The dramatic snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, lush forests, fertile valleys and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline provide a stunning backdrop for your journey. For a limited time only, save $350 per couple on our 'West Coast to East Coast Rail Experience from Los Angeles' vacation inclusive of 10 nights or more. A $2 increase to $17/hour in NY by 2026 just falls short. However, when I got onto the train for my return trip in Seattle I found out that they were still running on a skeleton crew and there were still no meals in the dining car. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. If two passengers are riding, you can just double the price for Coach and Business, but the price of the Sleeper Room will be less than double for two people. The route from Seattle to San Francisco is almost a straight shot south on Interstate 5. The train from Seattle to San Francisco takes 24 hours so we decided to upgrade to the sleeper car. [24], In late June 2021, the Lava Fire seriously damaged a Union Pacific trestle on the Black Butte Subdivision between Klamath Falls, Oregon and Dunsmuir, California. (avg. Travel Time. Don't leave your car behind when you travel - bring your car with you while on the Amtrak Auto Train. By clicking Join, you acknowledge you have read and agree to the program terms, including the binding arbitration agreement, in the . Amtrak allows for dogs and cats that weigh up to 20 pounds on trips that are up to 7h, so unfortunately Amtrak from Seattle to San Francisco is too long to include your pets. And you need a code to use the bathroom. Average price (one-way) $99. Looking for ways to pass the time? [45], Prior to February 2018, the Coast Starlight was unique in that it included a first-class lounge car called the "Pacific Parlour Car". Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. (I was worried about the kids being noisy at night and disturbing other people.) Meals, free coffee and water are included when you purchase one of these overnight sleeping option. This train was far better than flying, even though the cost was the same and it took 12hrs. Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country. Whether you find a good deal or not, flying will almost always be the cheapest way to travel between Seattle and San Francisco. The system will . Hire a local sommelier and driver for an insightful and safe visit to some of the areas 30 wineries. Travel by train is also more comfortable, as the cars are larger and the seats comfortable. The best way to travel between Seattle and San Francisco is by train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Pros: I met good people. Traveling by train from Seattle to San Francisco usually takes 23 hours and 30 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled. Ocean Shores, Washington, while technically a farther coastal point, takes only 2 hours 30 minutes to reach by car. [17], Ridership declined by 26% between 1999 and 2005 as freight congestion and track maintenance on the Union Pacific Railroad reduced the Coast Starlight's on-time performance to 2%, which Amtrak characterized as "dismal." Except for two sections, most of the Coast Starlight route is on former Southern Pacific lines now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. Trains arrive about every 15 minutes. The lightweight blanket I brought was not adequate. Many travelers choose trains from Seattle to San Francisco because the scenery is nice. Passwords are case sensitive, should be at least 10 characters long and should include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. I was fine. Avg Price. King Street Station is placed on the Caltrain commuter rail line and is located approximately 3 miles from downtown San Francisco. The bus makes additional stops in the Financial District and SF's Fisherman's Wharf. I wasn't shy about asking questions. There's only one BART station at SFO. Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. If I hadn't come up and into the lounge car I wouldn't have seen "Sacramento" out the window. San Francisco has mild weather all year long, with winters that never get extremely cold and summers that never get extremely hot. The station is located near downtown Seattle, and has Amtrak staff to help you find your train. On a quick passenger pick up stop, which only lasts 3 minutes, you will not be allowed to get off the train. An Amtrak sleeper car is a train car that contains restrooms, shower rooms and sleeping accommodations (not coach seats). Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. Even once you add in travel time to and from the airport and going through security, flying is still drastically faster than any other travel option. Rob is married to Allie and together they have been traveling the world for the past 5 years. The scenic view I expected was a disappointment. Explore helpful videos and webinars with virtual tours of our rail journeys. The Coast Starlight typically uses two GE P42DCs for locomotive power. [9] Positive response led to Amtrak to retain this service, and the Coast Daylight name was dropped on May 19, 1974. Overnight Seattle. On top of all of this, when I looked at my final bill, they charged me for the first class accommodations plus the busses and commuter trains, so I ended up paying more than the original ticket price for this horrible trip. You will have cell service for much of your trip though. San Francisco, CA. By 1971, the SP operated just two daily trains between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area: the Los AngelesSan Francisco Coast Daylight via the Coast Line, and the Los AngelesOakland San Joaquin Daylight via the Central Valley. Northbound Service - Weekend Service to San Francisc; Zone Train No. Low point of the adventure was the train being an hour and a half late pulling into Sacramento from L.A., making it 1:30 in the a.m. when we got on the train to head north. All deals. