Amtrak Empire Builder train tickets—Search & book deals
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About Amtrak Empire Builder
The Empire Builder is Amtrak’s long-distance passenger rail service that connects Chicago with the Pacific Northwest. Empire Builder trains run daily in either direction, stopping at 45 cities along the way, including Milwaukee, the Twin Cities, and Spokane. West of Spokane, the service is split between two separate routes – one to/from Seattle and one to/from Portland. With over 1,200 daily passengers, this is one of Amtrak’s most popular services. A full trip from Chicago to Seattle/Portland takes about 45-46 hours and covers over 2,200 miles.
The Empire Builder passenger train service was first introduced in 1929 by the Great Northern Railway that operated the route until 1970 when it was transformed into Burlington Northern. In 1971, Amtrak took over the route and has been its main passenger rail service operator ever since.
Contact Amtrak Empire Builder
- Phone number:
- 1 (800) 872-7245
- Online support:
- Amtrak Empire Builder website
Amtrak Empire Builder Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Toilet
- Extra legroom
- Loyalty rewards
- Power points
- Snacks
Quickview
Amtrak Empire Builder train coverage
- Daily Trips
- 245
- stations
- 45
- cities
- 45
- countries
- 1
- United States
What travellers are saying about Amtrak Empire Builder
Here’s what Wanderu users who have booked trips with Amtrak Empire Builder had to say about their travel experience.
Travelling During COVID-19
“They took COVID safety precautions seriously.”
89%
Onboard Experience
“I’ll travel with them again just for the staff!”
89%“Really cheap tickets and really good service.”
96%“The train got there on time.”
78%“Seats were really comfy and spacious”
94%“The train was almost suspiciously clean”
91%
Amtrak Empire Builder reviews from Wanderu customers
Overall review score for Amtrak Empire Builder Based on 459 reviews
4.7
Ratings (Out of 5)
| Comfort | |
|---|---|
| Timeliness | |
| Staff | |
| Value |
Amtrak Empire Builder passenger reviews
Pros My trip was nice and comfortable Cons Delaying the time
Pros It's a beautiful ride
Pros Riding the train along side of the Columbia River. Cons Perfect!
- Arleen11 August 2026Stanley – Havre
Pros The train was on time and the weather weas 75 Degrees. this the frist time out of the other4 time I've road the train it's been late. Very enjoyable.! the bathrooms where clean!!! Cons I had noticed when I had found a seat . the seat in front of me had a reserved tag on it. the passanger never came back to their seat the whole 5 hrs I rode the train. Tips No I never wonder around. so all is good.
Pros Reliable Cons Nothing Tips Affordable and reliable
Pros Superior Comfort, Accommodations, Professional Assistance Cons You've 'got it covered'......... Tips Consider this travel assistance.
Pros I loved it. Classic. Cons One staff member in the Spokane lobby loading was a little creepy. Im not sure if the wifi worked I didn't check. Tips Fun times
Pros Comfortable Cons All good Tips Awesome
Pros Relaxing, quiet, Cons Be on time. Peovide pillow and blanket for coach Tips Be prepared for delays on the Empire Builder. Bring a pillow and blanket if riding overnight in coach.
Pros Very comfortable seats with lots of leg room!
Pros Fast and comfortable and great pr
Pros It was my first ride and everyone was helpful got information across the where, how, and what times available or when the train stopped they gave travelers how long where to go and Smoke cigarettes and was given opportunity to get off at each stop to smoke on the Plat form, very comfortable even in coach, lots of walking around able to sit In the community area with huge windows and the beautiful sense best ride I've ever experienced traveling from Portland Oregon to visit my family in Pablo Montana, taking the train to Whitefish Montana was by far my best trip, when driving was not am optional flying to strict and luggage to few, train travel is the best. Cons Having the kitchen and bar opened longer maybe separate family's from single travelers Tips Just make sure to bring a small pillow and a throw if traveling toward Montana during the Hollidays cold weather
Pros I was on the trip when historic flooding started happening so our train very unexpectedly had to return to Leavenworth and a 2 hour trip turned into 8 hours. No fault of anyone’s. The staff was amazing! Everyone was friendly and happy and helpful! Made the trip super memorable.
