California Zephyr – Amtrak

The Northern California to Reno segment of this route is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, especially in the winter. I took it 25 years ago and it was such a pleasure. I took it last weekend and it was like riding a bad Greyhound bus. At Reno, enough people boarded our car to fill all the seats. Unfortunately, the passengers already on the train were spread out with two seats each. There was garbage on the floor there was junk all over the place, and none of the passengers wanted us to get our seats and were quite surly about it. This could have been very simply prevented if the Porter had asked people to get into their own seats, and pick up their stuff before the stop. Our car have three dogs. One well behaved service dog, one yapping «service dog» in a crate, and a 150# Mastif who spent his time in the aisle. There were three walkers in the wheelchair area, so they electric scooter ended up in the aisle. It was ludicrous. One guy was sleeping on the floor for most of the trip. It’s sort of felt like walking through the worst part of San Francisco on a dark night.

Really hard to review this.
Tickets were a breeze to purchase online and price was reasonable. Station has easy access. But the station isn’t real clear about having a second waiting area downstairs.
Bummer on the next issue– train was to leave at 8:35a. We started to board at 9:45. Boarding was just short of horrendous. It’s 28 degrees out and you stand in line to find out you’re in the wrong line to get on. You get your seat assignment as you get on, and that really slows down the boarding process. We get to our seats to find them already taken and the train is sold out. We were able to find two seats across from each other, and later the conductor moved us to our original seats.
The up sides– wow comfortable seats with tons of leg room. Incredibly quiet interior, we never heard the train whistle as we glided pretty smoothly thru the bright snowy Sierra mountains. These one done car with seats facing the windows to spend a little time watching the mountains go by. The dinning car is first come first serve. And there is a snack bar for sandwiches and chips.
Coming back from Sac the station is much bigger but still easy to find the correct platform. There is still miscommunication as where to stand to board. The ticket system here was slightly better. The conductor stood at the door calling for parties of two and handed out seat assignments that way. So if traveling with more people, I suggest buying the tickets all at once on the same itinerary.
A unique way to check out the countryside. Don’t be in a hurry to travel this way, just enjoy the journey.

This review is for the Reno — Sacramento leg of our trip.
I was warned by someone in the know, «don’t get your expectations set too high». It was good advice.
The down side — the train was over an hour late. Not really worthy of taking off stars as things happen — like rockslides, and having to yield to freight trains. For things they DO have some control over, like boarding and cleanliness of the train, and seat assignments, I really felt I needed to drop the rating to three stars.
The whole boarding process was a disorganized mess. We were handed seat assignments as we were boarding — very inefficient and very disorganized. When we went to get our seats, the section we were supposed to be in was full and when we asked where were supposed to sit, we were told to just go toward the front of the train and find a seat and sit there. So We waded through the crowd and found the first open double seats which were in the next car. The seats, floor and tray tables were dirty. When the conductor came through to check our ticket, he was very rude and told us we were in the wrong car and why were we sitting there? Um, because we were told to just go find empty seats. I guess everything was rushed because they were running late and were hoping to make up some time, but I think the whole process ended up taking more time because of the inefficiency.
So, for the upside — the station, the ride itself, the comfort and relaxation factor all help balance out the negatives. This is what makes train travel worth the time it takes.
I really love the Reno station. It is an historic building. The upstairs waiting room evokes an earlier era with high ceilings, wooden benches and sunlight streaming through tall windows.
The ride was wonderful The California Zephyr is one of the most scenic rides in America and the ride over Donner pass from the Truckee Meadows to the Sacramento Valley is no exception. We came over after a series of snow storms so the high passes were spectacular in all their winter glory. The snow literally sparkled in the sunlight. The seats were amazingly comfortable and could be reclined with impunity without infringing on the person behind you. Foot rests and lower leg rests were an adjustment away. And the overall relaxation was pure heaven. To sit in total relaxation while beautiful scenery slips by truly defines my idea of leisurely travel.
The journey is the reason for this, the destination becomes secondary.

