Amtrak Vacations
Essential Grand Canyon to Yosemite Roundtrip Chicago
Grand Canyon and Yosemite rail roundtrip from Chicago on four named trains
9 daysfrom $1,659
56% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Ultimate Grand Canyon to Yosemite with Muir Woods
Independent rail trip from the Grand Canyon to Yosemite via San Francisco
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 9-day rail trip from Williams, Arizona to San Francisco, California, built around three well known western landscapes: the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park and the redwoods of Muir Woods. The trip opens with two nights at the Grand Canyon's South Rim, reached by the historic Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, a small town it calls the gateway to the canyon and a stop on old Route 66. From there, travelers ride the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams for an included dinner, then board Amtrak's Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight overnight to San Francisco. Four nights in the city include a hop-on, hop-off tour with a bay cruise, a full day exploring Yosemite's El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, and a day trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods and Sausalito. Because it's independent, each day beyond the included tours is left free to explore at your own pace.
What to know before you look closer
- San Francisco is not tied to one hotel: the evidence lists several options for the four nights there (for example the Fairmont San Francisco, Hilton San Francisco Union Square, or InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco), so which one you get depends on what you book.
- Only 2 meals are included across the 9 days, 1 breakfast and 1 dinner; the rest are on your own.
- The evidence gives no current departure dates; confirm availability and pricing with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Williams
Your Journey Begins in Williams
Welcome to the quaint town of Williams, Arizona! Famous for being the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon," and its location along historic Route 66, it's the perfect place to begin your adventure.
- Day 2railovernight: Grand Canyon
Williams to Grand Canyon
After having breakfast at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, board the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. During your included Freedom Rim tour, ponder the Grand Canyon's beauty and mystery.
- Day 3overnight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Today, experience all the activities and views that you didn't get a chance to yesterday, with plenty of photo opportunities of the panoramic vistas.
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Ride the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams, where you'll enjoy an included dinner at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel before boarding Amtrak's Southwest Chief to California.
- Day 5overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Welcome to San Francisco! From illustrious museums to classic landmarks, the options you have when exploring this West Coast gem of a city are endless.
- Day 6overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Use your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour and bay cruise to continue getting familiar with the City by the Bay, including Haight-Ashbury, China Town, North Beach and the ruins of Sutro Baths at Lands End.
- Day 7overnight: San Francisco
Yosemite National Park, CA
Enjoy a full day tour of Yosemite National Park from San Francisco, taking in El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Inspiration Point, Half Dome, and Yosemite Village.
- Day 8overnight: San Francisco
Muir Woods and Sausalito
Take a tour of the scenic Muir Woods and the charming town of Sausalito, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and disembarking in the serene redwood forest, then spending time in the seaside village of Sausalito.
- Day 9
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2The Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers from Williams to the South Rim for an included Freedom Rim tour of the canyon.
- Day 4After a dinner included at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, travelers board Amtrak's Southwest Chief overnight toward California.
- Day 7A full-day tour of Yosemite National Park visits El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Inspiration Point, Half Dome and Yosemite Village.
- Day 8A tour crosses the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods' redwood forest, then continues to the seaside village of Sausalito.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Williams to San Francisco on the Southwest Chief® and Coast Starlight®
- 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 1 night onboard Amtrak
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
- Roundtrip service in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway
- Sightseeing tour of the Grand Canyon
- Sightseeing tour of Yosemite National Park
- Sightseeing tour of Muir Woods
- Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of San Francisco with a Bay Cruise
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. A roundtrip ride on the Grand Canyon Railway between Williams and the Grand Canyon in Coach, plus one-way travel from Williams to San Francisco on Amtrak's Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight, also in Coach.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's an independent rail vacation. Sightseeing tours are included at each stop, but San Francisco days are otherwise left free to explore on your own.
- Which trains are used?
- The Grand Canyon Railway (roundtrip, Williams to Grand Canyon) and Amtrak's Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight (one-way, Williams to San Francisco), all in Coach.
- What hotels are used?
- The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams and Yavapai Lodge at Grand Canyon National Park, then a choice of hotels in San Francisco such as the Fairmont San Francisco or Hilton San Francisco Union Square.
- How much walking is involved?
- The trip includes guided sightseeing at the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Muir Woods, plus a hop-on, hop-off San Francisco tour; no hikes or high-altitude activity are described.
