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Amtrak Empire Builder train tickets - Search & book deals

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Wanderu is an official partner of Amtrak Empire Builder

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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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: US: 1 (800) 872-7245

Online support: Amtrak Empire Builder website

 #4 Best Ground Travel Provider in the West
 #4 Best Ground Travel Provider in the West

Amtrak Empire Builder Amenities

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

Quickview

Amtrak Empire Builder train coverage

Daily Trips321
stations45
cities45
countries1

What travelers 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.

Traveling During COVID-19

“They took COVID safety precautions seriously.”
based on 263 reviews

Onboard Experience

“The WiFi actually worked for the entire trip”
based on 196 reviews
“I’ll travel with them again just for the staff!”
based on 432 reviews
“Really cheap tickets and really good service.”
based on 477 reviews
“The train got there on time.”
based on 364 reviews
“Seats were really comfy and spacious”
based on 479 reviews
“The train was almost suspiciously clean”
based on 454 reviews

Amtrak Empire Builder reviews from Wanderu customers

Overall review score for Amtrak Empire Builder

(Based on 526 reviews)

4.3
Ratings (Out of 5)
Comfort

4.5

Timeliness

4.0

Staff

4.4

Value

4.0

Condition

4.4

Amtrak Empire Builder passenger reviews

4.0

Andrew

30 October 2025- Visiting family

St Paul to Chicago

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.

5.0

Elijah

29 September 2025- Couples trip

Seattle to Wenatchee

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.

5.0

Yakue

26 August 2025- Solo travel

St Paul to Fargo

Pros: I enjoy the trip. Cons: Nice. Tips: Advice them to use it.

5.0

Theresa

25 May 2025- Solo travel

Leavenworth to Seattle

Great experience

5.0

Tatyana

20 February 2025- Vacation

Seattle to Leavenworth

Pros: being in comfortable seats and look out from the window. Cons: train could be cleaner.

Amtrak Empire Builder Routes & Network

Amtrak Empire Builder’s train network features 672 train routes that connect 45 cities serving 45 stations. On average, Amtrak Empire Builder performs about 321 train trips every day. The top cities to which Amtrak Empire Builder offers the highest number of daily train service include Seattle and Leavenworth.

Top Cities Served by Amtrak Empire Builder

CityRouteEarliest trainLatest train
St Paul79:15 am4:53 am
Chicago66:44 am4:53 am
Seattle67:05 am5:13 am
Spokane67:05 am5:13 am
Portland57:09 am5:13 am
Wenatchee711:19 am5:21 am
Whitefish47:09 am5:13 am
Milwaukee49:15 am4:53 am
La Crosse68:10 am12:42 am

Most popular Amtrak Empire Builder routes

The train from Seattle to Leavenworth is Amtrak Empire Builder’s most popular route. Trips from Portland to Pasco and Spokane to Seattle are also highly popular.

Top Amtrak Empire Builder routes

RouteDaily TripsDurationPrice
Seattle to Leavenworth13h 22mSEK 420
Portland to Pasco14h 21mSEK 348
Spokane to Seattle18h 10mSEK 384
Portland to Spokane17h 32mSEK 348
St Paul to Chicago27h 55mSEK 482
Wisconsin Dells to Chicago23h 47mSEK 214
Everett to Wenatchee12h 56mSEK 161
Seattle to Wenatchee13h 56mSEK 277
Fargo to St Paul25h 4mSEK 357

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

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 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.

Yes, there are power outlets 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 neighbor might want to charge up their devices as well. With the onboard power outlets, 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 to bring a power bank to charge your phone for all trips over 2 hours, just in case.

On a typical day, Amtrak Empire Builder has 321 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 321 Amtrak Empire Builder trips per day, there are a lot of great deals to uncover for the bargain hunter and Amtrak Empire Builder tickets start at just SEK 44.66. Check out some of the latest and greatest deals snatched up by Wanderu users.

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 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 Empire Builder Routes

Top Amtrak Empire Builder Destinations

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