The amtrak station is right next to harrahs and across the parking from aces ball park. The station itself is nothing to speak about. Really bare bones. If you want any beverages or food definitely bring it because there are no concession stand. There is a vending machine upstairs and that is it.
The old part of the station which is street level looks old, but it is almost like if you slow down and listen you can picture the steam trains coming through and hear the bell clanging.
Speaking of picture, take the elevator to the platform level. Here you will find reno’s history of train traffic on the walls. Wonderful pictures of steam trains and old diesel trains pulling into the station adorn the walls.
The really incredible thing that is there though is the Original Reno city drinking fountain. If you did not go downstairs you would never know it was there. It truly is a piece of reno history, and it is beautiful.
The drinking fountain has three levels, one for humans, a trough for horses and a little trough for dogs.
It has three globes on top that must have lit the street up very good.
The station is a station, but if you are into history, come on down and take a stroll down memory lane.

Five stars for the fantastic scenery betw. Sacramento and Truckee. One star for the general upkeep of the train. Going eastbound from Sac everything was in pretty good shape considering the route began just 100 miles earlier in Oakland. The wintertime scenery is incredible this year and well worth a trip. On the way back however you’ll need to hold your nose. The westbound train originates in Chicago and 2+ days later arrives back in Oakland. The problem is that NO ONE services the bathrooms on board for those 2+ days. That’s inexcusable Amtrak! By the end of the run the bathrooms are beyond gross. Think about how gross airplane toilets get in just a few hours… now multiply that by 2 days! I asked a conductor about it and he said the onboard maintenance staff were laid off due to budget cuts. Amtrak also used to have staff that would sweep the aisles during the trip. Not so now apparently cuz the aisles were pretty dirty.
On the last few trips I’ve taken with Amtrak there seems to be a growing population of sketchy passengers. Starting to see quite of few folks with prison tats and tweakers. Amtrak’s reality isn’t anywhere near as good as the image portrayed on their TV ads. That’s a shame because they continue to bleed money, yet riding the train is a lot of fun, and they need the public’s support.
Message to Amtrak Management: How about having car cleaners assigned at the major stations along your routes? That way when the train makes a 20 – 30 minute stop a cleaning crew can go in and quickly tidy up the bathrooms. Anything is better than nothing.

The California Zephyr between Reno and Sacramento/​Oakland is one of the most spectacular train rides anywhere. Even though the trip takes over five hours, you will be glued to the window enjoying the scenery through all four seasons. The Zephyr runs every day and sometimes operates a special Snow Train, but the view remains the same from nearly every seat.
The Zephyr is a unique option for people visiting Reno and can be part of your vacation. It is nice to sit back in a big chair and enjoy the scenery without fighting traffic over Donner. The train also stops in Truckee to service the ski areas and has a decent dining car, but bring cash as their payment systems may not always work. The train stops in downtown Reno literally beneath the Eldorado Hotel making connections very easy.

I was in no hurry traveling from Denver to Seattle. And love the seats, and the food. And the service. The train cars could use a thorough cleaning. But they vacuum it regularly. And at night its peaceful and quiet.
Though next time If i take a long trip I will switch back and get a sleeper car.

my experience dus far from Martinez to Reno was awesome! now my return is less desireable only because of the attendent behind the counter.#1 He was not busy, so when I arrived a ½ hour early he said window closed. will not check my bags as I go to leave he then decideds to assist a lady to check her bags and a stroller. as I stated no one in line he was not busy and to dismiss me was highly unprofessional, so Amtrak if you hire people to be the face of a company please let them know about the first impressions! can impact a business

Next time we’ll fly. My son (16 yrs old) traveled with a group from school to Nebraska and back. On the trip home, the train left 3 hours late because of weather (I understand that happens), however, they had yet another delay in Salt Lake because of engine problems (a 2 hour delay), then they had to make a few more unscheduled stops to switch out conductors and attendants. Bottom line, the train arrived 7 HOURS LATE. Never again will we do this.

