Amtrak California Zephyr: Schedule, Stops, & Route Guide

The California Zephyr operates daily between Chicago and Emeryville, near San Francisco. The journey covers 2,438 miles and takes approximately 53 hours. This train is consistently recognized as one of the most scenic routes in the country, and for good reason. Passengers travel through the stunning Colorado Rockies, cross the Continental Divide, and descend through several mountain ranges, including the High Sierras, before arriving in Emeryville.

Emeryville station offers connecting buses to San Francisco and Oakland, providing direct access to the Bay Area without the hassles of traffic or airports.

The Zephyr stops in major cities, including Omaha, Denver, and Salt Lake City. However, much of the route passes through areas with limited or no cell service, particularly in the mountains. Additionally, the train does not provide Wi-Fi, so plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.

This guide provides information on the Zephyr’s schedule, station stops, sleeping car and coach accommodations, and food options. I will also highlight the segments with the best scenery and explain the differences between the complete three-day journey and shorter trips, such as Chicago to Denver or Denver to San Francisco.

Yes — absolutely. That is very useful beginner information and helps prevent confusion when people see “Emeryville” instead of San Francisco.

I’d keep it short and natural inside the Quick Answer section, something like this:

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Quick Answer: What Is the California Zephyr?

The Amtrak California Zephyr is a daily long-distance train that travels between Chicago and Emeryville, California, near San Francisco.

One of Amtrak’s most scenic routes takes travelers through beautiful landscapes.

• The Rocky Mountains
• Colorado canyons
• The Sierra Nevada mountains
• Small mountain towns and wide-open western landscapes

The California Zephyr also features:

• A Sightseer Lounge car with panoramic windows
• Coach seating and private sleeping rooms
• Traditional Dining for sleeping car passengers
• Café service for all passengers

The entire journey lasts approximately 52 hours and covers over 2,400 miles through seven states.

While the train terminates in Emeryville, passengers can transfer to San Francisco and Oakland via a dedicated Amtrak Thruway bus for a small additional fee.

For many travelers, the California Zephyr is one of the best overnight train experiences in the United States.

Amtrak’s California Zephyr Map

Amtrak California Zephyr Schedule/Timetable

You can print an Amtrak schedule or a custom schedule for the Amtrak California Zephyr schedules below.

This information is sourced from the official Amtrak website and was last checked on May 30, 2026. Amtrak can change times and stops at any time.

Train 5 Westbound Read Down	Stops	Miles	Train 6 Eastbound 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 D
3:44p	Princeton, IL (PCT)	104	12:28p D
4:43p	Galesburg, IL (GBB)* S. Seminary St.	162	11:38a D
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	6:58a | 7:01a
11:09p | 11:25p	Omaha, NE (OMA)	500	4:54a | 5:10a
12:36a | 12:46a	Lincoln, NE (LNK)	555	3:16a | 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
10:48a | 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
3:23a | 3:25a	Elko, NV (ELK) (PT)	1871	8:42p | 8:44p
6:01a	Winnemucca, NV (WNN)	2013	6:26p
9:13a | 9:24a	Reno, NV (RNO)	2202	3:37p
10:33a	Truckee, CA (TRU) (Lake Tahoe)	2237	2:01p
12:50p	Colfax, CA (COX)	2301	11:39a
2:14p	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 Starting the Bus	Transfer between the train and the bus.	Miles	Train Departure: Start Bus Arrival: End
5:15p	Emeryville, CA (EMY)* San Fransico Bus Transfer	0	7:30a
5:45p	San Francisco, CA (SFC) Chase Plaza Curbside Stop	2	7:00a
Last Stop	Stations	Miles	Read Up

Abbreviations

Printable California Zephyr Schedule

You can use the button below to print out the California 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!

How to Buy Amtrak California Zephyr Tickets

You can purchase Amtrak tickets through the Amtrak website or Amtrak app, by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL, at staffed Amtrak stations, or from ticket kiosks where available. You can also check with local or online travel agents.

For many travelers, using the Amtrak website or app is the easiest option. The Amtrak app allows you to store your eTicket, or you can print the PDF ticket that Amtrak emails to you. Conductors can also scan your eTicket directly from the email on your phone or another electronic device.

I recommend buying your ticket in advance, especially when traveling on weekends, during holidays, or at other busy times. Some trains, accommodations, and services can sell out quickly. It’s also a good idea to book early if you plan to travel with a bicycle or a pet, or if you want one of the limited premium accommodations on the train.

California Zephyr: America’s Most Scenic Train Journey

If you decide to take just one long-distance train with Amtrak, make it the California Zephyr.

This 2,438-mile journey from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay Area is often regarded as one of the most scenic train rides in North America. Once you experience it, you’ll easily understand why.

A Journey Across America

What makes the California Zephyr special is the diverse range of landscapes you encounter during the journey. Over approximately 52 hours, the scenery continually changes as the train travels through Midwestern towns, across the Great Plains, into the Rocky Mountains, through Utah’s red-rock country, and over the Sierra Nevada.

