Amtrak Vacations
Coast Starlight Experience from Seattle
Coast Starlight train trip from Seattle to Los Angeles
6 daysfrom $1,259
33% rail
Amtrak Vacations
San Francisco and Seattle
Six-day rail journey from San Francisco to Seattle with an overnight train
Amtrak Vacations runs this six-day, five-night independent rail journey from San Francisco to Seattle. The trip opens with two nights in San Francisco, using an included CityPASS and hop-on-hop-off tour to see sights such as Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, plus a dinner at a waterfront restaurant. On day 3, travelers board the Coast Starlight in the afternoon for an overnight ride north, with views of the West Coast and rolling hillsides before settling in for the night onboard. Arrival in Seattle leads to two more nights, with time to explore Pike Place Market and Chihuly Garden & Glass, an Argosy Cruise past the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier, and admission to the Space Needle. Because sightseeing runs through a CityPASS and hop-on-hop-off tour rather than a guide, and travelers make their own way to the Seattle hotel on arrival, this suits independent travelers comfortable with an overnight train and a self-paced schedule.
What to know before you look closer
- The 12 sample hotels span multiple tiers and both cities; which specific hotel a traveler gets depends on the accommodation tier and city chosen, from limited-service options like the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown to upscale choices like the Fairmont San Francisco.
- Only one meal, a dinner at a waterfront restaurant in San Francisco, is included across the six days; other meals are on your own.
- The San Francisco CityPASS covers the California Academy of Sciences and the Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise outright, but only 2 of 4 additional attractions (Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, the Walt Disney Family Museum, or the Exploratorium) are included; travelers choose which two.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: San Francisco
Your Journey Begins in San Francisco
Welcome to the beautiful City by the Bay San Francisco! When you arrive, check in to your hotel and begin using your included CityPASS and hop-on, hop-off to explore this beautiful city. Visit all of San Francisco's great attractions, 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 2overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Today, you can continue using your CityPASS and hop-on, hop-off and spend time checking out what you may have missed yesterday. Shop in Union Square, explore North Beach, stroll through Chinatown, or take a cable car ride. In the evening, enjoy your included dinner at a lovely waterfront restaurant.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Spend your morning continuing to enjoy the city before heading to the Amtrak station and boarding the Coast Starlight to Seattle. Take in all the views of the West Coast and rolling hillsides before tucking in for a good night's rest.
- 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, including the city's most popular sights like Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Seattle Center, the Waterfront, and more!
- Day 5overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Today, embark on an exciting Argosy Cruise of Seattle! This narrated cruise offers a history lesson on the Emerald City as well as panoramic and up-close views of Puget Sound, the historic Waterfront, the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier (weather permitting), wildlife, and the Seattle skyline. There is a full-service bar on board for the purchase of cocktails, wine and beer, as well as non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. Later in the day, use your included admission to the Seattle Space Needle and take in marvelous 360-degree views of the city and surrounding areas. Spend the evening continuing to explore the city at your leisure.
- Day 6
Your Journey Ends in Seattle
Your Journey Ends in Seattle.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Arrival in San Francisco starts with the included CityPASS and hop-on-hop-off tour, taking in sights such as Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Day 3The Coast Starlight departs for Seattle, with views of the West Coast and rolling hillsides before an overnight onboard the train.
- Day 4Arrival in the 'Emerald City' of Seattle, with the day free to explore sights such as Pike Place Market and Chihuly Garden & Glass.
- Day 5An Argosy Cruise of Seattle gives panoramic views of Puget Sound, the historic waterfront, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier, weather permitting.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Seattle onboard Amtrak's Coast Starlight®
- 4 nights' hotel accommodations
- 1 meals included (1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel from San Francisco to Seattle on the Coast Starlight, including an overnight onboard the train.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- Independent; the itinerary uses a CityPASS and hop-on-hop-off touring rather than a guide, and travelers make their own way to the hotel in Seattle.
- Do I sleep on the train?
- Yes, night 3 is spent overnight onboard the Coast Starlight between San Francisco and Seattle.
- What is included?
- 4 nights' hotel accommodations, one-way Coach travel on the Coast Starlight, the San Francisco CityPASS, a hop-on-hop-off tour, one dinner, a Seattle harbor cruise, and Space Needle admission.
- How much walking is involved?
- The itinerary is built around hop-on-hop-off and CityPASS sightseeing in San Francisco and a self-guided day plus a harbor cruise in Seattle, both typical city sightseeing on foot.
- How much does it cost?
- From $1,149 USD per person.