I took the Zephyr from Reno to Omaha, where I eventually connected with a bus to my final destination to Sioux Falls, SD. I’m giving three stars for the beauty of the trip that took us through the Rockies. Anyway, I had a two seats to myself in the lower car with my own electrical outlets, plenty of space to move around, and the bathroom nearby. My first mistake was not bringing my own food. They made announcements over the PA making the food sound like you were about to eat off a menu at Applebee’s. So I go to the snack bar and order a cheeseburger for about $ 6. I was shocked when the guy behind the counter grabbed a frozen burger and tossed it into the microwave… like I was at 7 – 11. It was edible, but disappointing. The problem with meals is that there are no places to get decent snacks at the stops along the way. So you’re dependent on the snack bar or the over-​priced meals. I would recommend what I saw others do, which is bring a small cooler with sandwiches, etc. And forget about ice, as it’s not happening. Beyond the food, I loved this trip. The workers at the Reno station were friendly and helpful. Wished they had WiFi, as there is lots of dead cell phone spots as the route travels through mostly rural areas along the way. Also, you get a better class of people than, say, Greyhound. I didn’t visit the upper scenic car much because I was so into the peace and quiet in the lower car. Overall, it was a nice trip, with lots of scenic beauty along the way. Would do it again if I wasn’t in a hurry. Oh, and if you decide to take the Zephyr around the Holidays, be sure to book early, as the seats fill up quickly!
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If you are in a hurry take MegaBus. For the rest of us, the seven hour ride to Emeryville is mini-​vacation in itself. Phone service is poor, so the phone does not ring. What a way to have lunch over Donner Summit in the dome car dining at 7,000 feet.
Amtrak should have a second train leaving out of Reno at 7 PM for Emeryville daily.
I take the Zephyr on the worst weather days out of Emeryville hoping to be routed through the Feather River Canyon.
At least have lunch in the dinning car, enjoy the ride, and challenge the kids on board with «How many tunnels and snow sheds are there between Roseville and Truckee?

Let me first start by saying I am very grateful for Amtrak being in Reno and making a stop in Roseville, CA — the closest station to my hometown. I usually take the train during the winter months when we get snow on the pass. I’m nervous about driving in heavy snow, so I’m happy there’s an alternative to get home.
The train itself is just okay. It’s not first-​class status, nor is it ghetto or sketchy. Perhaps some individuals riding the train can be questionable, but I’ve never felt unsafe as there is always some Amtrak personnel roaming about. Speaking of safety, it somewhat irks me that there is not a security screening (such as TSA) prior to boarding, but this is me thinking of worse-​case scenario about some crazy person causing havoc aboard.
I definitely recommend bringing your own food and beverages versus purchasing them because the prices for gas station-​like goods are much too high. Also, the snack bar is only opened certain hours of the day, so if you’re starving, you’re kind of out of luck.
If you don’t mind being near several people for a few hours, going up and down a very narrow staircase, can pack lightly (not much place to store your belongings), not always having a seat by yourself, and just want to take your time (literally) getting to your destination, then you might enjoy Amtrak.
I’ve travelled on the train over a dozen times and I’ve grown used to what to expect. It takes foreverrr and it gets pretty stuffy on the train. The viewing car is fun if you can claim a seat. Its best to have a seat there if you’re the type that dislikes being close to others for long periods. Its a wonderful view when passing thru the mountains on I-​80, especially with snow powdered on all the trees. In addition to traveling during the winter, at times there are delays, so probably dedicate an entire day to just traveling without any time limits.
Sorry for the long review — you’re a trooper.
keep an open mind!

I haven’t ridden the train through the Sierras, so this review isn’t applicable to those looking for info on the Reno to California route.
I’ve taken Amtrak a couple of times between Reno and Elko and have had a so-​so experience both times. I usually drive across the state, but if my wife and I are headed home at different times, I’ll take the train. If you buy early enough, it’s only $ 49 one-​way, which is cheaper than paying for gas and putting the miles on your car. There’s only one train a day between Reno and Elko. If you’re headed west and leaving from Elko, you’ll have to get to the station at about 3 in the morning. If you’re headed eastbound from Reno, you leave around 4 in the afternoon. Much more convenient leaving Reno than Elko.
The train would seem like a pretty reliable way to travel, but both times I’ve taken it there have been delays. Once we had a 90 minute delay mid-​route while they checked the integrity of the track outside of Lovelock. The other time, the train was delayed two hours before getting to the station. I got an email telling me about an hour-​long delay as I was pulling up to the station for the ½ hour early arrival that they request. While sitting there, the train’s arrival got pushed back another hour. I know Amtrak can’t control the weather, but a little more notice would have been nice so I could have killed time somewhere other than the train station.
The Reno station itself is actually pretty nice inside. They have a series of photographs hung up all over the place showing the history of the tracks. There’s also an antique old fountain/​statue downstairs in the middle of the waiting room.
Amtrak is an affordable travel alternative if you can’t or don’t want to drive. As long as you’re flexible in your plans, everything should be fine.

