We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options. Day 3 - California Coast/Los Angeles. Bring your bike, your board and your rod and reel to explore some of the best outdoor adventures in the entire U.S. If you will be taking a train to San Francisco for work-related reasons, you may want to arrive at King Street Station. San Francisco International may seem like the most obvious choice, but it's just as easy to reach downtown coming from Oakland Airport, so don't forget to check flights there. 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. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West Coast. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Is the train from Seattle to San Francisco scenic? Exciting escapes to a breath-taking national park or spectacular city destination. It does not have the same amenities as the Coast Starlight. Except for two sections, most of the Coast Starlight route is on former Southern Pacific lines now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. The base prices of tickets on the Coast Starlight are: Coach $101. Train tickets from Seattle to San Francisco are on average 2% more expensive on Saturdays. The head steward was very helpful and gave us the option to pre-book the meal ahead of the rest of the coach class so we could all dine together, the staff are great. While there are no restaurants at the station, there are many restaurants nearby in the event you wanted to eat before your trip. Daily Departures. UNTIL 9 PM! There will be a fresh air break stop about every 4 hours while riding the train. From the actual Pacific coastline, though, Seattle is just under 100 miles away. Emeryville Station is equipped with a variety of services and amenities for travelers, including public restrooms, outlets, and drinking fountains. Trip Details. Amtrak train from Seattle to San Francisco. The schedules shown below are for the next available departures. 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. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. This carefully curated list has the top suggestions of vacations for first-time rail travelers. The service departs San Francisco at 20:42 in the evening, which arrives into Seattle at 19:51. The Burlington Northern Railroad (BN) and Union Pacific Railroad ran three daily round trips between Portland and Seattle. The main station for Amtrak is the King Street Station. Buses require transfers, are less comfortable than the train, and cost about the same, so it's not ideal for this route. The line goes two ways. 3 Days From $509pp. Is There a Bus That Goes From Seattle to San Francisco? 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 train, which has operated continuously since Amtrak's formation in 1971, was the first to offer direct service between Seattle and Los Angeles. Anaheim Town Car Services By Jag Transportation. The scenery was lovely at times, but there has got to be a better way to travel. You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. It's more like a cruise, than a train trip - so they take a lot longer. They're trying to find ways to cut costs, I think, but instead they should improve the services and the demand will increase. Seattle to San Francisco, CA train times. Riding the Coast Starlight Amtrak train from San F." Cap'n Blaine on Instagram: "G'morning from the Mt Shasta, California area. Hello, Im traveling to Seattle in a couple of weeks and I wanted to take a scenic train ride. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. While the length of the train varies, in 2011 the "peak" consist comprised a baggage car, Transition sleeper, three sleeping cars, Pacific Parlour Car, dining car, Sightseer Lounge, and four coaches. That said, for passengers getting off at Tacoma and heading to the airport, that delay might have been crucial. 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. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings! Learn about your dining choices, onboard dining reservations, and the different types of dining cars. It will take you more than 3 hours by car to reach that point, though, because Washingtons various interconnected waterways prevent a direct drive to the coast. The station is located near downtown Seattle, and has Amtrak staff to help you find your train. [26] However, on July 2, 2021, it was announced that service would be discontinued between Seattle and Sacramento until July 14, 2021, with Amtrak Cascades replacing service for passengers booked between Seattle and Eugene. You can get on and off the Coast Starlight at fresh air break stops. You cannot get off at one stop and get back on another train later in the day. All services require a transfer at Oakland and take an average of 23h 31m. 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. 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. The Coast Starlight typically uses two GE P42DCs for locomotive power. In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Seattle to San Francisco was $113.40. Emeryville Station is a popular destination for trains to San Francisco that are serviced by Amtrak and it can be found just over 10 miles from the city center. Hello I am traveling with a bicycle. Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. Paid for the bedroom using Amtrak points/miles. The Coast Starlight offers observation cars, a dining room, and sleeper cars if needed. [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. 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. Taste the regions bounty at one of Americas largest farmers markets or enjoy the surf at Pismo and Avila beaches. Looking to do no more than a 3-4 hour ride in either direction. The first train was two hours late so I missed the connecting Starlight train. There weren't many employees on the train, you would only see them when you stopped somewhere. Hire a local sommelier and driver for an insightful and safe visit to some of the areas 30 wineries. While the on time record of the Coast Starlight has improved in recent years, it is still late or delayed often. Pros: I met good people. $418.00. 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). When I woke up the next morning I found out that half of the train staff had called out sick for the holiday so there would be none of the amenities I had been looking forward to. At this time, the only food available to coach passengers was from the cafe. 