Pros conductors and staff couldn’t have been more helpful & friendly ! Cons nothing I can think of
Pros Very frustrating watching the Borealis passengers board on time in St Paul for trip to Chicago while we were delayed more than three hours for our trip to Chicago. Cons Would not have needed to start our day so early only to wait for over three hours for our train to arrive in St Paul. How often is the Empire Builder running this late? Tips Check your train status before travelling to the station
Pros Feel very comfortable and love the view Cons As for me everything was very good Tips So comfy,,,
Pros Everything. From the weather to the the trip down there and back. It was a serious recharge for my wife and I Cons The only thing that would have been better would have been to have a step stool when boarding the train. Several elderly folks needed assistance disembarking. My wife had to crawl onto the train in order to board Tips Enjoy the ride. Red Wing has plenty to offer.
Pros The seats were comfortable, the train wasn’t cold, and the operator gave us ample warning of our next stops as we came up to them. Cons Nothing I can think of. Tips Bring snacks and food with you
Pros Everything was easy and efficient. Ride was comfortable. Cons Station in west glacier is only open limited times, not all day to accommodate our late evening departure. Tips Be sure to reserve travel options to the park/accommodations.
Pros Train left on time and arrived early, very efficient!
Amtrak Empire Builder Routes & Network
Amtrak Empire Builder’s train network features 549 train routes that connect 45 cities serving 45 stations. On average, Amtrak Empire Builder performs about 245 train trips every day. The top cities to which Amtrak Empire Builder offers the highest number of daily train service include St Paul and Chicago.
| City | Daily Trips | Earliest train | Latest train |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Paul | 26 | 0:44 | 22:53 |
| Chicago | 25 | 1:15 | 22:53 |
| Seattle | 19 | 0:05 | 23:13 |
| Spokane | 11 | 0:05 | 23:13 |
| Portland | 12 | 0:55 | 23:13 |
| Wenatchee | 3 | 3:19 | 22:21 |
| Whitefish | 11 | 1:09 | 23:13 |
| Milwaukee | 14 | 1:15 | 17:09 |
| Fargo | 9 | 2:10 | 23:49 |
Most popular Amtrak Empire Builder routes
The train from Seattle to Wenatchee is Amtrak Empire Builder’s most popular route. Trips from Seattle to Leavenworth and Portland to Spokane are also highly popular.
| Route | Daily Trips | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle – Wenatchee | 1 | 3 hrs, 56 mins | SEK 337 |
| Seattle – Leavenworth | 1 | 3 hrs, 22 mins | SEK 505 |
| Portland – Spokane | 1 | 7 hrs, 32 mins | SEK 426 |
| St Paul – Chicago | 2 | 7 hrs, 55 mins | SEK 535 |
| Portland – Pasco | 1 | 4 hrs, 21 mins | SEK 357 |
| Wisconsin Dells – Chicago | 2 | 3 hrs, 47 mins | SEK 367 |
| Spokane – Seattle | 1 | 8 hrs, 10 mins | SEK 466 |
| Everett – Wenatchee | 1 | 2 hrs, 56 mins | SEK 218 |
| Fargo – St Paul | 2 | 5 hrs, 4 mins | SEK 436 |
Amtrak Empire Builder Cancellation Policy
All Amtrak Empire Builder 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 Empire Builder 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 Empire Builder Baggage Policy
Hand Luggage
One (1) personal item – max. weight: 25 lbs (12 kg), max. dimensions: 14 x 11 x 7 in (35 x 28 x 18 cm)
Two (2) hand luggage items – max. weight: 50 lbs (23 kg), max. dimensions: 28 x 22 x 14 in (71 x 56 x 35 cm)
Additional Hand Luggage Rules:
Pushchairs and car seats do not count toward the hand luggage limit.
Overweight bags must be repacked so they are under 50 lbs. Boxes may be purchased at staffed stations to aid in repacking.
