Can coach passengers eat in the dining car on the California Zephyr?

Sign-up for email today! WASHINGTON — Amtrak has begun offering coach passengers on the Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight, and Sunset Limited the opportunity to buy meals in those trains' dining cars, a practice that began March 1.



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Sitting in the café car for the entire ride is totally acceptable. If you purchase sleeping accommodations (roomette, bedroom etc.), your meals are in included in your ticket.

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As an exclusive, complimentary offering for customers traveling in First Class private rooms, traditional dining service is provided in the Dining Car on the Auto Train, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle (between San Antonio ...

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Yes. Complimentary meals are one of several amenities you'll enjoy when traveling in a private room. Learn more about your onboard dining options.

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Think of it as a hotel room on the tracks Most importantly, roomettes give you the privacy and social distancing that keep you safe and healthy. Close the door, take off your mask, and enjoy the view!

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You can bring a smaller cooler or insulated lunch bag with you on the train to include refrigerated foods, or consider buying a meal at or near your starting station to eat while on board. If you're planning to pack food at home before your trip, here are some idea: Salty snacks like nuts, chips, crackers, pretzels.

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Coach class features wide, comfortable reclining seats with ample legroom. There is also a fold-down tray, individual reading light, and a 120v electric outlet at each seat. Other onboard amenities include restrooms in each coach, overhead baggage storage and complimentary WiFi.

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Friendly service usually gets a little larger tip. For the Dining Car Attendants; it is typically recommended that you tip just like you do in a restaurant; 15 - 20% depending on the quality of the service.

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For the most enjoyable experience, especially during a long-distance journey, you'll want to wear clothing that is super comfortable, along with warm socks. Oftentimes, the train cars can get cold, even if you're not seated by the doors that connect the cars together.

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Back in the fall of 2019, Amtrak announced that it was getting rid of the classic dining car —the ones with china and flatware on a white tablecloth—in favor of pre-packaged options. This was before the pandemic, so they couldn't use health and safety as an excuse to stave off the inevitable firestorm of criticism.

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The average Amtrak Coach seat measures 23 inches in width (compared to around 17 inches for airplane equivalent seating) with exceptional legroom and the ability to recline for an even more comfortable sleeping position.

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You can lock the door when you are inside the roomette, but you cannot lock it from the outside, so avoid leaving valuables in the roomette when you are not there. Bedrooms offer larger private accommodations at an extra cost. The only non-private seating on Amtrak trains is coach seating.

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You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars. Personal food and beverages are allowed in the upper level of Superliner Sightseer Lounges.

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