Along the way, the train stops in cities such as Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Reno, each contributing a unique flavor to the journey.

Following the Colorado River

For many travelers, the most enjoyable part of the trip starts just west of Denver.

The California Zephyr travels along the Colorado River through the Rocky Mountains for hours, passing through Gore Canyon, Glenwood Canyon, and Ruby Canyon. You will journey through more than 30 tunnels, including the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel beneath the Continental Divide.

This is the route that converts many first-time passengers into lifelong train travelers.

Mountain Majesty and Desert Landscapes

Although the Rockies are often highlighted, Utah is one of my favorite parts of the route.

The landscape transitions sharply from red rock canyons to rugged desert, interspersed with surprisingly lush valleys. During late afternoon, the cliffs can radiate deep reds, oranges, and golds.

The Sierra Nevada mountains in California are truly stunning, especially in winter and early spring when the snow blankets the peaks.

The Honest Reality

Not every mile of the California Zephyr resembles a postcard. Along the way, you’ll encounter freight yards, industrial areas, small towns, and the everyday side of America. Honestly, that’s part of what makes train travel unique.

The California Zephyr reveals the genuine heart of America — not just the polished tourist version. You experience the country mile by mile as the landscapes, cities, and communities gradually transform outside your window.

When the scenery becomes beautiful, it is truly spectacular.

Check out a map to understand the route’s day and night areas.

California Zephyr On-Time Performance

In June 2026, the California Zephyr achieved a Customer On-Time Performance (OTP) of 39.7%, which is significantly lower than the trailing 12-month average of 59.0%. Both figures are well below Amtrak’s minimum standard of 80% for long-distance trains.

During June, the average delay for passengers who arrived late was 127 minutes. Over the past 12 months, late passengers faced an average delay of 116 minutes.

The California Zephyr operates over two host railroads, and the leading causes of delay were similar on both segments:

• BNSF: In June, freight train delays were the most significant category, followed by temporary slow orders.
• Union Pacific: Freight train interference was the primary cause of delays, followed by temporary speed restrictions.

The California Zephyr covers over 2,400 miles between Chicago and Emeryville, which can lead to delays during its two-night journey. Therefore, passengers should allow for extra time when making separate train reservations, catching flights, picking up rental cars, or planning any other time-sensitive activities upon arrival.

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

Travels with Kev podcast on the Amtrak California Zephyr

Equipment Used on the California Zephyr

The California Zephyr 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—This scenic lounge, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, is perfect for taking in the stunning landscapes along the route. The lower level features a café that offers a variety of snacks and drinks.
• Dining Car – Serves freshly prepared meals with communal seating

Later in this article, you will find more information about each car.

Coach Class on the California Zephyr

Taking coach class accommodations on the California Zephyr is a great option, whether you’re traveling for an hour or the entire route.

On my first trip on this train, I chose coach class. The seats were comfortable and spacious, allowing me to lean back without invading my neighbor’s space.

Coach Class Accommodations

• The Zephyr’s coach class offers various features:
  • Reclining seats
  • Ample legroom
  • Fold-down trays
  • Seat-back pockets
  • Foot and leg rests

You can travel with individual reading lights and 120V grounded (three-prong) electric outlets under the window.

Additionally, there is an overhead luggage shelf, a lower-level baggage rack, and restrooms.

Amtrak Long-distance trains have a seat width of 23 inches (58 cm) and a pitch of 50–52 inches (127–132 cm).

You can choose to sit on either the upper or lower level of the coach class. The lower-level seats are ideal for those who have difficulty climbing stairs. 

Kev’s Coach Class Tips

• Pack Comfort Items: Bring a small blanket, a pillow, and an eye mask to block light. An eye mask with headphones can make your trip even more enjoyable. Amtrak offers a branded comfort kit for sale at the Amtrak Store.
• Bring an Extension Cord: The outlets are on the wall, so an extension cord allows you to use them without disturbing your seatmate. Plus, you can plug in more than one thing.
• Entertainment: Bring headphones or other entertainment to enhance your journey. For more ideas on how to keep yourself occupied, check out my Amtrak Entertainment Ideas post.

California Zephyr Coach Car Layout.

Rooms on the California Zephyr

One of my happy places is an Amtrak room. I like them for their comfort, privacy, and ability to sleep horizontally at night. I also appreciate that my meals are included with my reservations, which reduces my out-of-pocket costs while I travel.

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 items, with provided hangers
• Seating by day and beds by night
• Cupholders and a table with a checkered board (bring your own checkers or chess pieces)

Room Types Offered on the California Zephyr

Roomettes

• Located on the upper level (rooms 1-10) and lower level (rooms 11-14) of standard sleeper cars
• The roomettes on the California Zephyr are 6’6″ by 3’6″

Bedrooms

• Located only on the upper level
• Bedrooms are 6’6″ by 7’6″ and include a private bathroom with a shower.

