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This page gives you a quick look at Amtrak’s California Zephyr Schedule and a brief overview of the train.

If you are looking for a printable California Zephyr Schedule or timetable, there is one at the bottom. You can click on each station to see what amenities they offer.

This is one of my favorite trains, and if you only take one Amtrak train, this is the one you should take!

The Califonia Zephyr offers diverse views, from the Midwest’s small towns and farmlands to the Rockies’ grandeur and the awe-inspiring views of the Sierra Nevadas.

Amtrak Service Alerts and Notices

Check here to check for any alerts or notices for your trip! It does not hurt to check every so often, especially if your trip is a ways off.

How Often Does The Amtrak’s California Zephyr Run?

The Zephyr runs daily, with one train per day in each direction.

Accommodations For The California Zephyr

Amtrak’s California Zephyr offers a few different types of accommodation to reserve as you travel.

Coach Seating

The Zephyr offers coach seating features comfortable reclining seats with ample legroom, a fold-down tray, individual reading lights, and 120v electric outlets. These seats also have a foot and leg rest.

Sleeper Car (Rooms)

All rooms include:

• Fresh linens and towels
• Traditional Dining
• Lounge access in Chicago
• Dedicated car attendant

The family bedroom provides seating and sleeping berths for two adults and two smaller kids. They also offer access to a shower.

An Amtrak bedroom gives you twice the space of a Roomette with seating by day, upper and lower berths by night, and an in-room sink, restroom, and shower.

A roomette offers passengers seating by day that turns into upper and lower berths at night. Additionally, you have access to a shower in your car. These rooms are excellent for one but cozy for two.

For those that need it, an accessible room offers accommodations for disabled passengers; accessible Bedrooms are located on the lower level of the train and provide ample space for a wheelchair, with a sofa for two by day and upper and lower berth for the night.

One passenger must crawl up to the top bunk in all rooms. Two people can sleep in a bedroom bed, but you need to cuddle.

Bikes, Pets, and Luggage

Bicycle 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 Coach passenger cars or the baggage car (if available).

Amtrak allows dogs and cats up to 20 pounds (combined weight of pet and carrier) for trips up to seven hours. Learn more about Amtrak’s pet policy.

When you travel on the California Zephyr, you can take advantage of Amtrak’s generous carry-on policy.

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.

A wheelchair ramp is available to assist passengers in boarding and detraining with a wheeled mobility device.

Food Offerings On The California Zephyr

The cafe is on the lower level of the Sightseer Lounge, featuring a variety of meals, snacks, and beverages for sale, and it is available for all customers from early morning until late at night.

Sleeper passengers and limited coach passengers can enjoy Amntrak traditional dining. These are chef-prepared meals with table service, selections for kids, and a wide array of wine, beer, and spirits. Sleeping passengers can have meals brought to their rooms.

The meals are complimentary for customers with sleeping accommodations or at set prices for coach passengers. Amtrak can limit seating for coach passengers.

2023-2024 Amtrak California Zephyr Schedule

This page displays the California Zephyr Schedule best on mobile devices if you hold your phone horizontally. These are also guides, and Amtrak can change times at any time.

Printable California Zephyr Schedule

East and West trains are on this handout; read the down on the left column and up on the right.

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.