Amtrak Sunset Limited: Schedule, Stops, & Route Guide

Welcome aboard the Amtrak Sunset Limited! This iconic Superliner train takes you on a cross-country adventure three times a week in each direction, connecting New Orleans, LA, and Los Angeles, CA. Spanning 1,995 miles and five states—Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California—the Sunset Limited stops at 20 unique stations, including notable cities like San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson, and Phoenix. Each destination brings its charm, making this journey as diverse as it is scenic.

Traveling end-to-end, the Sunset Limited completes its epic route in under 46 hours. For part of the trip between San Antonio and Los Angeles, the train operates as the Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle, creating an interesting overlap for travelers. If you’re booking this segment, check both trains to find the best price for your trip.

This guide has everything you need to plan your journey, from Sunset Limited’s schedule and route details to tips for quickly booking your next Amtrak adventure.

The Views Of The Sunset Limited

Embark on an unforgettable journey between Louisiana and California along our scenic southernmost route. Step aboard the Sunset Limited and immerse yourself in the captivating sights outside your window. From the enchanting Bayou Country to the rugged Mexican border, the vast southwestern deserts, and the majestic peaks of California’s mountains, you’ll experience breathtaking scenery.

To expand your adventure further, you can seamlessly connect to other Amtrak trains directly or with Amtrak connecting services. These routes include the Texas Eagle, Coast Starlight, Pacific Surfliner, and Gold Runner (San Joaquins).

A few personal highlights on this journey include spotting the Prada Store in the desert and, if you’re lucky, enjoying a tasty burrito from the Burrito Lady in El Paso! The Huey P. Long Bridge is a thrilling experience at the end of the route. It gives the feeling of flying at one point and being in the middle of a highway at another. There is much more to see on this route.

Sunset Limited Booking Sidenote

If you encounter an error when booking this train, it may be because you are attempting to book on a day this train does not operate. Refer to the schedule below to determine which day of the week the train stops.

If you are traveling between San Antonio and LA, it does not matter whether you are on Train 1 or 421; the same applies to Trains 2 or 422. For more information, see this article on trains with multiple route numbers.

Equipment used on the Amtrak Sunset Limited

The Sunset Limited operates with Superliner equipment, featuring bi-level cars designed for comfort and great views.

Onboard, you’ll find:

• Coach Class – Spacious reclining seats with leg rests and large windows.
• Sleeping Cars – Private accommodations, including Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Family Bedrooms.
• Sightseer Lounge & Café Car – A lounge car with large windows offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The lower level features a café that provides a variety of snacks and drinks.
• Dining Car – This car offers freshly prepared meals and features communal seating.

For more information about these cars, please continue reading this article.

Coach Class Seating on the Sunset Limited

Amtrak offers upper– and lower-level coach seating on the Sunset Limited. These seats are designed for comfort and can recline, providing ample legroom for a relaxing journey. 

Each seat features a fold-down tray and an individual reading light for your comfort.

For your convenience, the Sunset Limited coach class features 120-volt grounded electric outlets (three-pronged) located on the wall under every window. 

You can store luggage above your seat, and additional storage is available on a rack on the lower level near the stairs. Both places provide ample space for your belongings.

Bathrooms are conveniently located on the lower level, providing easy access for all passengers.

Kev’s top 5 coach-class travel tips

My first long-distance train trip was in coach class. Since that first trip in 2014, I have been in coach class on several trains. Here are a few things I do to make my trips better:

1. Pack a water bottle and snacks! While you can purchase food and drinks on the train, having a water bottle handy is essential. I’ve noticed that when I’m on the train for a long time, I get dry, much like when I fly. Having a water bottle will help, and those snacks are helpful when the café is closed.

2. Bring an extension cord. The outlet is under the window, so you may need to bother your seatmate if you have an aisle seat. But if you bring an extension cord, you can run it to your side without bothering them and plug in multiple devices.

3. Remember to take care of your electronics and electronic accessories! Your phone and tablet are only helpful if they are charged, so remember to bring your chargers and cords. Also, get comfortable headphones. If it makes noise, you need headphones!

4. If you plan to spend the night on the train, consider bringing a pillow and blanket, as Amtrak does not provide these amenities. Amtrak sells comfort kits in the café car, but they may run out. An eye mask, earplugs, and a sleep aid may also help you.

5. You will not have access to a shower, but I found that wet wipes help you feel fresh. You can use the restrooms to clean up. Remember to dispose of all wipes in the trash, not in the toilet.

Amtrak offers window views for entertainment; for more options, explore my Amtrak entertainment ideas. The Sunset Limited does not provide Wi-Fi.

Sunset Limited Coach Class Car Layout

Sleeper Car (Rooms) on the Sunset Limited

All rooms include:

• Fresh linens and towels
• Traditional Dining
• Lounge access in Los Angeles and New Orleans
• Dedicated car attendant
• Curtains for privacy and to block out the light
• Room lights, plus night and reading lights.
• Your room will have a closet or a hook for hanging items, and Amtrak will provide hangers.

Types of rooms offered

There are four types of rooms provided on this train.

