The Amtrak Empire Builder is a daily Superliner train that travels between the Midwest’s heartland and the scenic landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. The train provides service between Chicago, Seattle, and Portland, with several stops in between, including the vibrant cities of St. Paul/Minneapolis and Spokane.
This train expands its reach by splitting or converging, depending on the travel direction, allowing it to serve both Seattle and Portland. You can learn more about this in the article about trains with multiple route numbers.
This page provides the schedule for this train and explains its offerings.
It’s important to note that while this train travels between Chicago and Milwaukee, you cannot use it for those destinations; instead, you would need to take the Hiawatha.
Amtrak Empire Builder route overview
The Empire Builder takes you alongside the mighty Mississippi River, providing glimpses of charming small towns and expansive farmlands of Wisconsin and Minnesota.
As the train heads westward, it ascends into the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains, providing passengers with breathtaking mountain views.
The passage through Glacier National Park in Montana is a standout. The park features snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and pristine lakes. Watch for wildlife; the park is home to various animals, including bears and elk.
For those interested, a map depicts the areas you will pass during the day and night. Take a look!
The Empire Builders host railroads and on-time performance
Delays are an inevitable part of travel, regardless of the mode of transportation. Delays can be Amtrak’s fault, an act of nature, unexpected circumstances, or various factors, including host railroads.
- The average rate of on-time performance per station stop
- From February 2023 to 2024, the average on-time performance was 50.5%, with an average delay of 119 minutes.
- For February 2024, the on-time performance averaged 65.5%, with an average delay of 82 minutes.
- Here are the top two reasons why host railroads of 15 miles or more delayed Amtrak.
- Metra caused delays with commuter rail traffic interference and slow orders.
- CPKS caused delays with freight train interference and slow orders.
- BNSF caused delays with freight train interference and slow orders.
The info for this section comes from the Amtrak Host Railroad Report, February 2024.
Coach Seating on the Empire Builder
- The Empire Builder offers coach seating with:
- Comfortable reclining seats with ample legroom
- A fold-down tray and seat back pocket
- Foot and leg rest.
- Individual reading lights
- 120v grounded (three plugs) electric outlets.
- Upper and lower seating
- The bathrooms are on the lower level.
- No middle seat!
- There is storage above your seat and luggage storage on the lower level.
Empire Builder coach car layout
There are a few different layouts, but this is the basic one.
Sleeper Car (Rooms) on the Empire Builder
If you want to sleep flat, have privacy, and enjoy a few other treats, an Amtrak sleeper car accommodation could be what you need.
All rooms include:
- Traditional Dining meals
- Train 27 and 28 will get other meal options for the section between Portland and Spokane.
- Lounge access is available in Chicago, St. Paul, and Portland, OR.
- Dedicated car attendant
- Seats by day and beds by night.
- Drapers on the windows for privacy and to block out light
- A closet or hook to hang up clothing, and Amtrak provides hangers!
- There are also cupholders, a table between the seats, and night and reading lights.
- Amtrak provides
- Pillows, sheets, and blankets
- Towels and washcloths
- Soap
- Upper and lower level bathrooms and showers on the lower level.
The sleeper car accommodations offered on the Builder
You can reserve these accommodations for yourself or with a friend, and if you book a room as a single, no one will share it with you.
- Roomettes
- Smallest of the rooms
- Rooms 1-10 on the upper and 11-14 on the lower level.
- Bedrooms
- Twice the space of a roomette
- These rooms are only on the upper level.
- Family Bedroom
- For two adults and two smaller kids.
- On the lower level, with access to a shower down the hall from this room.
- Accessible room o
- Accommodations for passengers with mobility issues.
- On the lower level
The layout can vary, but these are the basics. If your roomette number is 20 or larger, you could be in a transdorm car.
Luggage: Carry on and checked
- Amtrak’s checked baggage service allows:
- Two bags up to 50 lbs and 75 linear inches per person for free.
- Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage.
- You can check up to four bags.
- Not all locations can handle checked baggage.
- Your first and last station must offer checked bag service to check a bag.
- Click the station links below to see if they provide checked baggage 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.
Pets and service animals on the Empire Builder
- Amtrak allows dogs and cats:
- Up to 20 pounds combined weight of pet and carrier,
- For trips up to seven hours.
- Your pet needs to be on your reservation.
- Paperwork is required and completed before you arrive at the station.
- You will receive the online form after your reservation is complete, or you can find it in the My Trip sections on Amtrak.com or the Amtrak app.
- Find more info in Amtrak’s pet policy.
If you have a service or comfort animal, please read the Amtrak service animal policy before booking.
