My spouse and I rode round trip on the Amtrak California Zephyr from Martinez, CA to Reno, NV. This was the first time I've taken Amtrak for this itinerary and it was something I've always wanted to do when it was snowy in the Lake Tahoe area. There isn't First Class seating on the Zephyr so your initial purchase is only for the train ticket in coach. I saw that that I could upgrade to a private Roomette or Room but it wasn't clear to me at the time how to do it plus at that time it would have a couple of $100s so I did not upgrade at that time. 3 days before the trip Amtrak sent me an email if I wanted to upgrade to a Roomette or Room. It was only about $37 to Reno and $79 return to Martinez upgrade to a Roomette which I was happy to do. The Roomette is private and comfortable. It is only meant for 2 people max but worth the additional cost. I thought I would try to "game" the system and wait for a $37 deal on the return, but I didn't want to risk not being in a Roomette for the return trip so I upgraded early. The train car with the Roomettes have their own restrooms which was convenient. The price of the Roomette also includes lunch in the dining car. Nothing fancy, burgers, Patty Melt (was good) ,chicken cesar, chili, etc., was reasonably good. You can also bring in your own adult beverage to consume inside your Roomette. The staff at Amtrak ticketing station checking-in our luggage and on board the train was very friendly.

This was a bucket list trip that exceeded all my expectations. I’m an 82 year old solo traveler and trip was a sheer joy. The boarding process at Chicago’s Union Station was flawless. I had a roomette sleeper compartment which was very comfortable for 1 person - a 2nd passenger sleeping in a pull down bunk would have been pretty crowded. I was in car 540 and my room was directly across the hall from the very adequate bathroom / shower room shared by that car’s passengers. The staff on board were excellent, attentive, and helpful. The three meals a day included in the fare were not gourmet but certainly reasonable but the pleasure of the eating experience is meeting different people at each meal. Breakfast was the best food, lunch was always crowded and slow (I skipped lunch and bought a very reasonably priced sandwich in the observation car cafe and ate at a table in the observation car while enjoying the scenery both days). Dinner with a 5 entree choice menu was good / not great but nicely served. The two dining car attendants were very professional and attentive. The beauty and value of the experience is certainly the scenery. The first day out of Chicago to Omaha is through the mile after mile of corn and wheat fields exhibiting the vast extent of America’s agricultural heartland. The 2nd day starting early in Denver and ending in Salt Lake City crosses the Rocky Mountains in spectacular fashion and spends a couple hours following the beautiful Colorado river. The 3rd day’s highlight is the trip up and over the Sierra Nevada mountain range passing through the area of Donner Pass with a beautiful view of the mountain top Donner Lake. The trip ends in Emeryville California across the bay from San Francisco where a very efficient transfer to a bus takes you to a drop off point in downtown San Francisco at Salesforce Tower. By the way we arrived in Emeryville 10 minutes ahead of schedule after of trip of 52 3/4 hours and over 2,400 miles. All in all a fantastic and enjoyable experience. I have traveled on the Indian Pacific train across Australia and the Rovos Rail train from Pretoria to Cape Town, South Africa. The Zephyr is very comparable and stands up well in comparison. ‘

My journey on the Amtrak California Zephyr began with a ride from Longview Station, Texas, to Chicago. Arriving in Chicago, I stayed overnight near Union Station, giving me a chance to explore the city’s vibrant downtown and iconic architecture. The next morning, I boarded the California Zephyr, eagerly anticipating the renowned cross-country journey to San Francisco. The California Zephyr lived up to its reputation as one of the most scenic train routes in the United States. The journey took me through a breathtaking variety of landscapes, each more stunning than the last. From the vast plains of the Midwest to the towering Rocky Mountains and the arid deserts of Nevada, the views were nothing short of spectacular. As the train wound through the rugged canyons and snow-capped peaks, it was like traveling through a living postcard. The train’s comfortable seating, large windows, and friendly atmosphere made the journey even more enjoyable. The dining car offered delicious meals, and the observation car was the perfect place to soak in the panoramic views. By the time we arrived in San Francisco, I felt like I had experienced the heart of America in the most unique way possible. This train journey was truly unforgettable. Make sure you book a sleeper cab and you can ask your porter cabin staff to bring your meals to your room...oh and add ear muffs and plugs as the train horns every crossing day and night

We took the California Zephyr from Chicago Union Station to Emeryville January 21-23. We rode in a bedroom which was very comfortable. Overall, this was a truly magnificent experience, allowing us to see America west of Chicago in a truly unique perspective. The scenery between Chicago and Denver is perhaps not as magnificent, but it is still a powerful slice of Americana. From Denver west to the Rockies and then onto Utah, Nevada and the Sierra Nevada of California, the scenery is truly breathtaking. On the train, the service is excellent, three meals a day are included at no additional cost. The staff is friendly and professional. The food is excellent and on our train Chef Michael came around to speak with the guests. He was wonderfully outgoing and charismatic. Having read some horror stories of monumental delays, we were not sure if we would arrive on time in Emeryville. However, despite a 90-minute delay in Utah, we arrived ten minutes ahead of schedule in Emeryville. Compared to driving it was so much more enjoyable and relaxing, and while clearly much slower than flying the train truly allowed us to experience the vast and gorgeous landscape of America. Much more so even than driving, where--especially if you are on the Interstate--you basically experience little more than a wide strip of asphalt and endless gas stations, fast-food restaurants and truck stops. Plus, on the train you don't have to drive and you're not stuck in the little "box" that is your car. We met lots of Amtrak fans during this trip for whom the train is always their first choice for long-distance travel in the United States. Highly recommended.

