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Amtrak
Category: Hotels & Travel Transportation Public Transportation Public Transportation [Edit]
800 N Alameda StSte 203
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Neighborhood: Chinatown
(800) 872-7245
45 reviews for Amtrak
45 reviews in English
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Review from Mark G.
Pasadena, CA
Updated - 1/29/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I really enjoyed my trip to and from Needles, California. It has been about 15 years since I have taken Amtrak. I was impressed with their on time departur and arrival. On my printed ticket it said that departure was at 6:06 PM and at exactly 6:06 PM the train started rolling out of Union Station.
The seats are really comfortable and there is a lot of space between each seat. I was a signed a window seat. The window seats have plug outlets so you can charge your cell phone or plug in your lap top.
The train was really clean as were the bathrooms. They had a diner car and a conductor came asking if anyone wanted a sit down dinner. I had ate dinner before boarding to save money. Besides the diner car there was also a snake bar that had coffee, beer, chips, etc.
On my return trip from Needles back to Union Station I was to be picked up by the train at 12:42 AM, as stated on my ticket. Standing at the platform at 12:42 AM I heard the horn, ringing bell and lights of the train engine arriving on time. All Aboard!!!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/12/2011
This Christmas and New Year's I'm taking the train to see my mother. I bought my tickets on their… Read more »
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Review from Belinda M.
Orange, CA
3/2/2012
This was an experience to say the least. The 3 kids and I were traveling sans hubby/daddy to settle some of my family business in Arkansas. Since we had the time, we decided to take the train there. Fortunately, we were advised to get a sleeper and are we ever glad we did! Not only were we able to stretch out (sort of) but our meals were included in the fare (which is saying something right there, as the prices in the dining car are very high , as they are in the lounge car too)
The ride was pretty rough tho, lots of bouncing and swaying, and very loud too. We tried to stay away from the coach section, as there were some pretty hard characters giving the kids and me the stink eye for passing through the car.
If you're going to bring kids, be prepared to entertain them, as there is really nothing to do on the train but eat, drink, nap, read, talk or stare out of the (dirty) window.
It was an adventure that I don't think we'll be repeating, on that long of a trip at least. -
Review from Charity M.
Los Angeles, CA
2/26/2012
You get a seat better than what you find in some airplanes, clean restrooms and a cafe that usually runs out of stuff for about 36 bucks.
Its aight, could be cheaper tho. -
Review from Mike R.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 3/18/2012
Im writing this review on the train. A lovely couple decided to take a stroll on the train tracks and prolong my train ride by another 3 hours. Amtrak officials offered no relief (in the form of buses) to get individuals to their final destinations. Conductors are cold and unapproachable. Amtrak gets a F-.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/25/2008
I take the Amtrak from LA to SD every now and then since they shut down my beloved MEGABUS. So… Read more »
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Review from Sebastian K.
Portland, OR
1/11/2012
I know I will sound crazy, but I actually had a worse time on Amtrak then I did on Greyhound. Either that, or I have been very lucky on my Greyhound trips.
I rode on Amtrak between LA and Flagstaff on 12/31/11 and between Flagstaff and Albuquerque the next day, and to be honest, I really was not blown away like everyone said I would. I'll make a generic list of pros and cons, since it will be much easier to graph out.
Pros:
-More leg room. I will admit, this is something they do way better than Greyhound. I am a very tall guy (6'4), and my legs take up nearly half my body length. I was actually able to recline and stretch out, and was much more comfortable than Greyhound.
-Food service. Expensive as hell, but at least you can get food on the train.
-Ability to walk around. You can get up every once in a while and walk around the train, if you can avoid tripping over people that stretch out or even sleep in the hallways.
Cons:
-Slow as molasses. It took nearly twelve hours to get to Flagstaff, Arizona from Los Angeles, which I think is quite ridiculous, considering it's around a six to eight hour drive or bus ride. I heard the trip to Chicago from LA can take up to two days, which I find just ludicrous. If you have a ton of time, go ahead, but if I wanted to go that slow, I might as well take Greyhound.
-Expensive. While you can get student discounts (only reason I rode) and other types of discounts, Amtrak is still very expensive. For the same price, you can get airfare and be anywhere in the nation within a few hours. If you want to see scenery, drive or take a bus, you actually get to go out and explore a bit.
-Can't get off. While there are occasionally smoke breaks, you cannot leave the train to get cheap food or anything. At least with Greyhound, you stop every once in a while at a fast food restaurant or a gas station that offers cheaper refreshments than what is offered on the train. Instead, you have to pay a fortune for any kind of refreshments on the train, so if you are a poor college student like myself, please bring snacks beforehand.
-Rude conductors. While some of the conductors were friendly and funny, most of them were quite gruff and rude. I understand their job can be difficult and very trying, but can't they at least say please and thank you? They do not acknowledge your existence other than the fact that you payed your fare, and don't expect them to help you with anything else.
-No wi-fi. I was on the Southwest Chief train, and it did not feature wi-fi. Pretty awful considering it's 2012 and everybody and their brother has a laptop or wireless device of some kind.
So what do I think overall of Amtrak? If you have a ton of time to kill, and want to look at some pretty scenery, it's worth going on a couple of times. If you need to get somewhere fast, efficiently with good service, I recommend going on an airline, or even Greyhound. -
Review from Gene K.
Los Angeles, CA
12/17/2011
Amtrak trains are slow, inefficient and expensive. If your traveling other than yourself, it's twice the price than driving or even taking the bus.
To go from LA to Irvine costs $17 one way, with a round trip costing $34. For two people it's $68. Cost of gas to travel 40 miles from LA to Irvine cost $3.00 one way, and $6 round trip on a subcompact car. Add in insurance, maintenance, registration it is still cheaper to drive while taking 3 additional people.
Amtrak isn't very bike friendly although they allow bikes on the train. They are strict on the number of bikes on the train. Usually 3 per each car, depending on availability. So if your traveling while taking your bike and the racks are full you can get kicked out at the next stop or not able to board the train. Recently, I was traveling on Metrolink commuter train and our train was cancelled and Amtrak was running a courtesy train, they were not friendly to commuter cyclists that exceeded capacity. Although they say it's a safety measure, Metrolink does allows more bikes than they can handle, Metro Redline, Blue line , Green line trains runs rapid service and this is done everyday without major safety issues.
