Empire Builder Route Guide

The Empire Builder is one of Amtrak’s most scenic routes, traveling between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest. The two-night journey includes views of the Mississippi River, golden fields in the Great Plains, rugged peaks of the Montana Rockies, the Columbia River Gorge, and the water landscapes of Puget Sound. A highlight for many travelers is Glacier National Park, with multiple Amtrak stations offering access to the park’s lodges and trails.

Read on for Empire Builder travel tips, FAQs, and important things to know.

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Empire Builder Highlights

Dramatic views of the Rocky Mountains and Middle Fork of the Flathead River
Three train stations near Glacier National Park (learn more)
The longest railroad tunnel in the US (Seattle segment)
Stunning views of Puget Sound and Cascade Mountains (Seattle segment)
Columbia River Gorge journey (Portland segment)
Hours of Mississippi River scenery on eastbound trains
Skiing and small town charm in Whitefish
Bavarian-themed village in Leavenworth
Home of the “Empire Builder” (the train’s namesake) in St. Paul
Family-friendly vacations in the Wisconsin Dells (water parks, theme parks, lakes, river)
Airport access in or near Portland, Seattle, Whitefish, Minot, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago

Route Overview

Empire Builder trains are uniquely joined together and separated in Spokane. Between Chicago and Spokane, the entire train is intact (and very long). On the West Coast, there are two segments of the Empire Builder route, one that departs from Portland and one that departs from Seattle. Our favorite segment is Seattle due to views of Puget Sound and the Cascades.

See the table below to learn more about the Empire Builder route.

What to Know	Facts & Highlights
Distance	~2,200 miles
Travel time	45-46 hours (3 days, 2 nights)
Frequency	One train daily in each direction
Best time to ride	Summer (for visits to Glacier National Park and more daylight in the mountains), January and February for dramatic snow views and skiing near Whitefish
Best travel direction	Eastbound from Seattle or Portland

What it’s like to ride the Empire Builder

Named after James J. Hill, the “Empire Builder” of the Great Northern Railway, the Empire Builder has carried passengers between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest for nearly a century. The Great Northern Railway also played a key role in establishing Glacier National Park, and many of the historic lodges built by the railroad are still welcoming visitors today (and you can see some of them from the train).

While some passengers may find the Great Plains scenery repetitive after a couple hours, the journey rewards patience with the dramatic rise of the Rocky Mountains and the serene views of the Mississippi River depending on the direction of travel. For those seeking the most scenic portion of the route, the segment between East Glacier and the Pacific Northwest showcases the route’s iconic mountains, forests, and rivers.

Popular stops and places to visit along the route

This list highlights the most popular Empire Builder stops, with information on the top things to do and links to travel guides so you can plan your stay. For more information, see the 10 best stops on the Empire Builder route.

Chicago is a major starting or ending point for the Empire Builder and offers world-class attractions, architecture, and lakefront scenery. Popular activities include going on an architectural boat tour, visiting the Art Institute of Chicago, exploring Millennium Park, and enjoying views from the Willis Tower Skydeck or 360 Chicago.

Milwaukee is known for its brewery scene, summer festivals, and easy lakefront access. Near the station you can explore shops, beer tours, and museums in the Historic Third Ward and downtown. If you’re visiting in summer, check the schedule for large events like Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Fair.

One of the most family-friendly stops on the route, Wisconsin Dells is famous for its water parks, boat tours, and unusual sandstone rock formations along the Wisconsin River. Visitors can explore the natural scenery on a duck boat ride or river cruise, or spend time at amusement parks, indoor water parks, and other attractions throughout the area.

The Twin Cities combine cultural attractions with historic neighborhoods and riverfront scenery, which you can view from the popular trolley tour. Attractions to visit include the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Mill City Museum, Minnehaha Park, and St. Paul’s Victorian-era Summit Avenue. Neighborhood dining, breweries, and river trails are also easy to reach from the train station in St. Paul, making this a convenient stop for arts, food, and history lovers.

East Glacier Park station is just steps away from the historic Glacier Park Lodge and close to scenic hiking, horseback riding, and Red Bus tours in Glacier National Park. It’s the easiest option for visiting Glacier National Park without a car, with easy access to the Two Medicine area and the eastern side of the park’s mountains and lakes. Note that the station and lodge are only open during the summer travel season (approximately Memorial Day weekend through September).

Whitefish is a year-round resort town with events, restaurants, rental cars, and easy access to outdoor recreation (including guided tours to Glacier National Park). Winter visitors can ski or snowboard at Whitefish Mountain Resort, while summer brings hiking and lake activities. The town’s shops and restaurants make it an enjoyable stop even for a short stay.

