Train from LA to Seatlle

Replies: 25 - Last Post: Feb 20, 2013 4:28 AM Last Post By: ap0619

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Feb 8, 2013 7:02 AM
Posts: 384

So, the train you'll want is the Coast Starlight, leaving L.A. Union Station at 10:10 A.M. Your best stop for an overnight is either San Jose or Oakland (the train does not go to San Francisco & it will be midnight by the time you reach Sacramento). It will be after 8 PM and you can go straight to dinner/hotel and sleep. Overnighting in Oakland would be easiest for visiting S.F. the next day using BART. Reboard the train the next day (with a sleeper car) and continue your trip. You do understand that either way, you will still be spending one night on the train?

I've done this trip many times and enjoyed it. You do get some good scenery on the northern part of the trip.

smartcookiee

Feb 8, 2013 8:10 AM
Posts: 1,240

Is there something preventing you from driving? There is only one train per day that takes the somewhat scenic route and I wouldn't want to miss the most beautiful parts of the coast. It would make more sense to drive and stop in places you'll want to explore. There are many.

jedgerandclyde

Feb 8, 2013 12:24 PM
Posts: 604

We live in Sydney, Australia now and this is part of our travel plans for later in the year.

We intend to do the trip from Aussie to the US, flying with Delta and they land in LA and we did think it would be a good idea if we caught the train up to our final destination of Seattle.

This is a holiday and we do not wish to drive, we are only in the planning stage but we did think that catching the train up was the way to go, but what #15 had to say it does look very much like we get a sleeper and do it in one go.

Thank you all very much for your advice.

smartcookiee

Feb 8, 2013 6:35 PM
Posts: 1,240

If you're going to do it, why not stay overnight somewhere along the coast between LA and SF, then SF and then Portland on the way and explore those places. All are definitely worthwhile and even 1 full day to see each one would be a good idea.

jedgerandclyde

Feb 9, 2013 1:39 AM
Posts: 604

We have done the Indian Pacific train from Sydney to Perth, and i slept very badly, i was thinking to do the trip from LA to Seattle via train and doing the trip with an over night break some where along the way.

Is it possible to do it this way in two days, if we get off the train somewhere along the way is it possible to get on a train in the morning to Seattle ?

carracar

Feb 9, 2013 3:49 AM
Posts: 2,384

OP in #19...Kindly read #14 & 15 for content... There will be no "morning train" at a reasonable hour until Kalamath Falls, Oregon... carracar

bzookaj

Feb 9, 2013 5:07 AM
Posts: 5,224

There is only one train daily that makes this run. If it drops you off at 8 pm one night, that's the time it'll pick you up the next.
A night on the train is unavoidable.

carracar

Feb 9, 2013 6:12 AM
Posts: 2,384

I reckon Ian had correctly taken the OP's measure... Responses here, have been time wasted...carracar

TexasTea

Feb 9, 2013 7:10 AM
Posts: 384

As #21 says, only one train per day; you can find the schedule here: Coast Starlight.

I think it is worth getting off in Oakland for a day or two, just because it seems a shame to miss San Francisco. To avoid the night on the train, you could fly SF to Eugene and pick the train up for the remainder of the trip. But the most scenic (daylight) part is between Dunmuir & Eugene, so you'd miss that. If you can time if for a full moon though, it's spectacular.

jedgerandclyde

Feb 11, 2013 2:13 AM
Posts: 604

Yeah, if it is no way out of it 21 & 23 i guess, i expect i will have to suck it up and spend the night on sleeping on the train.

ap0619

Feb 20, 2013 4:28 AM
Posts: 28

Ok first off, stop trolling around. Just kidding! What was that all about?

I highly advise against taking amtrak from LA to Sea. You're better off driving or flying. Not only is that scenery pretty blah, Amtrak is nothing like Eurail. I'd rather take an overnight train in Eastern Europe sleeping on that top bunk of 3 than Amtrak. I've done lots of train travel having gone to college in the midwest and being cheap, and yeah, not so much. If you really want the American train experience, take a train from Seattle to Vancouver BC, very pretty as you go along the Sound for a lot of the trip. The railroad builders must've loved it up here! Or take a train out of NYC.