Can this be done?

[nls75]

We want to travel from seattle to Washington, dc. We would be transfering to a different train in Chicago. The train from Seattle arrives Chicago at 3:50 pm and the one to dc leaves at 6:40pm. Do you think we would miss our connection? I really don't want to stay overnight in Chicago unless I really need to as it would take away from the time we have in dc.

Thanks for any help

Nanette

 

[JayPea]

Welcome to the forum! The Empire Builder has a very good track record (pun fully intended :lol: ) for being on-time. Barring unforseen circumstances your connection should be just fine.

 

[Rafi]

Nanette,

You should be fine. While excessive delays do sometimes happen, the connection between the Empire Builder (the train you're taking from Seattle to Chicago) and the Capitol Limited (the train from Chicago to Washington, DC) is relatively reliable. If the Empire Builder does somehow get delayed such that you miss the Capitol Limited, Amtrak will most likely try to find room for you on the Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to New York, and get you to Washington DC via a regional train that evening. You'd be delayed arriving into DC, but wouldn't have to spend the night in Chicago.

Regardless, Amtrak takes responsibility for you if you do get delayed in Chicago, and will take care of getting you a hotel.

Again, this is the exception to the rule, and for the most part, the Empire Builder connects with the Capitol Limited without incident every day.

Rafi

 

[nls75]

Thank you! We're not going until next summer, but I like to start looking for deals early. So far you can only book until April on the Amtrak site, hopefully I'll be able to book this part of my trip soon and get a good rate for a room.