Route Overview
The California Zephyr is widely acclaimed as the single most breathtaking train trip in North America. Traversing 2,438 miles between Chicago Union Station and Emeryville / San Francisco, this iconic 51-hour journey crosses the agricultural heartland of Illinois and Iowa, climbs into the snowy Continental Divide of the Colorado Rockies, winds through Glenwood Canyon, glides past the red rock deserts of Utah and Nevada, and scale the Sierra Nevada mountains before reaching San Francisco Bay.
Major Station Terminals
- Chicago IL (CHI): Union Station in downtown Chicago. Grand historic terminal with access to Metropolitan Lounge for Sleeping Car passengers.
- Denver CO (DEN): Denver Union Station in lower downtown (LoDo). Ideal midpoint stopover gateway to the Rocky Mountains.
- Glenwood Springs CO (GWS): Gateway to Colorado hot springs and Aspen ski resorts.
- Salt Lake City UT (SLC): Intermountain Hub station serving Utah national parks.
- Reno NV (RNO): Gateway station for Lake Tahoe vacationers.
- Emeryville CA (EMY): San Francisco Bay station terminal with seamless dedicated Amtrak Thruway bus transfers straight to downtown San Francisco.
Sightseer Lounge Car & Onboard Highlights
The double-decker Superliner Sightseer Lounge Car features wrap-around floor-to-ceiling glass windows and swivel seats available on a first-come, first-served basis to all passengers. It provides front-row views of Colorado’s 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel passage, Gore Canyon, Ruby Canyon, and Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Accommodation Classes
Superliner Roomette
Compact private cabin for 1–2 passengers. Two facing reclining seats convert to lower/upper sleeping bunks at night. Includes all dining car meals (breakfast, lunch, and multi-course dinner) and lounge access.
Superliner Bedroom
Spacious private room featuring a sofa, arm chair, upper/lower beds, and an in-cabin private toilet and enclosed shower. Full hot dining meals included.
Reserved Coach Class
Reclining seats with deep tilt, footrests, leg rests, and tray tables. Access to the Sightseer Lounge and Café Car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side of the train has the best views?
Both sides of the train offer spectacular mountain vistas! The right side going westbound provides dramatic river canyon views through Colorado, while the left side offers incredible views climbing up to the Moffat Tunnel and down through Donner Pass.
Are meals included with sleeper tickets?
Yes, all passengers traveling in private Roomettes or Bedrooms receive full traditional dining meals cooked fresh onboard in the Dining Car, plus complimentary wine with dinner.
How do I transfer from Emeryville to San Francisco?
Amtrak provides dedicated Thruway motorcoach connections directly timed with the California Zephyr's arrival at Emeryville, taking passengers across the Bay Bridge into downtown San Francisco (Salesforce Transit Center).
