The Amtrak Empire Builder is a daily Superliner train connecting the Midwest’s heartland with the breathtaking landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. It offers service between Chicago, Seattle, and Portland, with notable stops along the way, including St. Paul/Minneapolis and Spokane.
What makes the Empire Builder unique is that it splits or converges during its journey, depending on the direction of travel, to serve both Seattle and Portland. (Learn more about this in my article on trains with multiple route numbers.)
While the Empire Builder shares some route segments with Amtrak’s Hiawatha and Borealis, it does not stop at Sturtevant, WI, or Milwaukee Airport. Tickets are also unavailable for travel between Chicago and Milwaukee on the Empire Builder.
The Borealis provides an excellent alternative for those traveling between Chicago and the Twin Cities.
This page outlines the Empire Builder’s schedule and details its onboard services.
An Overview of the Amtrak Empire Builder Route
The Empire Builder connects vibrant cities with breathtaking natural wonders along its route:
- Chicago, IL: Start your journey in a city renowned for its world-class museums, deep-dish pizza, and historic Union Station.
- Milwaukee, WI: Immerse yourself in the city’s rich brewing culture, the legacy of Harley-Davidson, and the breathtaking views of Lake Michigan that will leave you in awe.
- St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN: Uncover the charm of the vibrant riverfront, the allure of historic neighborhoods, and the endless possibilities at the nearby Mall of America.
- Glacier National Park, MT: A highlight of the journey, featuring stunning mountain views and endless outdoor adventures.
- Whitefish, MT: A charming town perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, offering skiing, hiking, and a lively arts scene.
- Spokane, WA: Explore Riverfront Park and local wineries and enjoy a welcoming gateway to the Pacific Northwest.
- Portland, OR: Famous for its quirky charm, food carts, Powell’s City of Books, and the beautiful International Rose Test Garden.
- Seattle, WA: This is the journey’s northern terminus. It is home to iconic attractions like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and stunning views of Mount Rainier.
One of the intermediate stops might be the ideal place for you to relax or explore. The Empire Builder can take you to numerous destinations for your next adventure.
If you want to learn about the history of the many stops this train travels through, check out this Empire Builder Route Guide. Note that Amtrak put this out in 2010.
For those interested, a map depicts the areas you will pass during the day and night. Take a look!
The Borealis – “The Baby Builder”
In May 2024, Amtrak launched the Borealis, a new daytime train service connecting Chicago and the Twin Cities.
The Borealis serves all the same communities as the Empire Builder but also includes the Hiawatha’s intermediate stops along its route between Chicago and St. Paul, MN.
If you plan a trip between these cities, the Borealis offers a convenient and comfortable alternative to the Empire Builder. Its daytime schedule makes it an excellent choice for travelers who prefer to journey during daylight hours.
While this train does not offer sleeper accommodations, it does have business class.
Consider the Borealis for your next trip and experience this exciting new addition to Amtrak’s services!
The Empire Builders’ On-time Performance
Travel delays are sometimes unavoidable, regardless of the mode of transportation. They can occur due to Amtrak’s fault, natural disasters, unexpected circumstances, and other factors, including host railroads.
- From March 2024 to 2025, the average on-time performance for passengers was 53.2%, with an average delay of 110 minutes.
- In March 2025, the passengers’ on-time performance averaged 55.6%, with an average delay of only 104 minutes.
The Empire Builder’s Host Railroads
Host railroads, particularly those spanning 15 miles or more, play a significant role in Amtrak’s on-time performance. Here are the top two reasons why they have caused delays.
- 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, March 2025.
If you plan trips on other Amtrak trains, I have a page listing the on-time performances for all Amtrak long-distance trains.
The Equipment Used on the Empire Builder.
The Empire Builder operates using Amtrak’s distinctive Superliner cars, which feature a bi-level design with two stories.
