Amtrak Vacations
Coast to Coast - Best of the USA and Canada
29-day coast-to-coast USA-Canada rail journey, New York to Toronto
29 daysfrom $7,149
45% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Scenic North America: Canadian Rockies and the Grand Canyon
26-day independent rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Grand Canyon
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent 26-day rail journey from Vancouver to Los Angeles, crossing Canada and the United States on five named trains. The trip begins with VIA Rail's Canadian carrying travelers from Vancouver to Jasper, where the Icefields Parkway leads to Banff past the Columbia Icefield, the Glacier Skywalk, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake, before the Canadian continues east to Toronto for sightseeing and a day trip to Niagara Falls. From Toronto, the Maple Leaf, the Lake Shore Limited, and the Southwest Chief carry travelers on to New York City, Chicago, and Williams, Arizona, gateway to the Grand Canyon Railway and a motorcoach tour of the South Rim, before a final overnight run to Los Angeles. Because this is an independent rail vacation, travelers choose their own hotel tier from 44 listed options and can add extra nights or reverse the route. It suits committed rail travellers who want to combine several classic North American train routes into one continuous journey rather than a single point-to-point trip.
What to know before you look closer
- The 44 listed accommodation options span multiple cities and hotel tiers, so which hotel you get in each city depends on the tier you choose when booking.
- Only 4 meals are included across the 26 days, 2 lunches, 1 breakfast, and 1 dinner; other meals are on your own.
- Alongside the five named trains, the trip includes at least one road transfer (Banff back to Jasper) and several motorcoach day tours, such as the Icefields Parkway and the Grand Canyon's South Rim.
- The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm current availability with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver
Welcome to Vancouver! Travel on your own to your hotel and start exploring this nature lover's paradise, where the majestic mountains meet the serene coast.
- Day 2overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver
Today's full day of sightseeing begins with a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour that will take you to all of Vancouver's most popular attractions, including Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island, and more!
- Day 3railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail
Spend the morning discovering more of Vancouver before boarding VIA Rail's Canadian train for your departure to Jasper and the majestic Rocky Mountains.
- Day 4railovernight: Jasper
Jasper
Wake up on the train to gorgeous views of the Canadian Rockies as you make your way to Jasper. Take the Jasper Skytram for incredible bird's eye views of the area.
- Day 5overnight: Banff
Jasper to Banff
Depart Jasper for a leisurely drive out to Banff along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, visiting the Columbia Icefield and the Glacier Skywalk.
- Day 6overnight: Banff
Banff
Tour of Lake Louise, Victoria Glacier, Moraine Lake and Takakkaw Falls, with a picnic lunch at Chateau Lake Louise, before crossing the Great Divide to Yoho National Park.
- Day 7overnight: Jasper
Banff to Jasper
Enjoy the morning in Banff wandering the local shops and eateries downtown or walking along the Bow River to Bow Falls, then transfer back to Jasper.
- Day 8railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail
Travel to the VIA Rail station and board the Canadian to continue your three-day journey eastbound to Toronto.
- Day 11overnight: Toronto
Toronto
Arrive in Toronto and get ready for a full day of sightseeing, including the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Harborfront, Eaton Center and Chinatown, plus admission to the CN Tower.
- Day 12overnight: Toronto
Toronto to Niagara Falls to Toronto
Full day tour to Niagara Falls including a meal overlooking the falls, a boat ride, free time in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, and a winery tour and tasting.
- Day 13railovernight: New York City
New York City
Check out and board the train for your journey to New York City, arriving in the evening for a three-night stay.
- Day 14overnight: New York City
New York City
Discover top attractions such as the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum with your New York CityPASS®.
- Day 15overnight: New York City
New York City
Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of New York City to visit the must-see attractions you haven't experienced yet.
- Day 16overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited for the overnight journey to Chicago.
- Day 17overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Check in for a two-night stay and use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to take in Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and more.
- Day 18overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Spend the day at your leisure, walking the Magnificent Mile and enjoying Chicago-style pizza and live jazz or blues.
- Day 19overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Travel to Chicago's Union Station for your journey on the Southwest Chief to Williams, traversing mountain and desert landscapes.
- Day 20overnight: Williams
Williams
Enjoy the western scenery en route to the Grand Canyon area; arrive in Williams, AZ, a quaint Route 66 community.
- Day 21railovernight: Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, then board the Grand Canyon Railway into Grand Canyon National Park and take a motorcoach tour of the South Rim; check in for a two-night stay.
- Day 22overnight: Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Day at leisure in the Grand Canyon, enjoying the sights and photo opportunities in the park.
- Day 23railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams, enjoy an included dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, then board the Southwest Chief train to Los Angeles.
- Day 24overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Arrive in Los Angeles, check in for a two-night stay, and enjoy a guided sightseeing city tour including Hollywood and Santa Monica Beach.
- Day 25overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Spend the day exploring more of Hollywood at your leisure, including the Walk of Fame and Griffith Observatory.
- Day 26
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles
Check out of your hotel today and continue with your onward travels.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 4Waking up onboard VIA Rail's Canadian gives views of the Canadian Rockies on the approach to Jasper, followed by the Jasper Skytram for views over the area.
- Day 5The drive from Jasper to Banff along the Icefields Parkway stops at the Columbia Icefield and the Glacier Skywalk.
- Day 6A tour from Banff visits Lake Louise, Victoria Glacier, Moraine Lake and Takakkaw Falls, with a picnic lunch at Chateau Lake Louise.
- Day 12A full-day tour from Toronto visits Niagara Falls, including a meal overlooking the falls, a boat ride, and a winery tour and tasting.
- Day 21The Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers from Williams into Grand Canyon National Park for a motorcoach tour of the South Rim.
Included
- 18 nights' hotel accommodations
- 4 nights' overnight VIARail® from Vancouver to Jasper and Jasper to Toronto
- 3 nights' onboard Amtrak® in Coach from Toronto to New York City, New York City to Chicago, Chicago to Williams, and Williams to Los Angeles onboard the Maple Leaf®, the Lake Shore Limited® and the Southwest Chief®
- Tour transfer from Banff to Jasper
- 4 meals included (2 lunches, 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.
- Railbookersfrom $6,299
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes. The package includes travel on five named trains: VIA Rail's Canadian, the Maple Leaf, the Lake Shore Limited, the Southwest Chief, and the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- The evidence lists this as an independent rail vacation, though it includes guided day tours such as the Icefields Parkway drive and the Grand Canyon South Rim tour.
- Which trains are used, and where?
- VIA Rail's Canadian (Vancouver to Jasper to Toronto), the Maple Leaf (Toronto to New York City), the Lake Shore Limited (New York City to Chicago), the Southwest Chief (Chicago to Williams to Los Angeles), and the Grand Canyon Railway (Williams to the Grand Canyon's South Rim, roundtrip).
- What hotels are used?
- The package lists 44 accommodation options across the cities and hotel tiers, including choices such as the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver or the Georgian Court Hotel in Vancouver, and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge or Forest Park Hotel in Jasper.
- How many meals are included?
- 4 meals across the whole 26-day trip: 2 lunches, 1 breakfast, and 1 dinner.
- Can I upgrade to a sleeper cabin?
- Yes, upgrading to a sleeping accommodation onboard the train is listed as an optional extra.
