Itinerary
- Day 1
San Francisco
You'll arrive at the airport and head to your hotel in San Francisco. This is where your rail tour across the USA kicks off in a city famous for its cable cars, food scene, and cultural energy.
- Day 2
San Francisco
Today you'll check out San Francisco's main attractions. Start with the Golden Gate Bridge, then head to Fisherman's Wharf to see the sea lions hanging around. Later, take a cruise out to Alcatraz Island and tour the former federal prison on your own.
Included Activities
- Golden Gate Bridge visit
- Fisherman's Wharf visit to see sea lions
- Alcatraz Island self-guided tour (Insider Experience)
Landmarks/POIs Golden Gate Bridge Fisherman's Wharf Alcatraz Island - Day 3
San Francisco to Merced to Yosemite National Park
You'll board the San Joaquins train through California's Central Valley to Merced. From there, a coach takes you to Yosemite National Park where you'll see Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls. You'll head back to Merced for the night.
Included Activities
- San Joaquins Train journey (Insider Experience)
- Yosemite National Park Valley Floor tour
- Half Dome viewpoint
- El Capitan viewing
- Bridalveil Falls viewing
Landmarks/POIs Yosemite National Park Half Dome El Capitan Bridalveil Falls - Day 4
Merced to Bakersfield to Las Vegas
The San Joaquins train continues south through the Sierra Nevada mountains and San Joaquin Valley. After arriving in Bakersfield, you'll transfer by coach across the Mojave Desert and pull into Las Vegas.
Included Activities
- San Joaquins Train journey (Insider Experience)
Landmarks/POIs Sierra Nevada Mountain range San Joaquin Valley Mojave Desert - Day 5
Las Vegas
You've got the day to yourself in Las Vegas. Take the monorail to explore the Strip with its casinos and shows, or wander around and check out whatever else interests you on your own schedule.
Optional Activities
- Las Vegas Strip exploration via monorail
- Casino visits
- Entertainment venues
Landmarks/POIs Las Vegas Strip - Day 6
Las Vegas to Flagstaff
Your coach heads across Nevada into Arizona, passing by the Hoover Dam. You'll drive Route 66 and arrive in Flagstaff, a town surrounded by ponderosa pine forest about 500 acres in size, sitting at a nice elevation.
Landmarks/POIs Hoover Dam Route 66 - Day 7
Flagstaff to Grand Canyon
You'll travel to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway in vintage train cars pulled by historic locomotives. Once you reach the South Rim, you'll take in views of the layered rock and gorge formed by the Colorado River. Musicians and costumed cowboys perform during the ride.
Included Activities
- Grand Canyon Railway journey in vintage carriages (Insider Experience)
- Grand Canyon South Rim viewing
Landmarks/POIs Grand Canyon Grand Canyon South Rim Colorado River - Day 8
Flagstaff to Monument Valley
After breakfast, you'll drive through Navajo country and Monument Valley in Utah. The landscape looks like scenes from old Western movies, where Native Americans held ceremonies and cowboys moved cattle across the terrain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Monument Valley Navajo Country - Day 9
Monument Valley to Grand Junction
Start with the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, traveling in a vintage train through the National Forest. You'll pass canyons and emerald rivers before reaching Silverton. Then you'll continue to Grand Junction, a Colorado city in a fruit-growing area.
Included Activities
- Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad journey (Insider Experience)
Landmarks/POIs Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Silverton - Day 10
Grand Junction to Chicago
After a hotel buffet breakfast, you'll head to Grand Junction Railway Station and board Amtrak's California Zephyr. This historic rail line started in 1949 and offers one of America's iconic cross-country routes.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel buffet breakfast)
Included Activities
- Amtrak California Zephyr train journey
- Day 11
Chicago
Breakfast comes to you on the California Zephyr as the train keeps moving toward Chicago. You'll arrive in the Windy City this afternoon with time to relax and get a feel for the city on your own terms.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast aboard the train)
- Day 12
Chicago
You'll take a river cruise to see Chicago's architecture from the water and learn about the city's great buildings. The rest of the day is yours to spend in Millennium Park, visit the Art Institute, check out other museums, or just walk around downtown.
Included Activities
- Chicago Architecture Cruise
Optional Activities
- Millennium Park visit
- Art Institute of Chicago visit
- Museum and art gallery visits
Landmarks/POIs Millennium Park Art Institute of Chicago - Day 13
Chicago to Buffalo
Spend your day exploring Chicago however you like. Later in the evening, you'll board the Lake Shore Limited train for an overnight journey to Buffalo. You'll have comfortable sleeping accommodations as the landscape passes by during the night.
Included Activities
- Lake Shore Limited overnight train journey (Insider Experience)
Optional Activities
- Chicago sightseeing at leisure
- Day 14
Buffalo to Niagara Falls
You'll arrive in Buffalo and transfer to Niagara Falls. Spend the day exploring the falls on your own, or take a river tour to experience them from the water if that appeals to you.
Optional Activities
- Niagara Falls river tour (own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Niagara Falls - Day 15
Niagara Falls to New York
Board the Maple Leaf train service heading to New York for a day-long journey. When you arrive, you'll get a behind-the-scenes tour of Grand Central Station and learn about its hidden features.
Included Activities
- Maple Leaf train service to New York
- Behind-the-scenes Grand Central Station tour (Insider Experience)
Landmarks/POIs Grand Central Station - Day 16
New York
You'll join a guided tour and cruise around Manhattan's harbor. You'll pass by the Statue of Liberty and experience the energy and action of one of the world's most dynamic cities.
Included Activities
- Manhattan guided tour and harbour cruise
- Statue of Liberty viewing
Landmarks/POIs Manhattan Statue of Liberty - Day 17
New York
You'll head to the airport for your return flight, wrapping up your cross-country rail journey through the USA.
