Amtrak California Zephyr: A Comprehensive Guide to Train Travel

Amtrak’s California Zephyr is one of America’s most scenic train rides, winding its way through the heart of the Western United States. The journey begins in Emeryville, CA, and travels eastward to Chicago, making stops in Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, and other major cities. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about Amtrak’s California Zephyr, from train fares and schedules to attractions and onboard services!

Quickview of Amtrak California Zephyr

Amtrak California Zephyr is Amtrak’s daily train service connecting the San Francisco Bay Area with the Midwest. The route traverses some of America’s most beautiful scenery, including the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Colorado Rockies, and the Great Plains.

The train journey takes about two days and covers a distance of over 2500 miles. There are three Amtrak classes of service on the California Zephyr: Amtrak Coach Class, Amtrak Business Class, and Amtrak First Class. All three classes offer comfortable seating and great views of the passing scenery.

AmtrakCoach Class is the most economical way to travel on Amtrak California Zephyr. Amtrak Business Class offers more amenities and services than Coach Class, including larger seats, complimentary food and beverages, and access to Amtrak’s Business Class Lounge. Amtrak First Class is the most luxurious way to travel, with private sleeper cars, full-service dining, and a dedicated concierge service.

Prices for Amtrak California Zephyr tickets vary depending on the class of service, time of year, and days of travel. Amtrak offers discounts for seniors, students, children, and AAA members. Amtrak also offers special fares for military personnel and their families.

To make a reservation on Amtrak California Zephyr, visit Amtrak’s website or call Amtrak’s reservations number at 800-USA-RAIL. Be sure to have your Amtrak Guest Rewards number handy if you are a member, as Amtrak offers discounts to members on most fares.

When you board Amtrak California Zephyr, you will be given an  Amtrak eTicket, which is your ticket to ride. Be sure to keep this with you as you will need to present it to the Amtrak conductor when requested.

Amtrak California Zephyr Train Coverage

The Amtrak California Zephyr train route covers a large portion of the United States. The journey begins in Emeryville, CA, and travels eastward to Chicago, making stops in Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, and other major cities.

What Travelers Are Saying About Amtrak California Zephyr

Amtrak California Zephyr is one of Amtrak’s most popular train routes, and it’s not hard to see why. The scenery is breathtaking, the service is top-notch, and the overall experience is truly unique. Here’s what some recent travelers have said about their experience on Amtrak California Zephyr:

The Amtrak California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. The scenery is stunning, and the service is excellent. I would highly recommend this train to anyone looking for a great way to see the country.

– Bob, traveler

This was my first time taking Amtrak, and I have to say that I was very impressed! The California Zephyr is a beautiful train, and the service was wonderful. I will be taking Amtrak again in the future.

– Luiza, an actress

I loved everything about the Amtrak California Zephyr! The views were amazing, the service was great, and the overall experience was just wonderful. I would highly recommend this train to anyone looking for a truly unique travel experience.

– Charles, businessman

Traveling on Amtrak California Zephyr During Covid-19

Amtrak is committed to providing a safe and clean travel experience for all of its passengers. Amtrak has implemented several safety measures in response to Covid-19, including enhanced cleaning protocols, social distancing measures, and the requirement that all passengers wear face masks while on board.

Onboard Experience

Amtrak California Zephyr offers a truly unique travel experience. The train winds its way through some of America’s most beautiful scenery, and the onboard service is top-notch. Amtrak offers three classes of service on the California Zephyr: Coach Class, Business Class, and First Class. All three classes offer comfortable seating and great views of the passing scenery.

Amtrak Coach Class is the most economical way to travel on Amtrak California Zephyr. Amtrak Business Class offers more amenities and services than Coach Class, including larger seats, complimentary food and beverages, and access to Amtrak’s Business Class Lounge. Amtrak First Class is the most luxurious way to travel, with private sleeper cars, full-service dining, and a dedicated concierge service.

History of Amtrak California Zephyr

Previous Service of Amtrak California Zephyr

The Amtrak California Zephyr is a train service that was first introduced in 1983. It ran from Chicago to Emeryville, which is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Amtrak California Zephyr was created to replace the Amtrak San Francisco Zephyr, which had been discontinued in 1970. Amtrak California Zephyr service was suspended in 1997 due to the Amtrak Sunset Limited taking its place. Amtrak California Zephyr service resumed on March 14, 2014, with a few changes to its route. The Amtrak California Zephyr now runs from Chicago to San Francisco and makes stops in Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno, Sacramento, and Oakland.

Amtrak Era

Amtrak, or the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, is a government-owned corporation that provides intercity passenger train service in the United States. Amtrak was created in May 1971 by the Amtrak Improvement Act to take over most of the passenger services previously offered by six privately-owned railroads. Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily and serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states across the country. Amtrak is headquartered in Union Station in Washington, D.C.

The Amtrak California Zephyr is just one of the many long-distance train services offered by Amtrak.

Description of Amtrak California Zephyrs Route 

Rail Line Subdivisions

The Amtrak California Zephyr makes stops in Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno, Sacramento, Oakland, and San Francisco. The train then proceeds down the Sierra Nevada mountain range towards Truckee. It then crosses through Donner Pass and into the Central Valley of California. The Amtrak California Zephyr makes its final stop in Emeryville, which is located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Cities Served by Amtrak California Zephyr

• Denver, Colorado
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Reno, Nevada
• Sacramento, California
• Oakland, California
• San Francisco, California

Ridership of Amtrak California Zephyr

Amtrak California Zephyr has seen a steady increase in ridership since 2014. In 2015, the Amtrak California Zephyr carried more than 297,000 passengers. This number increased to nearly 400,000 in 2016. Amtrak projects that the Amtrak California Zephyr will carry close to half a million passengers by the year 2023.

