Amtrak Coast Starlight Train Journey LA To Seattle June 2025 UPDATED Day 2 and Arrival at Seattle

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

This is a redo of a trip I did in 2022, Seattle to LA. You can read that trip report here Amtrak Coast Starlight Train Journey Seattle To LA June 2022

This time I did LA to Seattle.

In December 2024 I booked a Superliner roomette sleeper on the Coast Starlight Train 14 from LA Union Station to Seattle King Street Station.

Booking 6 months before departure I paid a bit more than last time, as like airlines, Amtrak prices increase as you get nearer departure date.
I paid $617 for a 2 person roomette, which included all meals.

Before my trip I printed off the route map, the menu and my e ticket and added them to my travel documents. I also downloaded the AMTRAK App and my ticket was on my phone.

Part 1
I had originally planned to use public transport to get from Anaheim to LA Union Station but with recent events I decided to book Midwilshuttle. I wasn't sure of the timings and traffic so booked the pick up for 6.00am. That was far too early, I got to Union Station at 6.40am but you never know with LA.

Union Station was very quiet at that time of the morning so I managed to get some great photos.


First stop was breakfast from Starbucks and then over to Amtrak to check in. As I had a sleeper room, I was able to use the Amtrak Lounge, which is located above the main Amtrak ticket desks.

In the lounge I checked in for my train and the staff member took my large checked bag for the luggage carriage on the train. As I was so early there wasnt that many people there yet, so I had a good look around.

It had some basic snacks and a coffee machine and it was nice have my Strabucks breakfast in comfort before the train.








As time went by more passengers arrived and the lounge filled up. Soon it was time to go to the train. The Amtrak staff announced that the train was now boarding, so I left the lounge and went down into the station and to the train platform. It was a bit of a walk as Union Station is big but they do have Red Cap Service for those who cant walk or need assistance.

This time I was in Car 31 Room 2 which meant I was on the coast side of the train.



The room had 2 bottle of water and there were commentary water, coffee and juice available in each sleeper carriage.

Soon it was 9.50am and we were off.

It was really interesting seeing the route out of Union Station and through LA, as the last time I did this journey I was arriving to LA at night and it was dark. As we left Union Station the conductor came through the train checking tickets. The first stop was Van Nuys and then the Dining Manager Eddie came through the carriages to give everyone lunch and dinner reservations.

The last time I got room service and had my meals in my room but this time I went to the dining car. I got a lunch reservation for 1.30pm and dinner at 7.45pm.



Soon we had left the urban LA and were heading towards the coast. I got some great photos as we went northwards through Santa Barbara country.



After a few hours I was getting hungry and it was time for lunch. I made my way to the dining carriage for 1.30pm. The dining carriage is shared tables so I was seated with a family I had seen earlier that morning in the Amtrak Lounge. They were from LA and were curious about why I was on the train. It turns out they were a Disney family and we spent the meal chatting about Disneyland, comparing favorite rides and shows.



1. Artisan Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Honey Cured Ham, Sour Dough Bread, Swiss and Cheddar Cheese, Kettle Chips
2. Frank and Louie's Buttercake
Vanilla filling in a cake crust with strawberry sauce

After lunch I took a walk down the train, through the observation car to the last coach carriage. I got some great videos and photos out the back window.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Sunday 28 June Day One Departing LA.
Part 2

As I was walking back through the train after taking the photos and video there was an announcement that the next stop would be a short fresh air break.

So I got off and walked a bit up the platform and took a photo of the train.




I got back on the train and went to my room and just watched the scenery go by.



After passing Paso Robles we were heading inland and going through some very scenic and historic areas, so some National Parks staff came on the train. They would be in the observation carriage for the next few hours talking about the various areas we were passing through.

I decided to go and see what was going on. It was busy but I managed to find a seat so I stayed for a few hours. I chatted to a couple sitting beside me and took some photos. It was really interesting to have the National Parks staff explaining what we were seeing.



Soon it was getting to my time for my dinner reservation, so I went back to my room to freshen up.

This time I was seated with a mother and her teenage son and a solo lady on a business trip. The mother and son were going to Seattle like me and the solo lady was going to San Francisco.

• Complimentary Bacardi and Coke
• Mixed Green Salad with Baby Brie
• Amtrak Signature Flat Iron Steak with Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Baby Carrots and Port Wine Sauce
• White Chocolate Blue Berry Cobbler Cheesecake.

After dinner I went back to my room. My room attendant Anna was busy changing over the rooms for the night so as soon as she was done I got ready for bed.

