← Route
Chicago → Seattle · Amtrak Empire Builder (2 nights)
Chicago → Seattle
The northern crossing of an entire continent: two nights aboard the Empire Builder across the Mississippi plains, Montana big sky, Glacier National Park at daylight, the Cascades at dusk, and Puget Sound for breakfast. From ~$150 in a reclining seat — the flight can’t sell you the country like this.
≈2 daysDuration
0Transfers
3×CO₂ vs flying
From $150Ticket budget
TrainTransport
Booked 2–3 months ahead$150–220
Booked this week$200–350
One-way fares, per person, 2nd class · verified 4 Oct 2026
Day · Leg
Leg
| Leg | Transport / Operator | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago → Seattle (2 nights) | Empire Builder | ≈2 days |
Pass advice
Pass advice
The Glacier National Park section runs in daylight westbound — sit on the upper deck of the Sightseer lounge car.
Sleeper passengers eat free; coach riders can buy diner meals (~$15–25) if the attendant has space.
Running time is 44–48 h depending on direction and freight delays — build a buffer into any connection.