For long distance travel, flying is cheaper and faster than Amtrak too. To go from LA to Chicago round trip it cost about $450 plus cost of food , so really its close to $500 and flying is about $250 round trip.
With unfriendly bike policy, expensive fares and other modes of transportation that is cheaper and quicker, it's a deterrent taking Amtrak. I'd like to take trains if they are quicker, cheaper and efficient but Amtrak runs very slow. -
Review from Derek A.
Los Angeles, CA
12/28/2010
I bought another classic car on ebay, the car was north of San Diego. Christmas Eve Metro Link was not running so I took Amtrak down to Oceanside.
I haven't ridden Amtrak since 1975. ALOT has changed. The trains are quieter and more comfortable since my last trek. I was amazed at how little track noise you hear compared to the old days. Ride was snooth, even with two delays at 2 stops the train still got there on time.
In 1975 I was 14 and riding alone from San Francisco to Oxnard. The only memorable thing was having a fat drunk in the club car asking me if I was "available"...haha I guess I looked like a teenage hooker. He should see me now.
I was hoping to see a hottie I could grope on the way down....to Oceanside that is. No such luck, the train conductor looked like a Porter on the Titanic complete with facial hair and everything.
I will be riding again, hopefully not in another 35 years like last time, I doubt if I will be on the planet. -
Review from Leah W.
Long Beach, CA
7/31/2011
Ack! My husband and I decided to take the train to Santa Barbara for the day. Our first experience was the parking garage and it was really frustrating. There was no signage to tell you where to get to the elevators, then when we finally found them we had no clue what floor to choose. One button said S which I assumed meant station but the elevator wouldn't go there. So we stopped on each parking level until we found it on P for Plaza (not parking). Along the way, we ran across 2 other people who were lost too.
The station is beautiful, full of nice tiles, raised ceilings and it's nicely maintained but again, there is no signage. We used the ticketing machine (which was another adventure in itself) then had no idea which way to go. We elected to walk down the long hallway, passing gate after gate until we reached what appeared to be a waiting area. And, there was no ventilation save a huge industrial fan. Now really, wouldn't you spend some of the money you put into the building into some ventilation?
When we got on the train we found that all of the seats felt broken, they all had a downward pitch which made you feel like you were falling out of the chair. We found somewhere to sit but were asked by the conductor to move so a family could sit together and he would re-seat us. No problem, we were happy to give up our seats to a family but then to conductor left and we had nowhere to sit. So we stood in the aisle.
The trip back was on a nicer train, much more comfortable seats but on the way back the train lost power twice and we ended up coasting back into L.A.
I was looking forward to a fun adventure, Yay, we're gonna ride the train...but it turned into a Boo, we rode the train. We paid $116 for two to ride and it was so not worth it. -
Review from Chef Bigfoot ..
Seattle, WA
7/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've always received great service from Amtrak!
Nice,quiet, and fast! -
Review from Joyce Y.
Pasadena, CA
6/8/2011
This train is pretty awesome. My best friend and I went on a day trip to San Diego on a random day and had a ball. We thoroughly enjoyed the views going down to S.D. Very relaxing and chill. However coming back at night was a different story because of the loud crowds coming in and out but other than that I recommend it.
Be careful at the Union station if you get back at night. especially in the bathrooms. There are a lot of homeless people sleeping in there but I think they're harmless. Just a tip though. Other than that, happy train-hopping! :) -
Review from alex f.
Fresno, CA
10/14/2011
Took Amtrak from LA to Fresno. Bus driver looked like Balki Bartokomous from Perfect Strangers!!!! Witnessed a few drug deals at the station in Newhall. The transition from bus to train wasn't timed very well. My train was boarding when I arrived in Bakersfield and a few people didnt make it on in time. If pets were allowed on board, I would use Amtrak alot more for travel. Good thing about Amtrak is that you can bring your own booze on board.
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Review from Karma M.
Santa Ana, CA
4/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I haven't been to many train stations, but of all I've been to, this is one of the most beautiful!
Just looking at the amazing architecture was enough to make me want to visit. Since we had a long wait for our train, we had time to walk around looking at the beautiful ceilings. We also spent some time at the Aquarium at the end of the corridor. All in all a fun time! -
Review from Stephy S.
San Francisco, CA
5/26/2007
Two words: Mouth Breathers
Two more words: Fanny Packs
Two additional words: Loud Children
Two last words: Get me off of this F*CKING TRAIN?!!?!
So in an effort to remove some stress from my life, I decided to take the train to and from San Diego instead of sitting in traffic. I had done that driving commute a few times when my ex lived in SD and even then, i always thought, damn, I am really glad that i love this guy, cuz otherwise, eff this!
The train down to SD was a breeze and I thought, why on Earth would anyone ever drive there again? This is great, it was pretty much empty, quiet and peaceful. I had a 4 seat section and table all to myself and ahhhh, I actually could have napped it was so serene.
The train back however, was a completely different story. First of all the train was running almost an hour and a half behind schedule. This meant sitting on the ground at the Solana Beach train station for over an hour waiting for the train to come in. Once it arrived, people packed into this sucker like there was no tomorrow.
I didn't really understand the urgency right then and there, but I figured these train goers must have been onto something, so I too, scrambled and grabbed a window seat. Within 10 seconds an older Russian lady and two UCSD college dudes were surrounding me.
It was then that I started to realize why everyone was rushing. The train oversells tickets, meaning, standing room only if you aren't lucky enough to grab a seat in time. EFF THAT! Standing on a Amtrak for over 3 hours. Hell no!
So as the train is making it's very slow way back to LA, we were forced to stop several times to let other trains go by. This was really quite annoying. Not because it was adding to the lateness factor, but because I then had to listen to the conductor try out some stand up comedy material...
"Well hello folks, we are now in Oceanside and we encourage you to stay seated and not be tempted to go swim in the ocean, because the train just might leave without ya, wah wah wah" Dude.
"Well folks, we are now in Santa Ana and no, that's now where Santa's friend Ana lives, wah wah wah" Seriously.
"Well folks, great news, Amtrak won't be charging you for the extra time you've been on the train this afternoon. Talk about a bargain, wah wah wah" Good God why?!
Then came the mouth breathers. This is a total personal pet peeve, but I get completely freaked out watching people sleep in public. Their once collected faces become jello and their mouths pop open and couple that with the shaking of the train to their bodies. Yikes, it's like watching a horror movie!! No wonder I can never sleep!!