It had been a long day and as it was dark out I went straight to sleep. Like with being on a cruise ship, I sleep really well with the train movement. Before going to sleep I set for my alarm for breakfast.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Monday 29 June Arriving Seattle

I was glad I set my alarm as I slept really well and I might have missed breakfast.

I quickly got ready and was in the dining carriage by 8am. There are no breakfast reservations, so if you dont get there before 9.30am you miss out.


French Toast and coffee.

Eddie the dining car manager came around during breakfast with the lunch and dinner reservations. I got a 1.30pm time.

After breakfast I went back to my room to get ready for the day. My room attendant Anna had changed my room back to the day configuration while I was at breakfast.

I went down to the shower but decided to just have a body wash. It was clean but as it was downstairs and my room was upstairs, it was just a bit too much faffing around for me.



I spent the morning in my room, napping and enjoying the scenery.

We were passing Eugene Oregon by 12.30pm and soon it was time for lunch.



Angus Burger with Cheddar Cheese and Kettle Chips.
The train was very busy and by the time my table were ordering, they had run out of lunch desserts.

After lunch I took another walk along the train and down to the snack cafe in the lower section of the observation carriage.

This is where the coach passengers can buy food. As you can see they have a big selection of all types of snacks, food and alcohol.



The observation car was busy so I went back to my room for the afternoon. We were now going through the forests and again National Parks Staff were onboard but I just stayed in my room.



As we headed north I remembered from my previous trip that at Portland and Vancouver Oregon we crossed some big bridges so I was ready with my camera.



Once we got moving again, it was time for my dinner reservation at 4.40pm



Pan Roasted Chicken Breast, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots and Green Beans
Chocolate Spoon Cake

The chicken was great but I found the chocolate cake too heavy and I just ate a few bites.

By now we were getting to the end of the journey.

Before I left the dining car I thanked Eddie the dining manager and our server Daisy. Daisy had been my room attendant on my previous trip in June 2022 so it was nice to see she was still there.

Back at my room I tided up and got ready for our arrival in Seattle. We arrived on time at 7.30pm, which for Amtrak is amazing.

After getting off the train, I made my way to the checked bag reclaim room. It just a smaller version of an airport bag reclaim , with just one bag carousel belt.

And then it was just a short walk across the street to my hotel.

I will continue about the hotel and my time in Seattle in my main trip report.

Final Thoughts

I really like the Amtrak long distance sleeper car experience. In a few years I will defiantly do another but I will do a different route.

The National Parks staff on board was a great addition and really made a difference as they explained not just what we were looking at but also the history of the areas we passed through.

This particular Amtrak route, the Coast Starlight does not have onboard Wi-Fi. If you are planning this route, make sure you have what you need downloaded before getting on the train.

On the Coast Starlight train, the dining carriage and all the walkways between each carriage are on the upper level. There was a family who got on in LA who had members in their party who could not manage the stairs. They had booked a family room but the room they were assigned was on the upper level. The Amtrak staff had to switch them to a family room on the lower level before the train left LA. As a result some of the family couldn't go to the dining carriage and had to have all meals delivered to the room by the room attendant.

The meals are included in the sleeper car fare but if there is space, coach passengers can now pay for meals on a first come first served basis.

Breakfast = $20
Lunch = $25
Dinner= $45

While I would never tip in Ireland on a train, part of international travel for me is knowing the customs of the country I visit. I don't agree with the American tipping culture and how it used by employers to supplement employee wages. But just because I don't agree with the system does not mean I penalize the hardworking staff who make my experience enjoyable. I researched what is expected to tip to Amtrak train staff before my trip. It is recommended to give 15% per meal, based on the cost of the meal.

Being a solo traveler means I do a lot of people watching and being aware of my surrounding and the people around me. There are all sorts of people on the train for all sorts of reasons. While I had a good experience and I am very courteous to staff , the staff on my train had to deal with all sorts of things. My room attendant made a few announcements that she was looking after two sleeper carriages due to Amtrak being short staffed. As well as having to do double the normal work, my room attendant had passenger issues which I could hear from my room. Just something to think about as you sit in the observation carriage sipping a beer or wine and watching the scenery go by.

Read My California 2025 Trip Report From The Start

 

[sjmac42]

Great TR, BPT, thanks heaps for taking the trouble.
I always drive in the States but have often considered going on the Coast Starlight or Surfliner as part of a trip.
Look forward to hearing more.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Great TR, BPT, thanks heaps for taking the trouble.
I always drive in the States but have often considered going on the Coast Starlight or Surfliner as part of a trip.
Look forward to hearing more.

