The ultimate coast to coast adventure by train - The itinerary for your journey

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime rail journey across the most diverse country in the world! Your photo album will include the Statue of Liberty, the White House, the Wild West, the Rockies, the Grand Canyon, Hollywood Boulevard and the Golden Gate Bridge. Find Out More »

Tour highlights

• New York
• Washington
• Chicago & Denver
• Denver & Rio Grande Railroad
• Durango & Silverton Railroad
• Monument Valley & Flagstaff
• The Grand Canyon
• Los Angeles & Hollywood
• RMS Queen Mary
• San Francisco & Alcatraz

Day 1 - London to New York

We depart from London for New York, where our base for three nights is the Beacon Hotel, within easy reach of Central Park, Broadway and Times Square.

Day 2 - Sightseeing in New York

See the incredible sights of the 'Big Apple', including Central Park and glamorous Fifth Avenue on our guided tour, before enjoying a harbour cruise around Manhattan past the Statue of Liberty. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring New York.

Day 3 - At leisure in New York

Today is free for you to explore 'the city that never sleeps', and your options are virtually endless as New York offers something for everyone. New York's neighbourhoods, including Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Little Italy, East Village, the West Side and Harlem, all take on a unique character of their own, but remain quintessentially 'New York'. Enrich your mind at one of the city's many museums, such as the Guggenheim, American Museum of Natural History, or the Museum of Modern Art. Discover unparalleled shopping in 57th Street's upmarket boutiques or visit Wall Street for a taste of the city's financial hub.

Days 4-5 - Washington

We take the train south to Washington, the nation's capital, where we spend two nights at the Affinia Liaison Hotel Capitol Hill. Our tour of this elegant city features the White House and Capitol Hill. You also have some time at leisure to explore at your own pace. Why not visit the world's largest art, science and history museum complex - the fantastic Smithsonian?

Day 6 - To the Mid-West

Day 6 - To the Mid-West We leave Washington late-afternoon on the Capitol Limited. The Capitol Limited service runs daily between Washington DC and Chicago, following the historic B&O line through the Potomac Valley. Our overnight journey takes us past historic Harpers Ferry and the Allegheny Mountains into Pittsburgh, before crossing into Ohio and heading north to Cleveland, across Indiana and eventually into the centre of Chicago. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the passing scenery from the comfort of the Sightseer Lounge before moving to the dining car to enjoy dinner - included as part of the journey.

Day 7 - The ‘Windy City’

We arrive in Chicago after breakfast. Our city tour this morning revisits the 'dry and lawless years' of the 1920s and '30s, taking in the site of the St Valentine's Day Massacre and Al Capone's headquarters, as well as less violent landmarks! Your afternoon is free to explore Chicago and perhaps climb the Sears Tower for a magnificent view. We overnight at the Affinia Hotel Chicago.

Day 8 - The Great Plains

After a relaxing free morning we board the California Zephyr for an overnight journey, which takes us across the cornfields and plains of Iowa and Nebraska. The Zephyr has a Sightseer Lounge on board, and dinner will be served in the dining car this evening.

Day 9 - Denver the Mile High City

Our morning arrival means you have a free day to explore the city's sights. Denver boasts a mile-long promenade lined with cafés and shops and a mountain view down every street. Our home in Denver for two nights is the centrally-located Warwick Hotel.

Day 10 - Natural attractions

Today we leave the city by coach to explore the natural attractions of the Rocky Mountain National Park, Big Thompson Canyon and Estes Park.

Day 11 - Into the Rockies by rail

Today we embark on one of the USA's most scenic rail journeys along the route of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Our journey takes us up into the Rocky Mountains, past dramatic peaks and deep ravines to the city of Grand Junction, in the heart of Colorado's wine region. We enjoy an overnight stay at the Hampton Inn, close to many downtown restaurants, museums and theatres.

