The Amtrak Cardinal operates three times a week between New York City and Chicago, making stops at 30 stations across 11 states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The route makes the most stops in West Virginia and Virginia, where passengers experience the train’s most scenic stretches through the mountains and the New River Gorge. Unlike many long-distance trains, this service has a limited schedule in both directions, so it’s essential to plan your travel accordingly.
What makes the Cardinal train route worth the extra planning is its passage through West Virginia’s New River Gorge, renowned as one of the most scenic sections in the Amtrak system. The journey also goes through Charlottesville, the Virginia mountains, and Cincinnati, allowing travelers to experience areas best accessed by train.
This guide details the Cardinal’s schedule, station stops, and onboard services. I will also explain which segments offer the best scenery and how to connect with other long-distance trains if you’re planning a multi-leg trip.
The views of the Amtrak Cardinal
The Cardinal provides breathtaking views as it travels through horse country, including the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley, and the thrilling whitewater rivers of West Virginia.
As the train travels west, it follows the banks of the majestic Ohio River, passing through the charming towns of Ashland and Maysville before reaching the skyline of Cincinnati. The journey then continues to Indianapolis and further north to Chicago.
If you’re looking for a fall train trip, I highly recommend this one.
If you want to learn about the towns you will pass through, you can use a route guide published by Amtrak, although it may be outdated.
Notable Stops and Attractions
- Philadelphia, PA: Explore historic sites like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
- Washington, D.C.: Visit iconic landmarks, including the National Mall and the Smithsonian Museums.
- Charlottesville, VA: Discover the home of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello.
- Charleston, WV: Experience the charm of the Appalachian region.
- Cincinnati, OH: Enjoy the city’s rich cultural scene and renowned chili.
- Indianapolis, IN: Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its vibrant downtown.
Equipment Used on the Amtrak Cardinal
The Cardinal operates with Amfleet II and Viewliner cars, which are single-level and designed for comfort, offering excellent scenic views.
Onboard, you’ll find:
- Coach Class – Spacious reclining seats with leg rests and large windows.
- Sleeping Cars – Private accommodations, including Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Accessible Bedrooms.
- Café Car – The only food service car on this train, available to all passengers. Meals for Sleeper passengers come from the café menu.
You can learn more about each of these cars in the article.
Coach Class on the Amtrak Cardinal
The Amtrak Cardinal offers coach seating in Amfleet II cars, providing an economical travel option.
If you have a coach reservation, you are often assigned your seat before boarding the train.
- The Cardinal coach seats recline farther than those in Amtrak’s regional coach class.
- These seats have footrests and legrests, ample legroom, and a fold-down tray.
- Individual reading lights and 120V electric outlets are available on the wall.
- Each car has two bathrooms, facing each other at one end of the coach car.
- There are overhead storage compartments above the seats for baggage
- Passengers can also use the luggage rack at the end of the car.
Amtrak Cardinal coach car layout
Sleeper Car (Rooms) Accommodations on the Cardinal
Discover the benefits of booking Amtrak sleeping accommodations. If you book sleeping accommodations, you will receive your room and car number after completing your transaction. You will receive an email with a ticket number, and you can also find it in the Amtrak app or in the My Trip section of the website.
What Cardinal Rooms Include
- Fresh linens and towels
- Complimentary Flex Dining
- Lounge access in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC
- Dedicated car attendant
- Access to showers
- The windows in each car have curtains that block light and provide privacy.
- These rooms have seats during the day and beds at night.
Room Options On Amtrak’s Cardinal
- Roomettes
- Smallest of accommodations
- Suitable for one; cozy for two
- Bedroom
- About twice the space of a roomette.
- The room includes a bathroom with a sink and a shower.
- Accessible Room
- This accommodation is for passengers with mobility issues.
- The room includes a bathroom with a sink and a shower.
Amtrak Cardinal sleeper car layout
The layout below shows the older Viewliner sleeper; however, the new ones are similar. This train also includes a dorm baggage car with half roomettes and half baggage compartments, each with a shower and bathroom.
Packing for a Trip on the Cardinal
My first time on the Cardinal was in coach class in 2013, and over the years, I’ve learned several tips to improve my travel experience, whether in coach or sleeper.
Essential Items for Every Passenger
Travel can be unpredictable, so come prepared with a water bottle and snacks to stay hydrated and energized throughout your trip. There is often a place to fill a water bottle or use the bathroom sink.
Trains can be pretty dry, similar to airplanes, so having extra water on hand is helpful. Many passengers also pack lip balm to combat the dry air and prevent chapped lips. There is often a place to fill a water bottle or use the bathroom sink.
Bring payment for the café car (cash or card; both work). The café car offers snacks, drinks, and light meals. Having options is always nice! You’ll find more details about café car offerings in the section below.
