San Francisco to London Rail Adventure

Hotel check-in times: As a general rule most hotels will allow guests to check-in from 2pm. Unless stated otherwise, the tour price does not include guaranteed early check-in. Please advise us if you would like to request early check-in.

Accommodation rating: The hotels on this tour have been carefully selected for location, comfort, and facilities. With the exception of one night at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park (4-star), all accommodation is of a 5-star standard.

Food and drink: Breakfast is included daily, with selected lunches and dinners included as outlined in the itinerary. On long-distance Amtrak services, meals are included when travelling in private sleeping accommodation.

Dietary requirements: If you have any special dietary requirements, you must notify us at the time of booking. We will make every effort to accommodate requests, but availability can vary, particularly on long-distance train journeys.

Budgeting: You will need extra money for meals and drinks not included in the tour price, optional sightseeing, souvenirs, and personal items (such as laundry).

Food (guide only): Lunch or dinner – from £20 to £40 (prices vary by location and restaurant style).

Tipping – guides and drivers: Tipping is customary in the United States and is an important part of service workers’ income. In restaurants, a tip of around 18–22% of the pre-tax bill is standard unless a service charge is already included. It is also customary to tip drivers, guides, and hotel staff for good service. Your tour leader will be happy to advise on appropriate amounts during the journey.

We have travelled widely by train and never experienced any problems, but you should not be complacent. Take good care of personal belongings and keep valuables, passports, travel documents, medicines and prescriptions with you in a separate day bag at all times.

Train carriages are generally staffed by an attendant. On some newer trains you may be able to lock your compartment from the outside, but this is not always the case. Ask your attendant to lock the door if you plan to leave your compartment. At night you will be able to lock from the inside.

Some travellers choose to bring their own padlock in case a door lock is faulty. A combination cable padlock can also help secure baggage to luggage racks.

The local currency used on this tour is the US Dollar (USD). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout the United States, including on trains, in hotels, and at most restaurants. We recommend carrying a small amount of local currency for incidental expenses.

Our advertised prices do not include the cost of international flights. Please contact us if you would like a quotation to book a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Flight inclusive packages are fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

It is a condition of booking with Adventures By Train that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your policy.

Your insurance policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.

United Kingdom and Australia passport holders do not require a visa for tourist travel to the USA. However, an electronic travel authorisation must be obtained in advance of departure:

United States: Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) – esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Immigration requirements can change without notice. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they meet all entry requirements. We strongly recommend checking the latest information with the relevant embassy, consulate, or official government website at the time of booking and again prior to departure.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country of residence.

We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. Certain countries may also require that the blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements you may be refused boarding or denied entry.

For destination-specific requirements, please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. UK citizens can also visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

No specific vaccinations are required for travel to the United States. Travellers should ensure that routine vaccinations are up to date.

We recommend consulting your doctor or travel health professional well in advance of departure for personalised medical advice.

Climate: Weather will vary, from coastal conditions in the Pacific Northwest to alpine and high-plains climates in the American West, before finishing in the temperate northeast.

Clothing: Lighter clothes are recommended during the day, with warmer layers at night. Bring a hat for sun protection and at least one waterproof layer for wet or windy days.

Equipment: Consider a small first-aid kit, suncream, insect repellent, and a torch/head torch. Some travellers bring cards or travel games, and a phrase book or translation app can be useful.

Onboard essentials: Bring a small towel for the trains. It can also be wise to carry toilet paper and hand sanitiser as conditions can vary.

Wi‑Fi: Onboard Wi‑Fi availability varies by service and route and may be limited. Most hotels offer reliable Wi‑Fi.

Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Consider flip-flops for moving about on long-distance trains.

Electric supply & plugs: The United States uses Type A and B plugs. Travellers from outside North America will require a suitable adaptor.

The itinerary has been carefully planned based on the latest train and ship schedules. However, timings and operating days for specific services may change at short notice.

This could necessitate adjustments to the itinerary, including the number of nights spent in certain cities. Should changes be required, our experienced travel consultants will discuss the available options with you before finalising any amendments. Please note that these options may be limited, so flexibility is essential.

This journey is best suited to travellers who are comfortable managing their own luggage. While Amtrak trains in North America may offer checked baggage services, guests should expect to keep their luggage with them for most rail journeys and all road-based travel.

Please be aware that in some locations a short walk between railway stations and hotels will be necessary. While we strive to select hotels close to stations, in certain cities the walk may be slightly longer. If you have any concerns, please contact us before booking.

Luggage allowance: Your luggage should not exceed 20kg (44lbs). Each traveller may bring one medium-to-large suitcase or rucksack, plus one small piece of hand luggage.

Top tip for travelling light – your laundry is on us: Where available, hotel laundry services can be used. We will cover laundry costs up to USD 100 per person, per hotel stay (charged locally then settled or reimbursed as appropriate, subject to the stated limit).