Amtrak's California Zephyr: Train Schedule & Guide

The California Zephyr is a daily Amtrak long-distance train that serves many communities between Chicago, IL, and Emeryville, CA. In addition to this train, you can book a trip beyond the rails with Amtrak’s Connecting Services. This service includes places like San Fransico and Oakland, CA.

The Zephyr covers 2,438 miles of its picturesque route in approximately 52 hours, stopping in communities like Omaha, Denver, and Salt Lake City. Passengers can enjoy breathtaking views of the Midwest’s farmlands, the majestic Rockies, and the stunning Sierras.

Riding this train provides an excellent opportunity to relax, enjoy the incredible landscapes, and meet new people, but it sometimes forces you to disconnect from the internet.

This article will help you plan your upcoming trip on one of my favorite trains! It includes the train timetable, schedule, food options, and accommodations.

Amtrak’s California Zephyr: Map and Route Overview

If you only have time for one Amtrak train journey, I highly recommend the California Zephyr. The scenery on the California Zephyr changes daily throughout your journey.

You will pass through quaint Midwest towns with agriculture and small manufacturing and the vibrant lights of major cities like Chicago, Denver, and Omaha.

The train follows the Colorado River for miles, winding through the Rockies and numerous tunnels.

Along the route, you’ll witness the grandeur of the High Sierras, a sight that will inspire awe and the picturesque landscapes of California.

Timing your trip right allows you to experience the beauty described in the song “America the Beautiful”—spacious skies, amber waves of grain, purple mountain majesties, and more!

While the Rockies are breathtaking, I enjoy traveling through Utah’s stunning landscapes. The variety of terrains, from rugged canyons to lush valleys, and the striking colors—deep reds to vibrant oranges—make this section memorable.

This route does have stunning views. I should note that, at times, some of the vistas are more industrial and less stunning unless you like those. You take the good and the bad, and you have the facts of life or views of this train.

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

Travels with Kev podcast on the Amtrak California Zephyr

On-Time Performance of the California Zephyr

The California Zephyr travels across the United States using tracks owned by host railroads BNSF and Union Pacific (UP). However, Amtrak owns the tracks around Chicago Union Station.

• California Zephyr’s average passenger on-time performance
  • During December 2024, Zephyr’s on-time performance was 65.3%, with an average delay of 88 minutes.
  • From December 2023 to 2024, Zephyr’s on-time performance was 51.1%, with an average delay of 108 minutes.

Information in the sections is from the official Amtrak Host Railroad Report December 2024.

If interested, you can see their on-time performance for all Amtrak long-distance trains if you connect with another train.

Common Causes for California Zephyr Delays

Common causes of delays include freight and passenger train interference and slow order delays.

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 down the tracks using individual reading lights and 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets under the window.

Additionally, there is an above-seat luggage shelf, a baggage rack on the lower level, 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, pillow, and an eye mask to block out the light. An eye mask with headphones can make your trip even more enjoyable. Amtrak sells a branded comfort kit 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, then you can plug in more than one thing.
• Entertainment: Bring headphones or other forms of entertainment to make your journey more enjoyable. 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 enjoy that my meals come 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
• Cup holders 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 measure 6’9” by 9’5”

California Zephyr Sleeping Car Layout

In most cases, this is the car you will have, but 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.

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, 25 lbs. (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.

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 per person for free.
• Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage, up to four bags total.

Add-Ons: Bikes and Pets

The California Zephyr allows a few paid add-ons for bringing 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/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 up to 20 pounds.
• Pets are allowed for trips up to seven hours.
• After completing your reservation, you will receive the online form; you can also be available in the My Trip section on 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 detraining. The California Zephyr provides accessible seating on the lower level of coach cars and accessible bedrooms.

Wi-Fi on the Zephyr

There is no Wi-Fi on this train, and there will be sections of the route where you will not have cell service.

Amtrak California Zephyr Adventure by Day

This graph breaks down the trip by day, showing each day’s starting and ending city.

Train	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
#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 cafe car is open to all, while the dining car is first open to sleeper passengers and, if available, coach passengers on a first-come, first-served basis.

The California Zephyr Café Car

The cafe is on the lower level of the Sightseer Lounge, between the dining car and coach cars, in the middle of the train. It serves a variety of meals, snacks, and beverages. The cafe is open for all passengers from early morning until late at night but does close for breaks, so listen for announcements.

To see a sample menu, check out the button below and look for the National Cafe 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 accompany meals, and your first drink at dinner is on Amtrak!

A selection of wine, beer, and spirits can be purchased in the dining car to accompany your meal or for later enjoyment in your room.

For passengers with sleeping accommodations, Amtrak offers the convenience of having meals delivered to their rooms if necessary, and these meals are complimentary. For coach passengers, meals are available at set prices, and it’s important to note that seating may be limited. Coach prices are in the traditional dining article; click the button below.

Please be aware that the California Zephyr does not offer breakfast out of Emeryville or lunch out of Chicago, so please plan accordingly.

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

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Amtrak California Zephyr Schedule

If you want to print out the Amtrak California Zephyr Schedule, there is one below, or you can print an Amtrak Schedule or custom schedule yourself!

This information comes from the official Amtrak website, which I last checked on 9/17/2024. Amtrak can change times and stops at any time.

Train 5 Westbound Read Down	Communities Served	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 R
3:44p	Princeton, IL (PCT)	104	12:28p
4:43p	Galesburg, IL (GBB)* S. Seminary St.	162	11:38a
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	7:01a
11:09p | 11:25p	Omaha, NE (OMA)	500	4:54a | 5:10a
12:36a | 12:46a	Lincoln, NE (LNK)	555	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
10:53a	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
3:25a	Elko, NV (ELK) (PT)	1871	8:44p
6:01a	Winnemucca, NV (WNN)	2013	6:26p
9:13a | 9:24a	Reno, NV (RNO)	2202	3:27p | 3:37p
10:33a	Truckee, CA (TRU) (Lake Tahoe)	2237	2:01p
12:50p	Colfax, CA (COX)	2301	11:39a
2:14p D	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	Transefer between train and bus	Miles	Start of train End of Bus
5:15p	Emeryville, CA (EMY)* San Fransico Bus Transfer	0	7:25a
5:45p	San Fransico, CA (SFC) Chase Plaza Curbside Stop	2	6:55a
Last Stop	Stations	Miles	Read Up

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.

Printable California Zephyr Schedule

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