Call to book1-877-929-7245
Tour Search
#Favorites

Winter Escape to the Grand Canyon - Chicago Round-trip

Save
4.4 stars(17 reviews)
Gallery

This winter, escape to the warmth of America's southwest and the beauty of one of the world's top natural attractions, the Grand Canyon.

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
202320242025
6 days From $1,029 per person
Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
Save up to $400 pp

Save up to $400 per person on rail vacations with 2023 departures. Book by May 31st to lock in savings up to $400 per person on any 2023 departure.

View Terms and Conditions

2023 Tour code: WC-WGCR-23

About the tour

This winter, escape to the warmth of America's southwest and the beauty of one of the world's top natural attractions, the Grand Canyon. Your 6-day train vacation begins in Chicago, where you'll board Amtrak's Southwest Chief for Flagstaff, Arizona. From there, catch the historic Grand Canyon Railway for your journey to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and incredible sightseeing at one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Your winter rail vacation, ideal in the off-season because of fewer travelers visiting U.S. National Parks and their attractions, includes round-trip travel on Amtrak's Southwest Chief, roundtrip travel on the Grand Canyon Railway, hotel accommodations, sightseeing at the Grand Canyon, and more!

 

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart Chicago aboard Amtrak's Southwest Chief

Arrive Chicago Union Station and board Amtrak's Southwest Chief early this afternoon for your overnight journey to Flagstaff, AZ.

Day 2 - Southwest Chief to Flagstaff, Arizona

The sun rises as you leave Kansas' snow-covered plains behind and enter southern Colorado. Start your day with a visit to the Sightseer Lounge, the best location to take in the passing scenery and socialize with your fellow travelers. By lunchtime, the changing scenery indicates you have left the snow behind and are in the heart of the warmer, sunnier southwest. A little before 4:00 pm, the Southwest Chief pulls into Albuquerque. Take some time to disembark the train, stretch your legs, and enjoy the warmer weather-a welcome treat in the middle of winter. The train continues its journey at 4:45 pm and arrives in Flagstaff, Arizona approximately 9:30 pm this evening. A shuttle will transfer you from the rail station to your hotel. Overnight Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Sleeping Car Passengers only)
Day 3 - Historic Grand Canyon Railway Train

Start your first morning in the southwest with a hearty breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant. Then board the vintage rail cars of the Grand Canyon Railway for the journey to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You'll travel the same route as other notable Railway passengers before you including William Howard Taft, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Clark Gable, Jimmy Durante, and Doris Day. The historic Grand Canyon Railway was originally built more than a century ago to transport ore in the Wild West. Upon arrival at the Grand Canyon Village, check into your hotel before embarking on a Freedom Tour of the Grand Canyon. This narrated motorcoach tour of the South Rim visits the most scenic overlooks of the canyon, with stops at breathtaking vistas including Mohave Point, Pima Point, The Abyss, and Hermits Rest. Overnight Maswik Lodge.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Grand Canyon at Your Leisure

Spend the morning exploring the South Rim on your own or take another guided tour. There are several historical buildings worth visiting including Buckey O'Neill's Cabin, the longest continually standing structure in the South Rim; and Bright Angel Lodge with its small museum honoring Fred Harvey, who played a prominent role in popularizing the Grand Canyon. Opt to visit Mary Colter's Lookout Studio and Hopi House, or take the shuttle to the Geology Museum at Yavapai Point or to the Visitor Center. Board the Grand Canyon Railway southbound to Williams Depot at 3:30 pm. Dinner this evening is at the Fred Harvey Restaurant. Overnight Williams.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 5 - Southwest Chief Chicago-bound

Wake-up early and transfer to Flagstaff to catch Amtrak's Southwest Chief bound for Chicago. As you leave the warm weather behind you, you may elect to nap, read a book, or spend the day marveling at the canyons, deserts, mountains, missions, pueblos, and ranches that comprise the colorful scenery. Overnight train. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Sleeping Car Passengers only)
Day 6 - Arrive at Chicago's Union Station

Snow-covered prairies welcome you to the Midwest as you wake-up this morning. Leisurely prepare for your 3:15 pm arrival in Chicago. You may elect to extend your stay in the Windy City to take advantage of all of the winter activities the city has to offer.

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Amtrak accommodations are available in Coach class, Roomette and Bedroom. 

Coach accommodations include a reclining seat with leg rest. 

Roomette accommodations include a private cabin featuring two comfortable seats beside a picture window during the day, converting to an upper and lower berth at night.

Bedroom accommodations feature a sofa and chair by day, and upper and lower berth by night. Bedroom accommodations also include a sink and self-enclosed toilet and shower.

All travelers have access to the Sightseer Lounge. Roomette and Bedroom accommodations include all meals aboard the train.

Please note

For additional dates please see Grand Canyon Railway Rails to the Rim Adventure.

* Arrival and Departure times are subject to change. Please be advised that passengers traveling on Southwest Chief Trains may encounter delays of approximately three to six hours due to heavy congestion, speed restrictions and other operating conditions.

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. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Maswik Lodge - Grand Canyon Lodges, Grand Canyon National Park

Maswik Lodge - Grand Canyon Lodges, Grand Canyon National Park

View hotel

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, Williams

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, Williams

View hotel

Trains

Amtrak's Southwest Chief
Grand Canyon Railway

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Elevate Your Adventure
Extend your stay

Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 17 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (8)
  2. 4 stars
    (8)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

PATRICIA AYERS

4 stars

Submitted 19 Mar 2023

Very nice package would give a 5 star but tickets for our bus tour was wrong but still nice. Would do it again!

Collected by Trustpilot

GUUS BRINKHOF

5 stars

Submitted 06 Feb 2023

Great organization.

Collected by Trustpilot

Fred Schildkamp

3 stars

Submitted 25 Nov 2022

If I was doing a review on Vacation By Rail I'd give them a 100% rating. But due to Amtrak being part of the picture it hurts there business. Delayed trains, uncomfortable seats, poor selection of food on the train. None of which I hold VBR responsible for. As for the Grand Canyon and the accommodations real nice except the hotel we stayed at the Grand Canyon. Check in was 3 pm and our room was not ready at 5 pm. Finally got a different room. Rooms were clean and the beds comfortable.

Collected by Trustpilot

GERTRUDE HARDY

4 stars

Submitted 16 Nov 2022

Value for money good. Time allowed not so good.

Collected by Trustpilot

CAROL PRIESBE

5 stars

Submitted 14 Nov 2022

Great service, well planned!

Collected by Trustpilot

Mary F, Ashland, OR

4 stars

Submitted 27 Dec 2018

My friend and I meet up each year for a trip. This was so different than our usual driving trip. We had so much time to catch up (she lives on the east coast, I on the west).

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Show 6 more reviews
Global Rail Adventures Brochure

Global Rail Adventures Brochure

The definitive guide to our 2023 Global Rail Adventures

Download brochure
Related inspiration from our journey blog