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North America

Coast to Coast: New York to San Francisco

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10 days From $2,435 $2,235 per person
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See the USA by rail on Amtrak's California Zephyr and Lake Shore Limited with overnight journeys and city stays in New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
Last Chance 2025

Extended until July 31st: Save up to $300 per person on Escorted & up to $200 per person on Independent vacations in 2025. View Terms & Conditions

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2025 Tour code: TU-CCNW-25

About the tour

Prepare for a 10-day cross-country rail vacation that showcases the best of the USA, from natural beauty to big cities. Start your journey by exploring iconic landmarks on a guided tour of New York. Next, relax aboard the Lake Shore Limited as it whisks you through scenic vistas to Chicago, where you'll delve into the Windy City's architectural marvels.

Then, board the legendary California Zephyr for a ride through the Rockies, experiencing breathtaking views from the comfort of the train. Arrive in San Francisco, ready to uncover the city, from the historic streets of Chinatown to the Coastal Redwoods of Muir Woods.

This expertly crafted itinerary ensures a blend of sightseeing, leisure, and adventure, promising a memorable journey across America's diverse landscapes and iconic cities.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in New York City

Arrive in New York and transfer on your own to your centrally-located hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight New York City.

Day 2 - New York City sightseeing

Deep dive into the city that never sleeps on a guided tour of its highlights. Experience the city by vehicle and by boat to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and more. Hear stories about the history and people that shaped America's largest city. Overnight New York City.

Day 3 - Lake Shore Limited to Chicago

This morning, continue your explorations of the city before the train journey to Chicago later this afternoon. Highlights on this overnight route along include West Point Academy, Bannerman's Castle and a journey alongside the Hudson River. Overnight train.

Day 4 - Arrival in Chicago

Arriving in Chicago, transfer on your own to your centrally-located hotel. Then, enjoy the evening at leisure. You may wish to visit Millenium Park or Navy Pier this evening with a variety of lakeside dining and entertainment options, or perhaps you'll seek out the perfect slice of authentic deep dish pizza. Overnight Chicago.

Day 5 - Chicago sightseeing

Discover the beauty of Chicago and learn a bit of its history with an architecture tour* on the Chicago River. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore on your own, check out Wrigleyville, Willis Tower, or add one of the many optional activities available. Overnight Chicago.

*Chicago Architecture tours are available March-November. A bus tour will be substituted for December-February travel dates

Day 6 - Onboard the California Zephyr

Enjoy a leisurely morning before transferring to the rail station this afternoon to board the California Zephyr. Settle into your onboard accommodations and spend your day aboard the train with a good book, meeting fellow travelers, or enjoying the passing scenery from the glass-walled Sightseer Lounge car. Overnight train.

Day 7 - En Route to San Francisco

Views of the Rockies will be the backdrop for the better part of today's train journey as you wind your way through tunnels and around mountain curves. Highlights of today's journey include Glenwood and Ruby Canyons and the famous Moffat Tunnel. Overnight train.

Day 8 - Arrival in San Francisco

Spend the day onboard, enjoying the passing scenery. Arriving in San Francisco in the early evening, transfer on your own to your centrally-located hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening you may wish to dine at nearby Fisherman's Wharf, enjoy the charm of the Marina District, or explore the Embarcadero. Overnight San Francisco.

Day 9 - San Francisco sightseeing

Spend the day exploring San Francisco on a guided tour of the city's most iconic sights. Visit Chinatown, Haight Ashbury, travel across the Golden Gate Bridge, and stare up in wonder at the tallest living things on earth, the Coastal Redwoods in Muir Woods. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Coast before returning to the city for the night. Overnight San Francisco.

Day 10 - Homeward bound

Your coast to coast vacation comes to an end this morning.

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Hotels

Palmer House Hilton, Chicago

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Fifty Hotel & Suites by Affinia, New York

Fifty Hotel & Suites by Affinia, New York

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Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

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Trains

Amtrak's California Zephyr
Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited

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Reviews

2.5 stars2.5 / 5 · 2 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (0)
  2. 4 stars
    (1)
  3. 3 stars
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  5. 1 star
    (1)

DOUGLAS YEAGER

4 stars

Submitted 20/Apr

First, I want to say all of the train staff were great including my room attendants, dining room servers, and the lower lounge food and drink attendant. I would say the only issue was the PA system not working a lot of the time. Other than that, the ride was a wonderful experience for me.

from Vacations By Rail
Hi Douglas - Thank you for letting us know how much you enjoyed the trip! We appreciate your taking the time to provide this review. We know that consistent, quality service on a coast-to-coast train is essential, and we're thrilled to hear that you had a great time!
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

NANCY PATRICIA VANDERHIDER

1 stars

Submitted 11 Sep 2022

The sleeping cabin was way too old for the cost paid. Also, they lost our luggage and everyone we dealt with in Emeryville, from baggage people to claims personnel, were extremely rude. I would not recommend the Coast to Coast to anyone and would appreciate further correspondence with Management so they truly understand how messed up their personnel are.

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