Long Distance Schedules Change to Tri-Weekly
Effective October 2020Due to COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting decrease in travel demand, most Amtrak long distance routes will operate tri-weekly beginning this October.
Routes Impacted
- California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, Lake Shore Limited, Palmetto, Southwest Chief and Texas Eagle
- The Auto Train will continue to operate daily between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL.
- The Silver Meteor and Silver Star will continue to operate a combined daily service between New York City and Miami, effective July 6, 2020.
- Cardinal and Sunset Limited will continue to operate on their current tri-weekly service.
Schedule Update
- The new schedule reflects day of week changes only. All stations along the route will be served on days in which Amtrak service is offered and all scheduled departure/arrival times will remain the same.
- The new schedule is designed to preserve east-west and west-east connections. The long distance hub in Chicago will offer arrivals and departures primarily on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
- Customers will continue to have the option to book coach or a private room.
- Customers traveling the Coast Starlight, Lake Shore Limited and Palmetto will also have the option to book in Business Class.
Impacted customers with existing reservations are being re-accommodated. For more information, see the details below or visit Amtrak.com and click on "Schedules."
Tri-Weekly Schedules by Route
California Zephyr
New Schedule Effective Week of October 5
Train #5 (Westbound) departs Chicago: Monday/Wednesday/Saturday
Train #6 (Eastbound) departs Emeryville, CA: Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday
Capitol Limited
New Schedule Effective Week of October 5
Train #29 (Westbound) departs Washington, DC: Wednesday/Friday/Sunday
Train #30 (Eastbound) departs Chicago: Monday/Thursday/Saturday
City of New Orleans
New Schedule Effective Week of October 5
Train #58 (Northbound) departs New Orleans: Wednesday/Friday/Sunday
Train #59 (Southbound) departs Chicago: Monday/Thursday/Saturday
Coast Starlight
New Schedule Effective Week of October 12
Train #11 (Southbound) departs Seattle: Monday/Wednesday/Saturday
Train #14 (Northbound) departs Los Angeles: Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Crescent
New Schedule Effective Week of October 5
Train #19 (Southbound) departs New York: Tuesday/Friday/Sunday
Train #20 (Northbound) departs New Orleans: Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday
Empire Builder
New Schedule Effective Week of October 19
Train #7 (Westbound) departs Chicago Monday/Thursday/Saturday
Train #8 (Eastbound): departs Seattle: Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday
Train #27 (Westbound) departs Chicago: Monday/Thursday/Saturday
Train #28 (Eastbound) departs Portland, OR: Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday
Lake Shore Limited
New Schedule Effective Week of October 12
Train #48 (Eastbound) departs Chicago Monday/Thursday/Saturday
Train #49 (Westbound) departs New York: Wednesday/Friday/Sunday
Train #448 (Eastbound) departs Chicago: Monday/Thursday/Saturday
Train #449 (Westbound) departs Boston: Wednesday/Friday/Sunday
Palmetto
New Schedule Effective Week of October 19
Train #89 (Southbound) departs New York: Monday/Thursday/Saturday
Train #90 (Northbound) departs Savanah: Wednesday/Friday/Sunday
Southwest Chief
New Schedule Effective Week of October 12
Train #3 (Westbound) departs Chicago: Monday/Thursday/Saturday
Train #4 (Eastbound) departs Los Angeles: Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday
Texas Eagle
New Schedule Effective Week of October 12
Train #21 (Southbound) departs Chicago: Tuesday/Friday/Sunday
Train #22 (Northbound) departs San Antonio: Tuesday/Friday/Sunday
PSN 0820-179