Then came the fanny packs. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't fanny packs outlawed in 1993. Hasn't the Superior Style Court found this god awful fashion mistake punishable by law yet? Ugh. I counted 2 of them in the 4 hours I was stuck on this train. One even went so far as to couple hers with a pair of light blue camel toe causing jeans and a Dole fruit cups hat. WHAT?!
Then there was the now snoring Russian lady who kept nodding off near and around my shoulder area and the miserable broad behind me who spent, I kid you not, over an hour whining to what I have to think was her sister about why it's a bad idea to use her credit so her boyfriend who's in the Navy and has a thing for whiskey could buy a car that he wouldn't be able to make the payments on because his family has no financial sense and why did you marry him anyway?
Couple all of those factors with no leg space, body odors and a very loud screaming child who just learned how to count and yelled, "1, 2, 3 AHHHHHH" about 362 times from Solana Beach to Union Station and you have one people hating stressed out mess named stephy s.
All I can say is, thank god tiny's ko bar is only a few streets up from the Hollywood and Vine Metro exit and that when a frazzled girl walks into the place and says, "Please. Anything. Just make it strong!" within 45 seconds a strong tasty vodka drink is within reach. -
Review from Tishawn F.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 8/19/2010
I hate this shitty establishment has ever existed.I got ready to leave for my 315 pm train today back to Los Angles and i forgot my ticket(as in lost it).Thinking that this wouldn't be a problem i stood in line around 200pm today wit about 20 people in front of me.
After the semi-long wait i got to the counter and explained to the ticket guy that i had lost my ticket and if he could print up another ticket for me.He tells me that i have to buy a new ticket since tickets are considered like money..
I had him explain this to me a few more times before i left the line .My mind wouldn't let me understand that not having a paper ticket to board the train made any difference.
He told me i would have to buy another ticket at the same price or go on another day and pay a higher price since i got my ticket fairly cheap..I paid $150 for my ticket(this is extremely cheap!!)
I decided to leave the line since their were more and more people that needed to get to the counter.I first called my mom almost crying and told her what happened.She then called my sister(in D.C.) and they said the same thing to her when she called!
I called a few more times talking to different people explaining the same thing and they said the same thing. I would have called Obama in Wasington if i could have because this paper-ticket thing just wasnt making much sence to me!Had i lost something more precious than Gold??
End result was that i didn't get on my train today.I was told that i could get a refund for 10% if i find my ticket.If i were not to find my ticket, a refund for a lost ticket would be $75 off the ticket and that it would take me 6 months to get the refund!
I thought this was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard.I decided that if i was going to have to go through all of that, then maybe it's time to fly and start giving my business to the airlines.
I'd always had issues with flying and would only reserve it for emergencies only.Flying alot of times is expensive and it's such a hassle coming and going through O'hare with all of these restriction lately.
I also have a fear of dieing instantly and not being able to repent from all of my sins before i make it into anywhere!I at least want the opportunity to try to make it right with God before i leave this earth.
Well, they say money changes everything in life, and for $150 I'm willing to get on an airplane and take a chance dieing before i give those Bastards at Amtrak another dollar of my money...
One more thing.. i checked all over the net and Amtraks site and i didn't see anything about losing a ticket that you'd have to pay for another ticket...
Even though i hate these fuckers and will ever ride with them again at least i know ill be able to get home next week or so(when i get my airline ticket)in less than 4 hours instead of funky,broke and have back pains from riding 3 long days with shitty Amtrak!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/19/2010
Being terrified to step foot on another plane( unless for emergency purposes or if im flying… Read more »
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Review from Paul M.
1/23/2010
I can't tell you how many times people tell me San Diego is less than a two hour drive from Pasadena. Not sure what hovercraft they're taking, but it seems like every time I attempt it, I get caught in the LA/Orange county logjam for an hour and then there always seems to be construction or an accident near Oceanside. I've been averaging 3.5 hours.
I avoided AMTRAK for a long time because I heard they were unreliable. So far I've been on time every trip, but even if there's a delay, I'd rather take a nap or drink a beer in the dining car than be stuck behind the wheel of a car.
I recommend you bring your I-pod, because invariably some loudmouth is going to sit somewhere near you and shout into a cell phone for the next three hours. And most likely say things specifically designed to provoke you into taking a swing. In my case it was something about God hating fags followed immediately by an excruciatingly detailed description of his last gang bang. Classy.Listed in: Best Places for a Slumcation
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Review from Nick R.
San Francisco, CA
1/22/2008
So, I opted to take a train from LA to San Diego for a business trip, rather than fight the traffic. Sounded good, conjured up all sorts of romantic imagery.....and you know what, it was GREAT!
1 star for a gorgeous terminal - you know that old Hollywood glamour? It actually still exists here and my cheap-ass felt VERY high class from the moment I walked in the door.
1 star for a cheap ass ticket that beats the shit out of anything an airline would offer. Plus no body cavity TSA searches, removing of my shoes or emptying of my bags for screening.
1 star for BIG comfy seats that had foot rests, big tray tables and outlets right there by my seat, just for my laptop's pleasure!
And finally, 1 star for the very cute young man who I met as a result of the "communal style" seating on the train. Great conversation and that wasn't all.......
Seriously, y'all, if you have never taken the train, TRY IT OUT. This one is awesome, with gorgeous views of the coastline, the ocean and apparently, some very, very hot men. -
Review from Rick B.
Woodland Hills, CA
3/29/2007
There isn't enough space on Yelp for me to express what I truly feel about Amtrak. Why do I have to give it ANY stars? Let's just say that if Amtrak was a student, it would have flunked out a long time ago. If Amtrak was a patient, it would have been proclaimed dead on arrival. If Amtrak was a country, it would be a thousand years from being civilized. If Amtrak was a publicly traded corporation instead of a subsidized pile of rolling crap, it would have gone bankrupt in a week.
I commute 100 miles a day and must rely on LA's "mass transit" system to do it. Now that's an oxymoron in itself ... LA and mass transit. For part of my daily journey I must rely on Amtrak. This experience alone is proof positive that auto manufacturers and gas companies still rule the world, because as long as there is an Amtrak, the concept of mass transit will never catch on in LA - even if gas goes to $25 a gallon.