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. The train was stranded for 36 hours before tracks could be cleared for a Union Pacific locomotive to tow the train back to EugeneSpringfield. However, you could eat at your seat as well. These prices are for one passenger. per adult (price varies by group size) BEST Seattle Amtrak Coast Starlight Redwood 8 day Tour from SF. King Street Station is placed on the Caltrain commuter rail line and is located approximately 3 miles from downtown San Francisco. The cost of tickets to travel by coach (for 2 people) was $516USD while the superliner roomette costs $645. [8] On June 10, 1973, Amtrak began running the combined Coast Daylight/Starlight daily for the summer months. Amtraks Coast Starlight train is known for being scenic, especially through the Cascade Range at the Willamette Pass in Oregon. All deals. Amtrak Coast Starlight (California) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Public Transportation Systems in California, Military Bases & Facilities in California, Observatories & Planetariums in California, Game & Entertainment Centers in California, Allswell Communities Holiday Parks - parent brand in California, Calaveras Big Trees State Park: Tickets & Tours, Museum of War and Genocide Victims 1992-1995, Crete Pirate Ship Cruise with the Black Rose to Stalis and Malia, Koh Yao Noi to Ao Nang by Koh Yao Sun Smile Speed Boat, Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen at Atlantis the Palm, Montgomery Civil Rights Walk of Freedom Self Guided (GPS) Walking Tour, Half-Day Pompeii Sightseeing Tour from Sorrento, Skip the Line: Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom Admission Tickets, Guided Tour to Marble Mountains & Hoi An Walking Tour , Night Market, Boat Ride. Although quite scenic, Amtrak is often slow-going. $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 . 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. San Luis Obispo to San Francisco - 6h 26m [45], Prior to February 2018, the Coast Starlight was unique in that it included a first-class lounge car called the "Pacific Parlour Car". _ @ " $ # ,). (Otherwise, it is quite expensive.) There's only one BART station at SFO. Right now it's too expensive to travel some of the longer routes. There are also payphones, as well as ATM machines in case you need to take out cash. An Amtrak sleeper car is a train car that contains restrooms, shower rooms and sleeping accommodations (not coach seats). San Francisco Getaway. See a rail vacation package you like, but it would be even better with an extra day at the beginning or end of the journey? Classic and well known routes across America. The bus is part of the Amtrak from Seattle to San Francisco train fare and is not a separate charge you must pay for. Known for its coffee culture and as the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle is also one of the top 5 craft beer cities in the U.S., which is ideal for those who prefer to experience the taste of a city served up in a latte mug or a pint glass. One-way flights start as low as $45, although you may pay a bit more traveling during high-demand times like the holidays or summer. For example, the restrooms, ticket offices, and platforms of the train are all accessible for passengers that are in wheelchairs. For a fun day trip, you can always head to Sacramento, a city that is known for being the capital of California and for having a variety of museums and attractions related to the Gold Rush era. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." However, service animals are always allowed on journeys that are operated by each of these companies. The scenery along the Coast Starlight route is unsurpassed. However, there are services departing from Seattle and arriving at Civic Center / UN Plaza via Lake Merritt. Sacramento to San Francisco - 1h 41m Really? The Coast Starlight is better than the Pacific Surfliner for seeing the California Coast and the Pacific Ocean. The Coast Starlight has the best Business Class in the Amtrak system. Tickets from $153 From To Date The cheapest trains from Seattle to San Francisco Showing times and prices for 2023-04-30 Cheapest $153 Average $153 The best way to find a cheap fare is to book your ticket as far in advance as you can and to avoid traveling at rush hour. 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. If youre looking to take the scenic route then this selection offers some of the very best views in North America. During fiscal year (FY) 2019, the Coast Starlight carried 426,029 passengers, an increase of 2.0% from FY 2018. Trains from Seattle to Los Angeles from $202. (I was worried about the kids being noisy at night and disturbing other people.) However, we're confident every visitor will enjoy the view of Mount Rainier from the top of Seattle's iconic Space Needle. You should know that Amtrak is the only train from Seattle to San Francisco, and there is only one train per day, so it makes sense to plan your trip carefully. Its also best to book early. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation. The Coast Starlight is a long-distance route with total trip time of about 35 hours. Amtrak from Seattle to San Francisco is cheaper than any other form of travel and its convenient to travel by train. 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. The Coast Starlight is a full service overnight train, where the Pacific Surfliner is a day train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. There were only a few tables. The SeattleSan Diego route was initially left out of plans for Railpax (later Amtrak) until protests from politicians in California, Oregon, and Washington. Santa Clara to San Francisco - 1h 00m. 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. The Coast Starlight does not have WiFi. Coach class was acceptable for the price, seats big and comfortable for 12 hours (could sleep in them if needed), with restroom facilities and access to the observation car. Is there a direct train from Seattle to San Francisco? Keep in mind that you must keep your pet in a carrier at all times. Upgrade to a sleeping accommodation onboard the train. What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From Seattle to San Francisco? Can you take a train all the way from Seattle to San Francisco? The 2018 California State Rail Plan, prepared by Caltrans, outlines a number of planned improvements to rail infrastructure in the state of California. We had come for my moms birthday, as she has always wanted to take the train down the coast. [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. 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. When Is the Best Time to Travel to San Francisco? The train from Seattle to San Francisco takes 24 hours so we decided to upgrade to the sleeper car. By signing in to your account you acknowledge you have read and agree to the updated terms and conditions, including the binding arbitration agreement. 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. 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. The frequent lengthy stops and slow speed were somewhat frustrating. Start from any of the 500+ Amtrak Stations across the United States. Sleeper $432. 