If you have a spare seven days in your upcoming schedule and have always wanted to explore the American West, there is a passenger train route that perfectly captures this experience: the California Zephyr.
Amtrak’s California Zephyr is the longest train route in the U.S., spanning 2,438 miles from Chicago to Emeryville, a suburb of San Francisco.
Along the journey, the train travels through some of the most iconic landscapes of the American West, including the waving wheat fields of the Great Plains, the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and the expansive desert landscapes of Utah and Nevada.
It’s no surprise that many consider this route one of the most beautiful train journeys in the United States. Luckily, Amtrak has a California Zephyr Rail Experience that lasts for several days and costs under a thousand dollars.
What to know about Amtrak’s epic 2,438-mile rail journey
Day 1 Trip begins in Chicago
Day 2 Chicago, IL
Day 3 Overnight onboard Amtrak
Day 4 Overnight onboard Amtrak
Day 5 San Francisco, CA
Day 6 San Francisco, CA
Day 7 Trip ends in San Francisco
Trip Highlights include a cliff-hugging ride along the Colorado River
- Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Chicago
- Admission to the Chicago Skydeck at the Willis Tower
- Trekking through the most iconic stretches of the American West
- Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of San Francisco, including Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, and more.
What’s included in the California Zephyr Rail Experience?
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Chicago to San Francisco on the California Zephyr
- 4 nights hotel accommodations, 2 nights onboard Amtrak
- 1 dinner included
Learn more about the trip here.