I'll try to sum it all up by sharing one of Amtrak's favorite quotes that you will hear whenver they are late - which is always. You will be standing there, looking at your watch, wondering what excuse you can give your boss for being late once again, when the jovial conductor will smile and say, "We consider ourselves on time if we get you there within 24 hours of the scheduled arrival."
My other favorite Amtrak quote is what the same jovial conductor says when you finally do arrive at your destination. They say, "Thank you for choosing Amtrak". Funny, unless you are willing to hop a ride on a Union Pacific freight train, there don't seem to be any other trains to choose from.
Amtrak is the most inept, disorganized and inefficient mode of transportation this side of the pack mule. Self-powered trains have been around since 1804, so you'd think by now they could get it right. With Amtrak at the controls, don't hold your breath. -
Review from John S.
Redondo Beach, CA
3/29/2008 1 photo
As someone who drives a car very infrequently about the only time I do drive is either when I'm renting a car while on the road for my company, or when I have to run down to Orange County for a meeting or visit some friends.
The last time I drove drown to Orange County from Redondo Beach it took me over 3 hours-if the freeway was empty, and it was legal-i could have rode my bicycle faster.
So on Friday when I had a lunch meeting at PF Changs at the Irvine Spectrum I decided to take Amtrak for part of my commute.
I've used Amtrak and Metrolink several times before. Once going from Portland to Seattle. Once going from Union Station to Glendale, and two other times on trips from Union Station to San Diego. I fricken love it! I don't care what some of these other people say.
My trip from Portland to Seattle in Particular was awesome. I bought a reserved seat in December of last year-a reserved seat costs about $10 more than a coach seat, i believe. The total cost of othe ticket was $36. I got on the train, sat down, plenty of room to stretch, busted out a laptop with an outlet, plenty of space for luggage, a bicycle if I had one with me. They showed a christmas movie along the way, and we had the most awesome view of the Pacific Northwest.
What's more I didn't have to deal with the whole airline fear based military strip search ritual. We just got on the train-which saved time and humiliation. I refuse to be humiliated when I'm paying the bill.
My trips from Union Station to San Diego were also awesome. I took coach on those trips. No movie but a nice view of the coast along the way. No driving, no stress, no dead bodies on the freeway. Busted open a book that I read, and talked to a couple cute girls in the seat sitting across from me-how many girls can you talk to sitting in your car on the 405?
Food on the train pretty much sucks-but who cares. There were tables and chairs there-something you don't have when you are praying that a truck doesn't run you over on the freeway when you were driving. And it's only 2 hours, you could easily bring a lunch with you.
I've read some of the other reviews and have seen the complaints. I guess I just don't see it as that big of a deal. So what if your amtrak train is late? You can ride Amtrak or Metrolink with an Amtrak ticket. My train from Irvine to Unition station was scheduled to leave at 4:37PM. I got there early and grabbed one of two Metrolink trains coming by. My trip from Union Station to Irvine departed and arrived on time to the minute.
Amtrak Pros:
SAFE-you are far more likely to get killed or maimed for life while driving than taking Amrak.
YOU ARE NOT LIABLE-when you drive a car, you are the one that is liable if someone gets killed in an accident. not an issue when you leave the driving to Amtrak.
FAST-If your trip is under 200 miles. Key words-under 200 miles. LA to Santa Barbara, LA to San Diego, Portand to Seattle it's about as fast as driving or taking a plane-probably faster than taking a plane when secuity lines at airports are taken into consideration.
FUN-chill out, sleep, read a book, meet people, bust out your laptop or ipod. yes some trains have more people than others. I've ridden Amtrak five times now-only once with a reserved seat, and I've yet to be on a train more crowded than ANY airplane trip that i've been on in recent years. I'm a small framed guy-I've spent too many plane trips with much larger people on both sides of me, to appreciate that I can sit next to a very large person on an Amtrak train and still feel comfortable. You have a closer connection to the earth on a train than a plane and aren't exposed to as much radiation than if you were traveling at 35,000 feet.
CHEAP-relative to the TOTAL cost of car ownership-especially when factoring all costs-insurance, parking tickets, parking meters, paid parking, license, car washes, car repair, smog certs, time wasted at mini marts and oil change centers, time wasted in the hospital after you've been in an accident in the freeway, time wasted venting about how some ahole cut you off on the freeway, time wasted checking out traffic conditions on the internet, and envrionmental costs. And of course the cost of gasoline.
NO MILITARY BS INTIMIDATION-you get on, they come by and ask you for your ticket and that's it. No telling you about laws and violations and waving an electric wand up your ass, asking you to step aside because you look like you could be a 'terrorist'. No constant police presense. No fear and intimidation airline tactics. I feel like a customer when I'm on an amtrak train.
AMTRAK BUS LINES ROCK TOO-Amtrak buses are SO much nicer than Greyhound buses.
CONS:
The train stations don't always drop you off in a downtown center. The Irvine Station was about 3 miles from my final destination. I took a cab this time from the station, but next time i'm bringing my bike.Listed in: Cool Dates in A Post Petroleum…
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Review from Arianne N.
Newport Beach, CA
9/29/2009
Yes, traveling by train will make it longer to reach a destination than a car but it's an experience you should check out once at the very least! I've ridden the train from the Lancaster station to Union station with my family and cousins to visit Chinatown for the day. Everyone had a blast!
I used to take the train to visit my friend at UCSB freshman year of college when my parents refused to let me bring my car to school. It took a lot longer than the three hours it usually does now, but I had so much time to kick back and just chill. It was great that I could finish all my studying I'd been putting off before having a weekend of fun in IV.
I was sheltered and shy as a kid with little experience using public transportation so for me to say that I felt safe and fine traveling by myself on Amtrak when I was seventeen is a biggie. -
Review from Van N.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 12/1/2010
i wrote them :). and they wrote me back...
Thank you for your kind words about the service we provided when you traveled on Amtrak.
We are tremendously proud of our dedicated and talented employees who go above and beyond their assigned duties to deliver outstanding levels of customer service. It is our highest priority to ensure that we do all we can to provide our valued customers with a safe and enjoyable trip.Listed in: travels and travails
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/22/2010
my friends and i were astute enough to remember how shitty my drive was from LA to SD last time. 4… Read more »
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Review from Jonathan T.
