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- Discover Route 66 by Rail
Discover Route 66 by Rail
From £2,426 pp
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15 nights
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Economy flights
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Available April - October
Ride the rails along Historic Route 66, giving you more time to relax and soak up the scenery along the way. Embrace the iconic architecture in Chicago’s ‘Windy' city, before your journey to St Louis and its iconic Arch set beside the Mississippi River. Appreciate historic Albuquerque and its Mexican culture and ride the Grand Canyon Railway to the Canyon's South Rim. Your Route 66 rail journey ends in the vibrant beachside city of Santa Monica, the perfect base to explore Los Angeles.
What's Included?
- International flights departing from the UK based in economy class
- Accommodation for 13 nights
- Amtrak train from Chicago to St Louis in Coach class
- Amtrak overnight train from St Louis to Albuquerque in Coach class
- Amtrak train from Albuquerque to Flagstaff in Coach class
- Return Amtrak transfers from Flagstaff to Williams
- Amtrak overnight train from Flagstaff to Los Angeles in Coach class
- One day Chicago Hop on/off Bus tour
- 90-minute St Louis Narrated Trolley Tour
- Round trip Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the Grand Canyon
- One day Los Angeles Hop on/off Bus tour
Holiday Map
Explore our interactive map to discover your holiday route and key points of interest.
Start
Finish
Stops
Point of interest
Your day-to-day plan
Day 1-3
Arrive in Chicago
Upon arrival make your own way to your hotel for the next three nights where you will experience this magnificent city. Whilst exploring the city make sure you get a photo of the official start of the Route 66 sign, located at the junction of Michigan Avenue and Adams Street. Included in your trip is a hop on/off bus tour which allows you time to explore the lakefront and Navy Pier, browse the shops on the Magnificent Mile, grab a Chicago deep dish pizza, and see the city's incredible architecture.
Day 4-5
Amtrak - Chicago to St Louis
Travel by Amtrak train to St Louis, the largest city along Route 66, you can visit the many attractions throughout the city on the included Trolley tour, including the Gateway Arch, the nation's tallest monument which sits proudly by the Mississippi River.
Day 6
Amtrak - Overnight train to Albuquerque
Join the Amtrak train for your overnight trip to the historic city of Albuquerque, via Kansas City, famous for its American football team – the Kansas City Chiefs, sports, music and barbecue food. Why not upgrade your travel to business class or a roomette or bedroom for additional comfort.
Day 7-8
Albuquerque
Enjoy the vast wheat fields and ranches as the train carves its way through the canyons and arrives in New Mexico’s largest city in the afternoon. Enjoy the next two days exploring the city’s exciting and fascinating attractions and culture including Central Avenue, a haven for Route 66 landmarks and the Historic Old Town for a taste of New Mexico's Spanish colonial past. Visit the city’s many interesting museums, the Biopark complete with a zoo, aquarium and botanical gardens or travel out of town to the Sandia Peak Tramway for stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains.
Day 9-11
Amtrak – Albuquerque to Williams
Make your way to Albuquerque station for your approximately six-hour train journey to Flagstaff and then 30-minute road transfer to Williams. Williams has six blocks of shops and historic buildings packed full of Route 66 memorabilia waiting to be explored including the Route 66 Museum and colourful Route 66 gas stations. On your third day, you will take the famous Grand Canyon Railway to enjoy a full day at Grand Canyon National Park, a natural wonder that must be seen to be believed. Spend your time discovering the South Rim of the Canyon, stopping at one of the numerous overlooks, walk part of the Rim Trail or along the historic Hermit Road before returning on the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams.
Day 12
Amtrak – Overnight train to Los Angeles
Travel back to Flagstaff by road this evening before travelling on the Southwest Chief overnight train to Los Angeles, arriving the following morning. Options to upgrade to a roomette or bedroom accommodation are available.
Day 13-15
Los Angeles
Arrive in Los Angeles Union Station and transfer by a taxi to Santa Monica. Spend three nights in Santa Monica and make your way to the official end of Route 66 on Santa Monica’s famous Pier. Take a stroll down to Muscle Beach, enjoy a coffee in hippy Venice Beach or for thrill seekers, try one of the many magical theme parks including Universal Studios Hollywood or Disneyland Park in Anaheim. Included in your holiday is a one day hop on/off bus that will take you to the major sights in Los Angeles including Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Strip and the star studded Dolby Theatre .
Day 16
Homeward bound
After a relaxing final morning, it is time to make your own way to the airport before leaving Los Angeles for your homebound flight.
This holiday requires an ESTA for entry to the United States, for full details and to apply please see below:
Please note selected national parks in the USA require reservations for vehicles in order to enter the parks. Reservations are required in advance. This is in addition to purchasing a national park entrance ticket. Early booking is recommended.
Further information on the parks, where vehicle reservations are required and how to book can be found on:
USA National Parks