Wi-Fi and the Empire Builder
This train does not have Wi-Fi, and cell service dead spots are along the route.
Accessibility on the Builder
A Wheelchair Ramp assists passengers with a wheeled mobility device in boarding and detraining. Lower-level coach seating and accessible bedrooms are also available for those with mobility needs.
Food offerings on the Empire Builder
Two food cars are on the Empire Builder; one offers grab-and-go food, while the other offers sit-down dining.
Amtrak Empire Builder Cafe Car
- You can find the Cafe on the lower level of the Sightseer Lounge
- Towards the train’s rear, between the coach and Portland sleeper cars.
- The car offers:
- A variety of hot and cold meals
- Snacks
- Hot, cold, and adult beverages
- It is available for all customers from early morning until late at night. It is not available from Seattle to Spokane.
Check out my Amtrak Cafe Car post for more info and current menus.
The location of the Cafe Car
You will find the café on the lower level of the Sightseer lounge car, which separates the coach cars for each train section. If you are in the Seattle section (7 or 8), walk towards the back. For those in the Portland section (27 or 28), walk towards the front.
Amtrak Empire Builder Dining Car
Dining car meals are complimentary for customers with sleeping accommodations or at set prices for coach passengers. Amtrak can limit seating for coach passengers based on availability.
- The Empire Builder offers traditional dining.
- They are chef-prepared meals with table service.
- Sleeping passengers can have meals brought to their rooms.
- Breakfast, lunch, and a three-course dinner with selections for kids
- Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages with your meals.
- Your first drink with dinner is on Amtrak!
- A wide array of wine, beer, and spirits are for sale. Consume them with your meal or take them back to your room.
For more information and menus, check out my post on Amtrak Traditional Dining.
The location of the Empire Builder’s dining car
The dining car is between the coach and sleeper cars at the front of the train, Seattle side (7/8). If you are on the “Portland” (27 or 28), you must walk through all the coach cars to get to the dining car.
Note: Traditional dining is unavailable on train 27/28 between Portland, OR, and Spokane, WA. Sleeper passengers will receive food from their car attendant or get further instructions.
Dining car meals are available by day.
This graph illustrates the daily meals served in the Empire Builder dining car.
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #7/#27 Westbound | Chicago, IL – St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN | 1 | Dinner |
| #7/#27 Westbound | St, Cloud, MN – Sandpoint, ID | 2 | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner |
| #7 Westbound | Spokane, WA – Seattle, WA | 3 | Breakfast |
| #27 Westbound | Spokane, WA -Portland, OR | 3 | Breakfast* |
| #8 Eastbound | Seattle, WA – Ephrata, WA | 1 | Dinner |
| #28 Eastbound | Portland, OR – Pasco, WA | 1 | Dinner* |
| #8/#28 Eastbound | Spokane, WA – Devils Lake, ND | 2 | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner |
| #8/#28 Eastbound | Grand Forks, ND – Chicago, IL | 3 | Breakfast & lunch |
How does the Empire Builder have two West Coast ending/starting points?
How does the Empire Builder have two West Coast destinations or starting points? It is easy; the Builder runs as two trains between Spokane and Seattle/Portland. It is one of Amtrak’s trains that split/come together during its route.
For Trains 7/27 and 8/28, traveling between Chicago, IL, and Spokane, WA, the Empire Builder schedule is the same for both trains.
Amtrak Empire Builder Schedule
See where the Empire Builder can take you (and when you get there too)!