Los Angeles, CA
8/4/2009
Bear with me on this one. I am scribing this little ditty under extreme distraction + high decibel volume not seen since I bled out my eardrums to Canadian Prog-Rockers Rush in the 10th row at Worcester Centrum back in...well...some time ago.
See, I'm on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner on me way back from SD.
It's a bee-yooty-ful eve, sun blazing, waves breaking, surfers surfing, and another amazing technicolor sunset preparing to sink into the Pacific. Magnifique.
Alas, to the REAL scenario (AKA, THE JOLTING DISTRACTION):
I'm in a 4 seater (2 x 2 facing each other) with 3 female 'neighbors'
They are, in ascending order of annoyance:
COUGAR #1: mid 40ish, of undeterminable Latin American origin, quietly staring out the window. taking pics.
COUGAR #2: Caucasian. late 40's. Grimacing. Initially claiming she'd like to move her seat 20 mins into the journey, supposedly b/c she's blinded by the sun (tho i spied her sunglasses peeking outta her big purse-bag), then claiming 30 mins in that she wants to move seats b/c there are no trays in our area for her laptop (ok, she's not lying about that, tho she must have that laptop hidden inside her big blobby bag b/c I dunt see it!)....
Who she kiddin? the REAL reason she wants to move...and why she is not THE MOST OVERWHELMINGLY ANNOYING OF THE 3 IS:
COUGAR NUMBER THREE
Asian, likely early 50s, BLARING loudly into her cell phone INCESSANTLY in a certain Southeast Asian language (which shall remain nameless, to retain some level of PC and also b/c I really love the damn food so goddamn much I don't wanna be poisoned by some mystery liquid/paste posing as sriracha/fish sauce someday) at decibel levels akin to sleeping next to Angus Young of AC/DC's gee-tar amped up to 11, screeching outta concert speaker tower merely inches from yo ear! no muthafuggin' exaggeration yo!
To top it off, this woman already
1. Asked me to load her luggage on luggage rack (which I didn't mind at all, bein' a gentleman)
2. Asked me to remind her when we get to Santa Ana to take her bag with her (hmm. I kinda only minimally minded that)
3. Came back from bathroom break (the only time I wasn't bombarded at full volume with her screaming), tho I still heard her yapping and crapping thru bathroom door, which I belatedly noticed was directly facing us. This roughly 15% sound diffusion was woefully inadequate and had my brain quaking with potential aneurysm-level intensity
BUT I DIGRESS...(with a 'but I digress' personal best!)
After all, this is supposed to be a review of our 3rd World national railway disgrace known as Amtrak.
Irony is, despite it being a national embarassment, its employees provide good, friendly service, from ticketing to baggage check (officially $3 bucks per item to store bags at station while exploring, yet they allowed me to store 2-3 pieces for the price of one!
And people you meet are usually 'interesting.' Sometimes great, engaging, smart, practical, + evolved.
HOWEVER, snapping back to the realities of underfunded, regressive, and decaying:
a) Train 10 mins late
b) Takes FAR too long to get to LA from SD, almost 3 hrs IF on time, over a mere 130 miles
c) It employs 19th century technology + actually travels slower than it did in the 1930s
d) It shares tracks with the freight rails; rather, the freight companies OWN the tracks + occasionally permit passenger trains to pass on SINGLE TRACK right of way. Dumb, backwards, inefficient for all
e) All the while huge swaths of the industrialized world (Japan, France, Germany, Spain, Taiwan, Italy, and CHINA YES CHINA which is spending $750 BILLION!) speed along at 200 mph+ on high speed bullet trains that first debuted in 1964 (Japan). And more countries keep jumping aboard
But that's a story for another day
Today, I am enjoying my peace for the remaining 1.5 hr journey
See, Cougar 2 + 3 have vacated to other parts of the train, leaving me in silent bliss with Cougar 1 as sun. sets.
Even tho these slow-ass trains break down, crash + get delayed all the time, I can read, drink, think, eat, sleep, chillax, and never have to worry about a 3-5 hr white knuckled SD-LA rush hour crawl that kills da spirit of life. Oh, and the Café Car 'Cocktail Party' Scene. Oh, and I can write long-ass stream of consciousness spew that I doubt most of you have endeavored to endure.
If you made it to the end, you mus be another scribeoholic like me
And/or ADDICTED TO YELP
get a life, yo!
DONE.
P.S. Not REALLY 'DONE'. As I write this, late 40s white cougar sat down in my 4-spot again (now just me n her) while I hear the Asian lady de-training in Santa Ana, still blaring away on the cell. Oh, and the Caucasian cougar has almost slipped and told me why she REALLY moved, but she kinda sorta saved it by saying she'd like to stay in our 4 spot to be 'close to her luggage' in the luggage hold adjacent to our little nook. How quaint. Boom-Chika-Wow-Wow! ...I SHIT YOU NOT. (except about the Boom-Chika-Wow-Wow-that's just a NOT!) :O) -
Review from Christian E.
San Pedro, CA
9/13/2011
Sent another load of stuff via Amtrak shipping. Now, the restrictions on what you can take are extreme ... but my brother and shipped over 500 pounds of my grandmother's belongings to her for under $230. The employees were friendly and helpful (although not as remarkably helpful as the Miami staff!) and the experience was about as good as you could expect.
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Review from Sarah T.
Los Angeles, CA
1/29/2007
I was on a 36 hour ride from Seattle to L.A.
Actually it became a 40 hour ride because (as the regulars tell you) the train is ALWAYS late and off schedule. (Why the train is late beats the crap out of me, I didn't see any traffic on the way down) You meet all kinds of people. The reason I got suckered into it is because I saw ads showing you how beautiful the ride down is, with its coastline and all.
Yes, you do see coastline. Just about when it's the last two hours, passing by Santa Barbara. It's pretty. But it's a Pyrrhic victory because by that time, you want to jump out the window since you haven't had fresh air in three days.
It's not any cheaper than a plane ride, costs just the same, but the dynamics are different.
There is a dining car (which you need to sign up for a time slot). There is a car with a playpen for kids. There is a car which has benches facing the windows directly and has skylights.
