Railway tour through Zephyr, California
Railway tour through Zephyr, California
Chicago (left), and South Rim, Grand Canyon (right)
Chicago (left), and South Rim, Grand Canyon (right)
Clockwise from top left: Grand Canyon, St Louis, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles
Clockwise from top left: Grand Canyon, St Louis, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles
Navy Pier, Chicago (left), and Santa Monica sign (right)
Navy Pier, Chicago (left), and Santa Monica sign (right)

Route 66 By Rail

13 nights from £2,449 per person Including Flights

Overview

Why not trace the path of Route 66 but let the train take the strain, on this independent rail tour from Chicago to Los Angeles. You’ll stop at all the iconic destinations on Route 66 such at St Louis and Albuquerque, as well as visiting the spectacular Grand Canyon. You’ll finish in Los Angeles and make sure you head to Santa Monica pier which marks the end of Route 66 so make sure you take a photo of the sign. (RB)


Highlights

  • Multi-day hop-on hop off tour of Chicago
  • Experience the Gateway Arch Tram in St Louis
  • Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour of Albuquerque
  • Take a trip on the Grand Canyon Railway and enjoy a tour of this magnificent wonder of the world
  • Have fun on a sightseeing tour of the Stars Homes in LA

Itinerary Overview
Fly into Chicago stay 2 nights – St Louis stay 2 nights – Overnight train – Albuquerque stay 1 night – Williams stay 1 night – Grand Canyon area stay 2 nights – Overnight train – Los Angeles stay 2 nights - Fly home
 

Our holidays include
  • Flights & taxes
  • Accommodation
  • Checked baggage
  • ATOL protection
  • In resort assistance & 24 hour contact centre
Why Book with American Sky?
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  • Choice of airlines and the option to switch
  • A friendly, family run business with a wealth of experience.
  • Great deals on offer for multiple destinations
  • Low deposits
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Day 1

Fly to Chicago

Arrive in Chicago and transfer independently to your hotel for a two night stay.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza (or alternative)

Day 2

Chicago

We’ve included a multi-day hop on hop off sightseeing tour of Chicago, so you can easily explore this charming city. Remember to hop off and take a picture of the sign depicting the start of Route 66. We also recommend hopping off to take a stroll along the shops of the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier is also a great place to visit.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza (or alternative)

Day 3

Chicago – St Louis

You have the morning to continue with your sightseeing of Chicago, if you’re a culture vulture then there are some great galleries and museums or perhaps take a stroll through Millennium Park. Later you’ll board the Amtrak train at Union Station to head to St Louis. You’ll get some great views from the train as your travel south through the “Land of Lincoln” and the Midwest

Overnight: St Louis City Center Hotel (or alternative)

Day 4

St Louis

Begin your day with a visit to the “Gateway to the West” at the St. Louis Gateway Arch. At an astounding 630-feet tall, the magnificent Gateway Arch remains the tallest man-made national monument in the United States. Its unique shape and stainless steel facade remarkably represent St Louis’ history as the jumping off point for journeys into the American West.

Overnight: St Louis City Center Hotel (or alternative)

Day 5

St Louis – Overnight onboard Amtrak

Travel to the station and board Amtrak to Albuquerque for a relaxing overnight trip on the Southwest Chief.  Travel past wheat fields and ranches, missions and pueblos as you journey west. Carving through canyon passages only a few feet wider than the train itself, you'll see spectacular landscapes and pristine vistas not visible from interstate highways

Overnight: Onboard Amtrak in Coach Class – Upgrade to a sleeper cabin including meals for a supplement

Day 6

Albuquerque

Arrive in Albuquerque late afternoon and check into your hotel before an evening at leisure in this charismatic town.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Albuquerque (or alternative)

Day 7

Albuquerque

Today, explore historic Old Town Albuquerque on a private walking tour. Learn about the history of Albuquerque and Route 66 on this tour.  Your tour guide will escort you on an exciting adventure through time. Uncover Old Town's unusual and well-hidden architectural details you find most intriguing. Reminisce about the early southwest pioneers’ daily struggle to survive. Re-live the sights and sounds of the Civil War as Confederate soldiers entered the Plaza.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Albuquerque (or alternative)

Day 8

Albuquerque - Williams

Travel to the station and board Amtrak to Williams Junction on the Southwest Chief. Upon arrival in Williams Junction, you will be transferred to Williams and the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.

Overnight: Grand Canyon Railway Hotel (or alternative)

Day 9

Williams – Grand Canyon

Enjoy your breakfast at the Grand Depot Café and be sure to not miss the morning shootout before boarding the Grand Canyon Railway into the Grand Canyon National Park.  Explore the South Rim on your motorcoach tour and take in some of the most spectacular vistas in North America formed over 17 million years ago.

Overnight: Maswik Lodge (or alternative)

Day 10

Grand Canyon

Enjoy today at leisure in the Grand Canyon National Park. Spend your free time enjoying the sights of the Canyon and taking in the amazing sights and many photo opportunities in the park.

Overnight: Maswik Lodge (or alternative)

Day 11

Grand Canyon – Williams – Overnight onboard Amtrak

After a good night’s sleep, board the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams.  This evening, enjoy your included dinner at the Grand Depot Café.  Board your transfer from the hotel to the Amtrak station and then board the Southwest Chief train to Los Angeles.

Overnight: Onboard Amtrak in Coach Class – Upgrade to a sleeper cabin including meals for a supplement

Day 12

Los Angeles

Upon arrival early this morning, travel on your own to your hotel. Spend the day exploring Hollywood at leisure. Stop by the Walk of Fame or venture up to Griffith Observatory to view the Hollywood sign.

Overnight: The LA Hotel Downtown (or alternative)

Day 13

Los Angeles

Today, enjoy a guided sightseeing city tour of Los Angeles. See the homes of famous movie stars, tour Hollywood, and visit the most popular California beaches, including Ventura Beach and Santa Monica Beach. At Santa Monica Pier make sure to take a picture at the sign marking the end of Route 66.
Overnight: The LA Hotel Downtown (or alternative)

Day 14

Fly home

 

  • International flights to Chicago returning from Los Angeles
  • One-way Amtrak in Coach class accommodation from Chicago to St Louis, St Louis to Alburquerque, Alburquerque to Williams, Williams to Los Angeles, on the Texas Eagle and the Southwest Chief
  • 2 nights onboard Amtrak - Upgrade to a sleeper cabin including meals for a supplement
  • 11 nights’ hotel accommodation as described above or similar, subject to availability. Upgraded hotels are available at a supplement
  • 1 breakfast and 1 dinner included
  • Hop-on/ Hop-off sightseeing tour of Chicago
  • Admission to the Gateway Arch Tram in St Louis
  • Walking sightseeing city tour of Alburquerque
  • Roundtrip service in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway
  • Grand Canyon Freedom Tour
  • Sightseeing tour of the Stars Homes in Los Angeles

What’s not included:

Travel to and from the city hotels and stations

Holly Reid
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