The Southwest Chief, a long-distance passenger train operated by Amtrak, travels between Chicago and Los Angeles through the Midwest and Southwest. It passes through major cities such as Kansas City, Albuquerque, and Flagstaff. The Amtrak train features scenic views, including the Painted Desert, the Red Cliffs of Sedona, and the plains of several states.
The Southwest Chief transported 253,838 passengers in fiscal year 2023, representing a 13.5% increase over FY2022. However, this is a 25% decline from the 338,180 passengers it carried before to the COVID-19 pandemic in FY2019. The route generated US$43,184,176 in revenue in fiscal year 2016, a 3.8% decline from fiscal year 2017.
Schedule Highlights
- Trains leave Los Angeles in the early evening.
- Trains depart and arrive in Chicago in the afternoon.
- Overnight, trains arrive in Arizona and Kansas.
- The journey takes about two full days (two nights on the train).
- Eastbound trains to Chicago arrive in Flagstaff at midnight.
- Travel east in June to see the San Bernardino Mountains, Missouri River, and Mississippi River.
Visit Amtrak.com for the latest schedules and timetables.
Route Overview
General Route Information
- Starting Point: Chicago, IL
- Ending Point: Los Angeles, CA
- Total Distance: Approximately 2,265 miles
- Travel Time: Around 43 hours and 15 minutes
States Covered
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Kansas
- Colorado
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- California
Major Stops and Stations
Popular Stops
- Los Angeles
- Flagstaff
- Albuquerque
- Dodge City
- Kansas City
- Chicago
Train Stations Served by the Southwest Chief
- Chicago, IL – Union Station (CHI)
- Naperville, IL (NPV)
- Mendota, IL (MDT)
- Princeton, IL (PCT)
- Galesburg, IL (GBB)
- Fort Madison, IA (FMD)
- La Plata, MO (LAP)
- Kansas City, MO – Union Station (KCY)
- Lawrence, KS (LRC)
- Topeka, KS (TOP)
- Newton, KS (NEW)
- Hutchinson, KS (HUT)
- Dodge City, KS (DDG)
- Garden City, KS (GCK)
- Lamar, CO (LMR)
- La Junta, CO (LAJ)
- Trinidad, CO (TRI)
- Raton, NM (RAT)
- Las Vegas, NM (LSV)
- Lamy, NM (LMY)
- Albuquerque, NM (ABQ)
- Gallup, NM (GLP)
- Winslow, AZ (WLO)
- Flagstaff, AZ – Amtrak Station (FLG)
- Kingman, AZ (KNG)
- Needles, CA (NDL)
- Barstow, CA – Harvey House Railroad Depot (BAR)
- Victorville, CA – Amtrak Station (VRV)
- San Bernardino, CA (SNB)
- Riverside, CA (RIV)
- Fullerton, CA (FUL)
- Los Angeles, CA – Union Station (LAX)
Onboard Experience
Accommodations
Seating Options:
- Coach: The cheapest option, offers comfortable seats and plenty of legroom.
- Roomette: A private compartment with a low bed that converts to a seat during the day.
- Bedroom: A large private compartment with a lower bed, upper bunk, and a small table.
- Family Bedroom: A spacious compartment designed to accommodate families, with a lower bed, upper bunk, and a sofa bed.
Amenities in Each Class:
Coach: Reclining seats, power outlets, overhead storage, and access to the observation car and lounge.
Roomette: Private compartment, lower bed, seat, washroom, and access to the dining car and lounge.
Bedroom: Private compartment, lower bed, upper bunk, small table, washroom, and access to the dining car and lounge.
Family Bedroom: Private compartment, lower bed, upper bunk, sofa bed, small table, washroom, and access to the dining car and lounge.
Dining and Food Options
Dining Car Menu: Enjoy various delicious meals, snacks, and beverages in the dining car. The menu usually includes American classics, regional specialties, and vegetarian options.