- The Empire Builder has:
- Coach cars
- Sleeping cars
- A Dining car
- A Sightseer Lounge/Café car
- This car is on the Portland side of the train
- More about this later
Coach Seating on the Empire Builder
The Empire Builder’s coach seats provide a comfortable and convenient travel experience.
You will enjoy spacious reclining seats with plenty of legroom, foot and leg rests, a fold-down tray, and a convenient seatback pocket for your essentials.
Do you need to charge your devices? Each seat has a personal reading light and access to a 120V grounded outlet on the wall. An extension cord can be helpful if you’re seated in an aisle or need to plug in multiple devices.
There are no middle seats in coach class! Overhead storage is available for smaller bags; additional luggage space is on the lower level. Speaking of the lower level, you’ll also find the restrooms for this car there.
Empire Builder Coach Car Layout
There are a few different layouts, but this is the basic one.
Sleeper Accommodations (Rooms) on the Empire Builder
Amtrak sleeper car accommodations provide an excellent option for travelers seeking comfort, privacy, and a more enjoyable train journey.
Key Features and Amenities
- Meals Included: All sleeper car reservations include traditional dining options. Please see the details below.
- Lounge Access: Show your sleeper car ticket to gain exclusive access to lounges in Chicago, St. Paul, and Portland, OR.
- Room Amenities:
- Your daytime seating gets transformed into comfortable beds at night.
- There are interior and exterior window drapes for privacy and light blockage.
- Each room has a closet or clothing hook (hangers provided)
- The space features convenient cupholders, a table, reading, and night lights.
- Amtrak provides pillows, sheets, and blankets
Bathrooms and Showers
- Bathrooms: Both upper and lower-level restrooms are available in the sleeper cars.
- Showers: Passengers can access a shared shower on the lower level, while bedrooms include private showers. Amtrak supplies soap, washcloths, and towels. (Bring a hair dryer or curling iron if you need one.)
- Shampoo: Amtrak provides shampoo, but availability can vary. It does hurt to bring some as a backup, or if you have a favorite.
Dedicated car attendants are available to assist you and your fellow travelers. Amtrak sleeper cars are a comfortable and practical way to travel by train.
Types of Rooms Found on the Empire Builder
You can reserve these accommodations for yourself or with a friend. If you book a room as a single, no one will share it with you.
- Roomettes
- Smallest of the rooms
- Rooms 1-10 are on the upper level, and 11-14 are 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, there is access to a shower down the hall from this room.
- Accessible room
- 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, 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 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 must be completed before you arrive at the station.
- After you complete your reservation, Amtrak will email you an online form, which you can find in the “My Trip” section 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 on the Empire Builder
This train does not have Wi-Fi, and there are dead spots for cell service 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.
A breakdown of the Empire Builder Schedule by the day.
The graph below illustrates the daily route, highlighting each day’s first and last stop.
| Train | 1st Day | 2nd Day | 3rd Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| #7 Westbound | Chicago, IL – St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN | St. Cloud, MN – Sandpoint, ID | Spokane, WA – Seattle, WA |
| #27 Westbound | Chicago, IL – St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN | St. Cloud, MN – Sandpoint, ID | Spokane, WA -Portland, OR |
| #8 Eastbound | Seattle, WA – Ephrata, WA | Spokane, WA – Devils Lake, ND | Grand Forks, ND – Chicago, IL |
| #28 Eastbound | Portland, OR – Pasco, WA | Spokane, WA – Devils Lake, ND | Grand Forks, ND – Chicago, IL |
Food on the Empire Builder
The Empire Builder offers two food options on the train: a café car for grab-and-go food and a dining car for sit-down meals.
Amtrak Empire Builder Café Car
The café features a diverse menu that includes hot and cold meals, snacks, and a variety of beverages, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic.
The café is open to all customers from early morning until late at night; however, it closes during the day for staff breaks. Please note that the café is unavailable on trains 7 and 8 between Seattle and Spokane.
For more information and to view current menus, check out my Amtrak Café Car post.
