USA rail journey overview

This USA train itinerary travels from the the West Coast to the Mid-West!

This nine-day rail journey will introduce you to sights and moments that are best experienced from the comfort from the train. No matter what the season, the California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful cross-country train routes in North America and regarded as one of the world’s great rail journeys.

Your trip begins with two nights in San Francisco, where you’ll get to sightsee and discover the city’s top attractions and popular landmarks. From there, you’ll board the California Zephyr and watch the scenery unfold as it travels east toward Denver and the majestic Rocky Mountains. During your two-night stay in Denver, you’ll have the opportunity to explore on your own and take an included day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park – an adventure you won’t soon forget!

Following another evening onboard Amtrak, arrive in the Windy City of Chicago for a two-night hotel stay. Showcasing some of the world’s best sights, attractions, and activities, you’re bound to have a grand time!

Rail departures

This special train trip includes flights from Australia and departs daily between the following dates:
2024 – 01 February to 20 March, 20 April to 10 June, 20 July to 10 September, 10 October to 30 November.

To check availability and for current prices, please call 1300 168 910 or email [email protected].

Please note: Prices in AUD are per person, based on twin share. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations and change without notice. Please request rates for solo travel. Contact us for travel at other times of the year. Booking conditions and cancellation fees apply.

Inclusions at a glance

• Flights – return economy class airfare to San Francisco & from Chicago
  • Fly from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane (from $300pp more to fly from Adelaide, Canberra & Hobart, or from $600pp extra from Perth)
  • Includes all pre-payable fees & airport taxes
• Hotels – 6 nights hotel accommodation, standard room based on twin share
  • 2 nights San Francisco – Handlery Union Square Hotel
  • 2 nights Denver – Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Downtown
  • 2 nights Chicago – La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Downtown
• Amtrak train – Superliner train from San Francisco to Chicago
  • 2 nights in a private bedroom
  • All meals on board the train
• Sightseeing – as per the itinerary
  • San Francisco Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
  • Rocky Mountain National Park Day Tour
  • Chicago Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

About the California Zephyr

The California Zephyr is one of world’s greatest train journeys, and in around 48 hours (if you travelled non-stop) you will leave the San Francisco Bay area, travel to Sacramento, pass through the Sierra Nevada mountains, snake through lovely Colorado canyons to Denver, scale the Rockies, cross the Mississippi and roll over the vast farmlands of Nebraska before reaching Chicago, Illinois. The route covers much of the very first historic trans-continental railroad route, and there’s a commentary for the most significant section.

San Francisco/Emeryville-Chicago daily (2,438 miles, two nights) or vv. The Superliner train facilities include reclining seats, sightseeing lounge car, sleeping-cars and dining-car. If you are planning a coast-to-coast trip, this is a great route to take.

Viewliner sleeping-cars:
Long-distance trains in the East have Viewliner sleeping cars. The distinctive double row of windows on these cars makes them light and airy during the day, and gives both upper and lower berths a window for star-gazing at night. Travelling by Amtrak sleeper is a real treat. All sleeper passengers get complimentary meals in the dining car and a ‘coffee station’ provides complimentary tea/coffee & fruit juice in the morning. You return from dinner in the diner to find your bed made up for the night by the sleeper attendant.

Viewliner sleeping-cars have Bedrooms (previously called deluxe bedrooms), which are much larger than roomettes and they have a private shower & toilet. Bedrooms have freestanding chair and sofa in daytime mode, and upper and lower berths at night. The lower berth is extra wide. All necessary bedding, soap and towels are provided.

Superliner dining car:
Trains west of Chicago retain a proper dining-car with freshly-cooked food. The dining-car serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. All the tables in a Superliner dining-car are on the top deck for great views while you eat – the kitchens are downstairs.

Meals are included in the fare if you have a sleeper, although drinks are extra. In the sleepers, the dining-car manager comes down the train asking each passenger which sitting for lunch or dinner they’d like, and issuing table reservations. An announcement is made at the start of each sitting.