Amtrak Vacations
America Coast to Coast - LA to Boston
Independent coast-to-coast US rail trip on four Amtrak trains, LA to Boston
10 daysfrom $1,809
100% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
West Coast to East Coast Rail Experience
Ten-day coast-to-coast rail journey from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.
Amtrak Vacations operates this ten-day, nine-night independent rail vacation across the United States, starting in San Francisco and ending in Washington, D.C., by way of Seattle and Chicago. Three named trains carry the trip forward: the Coast Starlight north to Seattle, the Empire Builder east to Chicago, and the Capitol Limited on to the capital, with four nights spent onboard in Coach class. Early days include a hop-on, hop-off tour of San Francisco and a stop at Muir Woods and the coastal town of Sausalito, before the Empire Builder crosses the northern plains, the Rocky Mountains, and passes Glacier National Park on the way to Chicago. A stop in Chicago includes an architecture river cruise, and the trip closes with an evening Monuments by Moonlight tour in Washington, D.C. Hotels are chosen from 24 options across the four cities. The pace is brisk, with several one-night city stops linked by overnight train travel, suiting travelers who want a genuine cross-country rail experience over gradual city-hopping.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotels are chosen from 24 options across the four cities and a range of tiers, from the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown to the Fairmont San Francisco and the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, so comfort depends on which hotel you pick.
- Four of the trip's nine nights are spent onboard the train in Coach seating rather than a hotel bed, across the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Capitol Limited overnight legs.
- No meals are listed among the included features across this 10-day trip; budget for dining separately, including on the nights spent onboard the trains.
- Return rail travel is not included: the final day's evidence notes 'want to travel back by train? Just speak with one of our Travel Consultants,' so getting home is arranged separately.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: San Francisco
Your Journey Begins in San Francisco, CA
Start off your rail adventure in San Francisco and head to your hotel to check in and drop off your belongings. Then, it's time for some sightseeing! Climb aboard a hop-on, hop-off tour that includes all of San Francisco's great locations, like Fisherman's Wharf, Downtown, the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, and many more. You can hop off the tour at any of the designated stops to explore them at your own pace.
- Day 2overnight: San Francisco
Muir Woods & Sausalito
Today, get ready to discover the beauty of the Muir Woods and Sausalito! On the drive to Muir Woods, you'll cross over the Golden Gate Bridge and disembark in the serene redwood forest. Once you've taken in all that Muir Woods has to offer, you'll stopover in Sausalito, a "California original." This charming coastal town is home to many artists and has a delightful array of restaurants, galleries, walking paths, and spectacular Bay and City views. You'll have some free time to explore all Sausalito has to offer before your 30-minute bay cruise, which takes you back to Fisherman's Wharf.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak (Coast Starlight)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, travel on your own to San Francisco's Amtrak station and prepare to take a beautiful ride on the Coast Starlight to Seattle. The scenery along the Coast Starlight route is truly breathtaking. Enjoy the majestic landscapes right outside your window as you wind through lush forests and fertile valleys.
- Day 4overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Arrive in Seattle this morning and check in to your hotel before setting off to explore the "Emerald City". Enjoy admission to the iconic Space Needle, where you can view the entire city while 520 feet above the ground for stunning views of Mt. Rainier, the lights of downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and several other popular attractions. Visit the beautiful Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibits and stroll by the famous Pike Place Market.
- Day 5railovernight: Onboard Amtrak (Empire Builder)
Explore Chicago Then Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Make your way to the train station to board one of Amtrak's most scenic and revered train journeys, the Empire Builder®. Enjoy the experience of traveling by train, sleeping and dining onboard, as fascinating landscapes roll by just outside your window.
- Day 6overnight: Onboard Amtrak (Empire Builder)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Wake up and enjoy the amazing views that slip by your window as you continue to make your way east. Today you will be traveling through the great northern plains, the Rocky Mountains, and passing by Glacier National Park. Be sure to bring a camera as Amtrak is one of the best ways to enjoy America's beautiful scenery.
- Day 7overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Arrive in Chicago, drop off your bags at your hotel and begin exploring. Take a stroll on Navy Pier and through Millennium Park. Take your included architecture river cruise and learn about the fascinating history of the impressive buildings that line the river.
- Day 8railovernight: Onboard Amtrak (Capitol Limited)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Continue exploring the city before boarding the train heading to your destination, the Nation's capital.
- Day 9railovernight: Washington, DC
Washington, DC
Your final train ride comes to an end as the Capitol Limited pulls into Washington, DC. Make your way to your hotel to settle in before your evening tour through the famous monuments illuminated throughout the nation's capital.
- Day 10rail
Your Journey Ends in Washington, DC
Check out of your hotel this morning to head home. Want to travel back by train? Just speak with one of our Travel Consultants.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A stop at Muir Woods reaches the redwood forest, followed by the coastal town of Sausalito.
- Day 4Admission covers the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit in Seattle.
- Day 5Travelers board the Empire Builder for an overnight ride toward Chicago, described as 'sleeping and dining onboard' while the landscape rolls by.
- Day 6The Empire Builder crosses the northern plains and the Rocky Mountains and passes Glacier National Park.
- Day 9The Capitol Limited arrives in Washington, D.C., followed by an evening Monuments by Moonlight tour.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Seattle; Seattle to Chicago; Chicago to Washington, DC on the Coast Starlight®, Empire Builder® and Capitol Limited®
- 5 nights hotel accommodations; 4 nights onboard Amtrak
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Coach travel across three named trains: the Coast Starlight, the Empire Builder, and the Capitol Limited.
- Do I sleep on the train?
- Yes, four nights are spent onboard, on the nights the itinerary marks as overnight legs, days 3, 5, 6, and 8.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation with some guided elements included, such as the Muir Woods and Sausalito tour and the Chicago architecture cruise.
- What hotels are used?
- 24 accommodation options across the four cities and a range of tiers, including the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown, the Fairmont San Francisco, and the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco.
- What is not included?
- No meals are listed as included, and return rail travel from Washington, D.C., is booked separately through a Travel Consultant.
