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
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25% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
USA and Canada Rail Experience Roundtrip from Seattle
Independent rail loop from Seattle through Vancouver, Toronto and New York
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 12-day rail loop that starts and ends in Seattle, crossing to Vancouver, Toronto, New York City and Chicago along the way. After a short train ride and one night in Vancouver, 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 the Maple Leaf carries travelers through upstate New York to one night in New York City, with time for the Empire State Building and Central Park. From Moynihan Train Hall, the Lake Shore Limited runs overnight to Chicago, where travelers switch to the Empire Builder for a two-night return to Seattle past the Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park. With 7 of the 11 nights spent onboard trains, this suits travelers who want the rail journey itself, rather than time in any one city, to be the center of the trip.
What to know before you look closer
- This is an independent trip: the Vancouver, Toronto and New York City stops are 1 or 2 nights each, and most of the schedule, 7 of 11 nights, is spent onboard trains rather than in a hotel.
- Hotels are chosen from a list of 18 options across the three cities (for example the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver or the Waldorf Astoria New York), 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: Vancouver
Vancouver, BC
Welcome to Vancouver! After arriving from Seattle, seize the day exploring Stanley Park, wandering through the bustling Granville Island Market, or marveling at the vistas from Vancouver Lookout.
- Day 2railovernight: 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 3railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail®
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail®
- Day 5railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail®
- Day 6overnight: 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 7overnight: 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 8overnight: 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 9railovernight: 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 10railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak®
Switch trains at Chicago's Union Station before boarding your final train to Seattle. Once onboard the Empire Builder®, sit back and enjoy the 2-night train journey to Seattle, with views of the Rocky Mountains including Glacier National Park.
- Day 11overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak®
- Day 12rail
Your Journey Ends in Seattle
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 2VIA Rail's the Canadian departs Vancouver for a four-night crossing of the Rocky Mountains, prairies and lakeshores.
- Day 6Arrival in Toronto includes a hop-on, hop-off tour visiting the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
- Day 8A scenic ride through upstate New York ends with arrival in New York City.
- Day 10The Empire Builder's two-night run back to Seattle passes the Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® from 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®; Chicago to Seattle on the Empire Builder® in Coach accommodations
- One-way VIA Rail® from Vancouver to Toronto on The Canadian® in Economy accommodations
- 4 nights hotel accommodations; 7 nights onboard Amtrak®/VIA Rail®
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Amtrak's Cascades, Maple Leaf, Lake Shore Limited and Empire Builder in Coach, plus VIA Rail's the Canadian in Economy.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- Independent; hop-on, hop-off tours are included in Toronto and New York City, but there's no escort between stops.
- How many nights are on the train?
- 7 of the 11 nights, including 4 nights aboard VIA Rail's the Canadian and a two-night Empire Builder run back to Seattle.
- What hotels are used?
- A choice of hotels in Vancouver, Toronto and New York City, for example the Fairmont Pacific Rim or the Waldorf Astoria New York.
- How much walking is involved?
- Hop-on, hop-off tours of Toronto and New York City; no hikes or high-altitude activity are described.
