Amtrak Vacations
Grand Mountain Peaks and The Grandest Canyons
Rail and road trip from Denver to LA through seven national parks
13 daysfrom $3,169
30% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Scenic America by Rail with Yellowstone National Park
13-day rail trip, New York City to San Francisco via Yellowstone
Amtrak Vacations runs this 13-day, 12-night rail journey from New York City to San Francisco, with two days at Yellowstone National Park along the way. The trip opens with two nights in New York City using an included CityPASS, then the Lake Shore Limited carries travelers overnight to Chicago for two more days of sightseeing with a Chicago CityPASS. A second overnight train, the California Zephyr, climbs into the Colorado Rockies on its way to Salt Lake City, where an included transfer on the Salt Lake Express bus reaches West Yellowstone for a guided day tour of the park with an interpretive guide pointing out wildlife along the way. The California Zephyr then continues on to San Francisco for two final nights, including a hop-on, hop-off city tour with a Bay cruise and a dinner at a local restaurant. It suits travelers who want a cross-country rail trip built around a stop at America's first national park.
What to know before you look closer
- Only 1 meal is included across the whole 13-day trip, a dinner in San Francisco.
- The Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone leg is a roundtrip bus transfer on the Salt Lake Express, not a train, so this rail trip includes a coach segment in the middle.
- The Yellowstone day tour visits the Lower Loop and is seasonal; the Old Faithful Explorer Tour is substituted during winter months.
- Hotels are listed as multiple named choices across the four cities, from budget properties to hotels like the Waldorf Astoria, so which hotel you get depends on what is booked.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: New York City
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Welcome to New York City! After checking into your hotel and getting settled in, step out into the city and begin getting to know why visitors from around the world flock here in the millions each year! Use your included CityPASS and experience the Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock, and so much more!
- Day 2overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Use your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of the city to visit all the most popular neighborhoods, landmarks and attractions. Explore for as much or as little as you'd like! Enjoy the guided commentary along the way and learn all about New York City.
- Day 3railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board your direct Lake Shore Limited train from New York City's Penn Station to Chicago. The nearly 1,000-mile route traverses through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. One thing is for sure, you're guaranteed to see some epic landscapes along the way.
- Day 4overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
When you arrive in Chicago, maximize your sightseeing time by using your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. You can even start using your CityPass to visit the Shedd Aquarium, SkyDeck Chicago, and so much more!
- Day 5overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
On your second day in the bustling city is all yours to discover its crowd-pleasing attractions and hidden gems at your leisure. Shop along the Magnificent Mile, enjoy local cuisine, or check out any interesting points of interest you didn't get a chance to yesterday. Feeling adventurous and want to get out on your own? Embark on your very own walking tour. You never know what you'll find!
- Day 6railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Travel on your own to Chicago's Union Station for your journey to Salt Lake City. Along the way, you'll traverse through some wonderful landscapes. Watch as neighborhoods turn into blue skies and fields of gold before the train hikes up the breathtaking Colorado Rockies. This 1608-mile train trip stops at a number of stations in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and Utah before arriving at your destination.
- Day 7overnight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
When you arrive in the urban heart of Utah, check into your hotel and get some rest before your trip to West Yellowstone tomorrow.
- Day 8railovernight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
This morning you'll take your included transfer to West Yellowstone onboard Salt Lake Express. Along the way, you'll get to watch as the landscapes change. Once in West Yellowstone, check into your hotel and then step out to explore the town in the evening.
- Day 9overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Wake up early for an exciting day tour to Yellowstone National Park! Your interpretive guide will tell you all about the region as you stop to view wildlife and visit all the crowd-pleasing attractions. There are many highlights along this tour so don't forget your camera! Following the tour, you'll be dropped off back at your hotel.
- Day 10railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Take your included transfer from West Yellowstone back to Salt Lake City. Later, head to the train station to board the California Zephyr to San Francisco.
- Day 11railovernight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
When you arrive in San Francisco, your coast to coast train journey will come to an end. Check into your hotel and then step out and enjoy the city at leisure. This evening, enjoy your included dinner at a popular, local restaurant.
- Day 12overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
See all the city's most popular landmarks and attractions with your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour and Bay cruise. Then, spend your last night in San Francisco exploring on your own.
- Day 13
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 6The California Zephyr climbs the Colorado Rockies on the overnight run from Chicago toward Salt Lake City.
- Day 8An included transfer on the Salt Lake Express carries travelers from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone.
- Day 9A guided day tour of Yellowstone National Park's Lower Loop stops to view wildlife with an interpretive guide.
- Day 12A hop-on, hop-off tour of San Francisco includes a Bay cruise taking in the city's landmarks.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New York City to Chicago; Chicago to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to San Francisco on the Lake Shore Limited® and California Zephyr®
- Roundtrip transfer from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone
- 9 nights' hotel accommodations
- 1 meal included (1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel from New York City to San Francisco on the Lake Shore Limited and the California Zephyr is included, with 3 nights spent onboard.
- Which trains are used?
- The Lake Shore Limited (New York City to Chicago) and the California Zephyr (Chicago to Salt Lake City to San Francisco), both in Coach class.
- How do you get to Yellowstone?
- Via an included roundtrip transfer on the Salt Lake Express bus between Salt Lake City and West Yellowstone; this leg is by road, not rail.
- What is included at Yellowstone?
- A guided day tour of the park's Lower Loop with an interpretive guide; the Old Faithful Explorer Tour is substituted in winter.
- What hotels are used?
- A range of hotels across New York, Chicago, Salt Lake City and San Francisco from 29 listed accommodation options.
- How many meals are included?
- Just 1 meal across the 13 days, a dinner in San Francisco.