High ratings for 12÷25÷11 from Emeryville to Reno. 5 stars for deluxe sleeper room attendant, Janelle, for her attentiveness, friendliness, and stellar customer service to us on this trip over to Reno, NV. She introduced herself, she came by at 11am to take our lunch order, she returned with our lunch order — we were very very pleased. Thanks Janelle. Different story on the return on 12÷28÷11 at 8:30am from Reno to Emeryville. 2 stars for Katrina who did not assist with wheelchair on to train, who did not acknowledged herself, who did not visit our sleeper room, who did not take our order until 1pm due to the excuse that «being the only attendant and the train being packed». Yea, right! We expected to see our attendant at 11am; but with a no show for 1 hour and my mom disabled in the room and she needed to take her meds; I headed to the dining room car. On my way, I saw our attendant taking lunch orders from the 2-​person cars FIRST, and then working her way back to the deluxe sleeper rooms. Ok, so eventually our attendant did show up with apologies; but come on, we ate lunch at 1:15pm. Bad. All in all, I still recommend taking Amtrak from Emeryville to Reno, NV. The sleeper rooms are very very nice and the view from the train along with way with docents from Sacramento narrating history of the Sierra Nevada was memorable. Thank you Docents and Thank you Amtrak.

Also having driven and flown cross-​country, the train is definitely my favorite means of doing so. The downside, of course, is that it takes about 3 days to get from NYC to California, plus another day to get down the California coast to southern California. But it’s far more comfortable than a plane, relaxing, and a very social travel experience – people are willing to chat and play cards and such in the common areas. They also announced all of the morning football scores on Sunday, and gave updates on the 49ers score for the last few minutes (it was the only game still going at the time). There’s no Internet, which seems to me to be a mistake on Amtrak’s part – people would gladly pay a few dollars more to have Internet, even if just in the lounge car. I had my phone, and tethered my computer to its Internet, so it wasn’t a problem for me (although there are definitely big chunks of the trip without phone or mobile Internet access).
I went in the Fall, which is my favorite time of year, and is a great time for this trip. There are leaves changing most of the way. You go through fields, see farm animals, the Donner Pass and Donner Lake, lots of tunnels, and I felt a lot closer to all of it than I do when I’m on a multi-​lane highway. There’s plenty of room to walk around, and several stops each day for a quick walk outside for some fresh air (you’ll probabaly have to head down the platform because most of the people who step off the train are doing so to smoke).
I traveled coach, which means sleeping in a seat. The seats have the size and legroom of airplane first class, and recline quite a bit, but I’ve definitely had better nights of sleep. I traveled on the weekend, so I think the train was unusually crowded, and I expect this is why I wasn’t able to get my own pair of seats, which would have made sleeping easier.
The sleeping cars, which I wandered by because I wanted to check them out, were miniscule – basically 2 seats facing one another (it didn’t even look like the seats reclined) with a bunk above – I think the 2 seats turn into the second bed. The sleeper cars have shared bathrooms, just like coach, although they have bathrooms on the upper level with the rooms, whereas the coach cars have bathrooms downstairs.
During the day there are plenty of seats in common areas, so I was able to spread out and have a table and bigger windows.
The train was very well outletted – there seemed to be one for each coach seat, plus a similar setup in the louge/​viewing car.
I didn’t eat much train food because before I left I read reviews and talked to people who have done long train trips, and I brought most of my food with me. I also got off at pretty much every stop at which we were allowed to disembark, but only one place had a store, and that was a little train station convenience store with little more than is available on board, although there was more juice and milk and the prices were a bit better. On the train there are 2 food options: the dining car, with full, sit-​down meals and a fairly rigid schedule and seating setup (required reservations), and the lounge food vendor downstairs in the lounge car. The former basically has one option for each of a variety of bases – chicken (which I heard was rock-​hard), veggie pasta, steak, and pork chops. The latter had a pretty wide selection of soda, some beer (seemed to offer pretty much just Bud, Corona, and Heneiken, even though the train goes through the Sierras and ends in San Francisco, which has tons of microbreweries), milk (2%, tiny container), and microwaveable food (personal cheese pizzas, hot dogs, burgers).
The staff also left a lot to be desired – I get that they have to deal with obnoxious, unhappy people all the time, but I have to point out that they work in customer service. A lot of passengers talked about how surly the staff was. They are extremely rigid and unreasonable and rude. I think they’d get a better response and make things easier on themselves and everyone else if they were nicer.
On the other hand, the engineer was really friendly, and the tour guides who joined the train at Reno and stayed until Sacramento were quite good. The tour guides are volunteers from the California State Railroad Museum, and share lots of interesting historical tidbits, as well as pointing out some nice photo ops.
Overall, I’m really happy I did it, and would do it again if I happened to have the time, but I don’t think I’d take the extra time off of work to do it again soon – maybe in several years. Coach was fine. And I’d definitely bring food again.

