California Zephyr Route Guide

The California Zephyr is one of Amtrak’s most popular long-distance routes, celebrated for its breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada. Stretching from Chicago to Emeryville, California, trains cross seven states (Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California), with views of the diverse landscapes of the American heartland and the West. The full journey takes two nights, offering the chance to relax onboard or step off to explore cities and historic towns along the way.

This website is reader supported and not affiliated with Amtrak. We may earn a small commission from links on this page.

California Zephyr Overview

What to Know	Facts & Highlights
Distance	2,438 miles
Travel time	~52 hours
Frequency	One train daily in each direction
Amenities	Sightseer lounge, cafe, dining car
Best time to ride	May, September
Best travel direction	Westbound toward California (though both directions are good)
Scenery highlights	Rocky Mountains, Glenwood Canyon, Ruby Canyon, Sierra Nevada

What it’s like to ride the California Zephyr

The California Zephyr is often called Amtrak’s most scenic train ride, and for good reason. Inspired by the 1939 Exposition Flyer, which carried passengers to the Golden Gate International Exposition, this journey takes you across two majestic mountain ranges, along winding rivers, and through dramatic canyons that showcase some of America’s most breathtaking landscapes. The stretch between Chicago and Denver is mostly flat plains, so if you’re short on time, starting or ending your trip in Denver is a great way to focus on the most spectacular views without missing the highlights.

Popular Stops

Explore the most popular stops along the California Zephyr route below. Click the links for travel guides. For more information, learn about the 10 best stops.

Sacramento: Vibrant riverfront and railroad museum
Reno: Casinos and gateway to Lake Tahoe
Salt Lake City: Skiing and snowboarding hot spot
Glenwood Springs: Hot springs and mountain views
Winter Park: Ski slopes and all-year recreation
Denver: Union Station and day trips to the mountains
Chicago: Famous attractions and boat tours

Top Attractions to Visit

Chicago: Art Institute and Millennium Park
Omaha: The Durham Museum
Denver: Denver Union Station
Fraser-Winter Park: Winter Park Resort
Grand Junction: Colorado National Monument
Salt Lake City: Temple Square
Reno: National Automobile Museum
Truckee: Donner Memorial State Park
Sacramento: California State Railroad Museum

Schedule Highlights

There is only one eastbound and one westbound train each day.
Trains depart and arrive in Chicago in the afternoon.
Trains depart Emeryville (which is near San Francisco) in the morning.
Trains arrive in Emeryville in late afternoon.
Trains travel through the Rocky Mountains on the second day of travel.
In Denver, trains heading into the mountains depart in the morning, making westbound trains the best direction of travel for the most daylight and scenic views. If you are planning to fly to Denver, arrive the night before and consider staying at the hotel in the Denver Union Station.

Tickets and Onboard Options

When booking your tickets on the California Zephyr, you can select coach seats or private rooms. Coach seats are the most affordable option, but you’ll need to sleep sitting up (seats partially recline). Additionally, coach cars are typically in the front of the train, which means the train horn will be louder and may disrupt your sleep.

In comparison, private rooms are more expensive, but you’ll have a bed and free water, coffee, and meals. Based on availability, you can choose from the following private room options:

Roomettes
Family bedrooms on the lower level
Accessible bedrooms on the lower level
Standard bedrooms on the upper level

Explore the room types to see which one is best for you and the differences between upper and lower level rooms.

Travel Tips

A day trip option on the California Zephyr is to travel between Denver and Salt Lake City for views of the Rocky Mountains. Travel time is about 14.5 hours.
If you have limited time, travel from Denver to Glenwood Springs (6 hours). Stay one night in Glenwood Springs and return to Denver the next day. Hotel Maxwell Anderson is conveniently across the street from the station or for hot spring pool access, book a stay at the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.
All the stations in Colorado are great paces to stay for a night or two. View Colorado Amtrak trip ideas to learn more.
Summer is a popular time to ride the California Zephyr and this is often reflected in elevated ticket prices. Buy your tickets at least six months in advance for the best rates.
Get to the sightseer lounge early for the Colorado portion of the trip so you can see scenery on both sides of the train.
Sacramento is a great place to start or end a trip on the California Zephyr (as an alternate to Emeryville). It’s a better city for sightseeing and the Sacramento International Airport is a short drive away.
There may be snow delays if you book your trip in January, February or March. Heavy snow usually falls in the Sierra Nevada, including where the Donner Party got stuck in 1846.
You can get off and on the train at any station, but you’ll have to buy tickets for each segment or purchase the USA Rail Pass (coach seats only). If you plan to continue in the same direction of travel, you’ll re-board the train at the same time you got off.

FAQ

Is the California Zephyr worth it?

The California Zephyr is definitely worth riding. There are beautiful views of two mountain ranges, a cliff-hugging ride along the Colorado River and more than 30 tunnels. You can save money and time by starting the trip in Denver and traveling to Northern California to see the stunning mountain scenery. You can also do a day trip and travel from Denver to Salt Lake City and have the option to fly out of Salt Lake.

What is the best month to ride the California Zephyr?

For fewer crowds, cheaper prices, ride the California Zephyr in September.

How many days is the California Zephyr trip?

Three days and two nights.

What side of the California Zephyr to sit on?

The best side to sit on depends on what scenery you want to see. The Colorado River in the Rocky Mountains is one of the best parts of the California Zephyr. It is visible from the left side of the train when traveling westbound and on the right when traveling east — head to the observation car for the best views.

For the ascent into the Rockies from Denver, sit on the right side. Note that if you are traveling eastbound, it may be getting dark (or nightfall) on the journey out of the mountains.

Can you bring food on the California Zephyr?

You can bring food on all Amtrak trains. Consider bringing a small cooler as a personal item for refrigerated food. Especially if you are sitting in coach, we recommend packing snacks and even a meal or two as there are limited items on the café menu.

How do I buy California Zephyr tickets online?

Visit Amtrak.com or download the Amtrak app. On the Amtrak homepage, you can enter your “from” and “to” stations. View the station list below to choose stations on the route. You can also enter a different station/city and Amtrak will provide connecting route information. If you plan to book flights at the start and end of your trip, we recommend using the Chicago or Denver airports and either the Oakland or Sacramento airports in California.

California Zephyr Stations

Explore the full list of California Zephyr Amtrak stations in route order. Click the station names to view amenities and additional details on the Amtrak website.