• Roomette
  • Grand for one, cozy for two
  • 1-10 on the upper level and 11-14 on the lower.
• Bedroom
  • Great for two and offers the most out of any accommodation on this train!
  • Only on the upper level and has an ensuite bathroom/shower
• Family bedroom
  • This car is ideal for two adults and two children.
  • On the lower level of the car
• Accessible room
  • A room for those with mobility challenges.
  • Room for a travel companion

Superliner Sleeper Car Layout

Sunset Limited Add-ons

You can add a few items to your reservations to improve your trip.

Bikes

• 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 the baggage car (if available).
• Learn more about this and the complete rules on Amtrak’s bike policy page.

Pets and service animals

• Amtrak allows dogs and cats to travel if they meet these qualifications.
  • You are allowed up to 20 pounds, which includes the combined weight of the pet and carrier.
  • Your trip must be 7 hours or less.
  • Your fluffy friend needs to be on your reservation
    • After you complete your reservation, Amtrak will send you a form to complete before you leave for the station. You can also find the paperwork in the My Trip section.
• To learn more, visit Amtrak’s pet policy page.

If you have a service or comfort animal, please read Amtrak’s service animal policy before booking your trip.

Luggage: checked and carry-on

Please note the following information regarding checking baggage on the Sunset Limited.

Not all stations offer checked baggage; please click the station links below to confirm whether your station does.

If you want to check your baggage, your first and last stops must offer this service.

Additional fees apply for extra or oversized luggage. Each passenger may check up to four bags. For more details, please refer to Amtrak’s checked bag service policy.

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.

Accessibility on this train

A wheelchair ramp assists passengers with wheeled mobility devices in boarding and disembarking. Lower-level coach seating is also available for those with mobility challenges, and an accessible bedroom is available for those who require more space and privacy.

A Look at the Amtrak Sunset Limited by the Day

If you board the train along the route, you may not realize it has already been in service for some time. This graph shows the route by day, with the first and last stops for each day.

Food service on the Amtrak Sunset Limited

There are two food cars on this train!

Amtrak Café

The café is on the lower level of the Sightseer Lounge. The car is between the dining room and coach cars in the train’s center. The café accepts cash and cards. If you plan to use a card onboard or purchase an adult beverage, please have your ID ready.

It is generally open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., but hours may vary, so please listen for announcements. The café closes during the day for the attendants’ meal breaks.

You can purchase a variety of hot and cold meals, snacks, and alcoholic beverages. The café attendant will warm your purchased products. Selections may change, and the availability of all items during your adventure is not guaranteed, as this car is filled at the beginning of the trip.

You can bring food and drinks aboard the train, but please note that Amtrak cannot heat, refrigerate, or store them. You can only drink the alcohol you brought on the train if you are in a sleeper’s accommodation. If you are in coach class, please keep your belongings packed; failure to do so may result in removal from the train.

Amtrak Sunset Limited Dining Car

The Sunset Limited features a dining car that provides sit-down meals, traditional chef-prepared dishes, and table service.

There are breakfast, lunch, and three-course dinner options, as well as kid-friendly options. Along with your meals, you receive complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. However, the dining car offers a variety of wines, beers, and spirits for purchase. If you eat dinner on the train, your first adult beverage is on Amtrak!

Meals are complimentary for passengers in sleeping cars and can be enjoyed in the dining car or delivered to their rooms. Passengers in coach class can make limited reservations and pay a set meal price.

The Sunset Limited: Broken Down by the Day and Dining Car Meals Offered.

If you want to see what meals you get on the Sunset Limited, this table will help you figure them out.

Sunset Limited On-Time Performance

In June 2026, the Sunset Limited recorded a Customer On-Time Performance (OTP) of 47.3%, compared to a trailing 12-month average of 63.2%. Both figures remain below Amtrak’s minimum standard of 80% for long-distance trains.

In June, late passengers experienced an average delay of 84 minutes. Over the past 12 months, the average delay for late passengers was 89 minutes.

The Sunset Limited operates on two main railroads, and the primary causes of delays differ by segment.

• BNSF: In June, the most significant cause of delays was temporary slow orders, followed closely by delays related to signals.
• Union Pacific: Freight train delays were primarily caused by interference, followed by issues related to routing and dispatching.

Since the Sunset Limited runs only three days a week, a significant delay or missed connection can have a greater impact compared to a daily service. Be sure to allow extra time when making connections to another train, flight, rental car, or any other time-sensitive plans.

Some passengers on the Texas Eagle travel west of San Antonio in cars attached to the Sunset Limited. Delays affecting either train may therefore impact that portion of the journey.

These preliminary figures are taken from Amtrak’s June 2026 Host Railroad Report. Customer OTP assesses whether passengers arrived at their destination on time rather than whether the train stopped at every station as scheduled.

Amtrak Sunset Limited’s schedule

A few things you should know:

• If a stop does not list an arrival and departure time, it indicates a short stop, and the time shown is the departure time from that stop.
• This train operates three days a week.
• The information below comes from Amtrak.com, and schedules are subject to change.
• This Amtrak Sunset Limited timetable was last updated on November 3, 2025.

Abbreviations

Printable Amtrak Sunset Limited Schedule

You can print the schedule below or create custom schedules tailored to your trip on Amtrak.com, which includes layovers and other transportation options. Learn how to print Amtrak schedules.