The Empire Builder is the only AMTRAK train that starts in two different locations and then combines into one trainset at a stop along the way.
You can either take the train from Seattle, Washington or Portland, Oregon. The trains combine in Spokane, Washington on the Eastbound run. Obviously, if you take the train from Chicago, Illinois, the opposite happens. Your train is split in two at Spokane and you travel either to Seattle or Portland.
When we went in 2012, we decided to start in Portland. We had a nearby hotel that was on the TriMax (public transportation system) and it let us off right by the station. Easy, with luggage and no car. Of course you could take other ground transportation, according to how safe you need to be.
Booking the trip is easy. You just put in your choice. PDX or SEA and your destination, in this case CHI.
What you will find out is that the price is slightly different for the two locations.
When we went it was substantial, like $100 different. Now days it was like a dollar or two. Oh well...
Here are the prices I pulled up for September 6th.
Coach: $151
Roomette: $769
Room: $1,653
Since we were on the Portland train, we just had the viewing/snack car. We were in a room, so for our dinner, it was a boxed dinner. The Seattle train has the full dining car. That might have been the difference in price for our trip.
We followed the Columbia River for hours before turning north just before Spokane. It was probably the most beautiful section of track on an inland train (you can see a photo of that trip on the top right side of this blog).
The Seattle route goes through the 8 mile Cascade Tunnel, which has a fan to clear out the diesel fumes from the train. I am not interested in being on that route. Just a personal opinion.
No matter what, it is an excellent trip.
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