There's no better way to experience the wonders of the United States than boarding a train that takes you to the vastness of America's diverse landscapes and nature's generosity. Amtrak does this—pulling passengers right into the hidden gems concealed from the highways, with tons of adventures that many people thought didn't exist!
Whether globetrotters are searching for Amtrak routes that make stops at beautiful beaches or are hoping to explore America's national parks by Amtrak train, the United States' favorite train operator offers it all (even on a budget!). Yes, Amtrak isn't all about pricey train trips. That said, timing is everything, especially for bagging cheap Amtrak tickets.
Fortunately, Amtrak has recently offered a number of tour options that are pretty budget-friendly, enabling passengers to explore America's stunning landscapes, cities, national parks, and hidden gem towns on a train vacation without spending a fortune. Take a look at these bucket list-worthy yet affordable Amtrak tour packages!
Amtrak partners with select tour operators to offer these tour packages. All packages are customizable with additional hotel days and activity upgrades. Prices listed are only the starting fees for Economy Seats and/or standard hotel accommodation, which may vary in pricing per season. Also, Amtrak's accommodations, amenities, menu, and local guides vary by train. Some trains may also feature forward and backward-facing seating. Amtrak doesn't guarantee preferred seat orientation.
Sports enthusiasts will love this tour package onboard the Amtrak Cascades from Vancouver to Seattle with Clipper Vacations' accommodation package. From Vancouver, which also beams with cheap vacation spots itself, travelers can hop on the Cascades train for epic sports events in Seattle, including Sounders FC, Mariners Baseball, and Seahawks Football.
Clipper Vacations offers hotel accommodations close to the Qwest Field and Safeco Field, home to Seattle's sports teams, making it easier for travelers to watch their favorite game. Of course, a visit to the destination city isn't complete without checking out Seattle's iconic Pike Place Market, the Olympic Sculpture Park, or seeing the cityscape from the top of the Space Needle!
Cost: | From $567/person |
Inclusions: | Hotel Accommodation, Transportation |
Activities: | Sports Events, Sightseeing Tours, Food Tours, Wine Tasting |
Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, offers lots of spectacular things to do, but for an even broader experience of the East Coast, travelers can take the Amtrak Downeaster to explore Maine with Downeaster Travel Packages. One of the best tour packages is the Portland Land & Sea Adventure, which showcases the greatness of Portland, Maine's hip coastal city.
This package is a perfect blend of city and sea adventures, which includes trolley tours in Portland and a cruise to the famous Portland Harbor Lighthouse. Whether it's a family affair or a quick romantic escape, this is a beautiful train tour onboard the Downeaster to experience Maine's scenic coast blended with a mix of city getaways!
Cost: | From $239/person |
Inclusions: | Transportation, Hotel Accommodation, Portland Trolley City Tour, Portland Harbor Lighthouse Lovers Cruise |
Activities: | Sightseeing, City Tour, Cruise |
See Glacier National Park on this epic train trip with Amtrak on a four-day tour onboard the Empire Builder with Amtrak Vacations. Billed as the Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park is Montana's beautiful range, showcasing jaw-dropping melting glaciers, carved valleys, alpine meadows, shimmering lakes, and dramatic flora and fauna.
This tour package offers a boat cruise to the gorgeous Two Medicine Valley, a Big Sky Circle Tour of the park, including a tour through the vast Lake McDonald Valley, and a ride along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. Glacier National Park boasts more than 700 miles of trails, perfect for traveling hikers and wilderness backpackers.
Cost: | From $1,269/person |
Inclusions: | 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation, Transportation, Tours, 1 Meal (Dinner) |
Activities: | Sightseeing, Cruise, Ride Tours |
The Big Sky Circle Tour and Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruises are seasonal tours. Big Sky doesn't run until around late June, while Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruises stop running in early September.
Grand Canyon National Park is the most-visited natural wonder in the world, receiving millions of visitors each year. Covering more than 270 miles of its surrounding uplands and the Colorado River, the park's crowning feature is the Grand Canyon, known for its layered bands of red rock with a rich million years of geological history.
All this can be experienced onboard the Amtrak Southwest Chief to the park in a four-day tour package with Amtrak Vacations, which begins in the town of Williams, the gateway to the Grand Canyon. From Williams, the train traverses through a scenic stretch of ponderosa pine forest to the park's South Rim, where the Grand Canyon gives its full glory!
Another yet affordable train tour package, this trip includes a Freedom Tour of Grand Canyon National Park, an amazing chance to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Look out for scenic overlooks with panoramic views of the canyon and the meandering Colorado River!
Cost: | From $719/person |
Inclusions: | 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation, Transportation, Tours, 2 Meals (1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner) |
Activities: | Tours, Sightseeing |
Amtrak Vacations also offers five-day and 10-day Grand Canyon package tours.
Skiers will be delighted with this affordable Amtrak tour package for their bucket list trip to Northwest Montana to enjoy the thrills of skiing. Onboard the Amtrak Empire Builder with a tour package from Flathead Travel, skiers head to Whitefish Mountain Resort, a renowned and award-winning ski resort with beautiful vistas of the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park on sunny days!
This cheap Amtrak tour package is part of the route of the Empire Builder in Montana, an underrated but beautiful state that gleams brightly in winter. Indeed, it's a great time for skiers to glide along Whitefish's spectacular ski trails, and Amtrak offers this tour package just for this trip.
This trip also includes a chance to rub elbows with the friendly locals of Whitefish, a beautiful ski town where Whitefish Mountain Resort is located, dotted with charming local shops, eateries, bars, and boutiques!
Cost: | From $75/person (custom trip) |
Inclusions: | Depends on the customized trip with Amtrak |
Activities: | Skiing |
Go to Flathead Travel to plan your custom trip. Amtrak train travel to Whitefish offers special deals and promotions.
There are many budget-friendly ways to experience Washington DC, including this affordable Amtrak tour package for an epic bucket list trip. See the US capital in its full glory with Amtrak Vacations onboard any of the 10 Amtrak routes: Acela Express, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, and Vermonter.
On a four-day tour, passengers will be treated to the best of Washington DC, which boasts tons of top attractions—from neoclassical monuments to historic buildings featuring gorgeous architecture, such as the iconic Capitol, the White House, and the Supreme Court.
A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour and monument tours are also included in this package—the ultimate ways to discover Washington DC in its prime!
Cost: | From $459/person |
Inclusions: | 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation, Transportation, Tours |
Activities: | Sightseeing, Monument Tours |