What train do I use to go from Southern California to San Francisco?

Question

I already checked the AMTRAK website, and they are just as expensive as a plane ticket there and 4 times as long for travel time. Is there any other train I can take from LA or Orange County California to San Francisco besides Amtrak? If so, what is it called, and do they have a "trip planner" on their site? I have no clue why someone would want to take Amtrak for a trip that is just as expensive as a plane, and so much longer. I'm looking for a cheap alternative! Thanks.

Answer 1

Unfortunately it looks like you have no choice but to use Amtrak or Greyhound to get where you're going.  While Amtrak is $60-65 and takes 8 hours, Greyhound is $50 and takes even longer.  The reason the Amtrak is so slow right now is because sections of the Pacific Surfliner route are under renovation for tunnel reconstruction and track maintenance until December 2006, according to the Amtrak Web site.  Otherwise you would normally be able to take a train up to San Luis Obispo and take a shorter bus ride the rest of the way up from there.  Your best bet is to get an advance booking on JetBlue from Long Beach to Oakland, which can be as low as $49 each way.  Using local transit to get you to and from the airport will help you save money as well.

Answer 2

greyhound or Amtrak get on at the train station in L.A. near Alvera street and go from there

Answer 3

I took the Amtrak, and really liked having room to stretch out, see the gorgeous ocean views, and relax.  With airports so hard to get to, long waits in line, and intense crowding on the plane, I'd consider the train again.

Answer 4

The problem is this:  there are TWO lines from Los Angeles Area to San Francisco area.  The Coast Starlight that continues to Seattle and the the Bakersfield-Oakland "regional" trains.  The Coast Starlight is slower and probably the ticket is more expensive.  Other:  the ticket price go up when the trip date is near.  The Coast Starlight takes 11h 2m and the bus + train service to Oakland via Bakersfield takes 9 h 15, it is expected to be faster in the future.  The main problem is the freight owned tracks over which Amtrak passenger trains operate.

Fares for the first trains are US$ 59 and for the other US$ 53.  But there is a third option, bus+train+bus, trip time 8 h 20 and US$ 53 too.  The advantage is that you are in the city, to the plane cost you must add the cost to go to the airports.

Answer 5

Nope. No other train from Southern California to San Francisco. You could take a bus (blech) or try kayak.com to look for cheap flights.