Maybe it was because I didn’t get on in Chicago, but I received no information They told me to be in dining car 10 minutes after boarding and then told us to not stand in the hallway. I would have preferred to eat in my room or at a different time but didn’t seem possible. Steak salad chocolate cake were all better than expected dining with 3 strangers. Make sure you download podcasts, movies and trip info because there’s no WiFi. Of course I was able to text with family the whole route. You can’t hear any announcements in the room. You’ll wake up in the middle of the night and literally will not know what state you are in! What’s worse is if the train is stopped. Now you can worry how long you will be delayed. It was really a rough ride for this 64 year old lady. I could hardly walk when I got off and felt woozy for most of the day. I can’t imagine being crammed into a roomette with another person. Those people looked miserable. The big plus is having a door that locks. I don’t know if I would have gotten any sleep in coach. The mattress is only 2 inches thick and the sheets thin. Put your head towards center of train, not by the window. Nice having sink and toilet but you probably won’t want to shower in there. Wish I’d brought small cooler or even bag of ice to cool drinks in the sink and 2 small suitcases not one big Even at half price I cannot recommend

We travelled all the way from Chicago to San Francisco and would rate this as one of my favourite travel experiences. The initial stage, where you are passing through Illinois and Iowa are a bit boring (sorry guys), but it’s an opportunity to suss everything out and chat to other passengers. You will wake up in Denver, and then the fun starts as you climb through the Rockies and then over the Utah desert. Before reaching San Francisco you will climb over the Sierra Nevada, past Lake Tahoe and the Donner Pass (look it up!) and the views are breathtaking. My advice would be to take a cabin. It’s very expensive, but it’s probably the only time you’re going to do it, and the alternative is 2 nights in a cramped roomette with no private bathroom facilities. If you book 1st class, you will get all of your meals included, and a glass of wine or a beer with your meals. There is a good dining car, and the food is fine, with a good menu selection. If you want a bottle of wine, you can take it in, but it’s not strictly allowed, so be discreet. A couple of gripes- NO WIF! Unbelievable! Yoiget snacks etc in the lounge at the station, so why not have them available in the cabin? And finally you need to remember that the train only goes as far as Emeryville; you need to book a bus to take you over the Bay and into the city. But what a way to see the States, chill out and meet some great people!

She was a bit of a tired old girl! The trip was wonderful but you could tell that it was a public train rather than a tourist service. There were lots of rules, does and don’ts which were applied to all passengers. I went to take a photo of the two locomotives when the train reached Denver, but another rule… Passengers can’t go near the locomotives My car attendant was very helpful, but the attendant in the adjacent car was a rude woman. I nearly let her have a piece of my mind but I politely smiled and went on with my business. Compared to other train services I have travelled on, this train did not really reach my expectations. As a paying sleeper car passenger I thought the attendants were mostly polite, but I would not rate this train as a luxury product and I’m glad I did not fork out thousands extra for one of the private rooms with toilets etc. to be treated in the way some of the staff spoke to passengers. The staff had no idea how their mannerisms made the whole experience less than ideal; to them it was just a job, that is all. Apart from the exceptional scenery, I was pretty disappointed in the train, especially after flying from Australia to experience it. The rolling stock is old and tired and the staff could use some customer/passenger relations training. Scenery 10/10 Facilities 5/10 Staff attitude 4/10

If you are considering a trip on The California Zephyr, go! It is a great trip as long as you are realistic with your expectations. Your trip will be what you wish it to be. Yes, a train is never timely. It is not a five star experience! It is a relaxed casual trip where you can see the most beautiful scenery from Colorado through California. You can spend time with others or just spend time alone. I was on the lower level in a roomette (14) and loved it. Less chance of motion sickness, more peaceful, and quick and easy to disembark for some fresh air. The stairs to go upstairs are steep but have a handrail on each side. The food is better than expected. The employees were all very good. A special thank you to Roman and the dining room staff. Be forewarned that a roomette is pretty small for 2 adults. I wouldn’t do it. I took Clorox, wet ones, and window cleaning wipes. I used them all. Also, my air purifier made the roomette less stuffy, and the extension cord was needed if you’re bringing electronics. The shower was fine as long as you time it properly. Relax and enjoy!

We rode the Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs and back for a weekend jaunt. Spectacular views! It was so charming! The train could use a good deep cleaning since it travels across the country on a regular basis, but the size of the seats, spacing, and windows are great! I recommend bringing your own food on the train since the food is mediocre - but the wine service is great at the bar!

A group of us traveled the California Zephyr (coach class) from Denver to Grand Junction at the height of the leaf-changing season. The trip through the Rocky Mountains was spectacular visually and of course from an engineering standpoint. The conductor and his second in command were prepared, helpful, friendly and entertaining throughout. Dining car staff was friendly and helpful, too, though a bit vocal sometimes over the loudspeaker. Regardless, every interaction that we had with Amtrak staff, from in-station personnel to baggage handlers, dining car staff to conductors, was pleasant and productive. We would definitely do this trip, or a longer version, again and recommend it highly.