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. If two passengers are riding, you can just double the price for Coach and Business, but the price of the Sleeper Room will be less than double for two people. If you're traveling with a group, then using a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft and splitting the cost may be cheaper than purchasing individual BART tickets. In July 2008, refurbished Pacific Parlour cars returned to service as part of the relaunch. Find the travel option that best suits you. We took our lunch and snacks but had dinner in the dining car. to San Francisco Intl. Many travelers go to San Francisco for business, and there are many options on trains from Seattle to San Francisco for the business traveler. During the tail end of COVID, they had very limited space in the dining car (because of social distancing), so most meals we took in our private room. You should also understand that tickets are more expensive on Tuesdays. By mid-summer in 2006 delays of 511 hours were common. Tips: Bring drinks. do you have trains that depart Vancouver Canada and go along the coast to Palm Springs? Fresno to San Francisco - 3h 58m Where would I have ended up? [6] On November 14, Amtrak extended the OaklandLos Angeles train to San Diego, renumbered it to #12/13, and renamed it Coast Daylight. . The Coast Starlight has a top speed of 79mph and an average speed of 40mph. Looking for cheap train tickets to San Francisco? You cannot get off at one stop and get back on another train later in the day. There's no direct connection from San Jose Airport to San Francisco, but Caltrain from the nearby Diridon Train Station makes frequent trips to downtown San Francisco and takes about an hour. The Coast Starlight is a passenger train operated by Amtrak on the West Coast of the United States between Seattle and Los Angeles via Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area. The City by the Bay is full of attractions, from its stunning Golden Gate Bridge to its ageless Victorians, especially those found in Pacific Heights, Haight-Ashbury, and around Alamo Square. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. He begged everyone to be patient with him but he had no patience for anyone else. A grand west coast train adventure, en route daily between Los Angeles and Seattle, the Coast Starlight train passes through Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Portland. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. Pay a visit to the oldest Chinatown in the U.S., experience Italian food and culture in North Beach, and get a flavor for San Francisco's distinct history in neighborhoods such as the Castro, Nob Hill, and the Presidio, which is part of the larger Golden Gate Park National Recreation Area. Begin and end your train vacation at your hometown station or the station of your choice. My understanding is that the bicycle needs to go in the baggage car. With some of the best views in the country and great amenities on the train, we rank the Coast Starlight in our top 3 routes in the United States. Sleeping car passengers could also make reservations to dine in the Parlour car, which offered a unique menu not offered in the standard dining car. Part of the joy of train travel is the incredible views from bridges that are missed on airplanes or car travel. Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $69 for one-way flights and $132 for round trip, for the period specified. The Coast Starlight is a passenger train operated by Amtrak on the West Coast of the United States between Seattle and Los Angeles via Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area. Trains from Seattle to San Francisco are the most crowded on Wednesday. Passwords should be at least 10 characters long and include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. Baggage is placed in one of Amtrak's new Viewliner II single-level baggage cars or in designated coach-class cars. ! " Ticket prices for the train from Seattle to San Francisco often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in May when the average ticket price is only$97. Is the train from Seattle to San Francisco scenic? We traveled from Seattle to San Francisco (Emeryville) in May 2022. There are some unique features to the Coast Starlight that make it stand out from other Amtrak Trains. Critics dubbed the train the Star-late. To get to downtown San Francisco, go down the escalator from the ticketing area and take the Pittsburg/Bay Point train. By signing in to your account you acknowledge you have read and agree to the updated terms and conditions, including the binding arbitration agreement. San Jose Airport is to the south and not as accessible to San Francisco, so take that extra cost and time into consideration before booking a flight there. The trip was nice for the most part. We had high hopes for this trip, and were immediately let down. Create the perfect train vacation designed exclusively for you, by you! Amtraks private sleeping rooms include in-room features, services,and amenities to ensure a smooth and relaxing journey. I booked this round trip first class trip as a Christmas holiday because I love train travel and I wanted to enjoy all of the amenities advertised for a vacation. Fortunately, I packed my own sandwich and snacks. Buses require transfers, are less comfortable than the train, and cost about the same, so it's not ideal for this route. Daily Departures. Amtrak from Seattle to San Francisco is cheaper than any other form of travel and its convenient to travel by train. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. I rode from Olympia, WA to Sacramento, CA. Cheap Flights from Seattle - Tacoma Intl. We had come for my moms birthday, as she has always wanted to take the train down the coast. The Coast Starlight runs over the following lines:[32], The Coast Starlight is occasionally diverted between Oakland and Los Angeles via the Central Valley and Tehachapi Pass due to track work or service disruptions on the Coast Line. The 35-hour route covers 350 miles through Washington, Oregon and California countryside, making about 30 stops, including Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Portland, Oregon. Gaze at the sapphire waters of Crater Lake and catch the thrill of traveling through the Cascades at 5,000 feet above sea level. The Coast Starlight does not stop directly in San Francisco. Santa Clara to San Francisco - 1h 00m. Business $158. This route used to be nicknamed the Coast Starlate due to its bad on time record. Be sure to have some cash on hand, or set up a one-time Fastrak payment to pay in advance and skip the lines. KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find cheap train fares and book the train that suits you best. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. When are the first and last trains of the day? Pros: Affordable and I didn't have to drive. Really? I am planning to do the Seattle to SF leg next year. Can't give you a detailed answer on that, but would say the staff and passengers were very respectful of Covid regulations, Half the passengers wore masks. I suppose the saying " you get what you pay for" is true about the low rate for the trip. Parking in San Francisco is complicated and a car isn't necessaryor helpfulonce you're in the city. Fill out our helpful form and we'll be in touch shortly. Anaheim Town Car Services By Jag Transportation. Trip Details. Your Amtrak Vacation journey can start from any of the over 500 Amtrak stations across North America. While we expected the ride to be warm, simply because you are on public transportation in July, we were not expecting to experience uncontrollable heat for the entire 8 hours we were on the train. © 2023 Amtrak Vacations. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West Coast. To enter San Francisco, you'll have to pay a toll on whichever bridge you use. We have you covered - if the train goes there, so do we. The 807-mile drive takes about 13 hours and while you may hit some traffic at the very beginning and the very end, the rest of the trip should be easy driving. A single bus ticket generally costs around $2.25. The airplane tickets at the time were around $100 each way and the the train tickets were $75 each way. King Street Station is the main station for Amtrak train service and Greyhound bus service in Seattle, with connections to local public transit like the Link Light Rail and King County Metro at the International District/Chinatown station one block away. You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. Amtrak is the only train operator serving this route. Some issue had happened with the locomotive on our train. If I book business class seat, do I get access to Metropolitan Lounge in Seattle and Los Angeles. By choosing the train, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost $119 on average. Here are estimated prices if you travel from Chicago to San Francisco on Amtrak: $150-$300 for coach seat. This legendary train with spectacular views feature First Class private rooms as well as Coach accommodations with enjoy big, comfortable seats and plenty of legroom. Still, you'll have access to both a snack bar and a dining car, as well as an observation car for taking in views of places like Sacramento and Portland, Oregon. Traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Francisco usually takes 10 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 9 hours and 30 minutes. It's also where you'll find top-notch museums such as the California Academy of Sciences and the DeYoung, known for its American arts collection. King Street Station has on-site Amtrak staff, restrooms, and vending machines, and while there are no restaurants in the station, several nearby coffee shops and eateries make it easy to fuel up before your trip. Trains run once daily between San Francisco and Seattle. For those who want to leave Seattle in the morning and be exploring San Francisco by the afternoon, flying is the only way to go. Golden Gate Park is filled with gardens, grassy meadows that are ideal for picnics, and fun attractions like the Japanese Tea Garden and Stow Lake. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route's long distance. The sleeper car was about double what the plane tickets would . The train stops so often, that the cars really do cycle in fresh air very often, I was not concerned about. terms and conditions San Francisco to Seattle train times. Rob is one of the most published photographers in the world, having published over 1 million images in the last 20 years. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Day 3 - California Coast/Los Angeles. How to Travel From Los Angeles to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe By Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From San Diego to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel from Sacramento to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From Seattle to Portland by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, Getting Around the San Francisco Bay Area: A Public Transit Guide, A Guide to Airports in the Western United States, How to Travel From San Francisco to New York by Plane, Train, Car, or Bus, How to Travel From San Francisco to Las Vegas by Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From San Francisco to Yosemite by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel from San Francisco to Napa Valley by Car, Bus, and Ferry, How to Travel From Seattle to Vancouver by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, Getting Around Seattle: Guide to Public Transportation, How to Travel from Los Angeles to Seattle by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. At this time, the only food available to coach passengers was from the cafe. I had to travel for the next 10 hours on a bus and commuter train to catch up to the Coast Starlight, only to find out that it was already 4 hours late, so I spent half the night on a bench at a small cold station. To vacation this year, travelers might want to know how easy travel is on a train from Seattle to San Francisco, and what to expect during travel. Book your Amtrak train and bus tickets today by choosing from over 30 U.S. train routes and 500 destinations in North America. But if you're driving instead of flying, you likely aren't in a hurry, anyway. Trains from Seattle to San Francisco are at capacity on Tuesdays, so plan your trip accordingly so you miss the crowds. The price shown for each trip will be the average for all passengers, including any infants. The dining car supervisor was so angry that he yelled and snapped at everyone. We traveled from Tacoma, Washington to Eugene, Oregon and back. Station employees are also available to help with anything you may need, such as disembarking your train, gathering your luggage, or moving throughout the station. Along the trip an announcement was always made prior to arriving at the next stop. Is it safe to travel by train from Seattle to San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic? I hadn't been on a train trip for many years, so I didn't know what to expect. We travelled yesterday and it was 17 minutes delayed in getting to Portland, but had managed to make up a bit of that by the time we got to Seattle. By then, it'll be over $20/hour in Seattle and San Francisco. Portland is 145 miles from Seattle by plane and 173 miles by car. Start on I-5 south from Seattle but, in Olympia, Washington, cut west to Highway 101. The Coast Starlight does not have WiFi. From here youll get the best views of the Pacific Ocean. For a limited time only, save $150 per couple on any of our Grand Canyon National Park vacations inclusive of 4 nights or more. I think the doors are open in Oakland. You can get on and off the Coast Starlight at fresh air break stops. Big Sur Monterey California Coast McWay Falls from San Jose, Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Trip from San Jose, California Coast Big Sur Monterey to Los Angeles - 2 Day, BEST Seattle Amtrak Coast Starlight Redwood 8 day Tour from SF, Private High Country Fly Fishing Adventure, The Ultimate Yosemite National Park Full Experience- 5 Days Vacation Package. Or an extra day in between in a different destination? Called a "living room on rails", the Parlour car offered several amenities to first-class sleeping car passengers including wireless Internet access, a full bar, a small library with books and games, an afternoon wine tasting, and a movie theater on the lower level. There will be a fresh air break stop about every 4 hours while riding the train. Whether its a full sit-down meal or more informal food service, many trains have one or more options for onboard dining. The staff kept apologizing and saying that this never happens. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. Keep in mind that you must keep your pet in a carrier at all times. Find the best way to get to and from any station in San Francisco by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. The local commuter train known as BART shuttles passengers directly from SFO Airport and Oakland Airport into downtown San Francisco in about 2030 minutes, so look for accommodations near a BART station if you're planning to take the train. We dont monkey around. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. the show started at 9. 14 Days From $2,599pp. Absolutely would not recommend taking Amtrak down the coast. Economy seats begin around $90, though if you'd like a good night's sleep, you're better off splurging on a roomette with a bed (prices start at $350 for a room for two). Traveling via train is an excellent way to reach San Francisco from Seattle. Is There a Bus That Goes From Seattle to San Francisco? [20], On February 24, 2019, the southbound Coast Starlight struck a fallen tree near Oakridge, Oregon after a rare heavy snowstorm. There are 7 ways to get from San Francisco to Seattle by plane, subway, bus, train or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. It is far wiser to plan your trip on a Saturday, as tickets on that day are less costly because the trains are less crowded. Cons: The toilets could use an upgrade. All rights reserved. There aren't really any direct bus routes from Seattle to San Francisco, but with only one transfer, you can catch a Greyhound bus from Seattle's Greyhound Stationa block away from Major League Baseball's T-Mobile Parkto San Francisco's new Salesforce Transit Center for around $86. Wanderus simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. [8] On June 10, 1973, Amtrak began running the combined Coast Daylight/Starlight daily for the summer months. San Jose to San Francisco - 1h 15m The train, which has operated continuously since Amtrak's formation in 1971, was the first to offer direct service between Seattle and Los Angeles. Although quite scenic, Amtrak is often slow-going. