The Amtrak California Zephyr is a daily train service between Chicago, IL, and Emeryville, CA, with stopovers in Omaha, Denver, and Salt Lake City. The train travels 2438 miles and takes around 52 hours to complete. The Zephyr is one of the most scenic routes operated by Amtrak, offering spectacular views of the Midwest’s farm fields, the Rockies, and the Sierras. Riding on this train is an excellent opportunity to relax and enjoy the journey.
The Zephyr is one of Amtrak’s most scenic routes, and a ride on this train allows you to relax and enjoy the journey. Let it take you through the farm fields of the Midwest, travel through the Rockies, see the Sierras, and more await you!
New Schedule
A new schedule for this train started on April 8, 2024.
A quick look at Amtrak’s California Zephyr
- Train number 5 goes west, and train number 6 goes east.
- Accommodations on this train include
- Coach
- Sleeping accommodations (rooms)
- Food on the Zephyr
- There is a cafe car open to all
- It closed at night and for breaks.
- The location is on the lower level of the Sightseer lounge car.
- The dining car offers traditional dining.
- Free for sleeper car passengers
- Flat fee for coach passengers
- Limited reservations are available for coach passengers.
- There is a cafe car open to all
- This train does not have Wi-Fi.
- Checked baggage is available between some stops
- Get the California Zephyr schedule.
If you only take one Amtrak train, this is the one you should take; it is one of my favorites!
Travels with Kev Podcast on the Amtrak Californa Zephyr
What can you see while aboard the Californa Zephyr?
If you only have time for one Amtrak train, I suggest taking this one.
The scenery on the California Zephyr changes every day of your journey. You will pass through small Midwest towns with agriculture and small manufacturing and the lights of major cities like Chicago, Denver, and Omaha. The train follows the Colorado River for miles, passing through the Rockies and many tunnels. Along the route, you will see the High Sierras and beautiful sections of California.
If you time your trip right, you can experience the beauty described in the song “America the Beautiful”—spacious skies, amber waves of grain, purple mountains, and more!
While the Rockies are breathtaking, I particularly enjoy traveling through the beauty of Utah. Check out a map to see the train’s day and night sections!
California Zephyr’s on-time performance & host railroads
The Californa Zephyr uses tracks owned by the host railroads, of 15 miles or more, BNSF and Union Pacific (UP) as it crosses the country, but Amtrak does own the tracks around Chicago Union Stations.
- The Amtrak California Zephyr’s average station-on-time performance
- From February 2023 to 2024, the average was 32.3%, with an average delay of 2.5 hours.
- For February 2024, 32.7% of the time, the train was delayed by an average of around 1.75 minutes.
- The primary cause of delays by the host railroads:
- BNSF (1027 miles): Freight train interference and slow order delays
- UP (1381 miles): Freight train interference and passenger train interference
Information from Amtrak Host Railroad Report February 2024.
Coach class on the California Zephyr
Coaching class could be the right choice whether you are on the train for an hour or from end to end. My first time on the California Zephyr was in coach class. The seats lean back far without you being in your neighbor’s lap!
The Zephyr offers coach seating features:
- Comfortable reclining seats
- Ample legroom
- A fold-down tray
- Seat back pocket
- Individual reading lights
- 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets under the window.
- Foot and leg rest.
- There is an above-seat luggage shelf and a baggage rack on the lower level.
- You will also find the restrooms on the lower level of the cars.
- You can choose from upper and lower-level seating.
- Often, the lower-level seats are for those who have issues with stairs.
Over the years, I have learned a few things about taking the Amtrak Coach Class, including bringing a small blanket and pillow; I have a few blow-up pillows that work. Eyemasks are also helpful in blocking out the night lights; if you can get ones with headphones, those can make your trip even better!
A few other things that can make the Amtrak coach class a better experience are bringing an extension cord and your chargers. The outlet is on the wall, and an extension cord allows you to access the power without bugging your seatmate. Headphones and other entertainment are also helpful.
California Zephyr coach car layout.
Sleeping accommodations on the California Zephyr
All rooms include:
- Fresh linens and towels
- Traditional Dining
- Lounge access in Chicago
- Dedicated car attendant
- Room lights, plus reading and night lights.
- Closet or hook to hang things, and Amtrak provides hangers!
