The Cardinal Amtrak route travels between New York and Chicago (through DC) three times each week. It has some of the best scenery in the eastern United States as the train travels through the New River Gorge, Alleghany Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley.
On board, private Viewliner roomettes and bedrooms are available at an extra cost, flexible dining service is an option for sleeper car passengers, and a café is open to all passengers. Note that the Cardinal is popular in the summer and fall, so be sure to book roomettes or bedrooms in advance if that’s your preferred accommodation type.
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Schedule Highlights
- Trains depart Chicago in early evening.
- Eastbound trains depart Indianapolis just after midnight.
- Trains travel through Ohio overnight.
- Trains depart from New York Penn Station in the morning.
- Westbound trains depart Washington D.C. late morning.
View latest schedules on Amtrak.com.
Things to Know
- The Cardinal is the only Amtrak route that stops in Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
- Chicago is in Central Time Zone and the other cities on the route are in Eastern.
- The Greenbrier Resort is a historic luxury retreat next to the White Sulphur Springs Station.
- Exit in Charleston, West Virginia to rent a car and drive to the New River Gorge National Park.
- Exit in Staunton, Virginia to reach the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum.
- The Capitol Limited train also travels between Washington D.C. and Chicago and is about 300 miles shorter as another option.
FAQ
Where does Amtrak’s Cardinal go?
The Cardinal travels between Chicago and New York City via Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The route is basically a large “U” shape.
Is the Cardinal scenic?
The Cardinal route has great scenery in West Virginia and Virginia, especially as you travel through the New River Gorge. Note that you’ll have the best views when traveling east. If you plan to travel from the East Coast through the New River Gorge, plan your trip in summer.
Does the Cardinal have sleeper cars?
Yes, the Cardinal has Viewliner sleeper cars, typically fewer sleeper cars than other long-distance trains so be sure to buy tickets in advance if you plan to book a roomette or bedroom.
Do Cardinal trains have observation cars?
There are no observation cars on the Cardinal route. You will need to view the scenery from your seat or in the café car.
Popular Stops
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- Wilmington, DE
- Baltimore
- Washington D.C.
- Alexandria
- Charlottesville
- Charleston, WV
- Indianapolis
- Chicago
Stations
- New York, NY – Penn Station (NYP)
- Newark, NJ – Penn Station (NWK)
- Trenton, NJ (TRE)
- Philadelphia, PA – 30th Street Station (PHL)
- Wilmington, DE (WIL)
- Baltimore, MD – Penn Station (BAL)
- Washington, DC – Union Station (WAS)
- Alexandria, VA (ALX)
- Manassas, VA (MSS)
- Culpeper, VA (CLP)
- Charlottesville, VA (CVS)
- Staunton, VA (STA)
- Clifton Forge, VA (CLF)
- White Sulphur Springs, WV (WSS)
- Alderson, WV (ALD)
- Hinton, WV (HIN)
- Prince, WV (PRC)
- Thurmond, WV (THN)
- Montgomery, WV (MNG)
- Charleston, WV (CHW)
- Huntington, WV (HUN)
- Ashland, KY (AKY)
- South Portsmouth, KY (SPM)
- Maysville, KY (MAY)
- Cincinnati, OH – Union Terminal (CIN)
- Connersville, IN (COI)
- Indianapolis, IN (IND)
- Crawfordsville, IN (CRF)
- Lafayette, IN (LAF)
- Rensselaer, IN (REN)
- Dyer, IN (DYE)
- Chicago, IL – Union Station (CHI)
Photos
Amtrak Guide 