01 May 2023 17:51:49 Is it safe to travel by train from Seattle to San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic? The toilets broke down throughout the trip and the train was 6 hours late getting into LA, so we missed the last train out. But if you don't mind slowing down, then taking the train or driving yourself are the most scenic options. Trip Details. 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. You will generally catch the best train deals if you travel in the morning. 9 Days From $1,849pp. 2023 Compare Cities : Seattle, WA vs San Francisco, CA Change Cities. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. On April 26, 1982, the train was rerouted via Roseville on the Southern Pacific Valley and Martinez Subdivisions, with stops added at Sacramento, Chico, and Marysville,[15] per request from the state. If you want to reach Disneyland or San Diego, youll need to ride the Pacific Surfliner. 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. We booked a sleeper which comes with complimentary food in the dinning car. Discover the many facets of the Emerald City as you tour the downtown business and shopping district, historic Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, and the vibrant Chinatown-International District. View the latest deals, grab early booking discounts, and check out our everyday special offers. Book your Amtrak train and bus tickets today by choosing from over 30 U.S. train routes and 500 destinations in North America. [9] Positive response led to Amtrak to retain this service, and the Coast Daylight name was dropped on May 19, 1974. Day 4 - Conclusion. So why when we arrived in Sacramento did I not hear an announcement? 25% of our users found round-trip train tickets from Seattle to San Francisco for $239 or less. Train tickets from Seattle to San Francisco are on average. The Coast Starlight does not stop directly in San Francisco. Login in for helpful resources, free trainings, and promotional items. Gaze at the sapphire waters of Crater Lake and catch the thrill of traveling through the Cascades at 5,000 feet above sea level. My train didnt show up to the train station. The Coast Starlight goes north out of California into Oregon and up to Seattle, WA. The food was mediocre at its best and inedible at its worst. The average train journey between these two cities takes 23 hours and 30 minutes. ZIPS IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON National Railroad Passenger Corporation, https://www.amtrak.com/content/amtrak/en-us/routes/coast-starlight-train. Fill out our helpful form and we'll be in touch shortly. Thank you. Since we traveled in May, we could see more of the Cascade mountains in Southern Oregon. Only the overnight and long-distance trains have sleeper cars, which contain roomettes and bedrooms. Parking in San Francisco is complicated and a car isn't necessaryor helpfulonce you're in the city. If you will be traveling with Amtrak to San Francisco, rest assured that you will have free and unlimited access to Wi-Fi for the duration of your trip. Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. The waiting time is shown on lighted signs overhead. There is often also another observation car at the end of the train reserved for business class passengers. 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. We had to wait for another train to bring us another one. From here youll get the best views of the Pacific Ocean. Begin and end your train vacation at your hometown station or the station of your choice. Beaches, vineyards, castles and churches beckon in San Luis Obispo. Portland is 145 miles from Seattle by plane and 173 miles by car. We traveled from Seattle to San Francisco (Emeryville) in May 2022. The scenic view I expected was a disappointment. The train stops so often, that the cars really do cycle in fresh air very often, I was not concerned about. San Francisco, California, is approximately 807 miles south of Seattle, Washington. Youll likely pay around $80.28 more if you wait to book until the last minute. A $2 increase to $17/hour in NY by 2026 just falls short. You can also take a train for your return trip from San Francisco to Seattle. Find cheap train tickets to San Francisco from Seattle. 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. We took our lunch and snacks but had dinner in the dining car. 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. Most of the daylight hours I spent in the lounge car with large windows to view the landscape available. [10] From November 10, 1996, to October 25, 1997, through coaches were transferred between the Coast Starlight and San Diegan at Los Angeles. Train tickets to San Francisco are on average. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Many travelers go to San Francisco for business, and there are many options on trains from Seattle to San Francisco for the business traveler. The train ddeparts Seattle in the morning and travels overnigh. Take your small dog or cat along with you on the train. The Coast Starlight has a top speed of 79mph and an average speed of 40mph. To say we would have been better off renting a car would have been an understatement. Fortunately one of the station crew gave me a ride out to the train platform to use one of the electric outlets. All services require a transfer at Lake Merritt and take an average of 23h 8m. Safe, efficient, and comfortable service to all of our customers is very importance to us. KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find cheap train fares and book the train that suits you best. Whether its a full sit-down meal or more informal food service, many trains have one or more options for onboard dining. Passwords should be at least 10 characters long and include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. The Coast Starlight has an observation car in the middle of the train, which can be used by all passengers. On a quick passenger pick up stop, which only lasts 3 minutes, you will not be allowed to get off the train. 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. KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find cheap train fares and book the train that suits you best. 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. This was much anticipated, due to the success of Amtrak's relaunch of the Empire Builder. All flights leave Seattle from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, or SeaTac, but there are three airport options in the San Francisco area. price over the last 2 weeks) Rotating food trucks, cafs, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself. You should also understand that tickets are more expensive on Tuesdays.