- Seating by day and beds by night
- Cup holders and a table with a checkered board
- Bring your checkers or chess pieces.
Room types offered on the California Zephyr
- Roomettes
- 1-10 are on the upper, and 11-14 are on the lower level on standard sleeper cars.
- The smallest of the accommodations
- Bedrooms
- Only on the upper level
- It is twice the size of a roomette and has a bathroom/shower.
- Family bedrooms
- Lower level, and only on per sleeper car.
- For two adults and two little ones
- Accessible rooms
- Lower level, and only one per sleeper car
- For those with mobility issues
California Zephyer Sleeptin car layout
In most cases, this is the car you will have, but sometimes there is a transdorm car with all roomettes on the upper level. Typically, Amtrak runs the bedroom side forward in the direction of travel, but that can change anytime.
Luggage
When you travel on the California Zephyr, you can take advantage of Amtrak’s generous carry-on policy or, in some cases, check bags.
California Zephyr Carry-on
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.
Checked bag rules
Not all locations can handle checked baggage; your first and last stations must offer this service.
- Amtrak allows two bags up to 50 lbs. Seventy-five linear inches are per person for free.
- Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage, up to four bags total.
Add-ons Bikes And Pets
This train allows a few paid add-ons to bring your ride or furry family.
Bringing your bike
- There is space on the train 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.
- For more information, please check out Amtrak’s bike policy.
Bring your pets with you.
- Amtrak allows dogs and cats.
- Up to 20 pounds combined weight of pet and carrier
- For trips up to seven hours.
- Complete paperwork before leaving for the station
- Once you complete your reservation, you will receive the online form. You can also find it in the My Trip section on the Amtrak website or app.
- Learn more about Amtrak’s pet policy.
Accessibility on the California Zephyr
A wheelchair ramp is available to assist passengers with a wheeled mobility device in boarding and detraining. There is accessible seating on the lower level of coach cars and rooms on this train.
Wi-Fi on the Zephyr
There is no Wi-Fi on this train, and there will be sections of the route where you will not have cell service.
Food Offerings On The California Zephyr
This train has two food cars; find your options for this train!
The Califonia Zephyr Cafe Car
- The cafe is on the lower level of the Sightseer Lounge,
- It sells a variety of meals, snacks, and beverages
- Open for all customers from early morning until late at night.
To see a sample menu, check out the button below and look for the National Cafe car menu.
California Zephyr Dining Car
Sleeper passengers and limited coach passengers can enjoy themselves in the dining car!
- The California Zephyr offers traditional dining.
- Meals are chef-prepared meals with table service.
- Meaks offered breakfast, lunch, and a three-course dinner with selections for kids.
- Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.
- Your first drink at dinner is on Amtrak!
- In this car, you can purchase a wide array of wine, beer, and spirits to accompany your meal or for later in your room.
Sleeping passengers can have meals brought to their rooms if needed. The meals are complimentary for customers with sleeping accommodations or at set prices for coach passengers. Amtrak can limit seating for coach passengers.
The California Zephyr does not offer breakfast out of Emeryville, so plan on having your first meal be lunch. Out of Chicago, your first meal is dinner.
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAYS OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #5 Westbound | Chicago, IL- Omaha, NE | 1 | dinner |
| Lincoln, NE – Salt Lake City, UT | 2 | breakfast, lunch, & dinner | |
| Elko, NV – Emeryville, CA | 3 | breakfast & lunch | |
| #6 Eastbound | Emeryville, CA – Elko, NV | 1 | lunch & dinner |
| Salt Lake City, UT – McCook, NE | 2 | breakfast, lunch, & dinner | |
| Holdrege, NE – Chicago, IL | 3 | breakfast & lunch |
Amtrak California Zephyr Schedule
If you want to print out the Amtrak California Zephyr Schedule, there is one below, or you can print an Amtrak Schedule or custom schedule yourself!