Note that this train does not have a traditional dining car; instead, it features a café car for all food service.
Power Up: Extension Cords & Chargers
One practical tip is to bring an extension cord, especially for coach and sleeper passengers with multiple charging devices. The cord is often the last thing in my bag, so it’s the first thing I pull out on the train. The train’s outlets are grounded and feature three-prong North American plugs.
Of course, don’t forget your chargers. If you plan to use devices frequently, a power brick is a great addition, allowing you to charge at stations or on the go.
Sleeping Comfortably on the Cardinal
Coach class passengers should pack a few essentials to ensure better rest during their journey. Items include an eye mask, earplugs, a travel pillow, and a light blanket. While Amtrak does sell comfort kits in the café car, they often run out quickly, so it’s best to come prepared. Some staffed stations also sell them.
Sleeper passengers receive pillows, blankets, and linens, along with the privacy of their own space. However, if you’re sensitive to noise or light, earplugs and an eye mask are worthwhile.
Entertainment On the Cardinal
The USA offers incredible scenery along parts of the route, and Amtrak offers windows. You may need more than that.
Consider bringing headphones and a tablet (e.g., an iPad) with some shows preloaded. I also enjoy downloading podcasts and music. Although the train offers Wi-Fi, it may not always work in specific areas or function as expected.
If you want more entertainment ideas, check out my post about entertainment options on Amtrak!
Staying Fresh
Coach passengers don’t have access to a shower, so a pack of wet wipes can be a game-changer for freshening up during your trip.
Sleeping car passengers can use a private or shared shower, depending on their accommodation type. A roomette provides a sink, soap, washcloths, and hand towels for personal hygiene.
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Wi-Fi
This train has free Wi-Fi for general web browsing. Learn more about Amtrak Wi-Fi, including how to log in and the dos and don’ts.
Pets & Service Animals
- Amtrak allows dogs and cats
- The maximum combined weight of the pet and carrier is 20 pounds.
- For trips up to seven hours
- You need to fill out the paperwork before arriving at the station.
- Learn more about Amtrak’s pet policy and obtain the necessary paperwork.
If you have a service or comfort animal, read Amtrak’s service animal policy before booking to ensure your critter qualifies and is appropriately on your reservation.
Carry-on & Checked Bags on the Cardinal
Not all stations can handle checked baggage. Click the station links below to see if they offer checked baggage service. Both your departure and arrival stations must offer checked baggage service.
- Amtrak checked baggage allows:
- Two bags up to 50 lbs.
- Seventy-five linear inches per person for free.
- Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage.
- You are permitted two at no charge and two extras for a fee.
Each passenger may carry on:
- One personal item, up to 25 pounds (12 kg), and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
- Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each
If you transfer to the Pacific Surfliner at any point during your journey, the baggage size limit for that train is 28 x 22 x 11 inches per piece.
Charges apply to additional and oversized luggage; see Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.
Bikes on the Cardinal
- Space is available for standard, full-size bicycles
- Up to 50 lbs, 70 inches x 41 inches x 8.5 inches.
- Amtrak stores bikes in designated bike racks/areas inside the baggage car (if available).
- More information on bringing bikes aboard Amtrak
A Daily Breakdown of the Cardinal Route
This table details the route by day, including the first and last stops. It also indicates which days of the week the train stops in each section.
| Train | 1st Day | 2nd Day |
|---|---|---|
| #50 Eastbound | Chicago, IL – Indianapolis, IN Mo, Th, & Sa | Connersville, IN – New York, NY Tu, Fr, & Su |
| #51 Westbound | New York, NY – Maysville, KY Tu, Fr, & Su | Cincinnati, OH – Chicago, IL Su, We, & Fr |
Dining on the Cardinal
The Cardinal offers a café car for all passengers, while sleeping-car passengers enjoy additional meal options through Amtrak’s Flex Dining service.
Café Car (open to everyone):
- Hot and cold meals, snacks, and beverages (including alcohol)
- Open from early morning until late evening
- May close briefly for crew breaks and during the Washington, D.C. station stop
- Located between the coach and the sleeper cars
Important: You cannot consume your own alcohol unless you’re in a sleeper car, and Amtrak cannot store or heat food you bring aboard.
Flex Dining (sleeping car passengers only):
- Pre-prepared meals heated onboard
- Included in your sleeper fare
- Delivered to your room, or you can eat in the café car
- Breakfast menu plus shared lunch/dinner selections
The Meals Offered To Sleeping Car Passengers
| Train | 1st Day | 2nd Day |
|---|---|---|
| #50 Eastbound | Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| #51 Westbound | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | Breakfast |
The Days the Amtrak Cardinal Runs
The Cardinal runs three days a week, and the following guide will help you determine which day the train stops at your station.
- Westbound (New York to Chicago):
- The Cardinal departs New York City on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for Maysville, KY.