Equipment of Amtrak California Zephyr

Amtrak California Zephyr is pulled by either an Amtrak P42DC or an Amtrak P42SC locomotive. The Amtrak California Zephyr also has Amtrak Superliner coaches and Amtrak Viewliner sleeper cars. The Amtrak California Zephyr is the only train service that uses the Amtrak Superliner coaches west of the Rocky Mountains.

Onboard Services of Amtrak California Zephyr

Amtrak California Zephyr offers a variety of onboard services to its passengers. These services include dining, sleeping, and  lounge cars. Amtrak California Zephyr also offers bicycle and pet accommodations.

Dining Car

The Amtrak California Zephyr has a dining car that is open to all passengers. The Amtrak California Zephyr dining car serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Amtrak California Zephyr also offers a snack bar that is open 24 hours a day.

Sleeping Car

The Amtrak California Zephyr has both Amtrak Superliner and Viewliner sleeping cars. The Amtrak Superliner sleeping cars have roomettes, family bedrooms, and two-person bedrooms. The Amtrak Viewliner sleeping cars have roomettes, single bedrooms, and two-person bedrooms.

Lounge Car

The Amtrak California Zephyr has an Amtrak Superliner lounge car that is open to all passengers. The Amtrak California Zephyr lounge car has a bar, a café, and plenty of space to relax.

Bicycle Accommodations

The Amtrak California Zephyr is equipped with bicycle racks. Amtrak California Zephyr also has a limited number of bicycles that can be rented onboard.

Pet Accommodations

Amtrak California Zephyr allows small pets to travel onboard for a fee. Amtrak California Zephyr also offers a limited number of pet kennels that can be rented onboard.

Things To Know About Amtrak California Zephyr

• Amtrak California Zephyr is one of the longest Amtrak train routes
• California Zephyr has the most stops of any Amtrak train route
• The train crosses through eight mountain ranges and passes by seven major lakes
• It has a glass-domed observation car
• Also Amtrak California Zephyr has a lounge car with a baby grand piano
• As well as all of the long-distance Amtrak trains, it offers sleeping car accommodations

Cost of Amtrak California Zephyr

Amtrak California Zephyr fares start at $97 for a one-way ticket. Amtrak California Zephyr fares are based on the distance traveled, the time of year, and the type of accommodation selected. Amtrak California Zephyr also offers discounts for seniors, students, children, and members of the military.

Amtrak California Zephyr also offers Amtrak Guest Rewards, which is a loyalty program that allows passengers to earn points towards free Amtrak travel.

Schedule of Amtrak California Zephyr

Amtrak California Zephyr departs Emeryville daily at 11:05 AM and arrives in Chicago two days later at 11:40 AM. The train makes stops in Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Omaha, among other cities.

Popular Stops of Amtrak California Zephyr

Denver, Colorado: Denver Union Station is located in the Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhood of Denver. The station was renovated in 2014 and now features a variety of shops and restaurants. Amtrak California Zephyr passengers can also take advantage of the free MallRide shuttle to get around downtown Denver.

Salt Lake City, Utah: Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and is known for its Mormon history and culture. Amtrak California Zephyr passengers can explore Temple Square, the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Amtrak California Zephyr passengers can also visit the Natural History Museum of Utah or take a scenic drive up to Salt Lake City International Airport.

Reno, Nevada: Reno is known as the “Biggest Little City in the World” and is home to a variety of casinos and hotels. Amtrak California Zephyr passengers can visit the National Automobile Museum or take a gondola ride at Lake Tahoe. Amtrak California Zephyr passengers can also take a day trip to Virginia City, Nevada, which is a well-preserved mining town from the 19th century.

Sacramento, California: Sacramento is the capital of California and is known for its Gold Rush history. Amtrak California Zephyr passengers can visit the State Capitol Museum or take a riverboat cruise on the Sacramento River. Amtrak California Zephyr passengers can also explore Old Sacramento, which is a historic district with Gold Rush-era buildings. Find more info about highlights in Sacramento there.

Station List of Amtrak California Zephyr

Amtrak California Zephyr serves the following Amtrak stations:

• Emeryville, CA
• Sacramento, CA
• Reno, NV
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Denver, CO
• Omaha, NE
• Galesburg, IL
• Chicago Union Station

Highlights And Attractions of Amtrak California Zephyr

• Amtrak California Zephyr offers passengers stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountains
• Amtrak California Zephyr passes through the Donner Pass, which is a mountain pass named after the Donner party
• Amtrak California Zephyr offers passengers views of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America
• Amtrak California Zephyr passes through the Colorado Rocky Mountains, which is home to a variety of wildlife including bighorn sheep, elk, and bald eagles
• Amtrak California Zephyr offers passengers views of the Great Plains, which is home to a variety of prairie animals including bison, pronghorn antelope, and wild mustangs
• Amtrak California Zephyr offers passengers views of the Mississippi River, the longest river in North America
• Amtrak California Zephyr passes through Chicago Union Station, which is the busiest railroad station in North America

Read more about Amtrak trains there.

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Questions about Amtrak California Zephyr