California Zephyr
Nov 30th, 2019, 09:59 AM
#1
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California Zephyr
Hi! My husband and I will be making our very first trip from Scotland to the USA next year. The plan is to spend a few days in New York and then take Amtrak to SAN Francisco. I’m finding the booking process for Amtrak very confusing though - any tips gratefully received!
Nov 30th, 2019, 10:17 AM
#2
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The California Zephyr train runs from Chicago to Emeryville CA, and from there you'll take a bus into SF.
Scheduled travel time on the CZ is 52hrs, departing Chicago 2pm.
To get from NYC to Chicago you can take a slow train (19hrs total + a 4 hour layover) or fly NYC to Chicago on the same day as your train.
Others can weigh in on seat/bed options to select.
Scheduled travel time on the CZ is 52hrs, departing Chicago 2pm.
To get from NYC to Chicago you can take a slow train (19hrs total + a 4 hour layover) or fly NYC to Chicago on the same day as your train.
Others can weigh in on seat/bed options to select.
Nov 30th, 2019, 10:37 AM
#3
I have ridden the CZ many times sometimes with my wife. How many days do you have for your trip? If you want to break up the CZ trip, you could stop in Denver or maybe Glenwood Springs Colorado. 52+ hours on a train is a lot for first time Amtrak riders. If you do want to go from Chicago to Emeryville on a single train I suggest using either a Roomette or bedroom instead of the standard coach seating.
With the sleepers, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your fare. The sleepers also have access to a shower.
Do you have to return home by way of New York or do you have other plans from San Francisco?
With the sleepers, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your fare. The sleepers also have access to a shower.
Do you have to return home by way of New York or do you have other plans from San Francisco?
Nov 30th, 2019, 06:41 PM
#4
What kind of trouble are you having with booking? Try reading this site: https://www.seat61.com/UnitedStates.htm
From New York to Chicago you take the Lake Shore Limited, which is one night on the train, then the California Zephyr on to California. Definitely book a roomette or sleeper! Chicago is worth at least a couple of days - see: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...lwind-chicago/.
From New York to Chicago you take the Lake Shore Limited, which is one night on the train, then the California Zephyr on to California. Definitely book a roomette or sleeper! Chicago is worth at least a couple of days - see: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...lwind-chicago/.
Nov 30th, 2019, 09:12 PM
#5
If either or both of you is at least 65 be sure to claim the small discount.
https://www.amtrak.com/deals-discoun...-discount.html
https://www.amtrak.com/deals-discoun...-discount.html
Nov 30th, 2019, 10:46 PM
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I have ridden the CZ many times sometimes with my wife. How many days do you have for your trip? If you want to break up the CZ trip, you could stop in Denver or maybe Glenwood Springs Colorado. 52+ hours on a train is a lot for first time Amtrak riders. If you do want to go from Chicago to Emeryville on a single train I suggest using either a Roomette or bedroom instead of the standard coach seating.
With the sleepers, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your fare. The sleepers also have access to a shower.
Do you have to return home by way of New York or do you have other plans from San Francisco?
With the sleepers, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your fare. The sleepers also have access to a shower.
Do you have to return home by way of New York or do you have other plans from San Francisco?
Thank you. We are thinking of the train journey as a major part of the holiday (we do love train journeys!). We will certainly book a roomette - bedrooms seem to be extremely expensive for not much more room I thought. Have you booked a bedroom before? Hope to fly home from SAN Francisco.thanks again.
Nov 30th, 2019, 10:48 PM
#8
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What kind of trouble are you having with booking? Try reading this site: https://www.seat61.com/UnitedStates.htm
From New York to Chicago you take the Lake Shore Limited, which is one night on the train, then the California Zephyr on to California. Definitely book a roomette or sleeper! Chicago is worth at least a couple of days - see: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...lwind-chicago/.
From New York to Chicago you take the Lake Shore Limited, which is one night on the train, then the California Zephyr on to California. Definitely book a roomette or sleeper! Chicago is worth at least a couple of days - see: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...lwind-chicago/.
