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Welcome aboard the Amtrak Cardinal, where you can embark on an exciting adventure across some of America’s most picturesque landscapes. As someone who has traveled with Amtrak before, I am delighted to assist you with the train’s itinerary and fundamental information. Please note that this train operates only three days a week.

Imagine embarking on an 1147-mile journey through breathtaking terrain, immersing yourself in the sights and sounds as the Cardinal travels between Chicago, IL, and New York, NY. Along the way, you’ll pass through 30 intermediate stops, each offering a unique glimpse into the heart of the country—from the nation’s capital of Washington, DC, to the charming streets of Charlottesville, VA, and more!

The journey itself is just as important as the destination. Depending on your needs, Amtrak offers coach class or cozy sleeping accommodations. The café car is open to all passengers and offers food service, while sleeper car guests can indulge in Amtrak flex dining.

Stay connected to the world outside with complimentary Amtrak Wi-Fi, and rest assured, knowing that your safety and well-being are our top priorities with strict no-smoking policies and options for checked baggage between select stops.

So whether you’re embarking on a single-night escapade or planning a grand Amtrak adventure, join me aboard the Cardinal, and let’s make unforgettable memories together.

The views of the Amtrak Cardinal

The Cardinal offers unforgettable views as it passes through horse country, including the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley, and the wild white-water rivers of West Virginia.

As the train heads westward, it travels along the banks of the mighty Ohio River, through the quaint towns of Ashland and Maysville, and on to the skyline of Cincinnati. From there, the journey continues to Indianapolis and then northward to Chicago.

If you want to learn about the towns you will pass through, you can use a route guide published by Amtrak, albeit it may be from years ago.

Amtrak Cardinal’s on-time performance and who owns the tracks

The Cardinal operates over rails owned by another railroad; here is a list of host railroads that Amtrak uses of 15 or more miles.

• CSX Transportation
• Norfolk Southern Railway
• Buckingham Branch Railroad

Amtrak Cardinal’s on-time performance

Delays happen regardless of how you travel. While sometimes Amtrak is responsible for delays or acts of God, host railroads often cause delays.

• The Cardinal’s average passenger on-time performance
  • From March 2023 to 2024, the Cardinal’s average on-time performance was 57.7% of the time, with an average delay of 72 minutes.
  • For March 2024, the Cardinal averaged a 65.7% average delay of 46 minutes.
• The main reasons for delays caused by the host railroads of 15 miles or more:
  • CSX (703 miles): freight train interference and signal delays
  • NS (79 miles): passenger train interference and freight train interference
  • BBRR (132 miles): passenger train interference and freight train interference

The information for this section comes from the March 2024 Amtrak Host Railroad Report.

Coach class on the Amtrak Cardinal

Amtrak Cardinal offers coach seating in Amfleet 2 cars, which is an economical way to travel, and features:

• Comfortable reclining seats
  • With foot and leg rest
• Ample legroom
• Fold-down tray
• Individual reading lights
• 120v electric outlets are on the wall.
• There are two bathrooms in each car.
• There are also places above your seat to store your baggage, or you can use the luggage rack at the end of the car.

Amtrak Cardinal coach car layout

Sleeper Car (Rooms) Accommodations on the Cardinal

Learn about the advantages of getting Amtrak sleeping accommodations.

What Cardinal Rooms Include

• Fresh linens and towels
• Complimentary meals
• Lounge access in Chicago, New York, Philidelphia. and Washington DC
• Dedicated car attendant
• Access to showers
• The windows in each car have curtains that block out light and give you privacy.
• These rooms have seats by day and beds by night.

Room Options On Amtrak’s Cardinal

• Roomettes
  • Smallest of accommodations
  • Suitable for one cozy for two
• Bedroom
  • It is about twice the space of a roomette.
  • There is a bathroom, sink, and shower in the room.
• Accessible Room
  • This accommodation is for passengers with mobility issues.
  • There is a bathroom, sink, and shower in the room.

Amtrak Cardinal sleeper car layout

The layout below is of the older Viewliner sleeper, but the new one is similar. This train also uses a dorm baggage car with half roomettes and half baggage. Those cars still have a shower and bathroom.

Wi-Fi

This train has free Wi-Fi that supports general web browsing activities.

Learn more about Amtrak Wi-Fi, such as how to log in and the do’s and don’ts.

Pets and service animals

• Amtrak allows dogs and cats
  • The max combined weight of the pet and carrier is 20 pounds.
  • For trips up to seven hours
  • You need to fill out paperwork before you get to the station.
  • Learn more about Amtrak’s Pet policy and get the needed paperwork.

If you have a service or comfort animal, ensure you read Amtrak’s service animal policy before booking to make sure 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. Your beginning and ending stations must both offer checked bag 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 for free and two extra for a fee.

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.

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 is here.

The Amtrak Cardinal food options

One food car on this train serves double duty; while the cafe is open to all, some choices are only available for sleeper passengers. The cafe has a similar layout to the car below.

• The Amtrak cafe offers:
  • A variety of hot and cold meals
  • Snacks
  • Hot, cold, and adult beverages
  • The car is open from early morning until late at night.
    • The car may be closed for breaks and sleeper meal times.
  • You can find the cafe between the coach cars and the sleeper cars.

You can consume your purchase in this car; coach passengers usually get the side closest to the coach cars.

You can bring food and drink, but Amtrak cannot store or heat your food. Additionally, you cannot consume alcohol you brought onboard unless you are in a sleeper.

Flex dining

Flex dining is a meal system for sleeping car passengers, and at this time, it is unavailable for coach passengers.

• More about Flex Dining:
  • These meals are prepared ahead of time and warmed on the train.
  • Complimentary dining for sleeping passengers.
  • You can eat in private rooms or the cafe car.
  • Meals include breakfast selections, while lunch and dinner share the same menu.
  • Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.
  • One complimentary adult beverage comes with dinner!

Meals offered to sleeper car passengers

This table will show you what meals you will get while you are on the Cardinal.

Amtrak Cardinal Schedule

The Cardinal runs three days a week. This guide was current at the time of publication. Amtrak does change times, and I do my best to keep everything current.

• Su- Sunday; Mo-Monday; Tu-Tuesday; We-Wednesday; Th-Thursday; Fr-Friday; Sa-Saturday
• 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. The train may leave early from this stop.
• * = Stations with Amtrak Connecting Services.

Printable Amtrak Cardinal Schedule

You can print out the PDF below or download it to your device. This document is longer because it includes most connection services, so feel free to print what you need.

You can also print route or customs schedules from Amtrak! Learn how to print your own Amtrak schedule from the Amtrak website.