| Train 5 Westbound | Communities Served By the California Zephyr | From Chi | Train 6 Eastbound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Down | Daily Train | Miles | Last Stop |
| 2:00p | Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) (CT) | 0 | 2:39p |
| 2:34p R | Naperville, IL (NPV) BNSF Metra Line | 28 | 1:44p R |
| 3:44p | Princeton, IL (PCT) | 104 | 12:28p |
| 4:43p | Galesburg, IL (GBB)* S. Seminary St. | 162 | 11:38a |
| 5:34p | Burlington, IA (BRL) | 205 | 10:28a |
| 6:06p | Mt. Pleasant, IA (MTP) | 233 | 9:55a |
| 6:57p | Ottumwa, IA (OTM) | 279 | 9:07a |
| 8:23p | Osceola, IA (OSC) (Des Moines) | 359 | 7:38a |
| 8:55p | Creston, IA (CRN) | 392 | 7:01a |
| 11:09p | 11:25p | Omaha, NE (OMA) | 500 | 4:54a | 5:10a |
| 12:36a | 12:46a | Lincoln, NE (LNK) | 555 | 3:27a |
| 2:22a | Hastings, NE (HAS) (Grand Island) | 652 | 1:36a |
| 3:11a | Holdrege, NE (HLD) | 706 | 12:48a |
| 4:22a | McCook, NE (MCK) | 783 | 11:43p |
| 5:46a | Fort Morgan, CO (FMG) (Sterling) | 960 | 8:17p |
| 7:56a | 8:46a | Denver, CO Union Station (DEN)* | 1038 | 6:27p | 6:59p |
| 10:53a | Fraser-Winter Park, CO (WIP) | 1100 | 3:28p |
| 11:22a | Granby, CO (GRA) (Rocky Mt National Park) | 1113 | 2:54p |
| 2:36p | 2:43p | Glenwood Springs, CO (GSC) (Aspen) | 1223 | 11:36a | 11:42a |
| 4:30p | 4:43p | Grand Junction, CO (GJT) | 1311 | 9:41a | 9:53a |
| 6:32p | Green River, UT (GRI) | 1417 | 7:44a |
| 7:53p | Helper, UT (HER) (Price) | 1488 | 6:22a |
| 10:02p | Provo, UT (PRO) | 1563 | 4:18a |
| 11:15p | 11:40p | Salt Lake City, UT Amtrak Station (SLC)* (MT) | 1608 | 2:55a | 3:20a |
| 3:25a | Elko, NV (ELK) (PT) | 1871 | 8:44p |
| 6:01a | Winnemucca, NV (WNN) | 2013 | 6:26p |
| 9:13a | 9:24a | Reno, NV (RNO) | 2202 | 3:27p | 3:37p |
| 10:33a | Truckee, CA (TRU) (Lake Tahoe) | 2237 | 2:01p |
| 12:50p | Colfax, CA (COX) | 2301 | 11:39a |
| 2:14p D | Roseville, CA (RSV) | 2336 | 10:51a |
| 3:05p | Sacramento, CA Sacramento Valley Station (SAC) | 2353 | 10:12a | 10:23a |
| 3:31p | Davis, CA (DAV) | 2367 | 9:48a |
| 4:13p | Martinez, CA (MTZ) (San Joaquins Trains) | 2411 | 9:07a |
| 4:47p | Richmond, CA (RIC) | 2430 | 8:35a |
| 4:57p | Emeryville, CA (EMY) | 2438 | 8:25a |
| Last train stop | Transefer between train and bus | Miles | Start of train End of Bus |
| 5:15p | Emeryville, CA (EMY)* San Fransico Bus Transfer | 0 | 7:25a |
| 5:45p | San Fransico, CA (SFC) Chase Plaza Curbside Stop | 2 | 6:55a |
| Last Stop | Stations | Miles | Read Up |
Abbreviations
Yellow = bus connection
R = Receive passengers only; this means you can board the train, but you cannot buy a ticket on this train to this station.
D = Depart only; you can buy a ticket to this station but not from this station.
* = Stations with Amtrak Connecting Services.
Printable California Zephyr Schedule
You can use the button below to print out the Califonia Zephyr schedule or get the latest from Amtrak.com. You can even print out customs schedules that include other transportation on your Amtrak ticket! Learn how to print route or customs Amtrak schedules here!
Hey Kev I love your stuff. Can you help me find out how I know which station is a stop that you can get off the train for a bit?
Here is a list of most stops where you can get off the train; sometimes there are more, and sometimes these stops get abridged.
Galesburg, IL; Ottumwa, IA; Omaha, NE; Dever, CO; Frasier, CO; Glennwood Springs, CO; Grand Junction, CO; Salt Lake City, UT; Winnemucca, NV; Reno, NV; Sacramento. CA.
Thanks Kev!
You are welcome!