The Amtrak Illinois Zephyr is a daily train between Chicago and Quincy, IL, including Galesburg and other intermediate stops. A complementary regional train is the Carl Sandburg, with the long-distance trains Southwest Chief and the California Zephyr covering many but not all of the same stops.
A quick look at the Illinois Zephyr
- This train offers coach and business class
- You can purchase food from the cafe car or bring some with you for food.
- This train has free Amtrak Wi-Fi.
- There are a few reservation add-ons, like pets, bikes, and golf clubs.
- This train can use either the new Amtrak Venture cars or older cars.
- Get the Illinois Zephyr schedule.
The Amtrak Illinois Zephyr Basics
The Illinois Zephyr Numbers
Amtrak’s Eastbound Illinois Zephyr Line is 380, and 383 is the Westbound.
Coach class
The Illinois Zephyr offers Coach seating, which features:
- A fold-down tray
- Individual reading lights
- 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets.
- Depending on the car, the outlet is either on the wall or between the seats.
- Overhead luggage racks and a shelf at one end where you can also put your belongings.
Business class
Business class includes extra legroom, a comfortable seat, and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages; ask the cafe car attendant for more details.
Additionally, Business Class customers receive a 25% bonus on Amtrak Guest Rewards points, and if you are leaving from Chicago, business class passengers can use the Metropolitan Lounge for a fee!
Wi-fi & Entertainment
Amtrak offers free Wi-Fi on this train. While free, it does have some restrictions, for it can throttle or not allow streaming. You may not be able to download or upload large files.
Amtrak does not offer streaming entertainment, but here are some entertainment ideas for you.
Food
You can buy or bring food on this train.
Cafe Car
The cafe car offers:
- A variety of hot and cold meals
- Snacks
- Hot and cold beverages
- Including adult beverages.
- You can consume your purchases in the cafe or at your seat.
Conductors and the cafe car attendant will let you know when it is open and its location, generally at the one end of the train.
Bringing Food On The Illinois Zephyr
- Amtrak allows you to bring food and drink aboard the train.
- You can only consume what you obtained at your seat, not in the cafe.
- While you can bring alcohol on the train, you can’t consume it on the rails.
- If you get caught drinking your own or get out of hand, you can be removed from the train.
Add on’s
There are a few convencases you can add to your reservations.
Bikes
Carry-On/Trainside bicycles: you can bring up to 50 lbs. Standard bicycle sizes apply. Maximum tire width: 2″. Check the link for details. Bike service may not be available at all stations.
Pets and service animals
Amtrak allows dogs and cats:
- Up to 20 pounds
- The combined weight of the pet and carrier.
- These spots could be limited, and there is paperwork.
- You need paperwork before you leave for the station.
- For paperwork and all the rules and limitations, check out Amtra’s pet policy.
If you have a service or comfort animal, read the Amtrak service animal policy before booking for qualifications and booking information.
Golf clubs
You must make reservations to bring golf clubs on the train; you can do so on the app, website, phone, or staffed stations. For more information, check out Amtrak’s golf policy.
Luggage
This train does not offer a checked bag service.
Each passenger may carry on:
- One personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches, and
- 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 some point along your journey, the baggage size for that train is up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each.
Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage; check out Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.
Amtrak Illinois Zephyr Schedule
If there are two times, the first is the arrival, the second is the departure, and if there is only one, it is a quick stop. Click on the stations to see the services offered at that stop.
| 380 | Stations | Miles | 383 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Down | Daily Train | – | Read Up |
| 6:12a | Quincy, IL (QCY) | 0 | 10:17p |
| 7:01a | Macomb, IL (MAC) | 56 | 9:14p |
| 7:37a | Galesburg, IL (GBB) | 96 | 8:38p |
| 8:06a | Kewanee, IL (KEE) | 127 | 8:04p |
| 8:30a | Princeton, IL (PCT) | 154 | 7:41p |
| 8:52a | Mendota, IL (MDT) | 175 | 7:20p |
| 9:21a | Plano, IL (PLO) | 206 | 6:53p |
| 9:46a | Naperville, IL (NPV) | 230 | 6:30p |
| 10:02a | La Grange, IL (LAG) | 244 | 6:14p |
| 10:33a | Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) | 258 | 5:55p |
| Final | Stations | Miles | Read Up |
Treat this page as a guide; check with Amtrak or your eticket for exact times.
The California Zephyr, Carl Sandburg, and Southwest Chief duplicate some Illinois Zephyr stops.
Printable Amtrak Illinois Zephyr Schedule
Feel free to print out or download this page from Amtrak. The schedule below does not list the last three stations.
A Little More On The Amtrak Illinois Zephyr Schedule Page
This page was current on the day of publication, and I try to keep this page updated to the best of my abilities.
This page is not associated with Amtrak or the National Railway Passenger Corporation, but the information on this site comes from Amtrak.com and is accurate when published. Amtrak can change times at any time.
Safe Travels,
Kev