- It travels from Cincinnati, OH, and arrives in Chicago on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
- Eastbound (Chicago to New York):
- The Cardinal departs Chicago for Indianapolis, IN, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
- It travels from Indianapolis and arrives in New York City on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Cardinal On-Time Performance
In June 2026, the Cardinal achieved a Customer On-Time Performance (OTP) of 28.9%, compared to a trailing 12-month average of 53.4%. Both figures remain significantly below Amtrak’s minimum standard of 80% for long-distance trains.
In June, passengers who arrived late had an average delay of 102 minutes. During the past 12 months, the average delay for late passengers was 84 minutes.
The Cardinal travels on Amtrak-owned tracks between New York Penn Station and Washington, D.C. Beyond Washington, it operates on three host railroads, where the leading causes of delays differ by segment.
- CSX: In June, freight train interference caused the most delays, followed by temporary slow orders.
- Norfolk Southern: Delays were primarily caused by interference from other passenger trains, with temporary slow orders contributing as a secondary factor.
- Buckingham Branch Railroad: The primary issue was temporary slow orders, which were followed by interference from other passenger trains.
In June, the Customer OTP (On-Time Performance) was significantly lower than Cardinal’s trailing 12-month average. Passengers should allow extra time when making separate train reservations, catching flights, or planning other time-sensitive activities after their arrival.
These preliminary figures are from Amtrak’s June 2026 Host Railroad Report. Customer OTP indicates whether passengers arrived on time at their destination, not whether the train reached each station on schedule.
Amtrak Cardinal Schedule for Trains 50 and 51
The information in this section is sourced from the official Amtrak website, which is subject to change at any time.
| 51 Westbound Read Down | Stations | Miles | 50 Eastbound Last Stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:40a Su-We-Fr | New York, NY (NYP) Moynihan Train Hall | 0 | 10:23p We-Fr-Su |
| R 6:57a | 7:02a | Newark, NJ – Penn Station (NWK) | 10 | D 10:03p |
| 7:38a | 7:42a | Trenton, NJ (TRE) | 58 | D 9:27p |
| 8:07a | 8:15a | Philadelphia, PA (PHL) William H. Gray III 30th St. Station | 91 | D 8:56p |
| 8:42a | 8:45a | Wilmington, DE (WIL) | 116 | D 8:30p |
| 9:30a | 9:33a | Baltimore, MD – Penn Station (BAL) | 185 | D 7:41p |
| 10:14a | 10:59a | Washington, DC – Union Station (WAS) | 225 | D 6:44p | 7:09p |
| 11:16a | 11:19a | Alexandria, VA (ALX) | 233 | D 6:27p |
| 11:50a | 11:52a | Manassas, VA (MSS) | 258 | 5:35p |
| 12:24p | 12:25p | Culpeper, VA (CLP) | 293 | 5:00p |
| 1:43p | 1:52p | Charlottesville, VA (CVS) | 340 | 3:35p | 3:44p |
| 2:50p | 2:54p | Staunton, VA (STA) | 379 | 2:38p |
| 4:10p | 4:13p | Clifton Forge, VA (CLF) | 437 | 1:09p |
| 5:02p | 5:05p | White Sulphur Springs, WV (WSS) | 472 | 12:01p |
| 5:35p | 5:36p | Alderson, WV (ALD) | 496 | 11:18a |
| 6:04p | 6:06p | Hinton, WV (HIN) | 517 | 10:50a |
| 6:39p | 6:43p | Prince, WV (PRC) | 540 | 10:18a |
| 6:58p | 6:59p | Thurmond, WV (THN) | 551 | 9:56a |
| 7:49p | 7:50p | Montgomery, WV (MNG) | 592 | 9:02a |
| 8:23p | 8:29p | Charleston, WV (CHW) | 619 | 8:31a |
| 9:44p | 9:51p | Huntington, WV (HUN) | 668 | 7:19a | 7:26a |
| 10:12p | 10:14p | Ashland, KY (AKY) | 683 | 6:45a |
| 10:56p | 10:57p | South Shore, KY(SPM) Portsmouth, OH | 712 | 5:55a |
| 11:50p | 11:52p Su-We-Fr | Maysville, KY (MAY) | 766 | 5:02a |
| 1:31a | 1:41a Mo-Th-Sa | Cincinnati, OH (CIN) Union Terminal | 828 | 3:27a | 3:37a |
| TBD | Oxford, OH (Coming in 2027) | TBD | |
| 3:35a | 3:36a | Connersville, IN (COI) | 893 | 1:31a |
| 5:15a | 6:00a | Indianapolis, IN (IND) | 951 | We-Fr-Su 11:49p | 12:15a Tu-Th-Sa |
| 6:57a | 6:58a | Crawfordsville, IN (CRF) | 998 | 10:30p |
| 7:35a | 7:36a | Lafayette, IN – Amtrak Station (LAF) | 1025 | 9:56p |
| 7:39a | 7:40a | Rensselaer, IN (REN) | 1072 | 7:45p |
| 8:28a | 8:29a | Dyer, IN (DYE) | 1118 | 6:54p |
| 10:00a Mo-Th-Sa | Chicago, IL – Union Station (CHI) | 1147 | 5:55p Tu-Th-Sa |
| Last Stop | Stations | Miles | Read Up |
Cardinal Schedule Key
- Su- Sunday; Mo-Monday; Tu-Tuesday; We-Wednesday; Th-Thursday; Fr-Friday; Sa-Saturday
- R = Receive passengers only;
- D = Discharge only
- Learn more about Receive and Discharge Only stops.
