Amtrak from DLR to Seattle??

[lifeguardette]

Hey, just wounding if anyone has taken the Amtrack from DLR to Seattle. If so did you go to the Anaheim station and then transfer to Union station in LA? What was that like? Or would it just be less hassle to go directly to Union Station.
Thanks!

 

[Malcon10t]

No need to transfer, the train picks up in Anaheim at 8:06am before heading into Union Station, so no need to change trains.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

how about just flying Southwest? They have some amazing deals if you check in often. You could fly straight to SNA (Orange county). Easy peasy lemon squeezy and all that.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

No need to transfer, the train picks up in Anaheim at 8:06am before heading into Union Station, so no need to change trains.

You can take the Pacific Surfliner from Anaheim to LAUS, but then will need to change trains to the Coast Starlight at LAUS.

We like the train for short trips, but it has been years since I have done any long distance train travels. It is usually not the least expensive option (though if you use Amtrak Guest Rewards, Amtrak's frequent rider program, there are some good deals). Many people love traveling by train. -- Suzanne

 

[Malcon10t]

You can take the Pacific Surfliner from Anaheim to LAUS, but then will need to change trains to the Coast Starlight at LAUS.

Ahhh, ok. The Coast Starlight shows it picks up in Anaheim at 806am, and there is only one departure from Union Station a day heading north on the Coast Starlight train leaving San Diego at 610am, picking up in Anaheim at 806am, then continuing on through LA Union where it lays over for 90 mins. I didn't realize they used different trains for the southern section. Their time table makes it appear it is the same train. They should correct that!

 

[GrumpyGoat]

Ahhh, ok. The Coast Starlight shows it picks up in Anaheim at 806am, and there is only one departure from Union Station a day heading north on the Coast Starlight train leaving San Diego at 610am, picking up in Anaheim at 806am, then continuing on through LA Union where it lays over for 90 mins. I didn't realize they used different trains for the southern section. Their time table makes it appear it is the same train. They should correct that!

The Coast Starlight originates at LA Union Station and terminates in Seattle. If you want to go to Seattle from DLR, then you have to catch the northbound Pacific Surfliner (coming from San Diego) at the Anaheim station at 8:06 AM to make the connection to the Starlight at LAUS at 10:20.

I have ridden the Surfliner-Starlight combination north twice in the last two years and I heartily recommend getting a bedroom on the Starlight. Not only will you have some privacy, your meals are included in the fare and you will have the use of the Parlour car which is exclusive to sleeper passengers. There are several different room options, depending on the size of your group. The roomette is a bit cramped and you have to really, really like the person you are traveling with.

Riding the train in a sleeper is going to be more expensive than flying, but you get there more relaxed, see lots of pretty scenery along the way and there are no airport or security hassles... If you have kids they would probably love it.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

I live outside Seattle, and just wanted to warn you that in the winter months, there are often mudslides on the tracks between Portland and Seattle. When that occurs, Amtrak will bus passengers between Portland and Seattle.

Some years, it doesn't happen at all; last year was particularly bad.

Just wanted to give you a heads up if you're planning a trip in the Nov-Feb timespan and aren't aware of the havoc our wet winters can cause.

 

[Dobie]

It is a horrible, horrible trip. AMTRAK runs on a freight track and must frequently go onto a siding to give right of way to freight trains. It is typically (hours) late, the cars are poorly cleaned, the bathrooms are full of poopy diapers, it stops every half hour all night long and you get woken up, and they run out of food.

And that is just the stretch between Portland and San Francisco...

Fly, baby, fly. If you want to take a train ride take a day trip to Vancouver!!!

 

[mabdallah]

Also you can try jet blue they fly into LGB airport which is a great little airport.
Also they are having great deals right now!!!

 

[tffnyjean]

I have done that round-trip route by train 3 times growing up. I'm 30 now. My vote is FLY!!! We are planning our next trip down for next summer and it will either be flying or driving.

The train was fun the first time. I is just sooo long and boring and stops a bunch. The views are nice but it's not outstanding ocean views the entire trip. I will also second that it is very very hard to sleep on the train.