A $20 excess baggage fee will be charged for each piece of hand luggage and personal item above the quantity and size limits. A maximum of two excess bags are permitted per passenger.
Checked Baggage
Two (2) items for free – max. weight: 50 lbs (23 kg), max. dimensions: 75 in / 191 cm (length + width + height)
Up to two (2) additional items: $20 fee per item
Oversized baggage (76-100 inches total): $20 fee per item
Not all Amtrak Empire Builder routes offer checked baggage service. Check ahead before travelling.
Additional Checked Baggage Rules:
Your luggage should be checked at least 45 minutes before the train departs.
ID tags are required for all luggage.
All luggage must be in containers that are suitable for transport (storage tubs and plastic bags are not allowed).
Special Items
Bicycles up to 50 lbs (23 kg) may be checked for $20.
Folding bikes (max 34 x 15.5 x 48 inches / 86 x 39 x 122 cm) can be carried on board for free.
Skis & snowboards count as checked baggage if under 50 lbs (23 kg) and 75 linear inches (191 cm).
Wheelchairs, walkers, and CPAP machines can be brought onboard for free.
For more information, check out Amtrak's Baggage Policy page.
Amtrak Empire Builder Train Guide & FAQs
No, unfortunately Amtrak Empire Builder 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 to download TV shows and films that you can then watch during your trip. Plan ahead and you will stay entertained during the entire train ride.
Yes, there are power sockets onboard Amtrak Empire Builder 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 sockets, you can charge both a computer and USB devices with a USB power adapter that typically comes with most phones and tablets.
Since Amtrak Empire Builder might sometimes use replacement train vehicles, not all trips are guaranteed to have power points. We recommend bringing a power bank to charge your phone for all trips over 2 hours, just in case.
On a typical day, Amtrak Empire Builder has 245 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.
No, Amtrak Empire Builder 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.
Yes, Amtrak Empire Builder 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.
Yes, there are bathrooms on Amtrak Empire Builder 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.
Amtrak Empire Builder provides snacks to satisfy your hunger during your travels. Be sure to pack a credit card and some cash in case you get hungry.
Amtrak Empire Builder 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.
Amtrak Empire Builder 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 Empire Builder 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.
Yes, Amtrak Empire Builder allows minors 13-16 years of age to travel unaccompanied, with restrictions. Children aged 12 and under must travel with another person who is at least 18 years old.
Tickets for unaccompanied minors cannot be booked online and must be booked by calling Amtrak at +1 (800) 872-7245.
Cheap Amtrak Empire Builder tickets recently found on Wanderu
With 245 trips per day on Amtrak Empire Builder, there are a lot of great deals to uncover for the bargain hunter, and Amtrak Empire Builder tickets start at just SEK 79.29. Check out some of the latest and greatest deals snatched up by Wanderu users.
- St Paul – Chicago
Travel Date 3 Nov 2026
Price SEK 535
- St Paul – Winona
Travel Date 30 Oct 2026
Price SEK 159
- Whitefish – Seattle
Travel Date 1 Nov 2026
Price SEK 1,031
- La Crosse – St Paul
Travel Date 30 Oct 2026
Price SEK 178
- Spokane – Seattle
Travel Date 3 Nov 2026
Price SEK 466
- Wenatchee – Spokane
Travel Date 30 Oct 2026
Price SEK 208
- St Paul – Milwaukee
Travel Date 3 Nov 2026
Price SEK 585
- Chicago – La Crosse
Travel Date 31 Oct 2026
Price SEK 387
- Everett – Wenatchee
Travel Date 2 Nov 2026
Price SEK 218
How do I get the best deal on Amtrak Empire Builder tickets?
Wanderu is the best place to score cheap Amtrak Empire Builder tickets. Wanderu offers the lowest available fares every day and charges no extra booking fees. Plus, you can compare Amtrak Empire Builder prices with trips offered by other train companies to be sure you’re getting the best deal on your tickets!
Pro travellers 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 travelling 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 coach 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.
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Top Amtrak Empire Builder Routes

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