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Search & book Amtrak California Zephyr tickets

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Wanderu is an official partner of Amtrak California Zephyr

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About Amtrak California Zephyr

The California Zephyr is an Amtrak train that connects Chicago, Illinois to San Francisco, California. It has stops in several major cities across the Midwest and Southwest United States. Overall, the Amtrak California Zephyr stops in 35 cities, averaging 2099 train trips every month. Taking the train the full length from Chicago to San Francisco takes just over 50 hours, but there are also much shorter trips you can take with the Zephyr. Currently, tickets begin at just £5.16 while the most expensive tickets are priced at £250.06.

Contact Amtrak California Zephyr

Phone number: US: 1 (800) 872-7245

Amtrak California Zephyr Amenities

Air conditioningAir conditioning
ToiletToilet
Extra legroomExtra legroom
Loyalty rewardsLoyalty rewards
Power pointPower point
SnacksSnacks

Quickview

Amtrak California Zephyr train coverage

Daily Trips150
stations35
cities35
countries1

What travelers are saying about Amtrak California Zephyr

Here’s what Wanderu users who have booked trips with Amtrak California Zephyr had to say about their travel experience.

Traveling During COVID-19

"Masks are required on the train."
based on 58 reviews

Onboard Experience

"The WiFi service worked well."
based on 55 reviews
"Wonderful conductors on board who took time to share the highlights."
based on 142 reviews
"Good price. Very easy and cheap."
based on 180 reviews
"Departed and arrived on time."
based on 103 reviews
"Seats tilt back nicely and there's even a foot rest. "
based on 181 reviews
"Very clean and tidy."
based on 159 reviews

Amtrak California Zephyr reviews from Wanderu customers

Overall review score for Amtrak California Zephyr

(Based on 213 reviews)

4.1
Ratings (Out of 5)
Comfort

4.4

Timeliness

3.4

Staff

4.2

Value

3.8

Condition

4.2

Amtrak California Zephyr passenger reviews

3.0

Stuart

21 January 2022- Vacation

Chicago to Denver

Pros: Traveling by train is relaxing to me. Cons: Amtrak is late about half the time I use them. This most recent trip arrived in Denver four hours late. Tips: Take a book or laptop and don’t get upset if the train is late. Also take ear plugs. Some people snore and s...

Pros: Traveling by train is relaxing to me. Cons: Amtrak is late about half the time I use them. This most recent trip arrived in Denver four hours late. Tips: Take a book or laptop and don’t get upset if the train is late. Also take ear plugs. Some people snore and some people don’t honor the quiet rules at night.

More

2.0

Denny

18 January 2022- Visiting family

Grand Junction to Denver

Pros: Scenery. Cons: Clean the trains. Tips: Our train was 15 hours late and after waiting on hold for over an hour with an agent each time we called we got the different information each time about our departure.

Pros: Scenery. Cons: Clean the trains. Tips: Our train was 15 hours late and after waiting on hold for over an hour with an agent each time we called we got the different information each time about our departure.

5.0

Linda

2 January 2022- Visiting friends

Sacramento to Reno

Pros: Very comfortable ride , lots of leg room, scenery fantastic with big windows, very friendly & helpful staff. Cons: Can't think of anything as I was totally satisfied with my trip. Tips: Book more train travel plans and see the country.

Pros: Very comfortable ride , lots of leg room, scenery fantastic with big windows, very friendly & helpful staff. Cons: Can't think of anything as I was totally satisfied with my trip. Tips: Book more train travel plans and see the country.

5.0

Judith

28 December 2021- Visiting family

Chicago to Denver

Pros: Best part of my trip was just to relax. The crew was professional as always. I felt safe. Had lots of room in the new seats! Cons: I cant think of anything right now. Tips: Plan on relaxing and have a good attitude. Bring a small blanket and pillow and snacks. H...

Pros: Best part of my trip was just to relax. The crew was professional as always. I felt safe. Had lots of room in the new seats! Cons: I cant think of anything right now. Tips: Plan on relaxing and have a good attitude. Bring a small blanket and pillow and snacks. Headphones to listen to books and music. Please dont talk loud on your cell phone.