Day 12 - Through the mountains

A coach takes us through the San Juan Mountains to Silverton, an old mining town. Here we board the Durango and Silverton Railroad* for a journey through breathtaking canyons, past emerald-green rivers, across the remote wilderness of the National Forest, to Durango. The town retains its Wild West look, with many beautifully restored buildings, a vintage narrow-gauge railway, station and museum. We spend the night at the Doubletree Hotel.

*During the early part of the season the Durango and Silverton Railroad operates a winter timetable. During this period we enjoy an alternative journey from Rockwood to Cascade Canyon and Durango.

Day 13 - Monument Valley

Familiar from a hundred westerns, the rugged landscape of Utah's Monument Valley is one of America's defining images. The whole region has the imagery and feel of a bygone age, where cowboys still spend lonely months herding cattle across miles of untouched hills and Native Americans still perform rituals passed down through the generations. The journey through Navajo country takes us to Flagstaff for two nights at the Little America Hotel.

Day 14 - Grand Canyon

Today we head along the legendary Route 66 to the town of Williams to join the Grand Canyon Railway. We travel in vintage carriages, hauled by historic locomotives, to the Grand Canyon to see one of the world's most awe-inspiring sights. The canyon, created by the Colorado River over a period of 6 million years, is 277 miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep. We arrive at the South Rim and main viewpoint of the Canyon. You have the option of taking a spectacular flight over the Canyon (payable locally) - a fantastic way to see the scale of this natural wonder!

Day 15 - Flagstaff

Enjoy a day at leisure in the fabulous setting of Flagstaff, maybe by spending the morning relaxing at the hotel's outdoor swimming pool (seasonal) and hot tub before enjoying a gentle walk amidst the hotel's 500 acre private ponderosa pine forest. During the evening we transfer to the station to join the Southwest Chief for the overnight journey to Los Angeles. The Southwest Chief is unique among Superliner trains as it is permitted to reach speeds of up to 90mph on sections of the route.

Day 16 - Los Angeles and the RMS Queen Mary

On our arrival in LA we spend the morning in Hollywood, with free time to see the footprints of the stars at Mann's Chinese Theatre or to take a stroll down the famous Hollywood Boulevard. We then travel to Long Beach for one night on board the RMS Queen Mary, which has a fascinating history as a luxury ocean liner and its role in World War II as a U-boat dodging, high-speed troop carrier.

Day 17 - The Coast Starlight

We join Amtrak's Coast Starlight for a daytime journey, leaving sprawling LA and travelling north along the scenic Pacific coast shoreline to San Francisco. Enjoy vast stretches of pristine beaches as the train hugs the coast, north of Santa Barbara, then takes us through the wine county of San Luis Obispo. Our base for three nights in San Francisco is the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, close to the cable car terminus, with good views over the city.

Day 18 - San Francisco and Alcatraz

Sightseeing on our first morning includes the inspiring Golden Gate Bridge and the popular Fisherman's Wharf. We then head across San Francisco Bay, by ferry from Pier 33, to visit the infamous island of Alcatraz, most famous for its time as a prison. Known also as The Rock, from where there are no known escape survivors, the island's notable former residents include Al Capone and the 'Birdman of Alcatraz'. Our tour of the island takes us into the prison itself, seeing the cells as they were, with examples of some escape attempts on display.

Day 19 - A day at leisure in San Francisco

Your second day in San Francisco is free, so why not explore the vibrant streets of Chinatown or ride the trams (cable cars) up and down the hilly, crooked streets? You could spend time taking in the city's culture with visits to the Museum of Modern Art or the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, enjoy some opera, jazz or ballet, or visit the Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill for stunning views. You also have the option of a day trip to Sausalito.

Days 20-21 - Journey home

We transfer to the airport for the overnight flight to London, arriving mid-morning on Day 21.

USA Coast to Coast - Luxury Escorted Rail Tours - Rail Holidays

The Ultimate USA Coast Coast Adventure by train. Luxury 21 day Escorted Rail Tour visiting, New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver, Rockies, Grand Canyon, LA More. Frequent departures, Find out more.
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