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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Route 66 by Rail

Route 66 by rail from Chicago to Los Angeles on Amtrak

Illustration of Route 66 by Rail

Railbookers operates this 14-day independent rail vacation tracing Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles, using Amtrak's Texas Eagle and Southwest Chief trains along with a side trip on the Grand Canyon Railway. Two full days in Chicago open the trip with a hop-on hop-off city tour, before day 3's train south to St. Louis and a visit to the Gateway Arch on day 4. Day 5 is an overnight leg onboard Amtrak, riding west past wheat fields, ranches, missions, and pueblos toward Albuquerque, where day 7 brings a private walking tour of historic Old Town. From Williams, the Grand Canyon Railway carries the trip into the national park on day 9, with a free day at the Canyon on day 10 before a second overnight Amtrak leg to Los Angeles. The trip closes with a guided city tour taking in Hollywood and the beaches on day 13. It suits travelers drawn to the overnight train legs as part of the experience, not just the transport between stops.

What to know before you look closer

  • The overnight legs on days 5 and 11 are in Amtrak Coach class, not a sleeper cabin or private room.
  • Only 2 meals are included across the full 14 days, 1 breakfast and 1 dinner, so most meals are on your own.
  • Multiple hotel options are listed for each city rather than one named hotel per stop.
  • No departure dates are listed in this evidence pack; confirm current availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Chicago

    Your Journey Begins in Chicago

    Welcome to Chicago! Today your journey begins with a multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour. Visit the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and many more Chicago destinations. Don't forget to hop-off and take a picture at the famous sign marking the start of Route 66!

  2. Day 2overnight: Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    Enjoy the second day of your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Chicago and explore any sites you didn't get a chance to see yesterday.

  3. Day 3railovernight: St. Louis

    Chicago to St. Louis

    Travel to Union station and board Amtrak to St. Louis. Head south on your journey to the great Midwest by train. Your journey through the "Land of Lincoln" to the "Show-Me-State" includes some amazing views only possible on Amtrak.

  4. Day 4overnight: St. Louis

    St. Louis, MO

    Begin your day with a visit to the "Gateway to the West" at the St. Louis Gateway Arch. At an astounding 630-feet tall, the magnificent Gateway Arch remains the tallest man-made national monument in the United States.

  5. Day 5overnight: onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Travel to the station and board Amtrak to Albuquerque for a relaxing overnight trip on the Southwest Chief. Travel past wheat fields and ranches, missions and pueblos as you journey west.

  6. Day 6overnight: Albuquerque

    Albuquerque, NM

    Arrive in Albuquerque later this afternoon and travel to your hotel. Enjoy your free time exploring the sights and sounds of Albuquerque, a city marked by its rich Spanish roots.

  7. Day 7overnight: Albuquerque

    Albuquerque, NM

    Today, explore historic Old Town Albuquerque on a private walking tour. Learn about the history of Albuquerque and Route 66 on this tour.

  8. Day 8overnight: Williams

    Albuquerque to Williams

    Travel aboard Amtrak to Flagstaff, where a short transfer will take you to Williams.

  9. Day 9railovernight: the Canyon

    Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

    Enjoy your breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant and be sure to not miss the morning shootout before boarding the Grand Canyon Railway into the Grand Canyon National Park. Explore the South Rim on your motorcoach tour.

  10. Day 10overnight: the Canyon

    Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

    Enjoy today at leisure in the Grand Canyon. Spend your free time enjoying the sights of the Canyon and taking in the fresh air, amazing sights and many photo opportunities in the park.

  11. Day 11railovernight: onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    After a good night's sleep, board the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams. This evening, enjoy your included dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant. Board your transfer from the hotel to the Amtrak station and then board the Southwest Chief train to Los Angeles.

  12. Day 12overnight: Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, CA

    Upon arrival early this morning, travel on your own to your hotel. Spend the day exploring Hollywood at leisure. Stop by the Walk of Fame or venture up to Griffith Observatory to view the Hollywood sign.

  13. Day 13overnight: Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, CA

    Today, enjoy a guided sightseeing city tour of Los Angeles. See the homes of famous movie stars, tour Hollywood, and visit the most popular California beaches, including Ventura Beach and Santa Monica Beach. At Santa Monica Pier make sure to take a picture at the sign marking the end of Route 66.

  14. Day 14

    Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4A visit to the St. Louis Gateway Arch, "the tallest man-made national monument in the United States."
  • Day 5An overnight Amtrak journey on the Southwest Chief, passing wheat fields, ranches, missions, and pueblos.
  • Day 7A private walking tour of historic Old Town Albuquerque covering the history of Route 66.
  • Day 9Riding the Grand Canyon Railway into Grand Canyon National Park and touring the South Rim by motorcoach.
  • Day 13A guided sightseeing tour of Los Angeles taking in Hollywood, Ventura Beach, and Santa Monica Beach, ending at the Route 66 sign on Santa Monica Pier.

Included

  • One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Chicago to St. Louis, St. Louis to Albuquerque; Albuquerque to Williams Junction, Williams Junction to Los Angeles on the Texas Eagle® and Southwest Chief®
  • 11 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
  • 2 meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included on this trip?
Yes. The trip includes one-way Amtrak Coach travel from Chicago to St. Louis, St. Louis to Albuquerque, Albuquerque to Williams Junction, and Williams Junction to Los Angeles on the Texas Eagle and Southwest Chief, plus roundtrip Grand Canyon Railway service between Williams and the Grand Canyon.
Do you sleep on the train?
Yes, two nights are spent overnight onboard Amtrak, on day 5 toward Albuquerque and on day 11 toward Los Angeles, in Coach class rather than a sleeper cabin.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It's an independent rail vacation with some guided tours, including a hop-on hop-off Chicago city tour, a walking tour of Old Town Albuquerque, a Grand Canyon motorcoach tour, and a Los Angeles sightseeing tour.
Which hotels are used?
Railbookers lists hotel options for each stop, including the Waldorf Astoria Chicago and Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown in Chicago, and the Regent Santa Monica and DoubleTree Los Angeles Downtown in Los Angeles.
What meals are included?
Two meals total across the trip: one breakfast and one dinner, the dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant in Williams per the day 11 itinerary.

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