| Train 7/27 Westbound | Communities Served | – | Train 8/28 Eastbound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Down | Daily Train | Miles | Last Stop |
| 3:05p | Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) (CT) | 0 | 4:45p |
| 3:29p | Glenview, IL (GLN) (Metra) | 17 | 4:12p |
| 4:35p | 4:45p | Milwaukee, WI Downtown (MKE) | 85 | 2:57p | 3:05p |
| 5:55p | Columbus, WI (CBS) (Madison) | 150 | 1:47p |
| 6:24p | Portage, WI (POG) | 178 | 1:17p |
| 6:42p | Wisconsin Dells, WI (WDL) | 195 | 12:58p |
| 7:20p | Tomah, WI (TOH) | 240 | 12:16p |
| 8:04p | La Crosse, WI * Amtrak Station (LSE) | 281 | 11:37a |
| 8:34p | 8:40p | Winona, MN (WIN) | 308 | 10:54a | 11:01a |
| 9:42p | Red Wing, MN (RDW) | 371 | 9:44a |
| 10:56p | 11:13p | St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN* Union Depot (MSP) | 410 | 8:33a | 8:50a |
| 1:09a | St. Cloud, MN (SCD) | 486 | 6:32a |
| 2:10a | Staples, MN (SPL) | 552 | 5:27a |
| 3:06a | Detroit Lakes, MN (DLK) | 614 | 4:27a |
| 4:13a | Fargo, ND (FAR) | 662 | 3:21a | 3:29a |
| 5:34a | Grand Forks, ND (GFK) | 737 | 2:10a |
| 6:59a | Devils Lake, ND (DVL) | 822 | 12:44a |
| 7:53a | Rugby, ND (RUG) | 879 | 11:49p |
| 9:06a | 9:51a | Minot, ND (MOT) | 940 | 10:08p | 10:53p |
| 10:46a | Stanley, ND (STN) | 994 | 8:22p |
| 11:59a | Williston, ND (WTN) (CT) | 1061 | 7:21p |
| 12:34p | Wolf Point, MT (WPT) (MT) | 1168 | 4:32p |
| 1:20p | Glasgow, MT (GGW) | 1217 | 3:44p |
| 2:20p | Malta, MT (MAL) | 1283 | 2:43p |
| 3:54p | 4:15p | Havre, MT (HAV) | 1370 | 1:05p | 1:24p |
| 6:21p | Shelby, MT (SBY) * | 1475 | 11:28a |
| 6:51p | Cut Bank, MT (CUT) | 1499 | 10:27a |
| 7:28p | Browning, MT (BRO) W | 1532 | 9:52a |
| 7:48p | East Glacier Park, MT (GPK) W | 1547 | 9:36a |
| 8:44p | Essex, MT (ESM) Izaak Walton Inn | 1576 | 8:37a |
| 9:27p | West Glacier, MT (WGL) (Apgar) | 1603 | 7:57a |
| 10:06p | 10:21p | Whitefish, MT (WFH) | 1626 | 7:11a | 7:26a |
| 12:05a | Libby, MT (LIB) (MT) | 1728 | 5:11a |
| 12:55a | Sandpoint, ID (SPT) (PT) | 1813 | 2:20a |
| 2:44a | Spokane, WA * Amtrak Station (SPK) | 1897 | 12:37a |
| – | Train separates or comes together. | – | – |
| Train 7 | Train to/from Seattle Skip this section for 27-28 | Miles | Train 8 |
| 3:19a | Spokane, WA * Amtrak Station (SPK) | 1879 | 1:15a |
| 5:28a | Ephrata, WA (EPH) | 1998 | 9:58p |
| 6:35a | 6:45a | Wenatchee, WA * Amtrak Station (WEN) | 2050 | 8:51p | 8:57p |
| 7:18a | Leavenworth, WA Icicle Station (LWA) | 2072 | 8:17p |
| 10:03a | Everett, WA (EVR) | 2171 | 5:55p |
| 10:35a | Edmonds, WA (EDM) | 2188 | 5:27p |
| 11:29a | Seattle, WA * King Street Station (SEA) (PT) | 2255 | 4:55p |
| Last Stop | Stations | Miles | Read Up |
| Train 27 | Train to/from Portland | Miles | Train 28 |
| 3:49a | Spokane, WA * Amtrak Station (SPK) | 1879 | 12:17a |
| 6:40a | Pasco, WA (PSC) * | 2025 | 9:06p |
| 8:35a | Wishram, WA (WIH) (The Dallas) | 2150 | 6:59p |
| 9:10a | Bingen-White Salmon, WA (BNG) | 2180 | 6:24p |
| 10:35a | Vancouver, WA (VAN) | 2254 | 5:09p |
| 11:17a | Portland, OR Union Station (PDX) (PT) | 2255 | 4:45p |
| Last Stop | Stations | Miles | Read Up |
Abbreviations
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, and this train may leave early from this stop.
W = Seasonal station from October to April.
* = Stations with Amtrak Connecting Services.
Printable Amtrak Empire Builder Schedule
Amtrak offers you custom schedules for free! You can get the needed times or a schedule that includes connecting trains or services. Learn how to print Amtrak schedules! You can also learn how to print out route schedules from that link.
Kev’s thoughts on the Empire Builder
“The Empire Builder is a great way to travel between the Northwest and the Midwest. I’ve taken this train a few times and had a great time. I even met a local celebrity in the dining car. One of my favorite parts of the ride was traveling along the Mississippi and through my state by rail!”
If you’re in the sleeping car on the Portland sections of the train (27/28), it’s a hike to the dining car. The same applies to Seattle sleeper car passengers who want to go to the cafe car (between Chicago and Spokane). So, if you’re going only some of the way, consider that when booking.
This page has more information that can help you, including thoughts on boarding Amtrak, ways to save money when booking, and things to consider when you get a sold-out message.
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