Empire Builder Train: Rider Guide (2024)

The Empire Builder is a daily long-distance Amtrak route that connects Chicago and the Pacific Northwest (with a choice of Seattle or Portland as a start or end point). There are stunning views of America’s varied landscapes: large cities, the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Cascade Mountains and the forests of the Pacific Northwest. There are many great places to get off the train for a night or more, plus you can choose from four stations near Glacier National Park.

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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, so summer travel is needed to view the mountains. Keep in mind that a major delay may result in travel through the Rockies after sunset.
Columbia River Gorge travel is in the morning on westbound trains and in the evening on eastbound trains.

View latest schedules and timetables on Amtrak.com.

Things to Know

No WiFi.
Travel time for the entire route is about 45 hours.
Travel near the summer solstice to see the most scenery.
The Empire Builder uses Superliner rail cars that have two levels.
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.
You can get off the train and back on, but you’ll have to book each leg of the trip and stay at least one night in the city where you get off the train.
If you don’t want to travel the entire route, major airports are in Portland, Seattle, Spokane, Whitefish, Minot, Minnesota, Milwaukee and Chicago.
Consider packing snacks, motion sickness medicine, cleaning wipes and a jacket/sweatshirt or small blanket for the train ride.

Cost

Amtrak ticket prices vary depending on the distance traveled, time of year and type of ticket. Below are estimated costs of Empire Builder one-way tickets if you travel the entire route as of 2023:

Over $150 for a coach seat
Over $600 for a roomette
Over $1,000 for a bedroom or family bedroom

FAQ

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

Summer is the best time to ride the Empire Builder to see the most scenery and to visit Glacier National Park (which is a stop on the route).

What is the Empire Builder route?

The Empire Builder travels in the northern part of the United States between Chicago and either Portland or Seattle. You’ll see the Upper Midwest, North Dakota, Montana and the Pacific Northwest.

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. In addition to seeing the Rockies, you can travel through the Columbia River Gorge (Portland leg of the route) or see the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound (Seattle leg of the route). There are also some beautiful views of the Mississippi River in the Midwest.

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.
For views of the Columbia River, sit on the right side of trains departing Portland and on the left side of westbound trains.
To view the mountains in Glacier National Park, sit on the right side of westbound trains and the left side of eastbound trains.

Does the Empire Builder have assigned seats?

Coach seats are not assigned. However, if you book a roomette or bedroom, you’ll get a room number. If you have a preference on upper or lower level sleeper accommodations or would like to request a specific room number, call Amtrak when booking your tickets.

Popular Stops

Stations

Photos

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