There are also a lot of crazies. There are families. There are college kids going home. There are some people that take the train all the time for fun. The thing about the crazies....well, when you see these guys on the street, you kind of hear them, laugh to yourself a little bit, then walk on by. On the train, you hear them, they talk to you, you laugh to yourself a little bit, but YOU CAN'T WALK TO ANYWHERE. YOU BOTH ARE STILL ON THE TRAIN. Then it's not funny anymore..it's kind of scary, especially when I am falling asleep.
But being stuck on something for 36 hours is a lot to take! And you don't have beds, so you're sleeping on a seat. But you can reserve beds too.
Food is overpriced and sucks. It gets dirty on the train after awhile because we are living on this thing. Played soooo many rounds of 7 card stud, poker, big 2, gin rummy, etc. I devoured a 2 lb. bag of gummi bears.
I guess if you had a family and wanted to go down the coast, this could be a viable option as you won't have to worry about whiny kids sitting in their seat all the time and you are relieved of the stresses of driving.
Did it once, wouldn't do it again, unless I had to ride it as a commuter for a couple of hours. -
Review from Annie P.
5/12/2008
I took a trip from LA to Seattle via Amtrak over the holiday season. This was my first long train ride, so I really didn't know what to expect really, but here are some good and bad points about Amtrak for LONG distance rides.
The GOOD
- taking the train is an adventure
- the food isn't actually that bad
- most long distance trains have observation decks
- most long distance trains have an arcade with a few video games
- the staff is nice & helpful. They become your single serving friends.
The BAD:
- people take the train cause its cheap= so expect a cheap crowd
- electrical out puts are a crap shoot, only some seats have them
- for the diner car, they sit you with random people to save space
- the seats aren't very cozy and some of the leg supports don't work
- children were running wild (i would too i guess) and no one cared
I guess really all of my complaints aren't valid since common- its a TRAIN you gotta expect that stuff. But I really hated it. I was miserable and if I didn't happen to have been sitting next to the hottest chick on earth the whole trip I probly would have jumped out the window.
Moral of the story-
Pay the extra money and get the sleeper car or you will be horribly miserable. Yes, the money you spend on the sleeper car you might as well fly. Yes, you should fly.
THE END.Listed in: Im my own biggest fan!
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Review from Christine P.
Los Angeles, CA
5/12/2008
Dammit, Amtrak, you would have gotten 5 stars from me if you didn't overbook your trips!
This past Mother's Day weekend, I decided to take Amtrak down to San Diego instead of sitting in traffic for hours. The trip down was great, and it was a real treat to go to Union Station, which is a beautiful, classic train station that I highly recommend just visiting, even if you don't plan on taking a train.
I had two seats all to myself, and there was an outlet that I plugged my cell phone into since the battery was almost dead. I enjoyed three hours spent listening to my music and reading instead of flipping off people who cut me off or who don't let me change lanes in front of them. The employees on the train are super nice and friendly, and this was experienced both on the ride down to San Diego and back up to LA. My ride down was delayed by 30 minutes, which wasn't a big deal, but I can see how annoying a delay can be if you're waiting in a station that isn't so nice as Union Station.
So the ride back. Um . . . I've been on flights that were packed, but at least you didn't have passengers standing in the aisles like on my Amtrak ride up. San Diego to LA is a 3-hour ride, and I'm just glad I didn't have to stand for 3 hours.
My trip was made even more unpleasant by two people:
1) The guy with the really bad BO that made him smell like cheese dipped in vinegar, on a hot, humid day.
2) The middle-aged woman who asked when I was getting off the train so she could reserve my seat. I told her my stop was 20 minutes away, but she could certainly have my seat then (I'm currently suffering from back spasms, otherwise, I would have offered her my seat right away). She then proceeded to complain to the elderly couple in front of me about the rude people on the train who don't offer their seats to older people. I made sure when I got off at my stop to wave over a younger girl to take my seat, to the other woman's infuriation.
I knew Mother's Day weekend was going to be a busy weekend, but I didn't realize how badly Amtrak would overbook the train. I'll probably still consider Amtrak for future trips. At least San Diego is where the line begins, so I know I'll always have a seat for the ride home. -
Review from Tamara J.
12/30/2010
I had heard all the horror stories.
But we were going to watch my Buccaneers deliver a whippin' to the 40-Whiners. Don't care for flying. We hate the way each other drives and would be divorced by Goleta. That left Amtrak.
Got a small room. Just enough for both of us, and it comes with First Class perks all the way. Like complementary champagne and fruit. And coffee and juice available 24 hours. Nice of them to provide mixers for the booze I brought in my carry-on cooler. Can't do that on a plane, now can you?
The parlour car was awesome, with huge windows and club chairs. Perfect for the $5 wine and cheese tasting they have in the afternoon.
All your meals are included. They make a gourmet effort, but you can tell its pre-made and not properly heated.
I waited too long to do this review and cannot remember our bartender's name. But she made me the hands-down, no contest, most kick-ass bloody mary of all time.
It was just a super relaxing and fun way to travel if you have the free time to do it- because LA to Oakland took 11 hours.
But they were wonderful hours.
Oh yeah, our train hit a guy on the track outside of Santa Barbara, and we were only delayed 45 minutes. -
Review from Haz O.
Oceano, CA
12/23/2009
Reliable mode of transportation that makes it easy to work as you travel (great for writing paper in between going to a rave, HARD Halloween, for 2 days :). The Room-with-the-view (I forget what they call it) gives you a lush landscape to gaze at when you aren't taking a nap in a seat with lots of space.
If it were all the trains were bullet-trains, it would be the best mode of transportation. Period. -
Review from Fernando Z.
Los Angeles, CA
6/8/2009 8 photos
After my wonderful vacation in Chicago I took the train to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief but stopped in Kansas City for a couple of days before returning home.
The ride from Chicago to Kansas City lasted only 7 hours and it was a great scenic view since we went over the Mississippi River in Fort Madison, Iowa.
For the ride from Kansas City to Los Angeles I reserved a roomette on the sleeper car because that trip was going to last over 34 hours. The whole ride was very comfortable since I was the only one in the room so I could relax and put my feet up on the other seat.
Meals were included for sleeper car passengers. Lunch and dinner were great but I didn't like the breakfast in which I ordered a breakfast burrito with chorizo.
At night I was actually able to sleep despite the small bed and the motion of the train.
Overall I just loved the experience and seeing many parts of this country that I have never been to. -
Review from Matthew M.
