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Southwest Chief

The American landscape's absolute grandeur is brought to life state after state aboard the legendary Southwest Chief. One of Amtrak's beloved overnight expeditions, this train offers panoramic views of the country, from the heart of the Midwest, through the colorful Southwest, and amidst the Old West's arid landscapes, its route from Chicago to Los Angeles. In all, the Southwest Chief covers 2,265 miles, following portions of the historic Santa Fe Trail, meandering through the wholesome farmlands of America's Heartland, and passing the Red Rocks of New Mexico during its 2-day journey across the country.

Passengers that follow railway history may recognize the Southwest Chief's route as that of the former Sante Fe Super Chief that operated from 1936 until 1971 when Amtrak took over the passenger lines in the United States. The Sante Fe Super Chief was the cream of the rail travel crop in its time, offering a luxurious onboard experience and catering to a host of celebrity clientele. Its route further complemented the journey, offering some of the most stunning surroundings in North America as the train traveled between Chicago and Los Angeles. Today, this legacy continues with Amtrak, with the Southwest Chief's passengers enjoying comfortable onboard accommodations, wonderful meals in the Dining Car, and unparalleled views from the train's Sightseer Lounge Car.

In the double-decker lounge/café, guests have two options to gain a new perspective on the incredible route. The café boasts a full menu of hot and cold snacks and meals on the lower level. Guests may also purchase alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Comfortable booths sit aside large windows, so none of the highlights go unseen while travelers are snacking.

6 results matching: Amtrak's Southwest Chief

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South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Heritage Tour
4.3 stars(153 reviews)
Independent
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6 days from
$1,188 pp
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Desert View Watchtower
4.5 stars(18 reviews)
Independent
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5 days from
$944 pp
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5 days from
$944
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Grand Canyon Sunset
Independent
2024JunJulAugSepOct
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14 days from
$3,387 pp
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14 days from
$3,387
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Sunrise in Winter at the Grand Canyon
4.4 stars(21 reviews)
Independent
2024NovDec
Independent
6 days from
$1,188 pp
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6 days from
$1,188
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7 days from
$2,215
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Cathedral Lake at Yosemite National Park
Independent
2024JunJulAugSep
Independent
17 days from
$5,306 pp
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Our customers love our Southwest Chief tours
Grand Canyon Railway Rails to the Rim Adventure
14 May 2024
Frederick McManus
5 stars
“Pricey, but totally organized and worth the price. All the little pieces - rail, hotels, transportation, meals, were covered and well-coordinated. The documents we received made it a breeze to be in the right place at the right time, and the trip was one of our most memorable ever. The only sour note was that our train left Chicago over three hours late and arrived in Arizona over six hours late. We missed almost all the scenery we were hoping to see by traveling Amtrak instead of flying, but we did see it on the return trip.
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Grand Canyon Railway Rails to the Rim Adventure - Los Angeles
28 Apr 2024
cindy galindo
5 stars
“Great adventure. Exciting way to see the countryside. New perspective
Collected by Trustpilot
Winter Escape to the Grand Canyon - Chicago Round-trip
10 Jan 2024
ALLYN RICCI
5 stars
“It was a wonderful quick getaway for me, my husband, and 2 kids. They loved the train and we all experienced the Grand Canyon for the first time together. We will definitely be using Vacations by Rail for another adventure!
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