Family Bedrooms

• It is on the lower level, with only one per sleeper car.
• It is designed for two adults and two small children and measures 5’2″ by 9’5″

Accessible Rooms

• Located on the lower level, with only one per sleeper car
• Designed for those with mobility issues and measures 6’9″ by 9’5″

California Zephyr Sleeping Car Layout

In most cases, this is the car you will have; however, 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 at any

time.

Transitional Dorm or Transdorm cars

You might be assigned a room in a transdorm (transition dormitory) car on the Zephyr. These cars primarily house the onboard crew, but Amtrak also sells some roomettes to passengers.

The upper level of the Transdorm cars features passenger roomettes identical to those in standard sleeper cars. In contrast, the lower level includes crew break areas, additional restrooms, and a shower.

These cars also serve as transition cars, hence the name, equipped with a lower-level door that allows crew members to access the baggage car, a feature that standard Superliner sleeper cars do not offer.

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.

What you can carry on the California Zephyr

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

Charges apply to additional and oversized luggage; see Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.

Checked baggage 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 available per person at no cost.
• Charges apply to additional and oversized luggage; a maximum of 4 bags is allowed.

Add-Ons: Bikes and Pets

The California Zephyr offers a few paid add-ons to bring your bike or furry family member.

Bringing Your Bike

• There is space on the train for standard, full-size bicycles.
• Bikes must weigh up to 50 lbs and be no larger than 70 inches x 41 inches x 8.5 inches.
• Amtrak stores bikes in designated bike racks or areas inside the baggage car.
• For more information, please check out Amtrak’s bike policy.

Bringing Your Pets

• Amtrak allows dogs and cats on the train.
• The combined weight of the pet and carrier must be no more than 20 pounds.
• Pets are allowed on trips of up to 7 hours.
• After completing your reservation, you will receive an online form to fill out. You can also access it in the My Trip section of the Amtrak website or app.
• Complete the necessary paperwork before leaving for the station.
• Learn more about Amtrak’s pet policy.

Accessibility on the California Zephyr

A wheelchair/mobility ramp is available to assist passengers with wheeled mobility devices in boarding and deboarding. The California Zephyr provides accessible seating on the lower level of coach cars and accessible bedrooms.

Wi-Fi on the Zephyr

This train does not have Wi-Fi, and cell service will be limited in certain sections.

Amtrak California Zephyr Adventure by Day

This graph breaks down the trip by day, showing the starting and ending cities for each day.

Train	1st Day	2nd Day	3rd Day
#5 Westbound	Chicago, IL – Omaha, NE	Lincoln, NE – Salt Lake City, UT	Elko, NV – Emeryville, CA
#6 Eastbound	Emeryville, CA – Elko, NV	Salt Lake City, UT – McCook, NE	Holdrege, NE – Chicago, IL

Food Offerings on the California Zephyr

This train has two food cars: the café car is open to all, while the dining car is initially reserved for sleeper passengers and, if available, coach passengers on a first-come, first-served basis.

The California Zephyr Café Car

The café is located on the lower level of the Sightseer Lounge, situated between the dining car and coach cars, in the center of the train. It serves a variety of meals, snacks, and beverages. The café is open to all passengers from early morning until late at night, but it does close for brief breaks. Please listen to the announcements for details.

To view a sample menu, click the button below and look for the National Café car menu.

California Zephyr Dining Car

The California Zephyr offers traditional dining with chef-prepared meals and table service.

Meals include breakfast, lunch, a three-course dinner, and kid-friendly options. Add-ons and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages are also included, and your first alcoholic drink at dinner is complimentary on Amtrak.

A selection of wine, beer, and spirits is available in the dining car to accompany your meal or to enjoy later in your room.

Amtrak provides complimentary in-room meal delivery for passengers with sleeping accommodations. 

For coach passengers, meals are available at fixed prices, but seating may be limited. To view the coach meal prices in the traditional dining area, please click the button below.

Please be aware that the California Zephyr does not serve breakfast after departing Emeryville, nor lunch while in Chicago. Please plan accordingly.

Train	1st Day	2nd Day	3rd Day
#5 Westbound	Dinner	Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner	Breakfast & Lunch
#6 Eastbound	Lunch & Dinner	Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner	Breakfast & Lunch

Amtrak’s California Zephyr Wrap-Up

The California Zephyr is a train where scheduling is important, but the experience is even more significant.

Yes, you’ll want to know the departure times and plan your trip carefully. However, once you’re onboard, the pace slows down a bit. You’re not just traveling to a destination; you’re witnessing the beauty of the country unfold outside your window.

Delays may occur, and things might not go as planned. This is normal for a route of this length.

Allowing yourself some flexibility and knowing what to expect can make this one of the most memorable trips you’ll ever take.

If you are still planning, use this guide to choose the right setup for your trip. When you are ready, feel free to book. This is one journey worth doing correctly.

Safe Travels and happy planning!

Kev