The Location of the Café Car
The café is located on the lower level of the Sightseer Lounge car. If you are in sections 7 or 8, head toward the back of the train. Passengers in sections 27 or 28 should move toward the front. When you see the large windows, you’ll know you’ve reached the correct car.
Note: There is no café service between Seattle and Spokane. If you need a beverage, please check with the dining car.
Amtrak Empire Builder Dining Car
Dining car meals are complimentary for passengers with sleeping accommodations or available for set prices for coach passengers. Amtrak may limit seating for coach passengers based on availability.
The Empire Builder train provides a traditional dining experience. Chefs prepare meals served with table service, and passengers in the sleeping cars can also have their meals delivered to their rooms.
Dining options include
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Three-course dinner
Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages come with meals, and Amtrak offers the first drink with dinner for free!
Sides come with meals, and there are also children’s choices.
Various wines, beers, and spirits are available for purchase and can be consumed with meals or in your room.
For more information and to view the 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 on the Seattle side of train 7/8.
If you are on trains 27/28, you must walk to the front. Pass the Sightseer Car and all the coach cars to the dining car. Be prepared for a bit of a hike, but it’s a great way to burn calories.
Please note that traditional dining is unavailable on trains 27/28 between Portland, OR, and Spokane, WA. If you are a sleeper passenger, your car attendant will provide you with food or further instructions.
Dining car meals are available by day.
This graph illustrates the daily meals served in the Empire Builder dining car.
| Train | 1st Day | 2nd Day | 3rd Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| #7 Westbound | Dinner | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner | Breakfast |
| #27 Westbound | Dinner | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner | Breakfast* |
| #8 Eastbound | Dinner | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner | Breakfast & lunch |
| #28 Eastbound | Dinner* | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner | Breakfast & lunch |
Why does the Empire Builder have two starting and ending points on the West Coast?
You might be wondering how the Empire Builder serves both Seattle and Portland. The answer is straightforward: the Empire Builder operates as two separate trains between Spokane and the West Coast. This unique characteristic makes it one of the few Amtrak trains that split and merge during the journey.
The Empire Builder travels as a single train from Chicago to Spokane, WA. There, it splits into two sections: one heading to Seattle, WA, and the other to Portland, OR. Similarly, on the return trip, the two sections merge back into one train in Spokane before continuing to Chicago.
For travelers between Chicago and Spokane, the schedule is the same whether you take Train 7/27 or Train 8/28. Once you reach Spokane, your destination will determine which section of the train you board next.
Join the Travels with Kev Community!
🚂 Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free Quick Reference Guide to Amtrak Long-Distance Trains! Get details on train equipment, dining options, and more—in one handy, free guide. Enjoy the latest travel tips, Amtrak insights, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox.
💌 Support my work and help keep Travels with Kev on track! Join my Patreon at $5 or more to receive a limited-edition postcard featuring photos from my travels, or check out my Support Page for other ways to contribute, including my wishlist and one-time donations. Every bit of support keeps the journey going!
If you want to check me out on social media, the links are further down!
Don’t miss out—join the adventure today!
Amtrak Empire Builder Schedule
See where the Empire Builder can take you (and when you get there, too)! The information in this section comes from Amtrak.com.
Amtrak can make changes at any time, and the last time I checked, this info was for July 2024.
| Train 7/27 Westbound Read Down | Communities Served | Miles | Train 8/28 Eastbound 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 come 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 café 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.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to help you do your research! If you enjoyed this post and got something out of it, consider supporting Travels with Kev.
Love Train Travel?
If you’re a fan of train journeys, there are two great ways to stay up-to-date and inspired:
🚉 Follow Me on the Socials – Get the latest updates, travel tips, and stories about train travel.
✉️ Join My Newsletter and get insider tips and breaking Amtrak news in your inbox. You can check out my newsletter now!
If you sign up, you can get a quick reference guide to Amtrak’s long-distance trains.
Don’t miss out on exciting travel opportunities and helpful advice!
➡️ Sign up now and see how my newsletter can improve your next train trip.