Thank you. I was getting confused maybe because I was trying to book through tickets rather than two journeys? That’s a great idea about Chicago though!
Nov 30th, 2019, 11:06 PM
#9
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If either or both of you is at least 65 be sure to claim the small discount.
https://www.amtrak.com/deals-discoun...-discount.html
https://www.amtrak.com/deals-discoun...-discount.html
Thank you - we are!
Dec 1st, 2019, 08:37 AM
#10
The Sleeping Car Attendant (SCA) will put down the upper bunk when asked. (tip please) I sleep in the upper bunk and let my wife sleep in the slightly wider lower. We spend at least 2-3 hours during daylight hours in the Sightseer Lounge. In daytime mode, there are comfortable benches with a table in between in a roomette.
The most scenic part of the CZ route in daylight hours is through the Glenwood Canyon just east of Glenwood Springs CO.
I have never sprung for a bedroom. I do not care for a private bathroom/shower in a bedroom.
On our last westbound trip we were delayed for several hours by a truck that dumped its load on the tracks in an accident. I got a good shower while the train was not moving. Our car was parked in Winnemucca NV. We arrived there about 5 hours behind schedule.
The bus from Emeryville into San Francisco is contracted by Amtrak so you don't have to be worried if the train arrives late.
The most scenic part of the CZ route in daylight hours is through the Glenwood Canyon just east of Glenwood Springs CO.
I have never sprung for a bedroom. I do not care for a private bathroom/shower in a bedroom.
On our last westbound trip we were delayed for several hours by a truck that dumped its load on the tracks in an accident. I got a good shower while the train was not moving. Our car was parked in Winnemucca NV. We arrived there about 5 hours behind schedule.
The bus from Emeryville into San Francisco is contracted by Amtrak so you don't have to be worried if the train arrives late.
Dec 1st, 2019, 01:01 PM
#11
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The Sleeping Car Attendant (SCA) will put down the upper bunk when asked. (tip please) I sleep in the upper bunk and let my wife sleep in the slightly wider lower. We spend at least 2-3 hours during daylight hours in the Sightseer Lounge. In daytime mode, there are comfortable benches with a table in between in a roomette.
The most scenic part of the CZ route in daylight hours is through the Glenwood Canyon just east of Glenwood Springs CO.
I have never sprung for a bedroom. I do not care for a private bathroom/shower in a bedroom.
On our last westbound trip we were delayed for several hours by a truck that dumped its load on the tracks in an accident. I got a good shower while the train was not moving. Our car was parked in Winnemucca NV. We arrived there about 5 hours behind schedule.
The bus from Emeryville into San Francisco is contracted by Amtrak so you don't have to be worried if the train arrives late.
The most scenic part of the CZ route in daylight hours is through the Glenwood Canyon just east of Glenwood Springs CO.
I have never sprung for a bedroom. I do not care for a private bathroom/shower in a bedroom.
On our last westbound trip we were delayed for several hours by a truck that dumped its load on the tracks in an accident. I got a good shower while the train was not moving. Our car was parked in Winnemucca NV. We arrived there about 5 hours behind schedule.
The bus from Emeryville into San Francisco is contracted by Amtrak so you don't have to be worried if the train arrives late.
Thank you so much - I think I’ll book tomorrow! And build the rest of the trip around that. I appreciate your input very much.
Dec 2nd, 2019, 10:18 AM
#12
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It’s been years since I took the California Zephyr but to this day, it stands out as one of the most incredible train rides I’ve done. The Glenwood Canyon and the Sierra Nevada around the Donner Pass were in particular unforgettably stunning and unique. Hope you enjoy as much as I did!
Dec 2nd, 2019, 11:33 PM
#13
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It’s been years since I took the California Zephyr but to this day, it stands out as one of the most incredible train rides I’ve done. The Glenwood Canyon and the Sierra Nevada around the Donner Pass were in particular unforgettably stunning and unique. Hope you enjoy as much as I did!
Thank you! I’m really looking forward to it very much, and I must keep all suggestions for “best bits” so that we don’t miss anything!
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