Amtrak Vacations
Alaska and the Empire Builder Rail and Sail with the Norwegian Jade®
12-day Alaska cruise and Amtrak rail journey from Anchorage to Chicago
12 daysfrom $2,369
25% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
USA and Canada Rail Experience Roundtrip from Chicago
Independent rail loop from Chicago through Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto and New York
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 13-day rail loop that starts and ends in Chicago, crossing to Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto and New York City. The Empire Builder opens the trip with two nights onboard, tracing the pioneer trail across the American West to Seattle, where a single night leaves time for the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. A short Cascades ride crosses into Vancouver for one more night, before VIA Rail's the Canadian takes over for four nights, crossing the Rocky Mountains, the prairies and lakeshores on the way to Toronto. Two nights there include a hop-on, hop-off tour of the Royal Ontario Museum and Casa Loma, then a scenic ride through upstate New York leads to one night in New York City, with time for the Empire State Building and Central Park. An overnight Lake Shore Limited ride returns travelers to Chicago. With most stops limited to a single night, the pace suits travelers who want the journey itself to be the point.
What to know before you look closer
- This is an independent trip: most stops (Seattle, Vancouver and New York City) are just 1 night, so much of the trip is spent traveling rather than settled in one place.
- Hotels are chosen from a list of 24 options across the cities (for example Hotel Andra Seattle MGallery or the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver), so which property you get depends on what you book.
- The evidence gives no current departure dates; confirm availability and pricing with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Begin your trip by heading to the iconic Union Station. Board the Empire Builder® bound for Seattle, tracing the footsteps of pioneers through the vast American West.
- Day 2overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak®
- Day 3overnight: Seattle
Seattle
Upon arriving in Seattle, soak in the city's vibrant atmosphere as you disembark from the Empire Builder®. After checking into your hotel, spend the day exploring iconic attractions like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the waterfront.
- Day 4overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver
After arriving in Vancouver from Seattle, seize the day exploring Stanley Park, wandering through the bustling Granville Island Market, or marveling at the vistas from Vancouver Lookout.
- Day 5railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail®
Embark on a thrilling adventure from Vancouver to Toronto onboard The Canadian® train for four unforgettable nights, across the Rocky Mountains, expansive prairies, and tranquil lakeshores.
- Day 6railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail®
- Day 7railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail®
- Day 8railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail®
- Day 9overnight: Toronto
Toronto
Arrive in Toronto and begin two nights in Canada's largest city. Dive into a day of exploration with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, discovering the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Harbourfront, Eaton Centre, and Chinatown.
- Day 10overnight: Toronto
Toronto
Explore Toronto's diverse neighborhoods and attractions, including Kensington Market, Yorkville, and the Distillery District, the Art Gallery of Ontario and Ripley's Aquarium.
- Day 11overnight: New York City
New York City
Enjoy a scenic journey from Toronto to NYC, passing through picturesque upstate New York. Check in for one night in the heart of the city.
- Day 12railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak®
Make the most of your last day in NYC with a hop-on, hop-off tour, exploring the Empire State Building and Central Park. Head to Moynihan Train Hall to board the Lakeshore Limited® to Chicago.
- Day 13rail
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
Disembark this morning and continue with your travels. If you would like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Empire Builder departs Chicago's Union Station, tracing the pioneer trail across the American West.
- Day 5VIA Rail's the Canadian departs Vancouver for a four-night crossing of the Rocky Mountains, prairies and lakeshores to Toronto.
- Day 9Arrival in Toronto includes a hop-on, hop-off tour visiting the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
- Day 11A scenic ride through upstate New York ends with arrival in New York City.
- Day 12A hop-on, hop-off tour takes in the Empire State Building and Central Park before boarding the Lake Shore Limited at Moynihan Train Hall.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® from Chicago to Seattle on the Empire Builder®; Seattle to Vancouver on the Cascades®; Toronto to New York City on the Maple Leaf®; New York City to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited® in Coach accommodations
- One-way VIA Rail® from Vancouver to Toronto on The Canadian® in Economy accommodations
- 5 nights hotel accommodations; 7 nights onboard Amtrak®/VIA Rail®
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Amtrak's Empire Builder, Cascades, Maple Leaf and Lake Shore Limited in Coach, plus VIA Rail's the Canadian in Economy.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- Independent; the operator notes you can ask your "Rail Expert" to extend the trip, so days beyond the included tours are self-directed.
- How many nights are on the train versus in hotels?
- 7 nights onboard trains (2 on the Empire Builder, 4 on VIA Rail's the Canadian, 1 on the Lake Shore Limited) and 5 hotel nights across Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto and New York City.
- What hotels are used?
- A choice of hotels in each city, for example Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown or the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver.
- How much walking is involved?
- Space Needle admission and hop-on, hop-off tours of Toronto and New York City; no hikes or high-altitude activity are described.
