Amtrak Vacations
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Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
West Coast to East Coast Rail Experience from Los Angeles
Cross-country Amtrak rail journey, Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., on three trains
Amtrak Vacations runs this 11-day, 10-night independent rail vacation from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., with stops in San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago along the way. Travelers ride the Coast Starlight along the Pacific coastline to San Francisco, the Empire Builder across the northern plains, the Rocky Mountains, and past Glacier National Park to Chicago, and the Capitol Limited on to the nation's capital, all in Coach class. City time is included at each stop: a hop-on, hop-off tour in San Francisco, Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass admission in Seattle, an architecture river cruise in Chicago, and an evening Monuments by Moonlight tour in Washington. Six nights are spent in hotels chosen from about 30 accommodation options, and four nights onboard the train. This suits travelers who want to see several American cities by rail without a group schedule, choosing their own hotel level at each stop.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotel accommodations are chosen from about 30 options across the 5 cities and price tiers, so the exact hotel depends on what is selected at booking.
- All rail segments, including the overnight legs on the Empire Builder and Capitol Limited, are booked in Coach class rather than a private sleeper cabin.
- No meals are listed as included in the package; the stated inclusions are hotel nights, rail fares, and specific sightseeing add-ons such as the Space Needle and the Chicago architecture cruise.
- The evidence does not list current departure dates for this trip; confirm the schedule and availability with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Los Angeles
Your Journey Begins in Los Angeles, CA
Arrive into Los Angeles today and make your way to your hotel for a one-night stay before your coast-to-coast journey begins.
- Day 2railovernight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Start off your rail adventure onboard the famous Coast Starlight, traveling along the Pacific Ocean beaches into San Francisco. Upon arrival this evening, head to your hotel to settle in.
- Day 3overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
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 4overnight: 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 5overnight: 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 6railovernight: Onboard Amtrak (Empire Builder)
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 7overnight: 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 8overnight: 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 9railovernight: Onboard Amtrak (Capitol Limited)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Continue exploring the city before boarding the train heading to your destination, the Nation's capital.
- Day 10railovernight: 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 11rail
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 2The Coast Starlight carries travelers from Los Angeles along the Pacific Ocean beaches into San Francisco.
- Day 3A hop-on, hop-off tour covers San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, downtown, and the Golden Gate Bridge, with the freedom to hop off at any stop.
- Day 5In Seattle, included admission covers the Space Needle, 520 feet above the city, plus the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit.
- Day 7The Empire Builder's route east passes through the northern plains, the Rocky Mountains, and by Glacier National Park.
- Day 10The trip ends with an evening Monuments by Moonlight tour of Washington, D.C.'s illuminated monuments.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Los Angeles to San Francisco; San Francisco to Seattle; Seattle to Chicago; Chicago to Washington, DC on the Coast Starlight®, Empire Builder® and Capitol Limited®
- 6 nights' hotel accommodations; 4 nights onboard Amtrak
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Coach fares are included for the Coast Starlight (Los Angeles to San Francisco to Seattle), the Empire Builder (Seattle to Chicago), and the Capitol Limited (Chicago to Washington, D.C.).
- Is it escorted or independent?
- It is billed as an independent rail vacation. There is no guide or group; travelers choose their own hotel from a list of options and explore each city on their own, though several sightseeing add-ons are included.
- Which trains are used?
- The Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Capitol Limited, all in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- About 30 accommodation options across the 5 cities and price tiers, from the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hollywood Walk of Fame to the Regent Santa Monica. The exact hotel depends on what is selected at booking.
- What is not included?
- No meals are listed as included. The stated inclusions are hotel nights, rail fares, and named sightseeing add-ons such as Space Needle admission, the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, the Chicago architecture cruise, and the Washington Monuments by Moonlight tour.
