Zephyr & Denver - info please

We hope to ride the California Zephyr again early next year but still working on our plans. The initial idea was to ride it end to end as we did before so westbound CHI to SFC. But looking for travel cost savings came across a big saving by flying direct non-stop to Denver in place of Chicago, that's from London.

We ride Amtrak trains just to be on them and missing the first 19 hours of the journey is making us hesitate. On the other hand the atmosphere on the Zephyr appeared to ratchet up a notch as soon as we left Denver due to the amazing rail journey over two world class mountain ranges.

Here's the questions -

Is the Zephyr into Denver from Chicago usually on time-ish?

There's a web based tracking system for most Amtrak LD trains, is it accurate enough for me to say take a look at 5:30am and if the Zephyr is running 6 hours late be relaxed enough to go back to bed for 4 hours?

Departure from Denver is slated as 8:05am, would we be entitled (we'd book a roomette) to breakfast on leaving Denver? This question is due to the fact that we may have to leave our overnight hotel earlier than breakfast is served.

Most important question. If we join the Zephyr in Denver, does it feel like the same journey as riding it end to end or do you feel something is missing?

Any recommendations on budget hotels in or close to the station? Denver looks more expensive in early March than Chicago! and by a fair amount too.

BTW. It was good to see the Denver International Airport has a direct train link from the airport station to Denver Amtrak, great connected up transport system.

Thank you

When traveling the westbound Zephyr, I fly to Denver. That's where the real scenery begins! I always stay at the La Quinta Hotel ( Park Ave West ), usually less than $120.

I think most of us will advise yall to fly to Denver and take the Zephyr Denver to Emeryville/San Francisco Jamie.( are you getting a good Air Fare to Denver as opposed to CHI?)

You aren't missing much on the Chicago-Denver overnight leg of the Zephyr, and since it's very popular, the Sleepers are usually High Bucket on this segment of the route.The price differential if you have to spend a Night in Chicago, and then take the Zephyr is a factor on a budget as we know/ as W used to say, "Do the Math"( even though he couldnt! LOL)

Breakfast is served in the Diner till after the Denver stop ( Last Call if the Zephyr is running close to on time which it generally is into Denver most days.YMMV

If the Zephyr is running too late you still can have Breakfast before going to Union Station.)

As you said, the Light Rail from the Airport to downtown Denver is a nice convienence since the Airport is located almost to Kansas. LOL

There are deals to be had on Motels/ Hotels in Denver as was said. Use Trip Advisor,Kayak or Trivago and find a place close to a Light Rail or Bus stop, or there is always Uber/Lyft or a Taxi to/from Union Station.

Also consider Hostels and B&B's of which there are quite a few in Denver. ( Google is your friend.)

Being a service stop the California Zephyr stops in Denver for a scheduled 50 minutes . They need to refuel the train, wash the SSL windows, and quite a few passengers disembark/embark at Denver.

Assuming the CZ is on time or even early and you're able to board soon after the train arrives, you can go to breakfast in the dining car as soon as you board and put your personal bags in your sleeper berth.

The CZ was some 40 minutes early into Denver the last time I rode it westbound.

I had time to move from coach to a sleeper berth, had a leisurely breakfast in the dining car as we sat there in the station, and was back in my roomette before we pulled out to start the climb up the Front Range of the Rockies.

Just a quick response while I'm taking a break.

In GBP the flight from London to Denver non-stop for the first week of March is £442, we return via NYC again non-stop within that price. London to Chicago non-stop is £456 same return. It's about an extra 1 3/4 hours flying time too, must be massive landing charges difference.

There are cheaper options but only a few GBP, not anywhere near enough to want to have a several hour lay-over. Norwegian are very cheap but when I priced up a journey with them last year the actual cost was more than a schedule airline when their baggage charges are added.

When the flight costs are added x 2 to the about $175 USD difference on the shorter train journey the savings starts to look worthwhile, but of course we lose 19 hours of train riding...

Is there enough time to go inside the station in Denver as a through-passenger? I was considering stopping overnight but I am on a tight schedule and the station itself is the attraction I wanted to see most. My only experience with a stop over 10-15 minutes is Washington, where I usually go inside going south but there is no departure time going north so it is too risky to go upstairs.

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When we went through 2 1/2 years ago I think it was a 50 minute stop. I felt relaxed enough to wander the station taking photos and to take a short walk outside too. Made sure I was back on the platform 15 minutes before the departure time. Before getting off probably asked the SCA or the Conductor if the stop time was as listed and not cut short to make up time.

brianpmcdonnell17 said:

Is there enough time to go inside the station in Denver as a through-passenger? I was considering stopping overnight but I am on a tight schedule and the station itself is the attraction I wanted to see most. My only experience with a stop over 10-15 minutes is Washington, where I usually go inside going south but there is no departure time going north so it is too risky to go upstairs.

Sent from my SM-J327P using Amtrak Forum mobile app

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Yup you should be able to. Just talk to your conductor or SCA about times when you arrive. But check it out. It's a wonderful station. I'm local and it's one of the spots in Denver I'm proud of. The food inside though is a bit pricey, if you were looking to get something.

eblkheart, do you have any recommendations for an early breakfast maybe near to the station?

Thanks

If you decide to stay at the LaQuinta, there is a restaurant next door, and a McDonalds on the other side of the hotel.

"Snooze", which is right inside of Union Station, has an excellent breakfast menu. One of the most popular breakfast spots in both Denver and Boulder. Expect it to be crowded. Highly recommended if the timing works out for you.

Rail Freak, I've checked out La Quinta, very good price compared to downtown. No public transport so I guess you use a cab?

Have to say that we try hard not to use chain fast food places, individual and family owned diners many recommended here is what we look for. Will take a look at Old west pancake House and Snooze.

Thanks to all

We have taken the CZ from PHL to and from DEN the last three years. Two out of three years it has been on time and one year it was 30 minutes late. The trip is usually uneventful and travels mostly through the mid western plains. Our trips were in August and the fares are usually solid high bucket both ways from and into CHI. If you decide to fly into Denver there is a shuttle train from the airport to Union Station.

v v said:

Rail Freak, I've checked out La Quinta, very good price compared to downtown. No public transport so I guess you use a cab?

Have to say that we try hard not to use chain fast food places, individual and family owned diners many recommended here is what we look for. Will take a look at Old west pancake House and Snooze.

Thanks to all

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Yes, I have used cabs. It's about a $6 ride, plus tip.