Las Vegas' most iconic attractions, including the strip's wildly famous hotels, casinos and hotspots, on your exciting sightseeing tour.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in Las Vegas
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A land and sea guided tour of San Francisco sails under the Golden Gate Bridge and circles Alcatraz Island.
- Day 4The Coast Starlight makes the scenic daytime run down the California coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
- Day 5A guided tour of movie stars' homes passes more than 40 mansions along the Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive.
- Day 7After breakfast at the historic Fred Harvey Restaurant in Williams, the Grand Canyon Railway carries travellers to the South Rim, which has hosted visitors since the 1850s.
- Day 8A free day at the Grand Canyon allows time to watch the sunrise or sunset, or visit the Yavapai Geology Museum and Desert View Watchtower.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Los Angeles; and Los Angeles to Williams on the Coast Starlight® and Southwest Chief®
- One-way in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway Train
- One-way shuttle transfer from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
- 9 nights hotel accommodations; 1 night onboard Amtrak
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight, Los Angeles to Williams on the Southwest Chief, and Williams to the Grand Canyon South Rim on the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Which trains are used?
- The Coast Starlight, the Southwest Chief, and the Grand Canyon Railway.
- What hotels are used?
- The package lists 19 accommodation options across cities and price tiers, including the Fairmont San Francisco, the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, and the Regent Santa Monica in Los Angeles; the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
- Is the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas leg by train?
- No, that segment is a shuttle transfer, not a train ride.
- What meals are included?
- 2 meals: 1 breakfast (at the Fred Harvey Restaurant in Williams) and 1 dinner (in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf).
