Find trains from Chicago to Los Angeles

If you opt for Amtrak Chicago to Los Angeles trains, you should keep in mind the luggage policy, which allows you to carry only two free pieces of luggage. Each of these pieces is required to not exceed 50 lbs in weight, and the size cannot measure more than 28 x 22 x 14 inches. Any luggage over the weight limit will attract extra charges, so confirm about this when booking your train tickets. While traveling as a family on Amtrak trains to Los Angeles from Chicago with an infant under two years old, you can benefit from an exception, which allows you to carry baby items, including diaper bags and strollers, without including these in the carry-on limit. However, there is a list of things you cannot bring on the ride, including ammunition or firearms, percussion caps or ammunition used with a matchlock, self-loaded gunpowder-based ammunition, corrosive and dangerous chemical substances, archery tools, and devices with propellants.

Passengers can also travel with a pet on Amtrak trains from Chicago to Los Angeles. However, they must observe the pet policy, which specifies that you can only board with small pets. The pet must be contained in a pet carrier measuring no bigger than 19 x 14 x 10.5 inches. Also, the total weight of your pet and its carrier should not be more than 20 lbs. You can use a hard or soft-sided carrier, which should also be leak-proof and properly ventilated. For the pet’s comfort and safety, you should ensure the animal can sit or seamlessly lie down without struggling against the sides of the carrier. Note that when you board with a pet, you can only travel for a maximum of seven hours, and the pet should be at least eight weeks old. Throughout the ride, you should keep the pet under your seat, and the animal must not disturb the peace of other passengers.

Traveling on Amtrak trains from Chicago to Los Angeles does not mean you must endure a boring ride. The Chicago to Los Angeles trains are equipped with a Wi-Fi connection, which allows you to enjoy browsing the internet and accessing social media pages. However, you should understand this connection is not suited for heavy downloads or content that requires more bandwidth than the allocated minimum. This means you cannot enjoy your favorite shows on Netflix as the speed limit does not allow. If you look to explore shows on the ride, a good suggestion would be downloading the shows you love before heading to the train station. Also, Amtrak offers the Wi-Fi connection at different stations, so you can check your email and stay updated while waiting for the train.

To board trains to Los Angeles from Chicago, you must show identification. On all Amtrak train lines, you must show a train ticket to board a train, as train tickets are checked periodically. For travelers aged 18 and older or unaccompanied minors aged 15 and over, one must provide a government-issued ID like a passport, a military ID or a driver’s license. If the passenger does not have a government ID with a photo, they can use a secondary option for identification like a student ID card, which should accompany the form of identification without the photo. While a passport is not mandatory to board, it’s one of the different documents you can use for identification when boarding Amtrak trains to Los Angeles.

The fastest journey time from Chicago to Los Angeles is 43h 10m. Travel time typically varies by up to 6h 57m, depending on your train details.

There are 1744.8 mi between Chicago and Los Angeles. By train, the distance is greater, and the train route may stop elsewhere along the way. The train usually takes 43h 10m in normal conditions.