Leavenworth is a Bavarian-themed mountain village with alpine-style architecture and seasonal festivals. Visitors can enjoy shopping, tasting rooms, riverfront parks, and nearby hiking trails. The town becomes especially popular during Oktoberfest and the Christmas season (there’s even a reindeer farm!).

Portland is known for its gardens, food scene, and easy access to outdoor adventures. Top attractions include the International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden, and the city’s many breweries and food carts. From downtown, travelers can join Columbia River Gorge tours or explore the region’s waterfalls and hiking trails with a rental car.

Seattle has iconic landmarks, waterfront attractions, and walkable neighborhoods near King Street Station. Popular places to visit include Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Museum of Pop Culture. Visitors can also take ferry rides on Puget Sound or explore the city’s parks, cafés, and historic districts before boarding the train.

Tickets and Onboard Options

When booking your tickets on the Empire Builder, 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.

Tips for a Better Trip

Travel in June to see the most scenery (most daylight).
Eastbound trips are better than westbound.
If you want to see the Columbia River Gorge, start or end your trip in Portland.
If you want to see Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, start or end in Seattle.
For the most scenic part of the trip, travel between Portland or Seattle and East Glacier Park.
Westbound trains arrive in the Rockies early evening, so summer travel is needed to view the mountains. Keep in mind that a train delay may result in travel through the Rockies after sunset.

Schedule

Visit Amtrak.com for the full route schedule. Highlights:

Trains depart Chicago in the afternoon.
Trains depart Portland and Seattle in early evening.
Eastbound trains arrive in the Rockies early in the morning.
Westbound trains arrive in the Rockies early evening.
Columbia River Gorge travel is in the morning on westbound trains and in the evening on eastbound trains.

FAQ

What is the route of the Empire Builder train?

Empire Builder trains travel east and west through the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. The end-of-the-line stations are Chicago, Portland and Seattle.

How long is the Empire Builder train ride?

It takes about 46 hours to ride the entire Empire Builder route, and you’ll spend two nights on the train. Sleeping accommodations are available.

Does the Empire Builder have sleeper cars?

Yes, the Empire Builder has Superliner sleeper cars. These sleeper cars have roomettes, bedrooms, a shower room and shared bathrooms.

What is the best direction of travel on Amtrak’s Empire Builder?

Eastbound is the best direction of travel on the Empire Builder. You’ll travel through the Montana Rocky Mountains and along the Mississippi River during daylight hours.

What is the best time of year to ride the Empire Builder?

The best time of year to ride Amtrak’s Empire Builder is summer, especially in June when extended daylight lets you see the maximum amount of scenery along the route.

Is the Empire Builder worth riding in winter?

Yes. Winter trips offer beautiful snow-covered landscapes and access to skiing in Whitefish, making it a great seasonal alternative.

What is the most scenic part of the Empire Builder route?

The Empire Builder is most scenic between the West Coast and Montana Rocky Mountains and we highly recommend riding just this segment. In addition to seeing the Rockies and Flathead River, there are views of the Columbia River Gorge (Portland leg of the route) along with Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound (Seattle leg of the route).

Tip: Start your trip in Portland or Seattle and travel to the East Glacier Station to see the Rocky Mountains in daylight. For the return trip, travel to Portland on Amtrak for views of the Columbia River Gorge or to Whitefish if you prefer to book a flight out of the Glacier International Airport.

Can you get on and off the Empire Builder?

Yes. You can get on and off all Amtrak routes, but you’ll need a one-way ticket for each segment of your trip. Depending on the train schedule, you might also need to stay overnight in the city where you get off the train. There are also a few fresh air/smoke breaks along the Empire Builder route if you want to get off the train for a few minutes.

Does the Empire Builder have food?

Yes, the Empire Builder has food, including a café for sandwiches, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and small meals. Sleeper car passengers also have free meals included in the ticket price (dining car available or meals can be delivered to rooms). Coach passengers may also be able to purchase breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining car based on availability, but don’t rely on this option.

Does the Empire Builder have a lounge car?

Yes, the Empire Builder has a sightseer lounge full of windows, a few tables and lounge seats. It is open to all passengers. On the lower level is the café.

What side of the Empire Builder is best to sit on?

For views of Puget Sound, sit on the left side of trains departing Seattle (right side on westbound trains).
For views of the Columbia River, sit on the right side of trains departing Portland (left side of westbound trains).
For beautiful views of the Flathead River in the Rocky Mountains, travel eastbound and sit on the left side of the train (including in the sightseer lounge).

Is there WiFi on the Empire Builder?

No WiFi, but cellular reception is available during most of the route (but not in the mountains and remote areas).

Stations

Below is the complete list of Empire Builder stations in route order. Click the links to view station amenities and other helpful information on the Amtrak website.