More

3.0

ann

27 December 2021- Visiting family

Grand Junction to Denver

So so late. I will never use the train If I’m needing it to arrive by the time advertised

So so late. I will never use the train If I’m needing it to arrive by the time advertised

Amtrak California Zephyr Routes & Network

Amtrak California Zephyr’s train network features 491 train routes that connect 35 cities serving 35 stations. On average, Amtrak California Zephyr performs about 150 train trips every day. The top cities to which Amtrak California Zephyr offers the highest number of daily train service include Denver and Grand Junction.

Top Cities Served by Amtrak California Zephyr

CityRouteEarliest trainLatest train
Denver76:14 am5:05 am
Reno106:14 am6:30 am
Chicago76:54 am5:49 am
Glenwood Springs46:14 am5:05 am
Salt Lake City46:14 am5:05 am
Omaha57:42 am5:49 am
Grand Junction46:14 am5:05 am
Sacramento86:14 am6:30 am
Lincoln47:42 am5:05 am

Top States Served by Amtrak California Zephyr

StateCities ServedDaily TripsTop city
Iowa539Ottumwa
Utah446Salt Lake City
Nebraska593Omaha
Nevada376Reno
Colorado699Denver
California8324Sacramento
Illinois4381Chicago

Most popular Amtrak California Zephyr routes

The train from Denver to Grand Junction is Amtrak California Zephyr’s most popular route. Trips from Denver to Glenwood Springs and Salt Lake City to Reno are also highly popular.

Top Amtrak California Zephyr routes

RouteDaily TripsDurationPrice
Denver to Grand Junction17h 52m£32
Denver to Glenwood Springs15h 41m£27
Salt Lake City to Reno19h 55m£28
Omaha to Chicago19h 36m£46
Sacramento to Reno14h 47m£28
Denver to Chicago118h 40m£74
Denver to Lincoln17h 10m£46
Truckee to Reno11h 18m£8
Denver to Omaha18h 49m£49

Amtrak California Zephyr Cancellation Policy

All Amtrak California Zephyr tickets can be cancelled for a full refund within the first 24 hours after purchase. If more than 24 hours have passed, the cancellation policy and change fee structure for Amtrak bookings depend on the type of fare you purchased:

Saver Fare tickets: A 25% fee applies for any changes. If you cancel the trip, you will receive an eVoucher worth 75% of the original ticket price.

Value Fare tickets: No change fees and fully refundable up to 15 or more days before departure. If cancelled less than 14 days before departure, a 25% cancellation fee applies.

Flexible, Business and Premium Fare tickets: No change fees and fully refundable if cancelled or changed before departure.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable after the train has departed, so be sure to make your updates as soon as possible if your travel plans change.

If your Amtrak California Zephyr ticket is eligible for change or cancellation, you can do that by calling Amtrak’s customer service phone number at 1 (800) 872-7245. To cancel or change your booking online, simply go to www.amtrak.com and click on the “Modify Trip” tab in the upper right corner.

Wanderu also offers an affordable trip protection option by Allianz Global Assistance that you can purchase when booking your tickets. In addition to 24-hour assistance during your trip and coverage for lost or damaged baggage, trip protection can help you get your money back in case you need to cancel or change your trip. You can file a claim to have any Amtrak change or cancellation fees reimbursed if you cannot travel due to covered reasons such as illness, extreme weather, or required work shifts.

Amtrak California Zephyr Train Guide & FAQs

How long is the California Zephyr trip?

The California Zephyr is one of the longest passenger train routes in the world. End-to-end, the full journey takes 51 hours and 20 minutes to get from Union Station in Chicago to Emeryville Station in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Where does the California Zephyr stop?

In total, the Zephyr stops at train stations in 33 cities spanning 7 states. There are several major cities on the route between Chicago and San Francisco, including:

  • Sacramento, California
  • Reno, Nevada
  • Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Denver, Colorado
  • Omaha, Nebraska

Do California Zephyr trains have WiFi?