Redondo Beach, CA
7/5/2009
I have ridden the Amtrak back and forth from Sacramento to San Francisco (Richmond then BART or Oakland then Ferry), from Los Angeles to Ventura or Oxnard, and from New York City to DC. All of the experience were pleasant!
The seats are huge and spacious, that's a lot from ma, a fat guy. The Amtrak at the windows selling the tickets people are so friendly! I never paid a disabled fare, I don't have my prove of "disability" with me, but the lady behind the counter at Sacramento told me me wearing an hearing aid was proof enough for her. Awesome! This same lady recognized me as a frequent commuter between Sacramento & Richmond, she told me about the 100 dollars 10 ride ticket booklet. Dang it! I told her I'll keep it in mid next time I ride the capitol corridor...
I will ride from Portland to Seattle and from LA to San Diego this August, so we'll see how it goes... -
Review from Steph H.
8/27/2010
My friend and I went from Union Station in LA to Seattle on the Amtrak, and I believe the term "heaven-ish and hell-ish" could be aptly applied to our trip. We were able to score a sleeper car on the way up, but had to ride coach on the way down. Neither of us had traveled any significant distance on a train so we really didn't know what to expect. In a nutshell: going on sleeper car, 4 stars; going coach, 2 stars. Hence the averaged 3 star rating. Knowing what I know now, I would've gone with the sleeper car on the return trip, and if that couldn't happen, I would've flown. Basically, avoid coach.
First, the sleeper car experience: we just had an economy sleeper, which basically means you're in a closet, but at least you can stretch out and get some blessed privacy and quiet if you want it. Plus, you get all your free meals (some of which were pretty darn good, like a steak we had one night) and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, use of the Parlour Car, and free movies in the little theater downstairs, first dibs on meal reservations, discount to the wine tasting, as well as access to a shower facility. All of this didn't seem ALL that amazing until we had the coach experience. Mind you, this was a 36-hour train ride--the ability to get away from other people on this submarine on wheels becomes pretty important after a while. The cool thing about the trains were the outlets everywhere--your personal electronic device shall not run out of juice on Amtrak's watch, that's for sure. Also, the sleeper car passengers tended to be older (some of them really old--I got very concerned watching some of them them walk down the aisle when the train was going through an especially bumpy passage) and it was generally easier to carry on pleasant conversations with whomever we met at dinner and in the lounge cars. BTW, seating in the dining car is continental, which means you get seated with total strangers if the seats are available. We didn't have problems with anyone we dined with like this; we had a good time with everyone, actually.
Then the coach experience: When I first got to my seat I was pleasantly surprised--so roomy compared to an airplane seat! It felt pretty open and spacious, not all claustrophobic like the sleeper car. I didn't think it'd be that bad, really. Then I saw this dude pull out a portable DVD player and start watching a movie. Without headphones. Then this man and his two young daughters sat behind us and one of the girls would NOT shut up. This is one of the pitfalls of the coach area--you never know who you're going to sit next to, and that person's going to be sitting next to you for a LONG time. At least with the sleeper cars you can close your door and curtains and get some peace. Not so in coach, where you hear every snore and conversation. And the ride to LA from Seattle seemed a lot more crowded than going in the other direction, which meant the general lounge car was usually very crowded, often with noisy people. Very little peace and quiet to be had. Also, being the last coach car meant being the last ones to be able to make reservations for meals, which meant a lunch at 2:30pm where they've run out of practically everything. Also, a great $5 wine tasting I had on the way up was $10 for the coach passengers, and only if they didn't have enough sleeper car people to fill the slots. At every turn you're reminded of your lower class situation. Basically, I hated coach. Toward the end of the trip I was so ready to get off (and also strangle the bratty kid behind me). Even though all I did was sit around I felt exhausted by the constant noise and closeness of all the people.
Would I ever travel Amtrak again? Maybe, if it involved interesting scenery (like the LA to Seattle trip) and definitely only if there's a sleeper car involved, but getting that sleeper car is so much more expensive I don't see myself doing it again any time soon. -
Review from lydia k.
San Diego, CA
1/14/2011
I don't usually hate companies, but I HATE Amtrak.
I had taken Amtrak from LA to SD every weekend for about six months when I had such a bad experience with them wild horses couldn't make me step foot on another Amtrak as long as I live. Its pretty freaking difficult to make me angry, but to this day I still get angry when I think about what happened. I ended up writing them a long email three months after the event because I couldn't write it immediately following because I was so mad. The email took me around three hours to write, and I received an automatic confirmation that said they'd get back to me in 3 business days. Guess who NEVER got back to me. Maybe I'll write the full story another time, but I was so shocked at how mean and nasty people could be, and that a company could just completely ignore what was going on in their own trains. Seriously Amtrak, Amtrak FAIL.
Now I take metrolink even if it means cutting my time in LA short or having someone drive 40 mins to pick me up from Oceanside. It's so freaking much better. -
Review from James F.
Chula Vista, CA
6/1/2011
This is the best way to get between LA and San Diego!! And people can bitch all they want that it is slow, but there a lot of good sized cities in So Cal and u can't just ignore them, it is true the tracks are owned by the freight companies and they do give the trains right of way, but u know what grab a couple of beers, get yourself a window seat on the front facing side (If you don't know which one it is the train is pushed to San Diego and pulled to Los Angeles which means the locomotive will be on the back not the front) and relax it's a great ride!!
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Review from Splendid E.
Ann Arbor, MI
1/25/2008
I have taken the train from LA to SB (and back) a lot; after a point, it just got to be too much. My trips to SB have been curtailed. Severely.
The first time I came to California, I made the very same trip on the Pacific Surfliner, and it was beautiful. Dolphins sang, the Pacific Ocean sparkled, and surfers beckoned. Everything about it was celestial - except for the FOUR HOUR DELAY in departure from Union Station. Excuses? More like the stars misaligning in every possible way. Specifically, on the trip north from San Diego to LA, (a) someone had committed suicide by jumping in front of the train, (b) a pre-school near the tracks caught on fire; firetrucks called to the blaze blocked said tracks, and (c) one of the train's headlights burned out along the way. What are the odds? Zero, I would have said...until it actually happened. Obviously, though, this was a freakish series of events - not the ordinary Amtrak Experience. I had love for the Pacific Surfliner and told friends that, prior to dying, they absolutely had to experience this magical journey themselves.