- * = Stations with Amtrak Connecting Services.
Printable Amtrak Cardinal Schedule
Print the PDF below or download it to your device for offline use. This document is longer because it includes most connection services; feel free to print only what you need.
You can also print the route or customs schedules from Amtrak! Learn how to print your own Amtrak schedule from the Amtrak website.
How to Buy Amtrak Cardinal Tickets
You can purchase Amtrak tickets through the Amtrak website or Amtrak app, by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL, at staffed Amtrak stations, or from ticket kiosks where available. You can also check with local or online travel agents.
For many travelers, using the Amtrak website or app is the easiest option. The Amtrak app allows you to store your eTicket, or you can print the PDF ticket that Amtrak emails to you. Conductors can also scan your eTicket directly from the email on your phone or another electronic device.
I recommend buying your ticket in advance, especially when traveling on weekends, during holidays, or at other busy times. Some trains, accommodations, and services can sell out quickly. It’s also a good idea to book early if you plan to travel with a bicycle or a pet, or if you want one of the limited premium accommodations on the train.
Connecting from the Cardinal to other long-distance trains.
Depending on where you are going, you may need to take more than one train. In most cases, Amtrak will not allow you to connect with another train if an overnight stay is required or the train leaves after midnight the next day. In those cases, you can always book lodging for that night and one-way or multi-city tickets.
The charts will show you where to get off the Cardinal and whether you can connect to the train, stay overnight, or take a connecting bus.
Going East
| Train | Transfer | Overnight stay | Connecting Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent | Charlottesville, VA | No | No |
| Lake Shore Limited | New York Penn | Yes | No |
| Floridian | Washington DC | Yes | No |
| Silver Meteor | Charlottesville, VA | No | Yes |
Going West
Please note that you can only connect with these trains on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
| Trains | Transfer | Overnight | Connecting Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Zephyr | Chicago, IL | No | No |
| City of New Orleans | Chicago, IL | No | No |
| Empire Builder | Chicago, IL | No | No |
| Southwest Chief | Chicago, IL | No | No |
Future Cardinal Service & Expansion
New Oxford, Ohio Station (2027)
A new train station is currently under construction at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a projected opening date in 2027. Located between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Connersville, Indiana, the station will serve the university’s 18,000 students and the surrounding community. Train services are expected to operate in the early morning hours on a tri-weekly schedule.
Daily Service Discussions
Amtrak is considering converting the Cardinal service from tri-weekly to daily, although no timeline has been provided. The current limited schedule is partly due to capacity constraints on the Buckingham Branch Railroad in Virginia.
Amtrak Cardinal Wrap-Up
The Cardinal is one of my favorite Amtrak routes because it offers some of the most beautiful scenery on the eastern half of the network. The journey through the New River Gorge and Virginia’s mountain country makes this tri-weekly schedule worthwhile, especially during the fall foliage season.
Safe travels & happy travels!
Kev
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Thanks for this.
You are welcome!
Safe Travels,
Kev
Thanks especially for this timetable, Kev. Last spring, I mentioned to my wife that an Amtrak Cardinal T-shirt would be a nice Father’s Day gift. When my wife saw a picture of it, she wanted one too, so we bought two. Living in Alexandria, Virginia, at the time, I thought that a day trip on the Cardinal would be fun. I had done it some years before with a friend. I tried searching the booking thingy on the Amtrak website by train numbers, stations, range of dates, and found nothing. I couldn’t tell whether the train was even running. Since then we have moved to Pennsylvania, but maybe we will take a long ride later this year.
You are welcome, Steve! The Cardinal is still going, but three times a week. I hope you ride it again; it is one of my favorite trains.
Thanks for your post. In 1994, I took the Cardinal in October on a trip from Milford UT (Amtrak no longer runs there) to Atlanta GA. I booked the Cardinal because it was during the leaf change. It was a great trip!
You’re welcome! The Cardinal is one of my favorite trains, and I hope you get to ride it again soon