No, unfortunately Amtrak California Zephyr does not offer WiFi aboard its trains at this time. However, we find that a good book makes the time fly by and streaming services like Netflix allow you download TV shows and movies that you can then watch during your trip. Plan ahead and you will stay entertained during the entire train ride.

Are there power points or USB points on the train?

Yes, there are power points onboard Amtrak California Zephyr trains. You can generally find one or two sockets per row of seats, so be a good traveller and check if your seat neighbour might want to charge up their devices as well. With the onboard power points, you can charge both a computer and USB devices with a power point USB converter that typically comes with most phones and tablets.

Since Amtrak California Zephyr might sometimes use replacement train vehicles, not all trips are guaranteed to have power points. We recommend to bring a power bank to charge your phone for all trips over 2 hours, just in case.

What is Amtrak California Zephyr's schedule?

On a typical day, Amtrak California Zephyr has 150 scheduled train trips in total. However, the exact departure and arrival times vary depending on the day and route. The best way to find the exact schedule for your trip is to use the search tool on this page.

Can you pick up will call tickets at the station?

No, Amtrak California Zephyr does not offer will call tickets. You should purchase your tickets online and make sure you have everything you need to board before you arrive at the station.

Do you need an ID to get on the train?

Yes, Amtrak California Zephyr requires you to present an ID to an agent to be allowed to board the train. Make sure you have identification issued by a government agency that meets the carrier’s requirements. Alternative IDs, such as a college ID, won’t work.

What are Amtrak California Zephyr’s COVID-19 policies?

Visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide to view the most up-to-date information about Amtrak California Zephyr’s cleaning protocols and adjusted ticket change policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Are there bathrooms on California Zephyr trains?

Yes, there are bathrooms on Amtrak California Zephyr trains. The bathrooms are pretty basic and include a toilet, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Most bathrooms don’t have running water. As you will be using a bathroom on a moving vehicle, please use caution and hold on to a rail at all times.

Are meals or drinks offered during the trip?

Amtrak California Zephyr provides snacks to satisfy your hunger during your travels. Be sure to pack a credit card and some cash in case you get hungry.

Do you have to print your Amtrak California Zephyr ticket?

Amtrak California Zephyr does not require a printed ticket to board the train. Instead, an eTicket is sent to you by email when you make your reservation. You can use your smartphone to show this eTicket to the ticketing agent as you board.

Does Amtrak California Zephyr offer any premium features like extra legroom or movies?

Amtrak California Zephyr goes the extra distance to deliver premium features to its customers.

Do you find yourself squished in a regular seat or just love having extra room to sprawl out? Well you’re in luck as Amtrak California Zephyr offers extra legroom seating. Since there is no standard of what extra legroom is, the extra space you get may vary between train lines, but getting extra is always good.

Cheap Amtrak California Zephyr tickets recently found on Wanderu

With 150 Amtrak California Zephyr trips per day, there are a lot of great deals to uncover for the bargain hunter and Amtrak California Zephyr tickets start at just £5.16. Check out some of the latest and greatest deals snatched up by Wanderu users.

How do I get the best deal on Amtrak California Zephyr tickets?

Wanderu is the best place to score cheap Amtrak California Zephyr tickets. Wanderu offers the lowest available fares every day and charges no extra booking fees. Plus, you can compare Amtrak California Zephyr prices with trips offered by other train companies to be sure you’re getting the best deal on your tickets!

Pro travelers know that booking your ticket well in advance is key to finding the lowest price. Ticket prices normally go up the closer you get to the travel date, so don’t miss out on a good deal when you see one. If you can be flexible with your travel date, you can also get cheap tickets by traveling on weekdays instead of weekends.

When you’re ready to book, type your departure city and destination city in the search bar above, select your travel date, and let Wanderu work its magic to show you all of the best bus and train ticket prices available for your trip. Pick the ticket that’s best for your budget, schedule, and preferences, and complete the booking right on Wanderu to secure your great deal.

More transportation options

Top Amtrak California Zephyr Routes

Top Amtrak California Zephyr Destinations

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