Cafe Car Offerings: For a quick bite or drink, visit the Cafe Car, which offers coffee, tea, snacks, and light meals.
Special Dietary Options: Amtrak can accommodate passengers with special dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher options. Please notify Amtrak of your nutritional requirements in advance.
Entertainment and Activities
Observation Car: Enjoy beautiful views of the American landscape from the observation car, which features large windows and comfortable seating.
Sightseer Lounge: Relax and socialize in the Sightseer Lounge, which offers comfortable seating, games, and a friendly atmosphere.
Wi-Fi Availability: Stay connected during your trip with Amtrak’s onboard Wi-Fi service. Please note that Wi-Fi speeds may vary depending on location and network conditions.
Booking and Reservations
How to Book Tickets
Online Booking:
- Visit the Amtrak website or use the Amtrak mobile app.
- Select a Southwest Chief route, select your departure and destination stations, and select your travel dates.
- Follow the steps to complete your booking and receive your e-ticket.
Phone Reservations:
Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) to speak with a representative who can assist you with your reservation.
Personally:
Go to any Amtrak station with a ticket counter to purchase tickets.
Travel Agencies:
Some travel agencies and websites like Wanderu also offer Amtrak ticket booking services.
Best Times to Book for Discounts
1. Book Early:
Amtrak releases tickets up to 11 months in advance. Booking as early as possible can help you secure the lowest fares.
2. Saver Fares:
Available on some routes when booking a coach at least 14 days before departure. These fares are non-refundable but can be canceled up to 24 hours before departure for travel credit.
3. Weekly Specials:
Check Amtrak’s website on Tuesdays and Fridays for weekly specials and discounts.
4. Flexible Dates:
If your travel dates are flexible, use the calendar view on the Amtrak website to find the cheapest travel dates.
5. Amtrak Guest Rewards:
Join the Amtrak Guest Rewards program to earn points on your travel, which can be redeemed for future discounts and free tickets.
By following these tips, you can make the most of your travel budget and enjoy a relaxing trip on the Southwest Chief.
The most popular Amtrak Southwest Chief Routes
- Kansas City to Chicago
- Chicago to Lawrence
- Los Angeles to Chicago
- Los Angeles to Riverside
- Flagstaff to Fullerton
- Flagstaff to Los Angeles
- Galesburg to Chicago
- Gallup to Albuquerque
- Los Angeles to Albuquerque
Top Amtrak Southwest Chief Destinations
- Train to Flagstaff
- Train to Kingman
- Train to Barstow
- Train to Fullerton
- Train to Los Angeles
- Train to Riverside
- Train to San Bernardino
- Train to Victorville
- Train to Chicago
- Train to Galesburg
- Train to Naperville
- Train to Dodge City
- Train to Lawrence
- Train to Newton
- Train to Topeka
- Train to Kansas City
- Train to Albuquerque
- Train to Gallup
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Amtrak generally allows dogs on its trains, however, there are some limitations and standards. Service animals can ride in the passenger cabin free of charge. Other pets, including cats and dogs, must be carried in a container that fits under the seat. Additional costs may apply for pet travel. Please contact Amtrak for the most up-to-date information on pet rules.
Smoking is prohibited on all Amtrak trains, including the Southwest Chief. This includes smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and e-cigarettes.
Amtrak allows passengers to bring a certain amount of luggage for free. There are baggage size and weight restrictions, and additional fees may apply for additional baggage. For detailed information on Amtrak’s baggage policies, please visit their website or contact their customer service.
Amtrak may experience delays or cancellations for a variety of reasons, including weather, track maintenance, and mechanical concerns. If your train is delayed or canceled, Amtrak will provide you with information and assistance. You may be entitled to a refund or other travel arrangements. Please contact Amtrak Customer Support for more information.
Note: It’s always a good idea to visit Amtrak’s website or call customer care for the most up-to-date information on pet regulations, smoking restrictions, baggage allocation, and the delay or cancellation process.