Train Travel from California to Arizona: Amtrak’s Southwest Chief

There is no direct train solely between California and Arizona. The only Amtrak route connecting them is the Southwest Chief (Chicago ↔ Los Angeles), which traverses northern Arizona.

Route & Stops in Arizona

• Flagstaff (connect to Grand Canyon Railway)
• Williams Junction (Grand Canyon Railway shuttle)
• Kingman
• Winslow
• No stop in Phoenix or Tucson (served by bus from Flagstaff/Los Angeles).

Schedule & Time (Westbound Example)

• Los Angeles → Flagstaff: ~10.5 hours (dep 6:15 PM, arr 4:45 AM).
• Los Angeles → Kingman: ~7.5 hours.
• Full Chicago–LA: 43 hours.

Fares (One-Way, Saver → Flexible)

• LA → Flagstaff: $55–$120 (coach).
• LA → Kingman: $45–$95.
• Roomette (sleeper): $250–$500+.

Alternatives

• Bus: Greyhound / FlixBus LA ↔ Phoenix (6–7 hrs, $30–$60).
• Fly: LAX/BUR/ONT → PHX/TUS (1.5 hrs, $80–$200).
• Drive: I-10 (LA–Phoenix 5.5 hrs), I-40 (LA–Flagstaff 7 hrs).

Train is scenic (Mojave, Colorado River, Flagstaff pines) but slow and limited to northern AZ.