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Seattle to San Francisco every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $91. Compare Now. While a good majority of the trip is on a train, to reach San Francisco youll have to take a bus for a short distance from Emeryville to San Francisco, and the trip by bus is approximately 50min. The bus is part of the Amtrak from Seattle to San Francisco train fare and is not a separate charge you must pay for. The Coast Starlight takes 33 hours and 46 minutes to travel from Los Angeles, CA to Seattle, WA and 35 hours and 15 minutes to travel from Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA. By booking your train trip from Seattle to San Francisco on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $80.28 on your ticket. As one of Amtraks best routes, the Coast Starlight is worth the cost to ride. Amtrak's Coast Starlight runs north to south once daily, departing Seattle's King Street Station at 9:45 a.m. and arriving at the Emeryville Train Station at 8:10 a.m. the following day. The cars were Budd Hi-Level Sky Lounge cars, built in 1956 for the Santa Fe's El Capitan service. There are usually 15 daily train trips available from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Hit the Ice at These 11 Cool Skating Rinks. Whether or not this service is offered will depend on the specific train that you will be traveling on. $700-$1,000 for a roomette (meals and coffee included) Over $1,500 for a family bedroom (meals and coffee included) Over $2,000 for a bedroom (meals and coffee included) Tip: Try different travel dates, especially departures on weekdays . We all had to cram into a bus for the final let of the trip. The line goes two ways. Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout online & on our app. Find great deals on cheap cars in the area. [31] The proposal would re-route the train from along the coastline to a new tunnel through Franklin Canyon and a right-of-way next to California State Route 4 that would reduce the trip time by several minutes. The problem was there was track damage between Sacramento and Klamath Falls. The Coast Starlight was the highlight of our US travels, even for my 6-year-old who ranked it higher than Disneyland! The Coast Starlight is better than the Pacific Surfliner for seeing the California Coast and the Pacific Ocean. @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. We booked a sleeper which comes with complimentary food in the dinning car. Even though the train route offers some picturesque spots, the ultimate scenic route is to drive along the coast. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see. The waiting time is shown on lighted signs overhead. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safely moving people between large cities and rural towns are key to sustaining our business for decades to come. The average ticket from San Francisco to Seattle will cost around $105 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $105. [46] In February 2018, in a cost-cutting measure, Amtrak discontinued the Pacific Parlour Cars, citing the move as "part of Amtrak's ongoing work to modernize its fleet of equipment. per adult (price varies by group size) BEST Seattle Amtrak Coast Starlight Redwood 8 day Tour from SF. Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the train or in stations. Seattle is situated along the eastern coast of Elliott Bay, part of the Puget Sound that connects to the Pacific Ocean, so in a way, its right on the coast. Looking to do no more than a 3-4 hour ride in either direction. The cheapest way to get from Seattle to San Francisco costs only $86, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. Right now it's too expensive to travel some of the longer routes. Choosing this fare gives you two free checked bags. San Jose is also a nice town to spend the day in, as it has Spanish architecture dating back to the 1800s and several museums teaching visitors about science and technology. The staff does everything they can do -- given the limitations. Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Seattle to San Francisco. Riding the Coast Starlight Amtrak train from San F." Cap'n Blaine on Instagram: "G'morning from the Mt Shasta, California area. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. San Francisco's most searched train station on KAYAK is San Francisco Caltrain. Since we traveled in May, we could see more of the Cascade mountains in Southern Oregon. Traveling by train is also better for your health, as many routes are scenic. [25] As a result, the Coast Starlight was initially split into two segments: Seattle to Klamath Falls and Sacramento to Los Angeles with a bus replacement service filling the gap between Klamath Falls and Sacramento. Outdoor enthusiasts can bike, hike, boat, and ski in one of the top cities for outdoor activities in the U.S., while soaking in the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty (and yes, some rain as well). The SP also operated the tri-weekly Cascade between Oakland and Portland, Oregon. There are a few different options for traveling from Emeryville Station to the city center of San Francisco, depending on how quickly you would like to arrive at your destination. Couldn't do better than that? The snack/food selection in the store had a limited selection. A short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island includes the chance to see orca whales in the Puget Sound, or you can catch the Amtrak Cascades train or one of several affordable bus options from the historic King Street Station to other exciting Northwest cities in British Columbia, Oregon and beyond.