Search

Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

USA Coast to Coast by Rail

Fifteen-day rail journey from New York to San Francisco on Amtrak.

Illustration of USA Coast to Coast by Rail

Tailor Made Rail operates this 15-day self-guided rail journey across the continental United States, starting in New York and ending in San Francisco. The trip combines three overnight sleeper-train journeys on Amtrak's most celebrated long-distance routes with four multi-day city stops. You depart London by flight, spend three days in New York exploring museums and landmarks, then board the Lake Shore Limited at Penn Station for an overnight journey to Chicago. After two days in the Windy City, you reboard the California Zephyr for an overnight crossing to Denver, where the Rocky Mountains backdrop the state capital. A final overnight on the California Zephyr carries you across the Rockies and Nevada deserts toward San Francisco, arriving at Emeryville and connecting by bus into the city for three days. Return flights to London are included. The itinerary suits first-time rail travellers drawn to American trains, experienced rail explorers seeking an famous multi-train route, couples wanting private compartments and independent days, and those who prefer self-guided flexibility to daily escorts.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price covers the package and includes return flights, but check which Amtrak rail fares may be reserved separately in your booking.
  • Hotels listed as "or similar"; the final accommodation depends on availability at the named hotel.
  • Days 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 13 are unguided; you arrange all activities in each city.
  • Final journey segment from Denver to San Francisco includes a connecting Amtrak bus (not continuous train travel) from Emeryville into the city.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: New York (Edison Hotel NYC or similar)

    London to New York

    Fly into New York (alternatives include starting via Washington DC and the East Coast, or skipping the flight for the Queen Mary II from Southampton).

  2. Day 2overnight: New York (Edison Hotel NYC or similar)

    New York

    Museums, a Circle Line sightseeing cruise, Macy's and Bloomingdales, or Ellis Island; views from the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock.

  3. Day 3overnight: New York (Edison Hotel NYC or similar)

    New York

    Second full day exploring the Big Apple.

  4. Day 4overnight: Aboard the Lake Shore Limited (Viewliner Roomette)

    New York overnight to Chicago

    A final morning of sightseeing before heading to Penn Station in the afternoon to board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited overnight in a Viewliner Roomette - a private sleeping compartment that converts into bunk beds.

  5. Day 5overnight: Aboard the Lake Shore Limited (Viewliner Roomette)

    Aboard the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago

    Continue the overnight journey towards Chicago.

  6. Day 6overnight: Chicago (Kimpton Gray Hotel or similar)

    Chicago

    Arrive into the vibrant lakeside city of Chicago - shopping, art galleries, a baseball game at Wrigley Field, jazz or blues, and Chicago's famous deep dish pizza.

  7. Day 7overnight: Aboard the California Zephyr

    Chicago overnight to Denver

    A free morning - perhaps Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio in Oak Park, or the Shedd Aquarium - before boarding the California Zephyr overnight towards Denver.

  8. Day 8overnight: Denver (The Rally Hotel or similar)

    Aboard the California Zephyr to Denver

    Arrive into Denver the following morning.

  9. Day 9overnight: Denver (The Rally Hotel or similar)

    Denver

    The state capital of Colorado, backed by the Rocky Mountains - museums including the Museum of Contemporary Art and the US Mint, and the historic LoDo district.

  10. Day 10overnight: Aboard the California Zephyr

    Denver overnight to San Francisco

    Reboard the California Zephyr for the last stage of the journey, across the Rockies to Salt Lake City, then through Nevada to Sacramento.

  11. Day 11overnight: San Francisco (Handlery Union Square or similar)

    Arrive San Francisco

    Arriving into Emeryville, a connecting Amtrak bus completes the journey to San Francisco.

  12. Day 12overnight: San Francisco (Handlery Union Square or similar)

    San Francisco

    Cable cars, the Palace of Fine Arts, clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf, a Golden Gate Bridge harbour cruise, or a tour of Alcatraz.

  13. Day 13overnight: San Francisco (Handlery Union Square or similar)

    San Francisco

    Second full day exploring the City by the Bay.

  14. Day 14overnight: Overnight flight

    San Francisco overnight to London

    Time to explore further before an overnight flight home, depending on departure time.

  15. Day 15

    Arrive London

    Arrive back in London at the end of the trip.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited at Penn Station in New York in the afternoon; spend the night in a private Viewliner Roomette with convertible bunk beds.
  • Day 8Arrive in Denver after overnight travel on the California Zephyr, backed by the Rocky Mountains.
  • Day 10Reboard the California Zephyr for the final leg, crossing the Rockies to Salt Lake City, then through Nevada to Sacramento.
  • Day 11Arrive in Emeryville and take a connecting Amtrak bus to San Francisco.

Included

  • Return flights in Economy Class from London to New York and San Francisco to London
  • 3 overnight rail journeys in a private roomette
  • 10 nights' central hotel accommodation
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Three overnight Amtrak journeys in private roomettes are included, plus return flights from London. Rail fares are part of the package.
Which trains are used?
The Lake Shore Limited (New York to Chicago in a Viewliner Roomette), the California Zephyr (Chicago to Denver, and Denver to Emeryville in roomettes), plus a connecting Amtrak bus from Emeryville to San Francisco.
Is this guided or self-guided?
Self-guided. You receive easy-to-follow travel documentation and make your own choice of activities in each city.
What hotels are included?
Ten nights across four cities: Edison Hotel NYC (3 nights), Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago (2 nights), The Rally Hotel in Denver (2 nights), and Handlery Union Square in San Francisco (3 nights), or similar.
How much walking is involved?
City exploration is self-directed and varies by choice, but includes museums, sightseeing cruises, and walks to attractions. No strenuous hikes or high-altitude exertion.
Are there alternative departure routes?
Yes. You can depart via Washington DC down the East Coast, or travel outbound via the Queen Mary II from Southampton instead of flying, subject to separate booking and cost.

Similar journeys