We arrived about 30 minutes late but our trip was very satisfying. My 2 year old had a blast the entire 7+ hours from Emeryville. I would totally do it again!

5 stars for the fantastic scenery between Sacramento and Reno, but 0 stars for the food. Thought we would experience, the ambience of having a meal in the dining car. It was worse than airline food! The fake plastic chinaware just made the eating experience seem pitiful. Afterwards, talked to a cook who told me that, with one exception, everything is pre-​cooked, frozen and re-​warmed in a microwave. In his words, «the only fresh thing that hits our grill is the steak.» Unfortunately, I didn’t order the steak. If you feel you must eat in the dining car, get the steak. My recomendation is to bring take-​out from your favorite place at home and eat it in the observation car. It has swivel seats that let you face the window or, if you prefer, nice café style booths. Forget any nostalgic or romantic notions of elegant train travel. Just enjoy the view while you smuggly munch on your take-​out as your fellow travelers suffer in the next car.

SO happy that they have these buses that go the Reno from the Bay area! My only suggestion would be to Amtrak is that there should be more than 1 train per day that goes from Emeryville to Reno! Luckily, there are 3 buses that are in addition to that one train. All you have to do is take the 2 hour train to Sacramento and then get on a 3 – 4 hour bus ride to Reno! Ironically, it takes less time to do the train/​bus combo!
Both the train to Sacramento and especially the bus from Sacramento to Reno offer amazing views! On the bus, you drive through snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada, it’s breathtaking! And everything runs on time, and I had not a single issue– thanks Amtrak for the nice getaway to Reno!!!

This is not the real California Zephyr, operated by Western Pacific through Portola, Quincy, and Oroville. The Southern Pacific operated the City of San Francisco, and this is a close operating train to the City of San Francisco.
TAKE THE TRAIN. It is about seven hours to San Francisco, through the most scenic areas the Southern Pacific (UP) can present. Docents of the California Railway Museum present an oral history of the region from beer making in Boca, the geography, and geology of the region.
You might even have waco Bruce as the conductor, presenting his own version of the geology of the region, with mixed accuracy.
I was stuck for six additional hours in a blizzard on the train. I met a young lady, a PhD. student, and we spent the night in a methods of research discussion over a few glasses of wine.
Take the train and discover a whole new world about the geography and yourself. There is no wireless Internet, cell phones in general do not work, and be sure to ask the conductor the difference between a «snow shed and a tunnel.»

I’ve picked up and dropped off Amtrak riders here in Reno and have been impressed by the service and the facility. The ride from Reno to SF is said to be one of the most beautiful in the country, and the trains, well, they let me take a look and it appears to be a comfortable way to ride. I’m a fan.