Cut to three years later. Santa Barbara is no longer heavenly for me. My graduate department has gone from being a place where students are relatively satisfied to one where Things Fall Apart. I find myself, tragically, in LA. I foolishly take a position in SB, thinking that by commuting on Amtrak I'll have plenty of distraction-free time for work. It will be a peaceful, if lengthy, commute. Just like it's described in the Amtrak ads I keep hearing on the radio. I am so smart! I am a friend to the environment! I know better than to join the hoi polloi on the clogged freeways! I am on my way to enlightenment!
I had plenty of time for working on the train, all right. I estimate that it ran behind schedule about 50% of the time. Combined with the facts that (1) the train requires more time than driving, and (2) the train is more expensive than driving, it becomes difficult to understand why anyone would choose to take the train. This is especially sad given the fact that driving in LA is akin to slamming your head against a brick wall, repeatedly, while your soul simultaneously disintegrates inside you, becoming nothing more than a small pile of dry, powdery ash.
My relationship with the Pacific Surfliner crawled to an end. Here are some highlights/lowlights from my life back then:
* had plenty of time to work during the commute. Did not happen as often as planned. My days were hours longer as a result of using Amtrak, and often I fell asleep due to exhaustion.
* eventually could not justify paying that much money just to avoid driving. And I really, really abhor driving in LA.
* the burdensome nature of the commute required simply to get to/from Union Station in the first place was laughable in a metropolis of this size (don't get me started on why the Red Line stops at Wilshire/Western...what a joke, and not a very funny one).
* too many alarming, psyche-harming experiences being hit on/followed around by scary guys both on the train and at Union Station.
* sure, the romance and beauty of the scenery that comprises this stretch of the Pacific Surfliner's route is beyond compare. It loses its luster when the train's not moving.
For an occasional trip, the Surfliner is definitely the way to go. (Not like you have many other options...let's be real. You're choosing between that and the 405/101/5/whatever.) However, is it a viable option for a semi-regular commute of any significant distance? Unfortunately, the answer to that is HELL TO THE NO.
I love me some public transportation. No, really. But as with most other forms of public transit in and around the City of Angels, the Pacific Surfliner is more demonic than angelic. -
Review from bryan f.
Los Angeles, CA
2/5/2008
LA to Ventura is a cool 2 hours or less ride. $17 each way and you can pay cash when you board or buy your tickets online or at the ticket window. The snack car, in car 2, has booze and food and other stuff if youre not inclined to start the party at 9am. The cars are clean & practically empty at that time of morning on a Sunday. Electrical outlets are provided if you need to hook up anything from razor to laptop. The Surfliner is a double decker which is cool. Sitting on the second deck gives you a great view of the scenery! The best part of the train experience is Union Station! I think I could sit there all day and watch people coming and going. Saw a few guys that just got out of County in their very distinctive jail garb and slippers trying to figure their next moves. Priceless.
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Review from Tessa A.
Los Angeles, CA
11/28/2010
Quick and easy check in and ticket verification, It was comfortable with excellent service including a shuttle to train with suitcase. I had decided once they instituted this invasive nude scanning at the airport and or invasive ody search feel up I was not going to boycott the airport as TSA has gone paranoid for the few crazies the rest of us normal non terrorist travelers have to suffer? No there are options and training it is one way to go. It was so nice and easy I will do it from now on. If you have not tried it or are just wanting to protest TSA and the new scanners than go Amtrak no searches, no profiling, just great service and the Union station has a great little Bagel Shop that carries Nathans Hot Dogs with saurerkraut.Yum and bagels cream cheese and lox. Never expected that in a train station.
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Review from Mike F.
Long Beach, CA
6/12/2007
Daaaang. Well my friends and I a few summers ago decided to take the train from LA to San Diego via Amtrak. It was smooth sailing and they had a bar section where we got lit. We were playing drinking games and had a great time then we went shopping in downtown SD then back. Ride back was a very long ride, but its was ok. No complaints but seemed like it was fine. Id rather drive, but it was something to experience and thats the way I look at it.
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Review from Deja S.
5/29/2010
If you've taken Greyhound, you'll know how great Amtrak is. It's affordable, reliable, and not THAT many weirdos aboard. Buy your tickets in advance. And if you miss your train or something, it's not the end of the world. You can reschedule. The inside is typically spacious & comfy. They have a little area where they sell food, but it's a rip off, so I suggest you buy your own. Happy riding.
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Review from Ai M.
11/7/2008
I like having this option available for my friend who has to be medicated to fly. I took this (broken up with buses) to Yosemite. Even though I hate waiting, I wouldn't mind visiting all those tiny train stations again. If you want to go to Seattle, get a cabin for yourself. Make sure to bring an ipod or something.
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Review from nichole d.
Oceanside, CA
8/3/2007
pacific surfliner....
one word: SLOWWWWWWWW
oh how i despise you!! first off...i thought one of the goals of the new millennium was to get people out of their cars, carpooling, alternate means of transportation, etc. so why the hell does it cost $34 for a ONE WAY trip to San Diego. a trip which takes 2.5 hours( if on schedule, mind you) on your dumpy, run-down train, which i can barely see out the window cuz the film on it is peeling. No movie either. i rode the cascade train from Portland to Seattle....so much nicer!! and...there always seems to be some kid running around like a spaz screaming or people talking the WHOLE time on their cell phones! i just don't understand how you honestly expect people to get out of their cars, when this is the option, slow train with way overpriced tickets!! and, what especially pisses me off, is that they RAISE their already ridiculous prices on holiday's!! greedy mo fo's! are you the same business owners as Ticketmaster! argh!!
it's weird to me that whenever i tell people i ride the train to SD they get soo excited, they think it's this awesome experience..NOT. it's not even pretty. when you leave LA you spend the first 45min going about 20 mph through graffiti industrial land. it is only a nice view form about San Juan Capistrano to Oceanside, and that is of course, only if you are traveling in the day time. -
Review from Antoine M.
Long Beach, CA
8/2/2010
I actually use their Amtrak Shipping service, and the whole experience was extremely frustrating. It's really hard to reach them and being able to talk to a real person. You have to wait 15 minutes!!! And when you finally get a chance to talk to the the staff; they are cold and unhelpful-- they simply give you another phone number to call in which a machine answers again. Also I don't understand how Amtrak is actually more expensive to travel than on a plane. I mean seriously! WTF
