Train from Chicago to WAS with sleeper?

[Guest]

Any info on train ride from Chicago to Washington, D.C. With sleeping accommodations.

 

[SarahZ]

Any info on train ride from Chicago to Washington, D.C. With sleeping accommodations.

Which train are you taking, the Capitol Limited or the Cardinal?

 

[KmH]

Sarah asks which train you're taking because the 2 choices you have use different styles of train cars.

The Cardinal uses single level Viewliner sleeper cars and the Capitol Limited uses bi-level Superliner sleeper cars.

Viewliner Roomette

Superliner Roomette

Cardinal dining car menu The Cardinal has a diner/lounge/sightseeing car.

Capitol limited dining car menu The Capitol Limited has a Sightseer Lounge Car (SSL) and a separate dining car.

The Capitol limited only takes about 19 hours to go from CHI to WAS (780 miles).

Scenery wise I would choose the Cardinal. The Cardinal it takes a more southerly, less direct and longer (922 miles) route that takes a bit over 24 hours to get from CHI to WAS.

 

[ehbowen]

If you're going to be in a roomette, I find the Viewliner roomettes to be larger and more comfortable than the Superliner roomettes...as long as you're OK with the small in-room toilet. However, the food in the full Superliner Diner on the Capitol Limited will probably be more appetizing than the reheated meals they serve in the Cardinal's cafe car.

 

[willem]

Also, the Cardinal roomettes are often much more expensive than the Capitol Limited roomettes.

 

[Lonestar648]

I prefer the CL over the Cardinal. I think the scenery is great through PA. WV.

 

[SarahZ]

Sarah asks which train you're taking because the 2 choices you have use different styles of train cars.

Actually, I asked because I was going to link her to my CL trip report with pictures, but you provided much better reasons for asking.