You are welcome. This route is the most scenic and diverse, from the coast then inland, then up to Seattle and is a very popular route. Its a great way to see more off the beaten track, less touristy parts of America and you meet lots of interesting people.

 

[citruscurtis]

Where you awake to see dunsmuir canyon

And for readers.. Coast starlight Amtrak has had several late days this summer..so far 15 hours south bound..8 hours north bound as beautiful trip it is.. never plan train to arrive on time... always allow a day layover

 

[citruscurtis]

This is a redo of a trip I did in 2022, Seattle to LA. You can read that trip report here Amtrak Coast Starlight Train Journey Seattle To LA June 2022

This time I did LA to Seattle.








After lunch I took a walk down the train, through the observation car to the last coach carriage. I got some great videos and photos out the back window.

View attachment 987388

This photo is of Vanderburgh air force complex where nuclear missiles are ready to travel over to Asia... the only defense system on the West... HOWEVER..in late spring if California has rain is probably the most beautiful display of wildflowers one will ever see and that was the testimony of many fellow riders.. also great for wildlife viewing of deer Fox and coyotes

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Where you awake to see dunsmuir canyon

I cant remember , maybe but I dont think I took photos. Is that where the snow capped mountain is?? I saw that but didnt get photos.

 

[citruscurtis]

I cant remember , maybe but I dont think I took photos. Is that where the snow capped mountain is?? I saw that but didnt get photos.

Mt Shasta is the North part of the dunsmuir canyon complex.. and there is no visual warning that the mountain is right in front of you... but as the train swings around the volcano geography and heads east there are photo opportunities through the burnt forest. And it is 5:00 in the morning but with summer solstice there is light. The train is full June 19-22 with railroad buffs as it is good daylight for photography in area that is dark 10 months of the year. 2 years ago south bound Amtrak encountered a minor rock slide...all freight traffic was stopped and our north bound Amtrak had to stop and check for damage to North bound track...as a result we were there 3 hours and actually got to explore dunsmuir and view the most beautiful scenery of the entire trip.. and that is when I learned that Amtrak will only refund costs...if Amtrak machinery is the problem....any other causes of delay are not refundable....I learned that from passengers with major delays

 

[citruscurtis]

An informative site is railrat.net

Recently discovered it by mistake and though not official..it is accurate... but you always want to be early to the platform. Train staff will not tell you information. So it's good for you to view while riding and just for fun at home

The golden rule about Amtrak is that it's an adventure and not a means to connect you on time

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

UPDATED
Sunday 28 June Day One Departing LA.
Part 2

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

An informative site is railrat.net

Recently discovered it by mistake and though not official..it is accurate... but you always want to be early to the platform. Train staff will not tell you information. So it's good for you to view while riding and just for fun at home

The golden rule about Amtrak is that it's an adventure and not a means to connect you on time

Thanks for that

This route / train does not have Wi-Fi and I don't have cell service when I'm in America. But it is useful for Americans to know about that

I agree. For me its a way to see parts of America I wouldn't get to see. Its being on the train and the whole experience of the sleeper car and the restaurant that I like.

 

[citruscurtis]

So on your photo of the bay did you see a sea lion or otter .. when I started riding the train in 2009 they will tell us scenic points of observation... they don't do that anymore... anyhow they told us to look for sunbathing marine mammals... sure enough they are out there sunbathing except for the sea otter..he was floating real close to the train ...at Paso Robles North bound I start my nap and south bound my nap ends at Paso

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

So on your photo of the bay did you see a sea lion or otter .. when I started riding the train in 2009 they will tell us scenic points of observation... they don't do that anymore... anyhow they told us to look for sunbathing marine mammals... sure enough they are out there sunbathing except for the sea otter..he was floating real close to the train ...at Paso Robles North bound I start my nap and south bound my nap ends at Paso

No, I was back in my room when we went past the bay so I dont know what the National Parks people were saying about the area. It was also very foggy so I didnt get many photos

This was at 7.00pm when I was back in my room before dinner.

 

[citruscurtis]

It was the photo of the green marsh grass. You shared. between Salinas and Castroville... and again no warning that you are traveling over a natural observation area... you travel from fields to sea water then brushy hills then all of sudden surround by strawberry fields and green house fruit

 

[Flossbolna]

Loving your report. My sister and I traveled from Denver to San Francisco by train in 1992 and it still is one of my most memorable trips ever.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

UPDATED
Monday 20 June and arriving into Seattle