The Pacific Surfliner is a 350-mile (560-kilometer) passenger train that runs along the coast of Southern California between San Diego and San Luis Obispo.
The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s third-busiest route (surpassed in passengers only by the Northeast Regional and Acela), and the busiest outside of the Northeast Corridor.
The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, like all other regional trains in California, is run by a joint powers authority. A board of eleven elected members leads the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency from the six counties through which the train traverses. LOSSAN has contracts with the Orange County Transportation Authority to handle the service daily, as well as with Amtrak to operate and maintain the rolling equipment. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) funds the service and owns all locomotives and some rolling equipment, while Amtrak owns the remainder.
Between 2022 and 2024, portions of the line in southern Orange County were halted four times owing to coastal erosion.
How to purchase Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Train tickets?
There are three ways you can purchase tickets for the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train:
Online:
This is the most convenient option, allowing you to buy tickets anytime at https://www.amtrak.com/home. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A valid credit card (common options include American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa) or alternative payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal.
- Your Amtrak Guest Rewards account information (optional, but beneficial for earning points).
Phone:
Call Amtrak’s reservation line 24/7 at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).
- Be prepared with your travel details (origin, destination, date) and payment information.
- Remember, phone service fees might apply depending on your plan.
Station:
Purchase tickets in person at any Amtrak station located along the Pacific Surfliner route.
- This option is useful for immediate travel needs or if you prefer face-to-face interaction.
- Stations may have limited hours, so check their operating times before heading there.
Schedules and Timetable
The best way to access the most up-to-date schedules and timetables for the Pacific Surfliner train is directly through Amtrak’s website or mobile app. Here’s why:
- Real-time updates: Amtrak’s website and app provide the most current schedules, reflecting any potential delays or changes.
- Flexibility: You can search for specific trips based on your origin, destination, and travel date.
- Detailed information: See the full schedule for each train, including departure and arrival times for all stations along the route.
Here are the links to access the Pacific Surfliner schedule:
- Amtrak website: https://www.pacificsurfliner.com/plan-your-trip/schedules/ (This page also has information on service alerts and summer schedule additions)
- Amtrak mobile app: Download the Amtrak app from the App Store or Google Play.
Alternatively, Amtrak offers pre-made timetables in PDF format. However, these might be more recent versions. You can find them here:
Current Schedule PDF Timetable – Effective Mar. 25
Del Mar Phase 5 PDF Timetable – Effective May 19, select weeks
Summer Schedule PDF Timetable – Effective Jul. 20
Create a Customized Timetable
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train Stops and Stations
Popular Stops
- Santa Barbara
- Los Angeles
- Anaheim
- Irvine
- San Clemente
- Oceanside
- Carlsbad
- Solana Beach
- San Diego
Train Stations Served by the Pacific Surfliner
- San Luis Obispo, CA – Amtrak Station (SLO)
- Grover Beach, CA (GVB)
- Guadalupe, CA (GUA)
- Lompoc-Surf, CA -Amtrak Station (LPS)
- Goleta, CA (GTA)
- Santa Barbara, CA (SBA)
- Carpinteria, CA (CPN)
- Ventura, CA (VEC)
- Oxnard, CA (OXN)
- Camarillo, CA (CML)
- Moorpark, CA (MPK)
- Simi Valley, CA (SIM)
- Chatsworth, CA (CWT)
- Northridge, CA (NRG)
- Van Nuys, CA (VNC)
- Burbank, CA (BUR)
- Burbank, CA – Downtown (BBK)
- Glendale, CA (GDL)
- Los Angeles, CA – Union Station (LAX)
- Fullerton, CA (FUL)
- Anaheim, CA – Regional Trans.Intermodal Ctr. (ANA)
- Santa Ana, CA (SNA)
- Irvine, CA (IRV)
- San Juan Capistrano, CA (SNC)
- San Clemente Pier, CA (SNP)
- Oceanside, CA (OSD)
- Solana Beach, CA (SOL)
- San Diego, CA – Old Town Transportation Center (OLT)
- San Diego, CA – Santa Fe Depot (SAN)
Most popular Amtrak Pacific Surfliner routes
The Los Angeles to San Diego route is Amtrak Pacific Surfliner’s most popular. Trips from Fullerton to San Diego and Irvine to Los Angeles are also quite common.
TOP AMTRAK PACIFIC SURFLINER ROUTES
| Route | Duration | Daily Trips | Price |
| Los Angeles to San Diego | 3h 7m | 14 | $35 |
| Fullerton to San Diego | 2h 16m | 10 | $31 |
| Irvine to Los Angeles | 1h 39m | 17 | $19 |
| Los Angeles to Santa Barbara | 2h 10m | 14 | $25 |
| Los Angeles to Oceanside | 2h 14m | 7 | $28 |
| Irvine to San Diego | 1h 45m | 10 | $26 |
| Los Angeles to Solana Beach | 2h 29m | 7 | $31 |
| Anaheim to San Diego | 2h 8m | 10 | $30 |
| San Juan Capistrano to San Diego | 1h 31m | 10 | $23 |
What to pack
- Essentials (ticket, ID, comfortable clothing)
- Entertainment options (books, headphones)
- Considerations for longer journeys (snacks, refillable water bottle)
- Packing for specific destinations (beach gear, bike) – mention Amtrak’s policy on bringing these onboard.
Types of seating in Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Train
Coach Class Seat
Coach class offers broad, comfortable reclining seats with plenty of legroom. Each seat also has a fold-down tray, an individual reading light, and a 120-volt electrical outlet. Other onboard facilities include toilets in each carriage, overhead luggage storage, and free WiFi.
The Pacific Surfliner and Capitol Corridor services have unreserved coach seats, giving you the most options for where to go. Unreserved coach tickets enable you to board an earlier or later train, or even travel at a later date, without having to modify your reservation. Your ticket is good for travel between the named stations for one year from the reservation date (subject to certain limitations).
Layout:
Coach Class features a 2×2 seating arrangement with a center aisle. Seats are generally comfortable, but legroom might be slightly limited for taller passengers.
Business Class on Pacific Surfliner:
If you’re looking for a more comfortable and luxurious experience on the Pacific Surfliner, consider upgrading to Business Class. You’ll enjoy features like extra legroom, comfortable seats, and complimentary beverages. A choice of seats is available, making it easy to board the train. In addition, business class passengers earn more points in the Amtrak Guest Rewards program.
Layout:
Business Class typically has a 2×1 seating arrangement, offering more personal space and a wider aisle compared to Coach Class.
Reserved seating vs. open seating
Coach Class: Pacific Surfliner primarily uses open seating in Coach Class. This means there are no assigned seats, and passengers find seats on a first-come, first-served basis.
Business Class: With Business Class, you get a guaranteed seat with your ticket purchase. This eliminates the worry of finding a seat upon boarding.
Scenic highlights along the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train route
- Pacific Coast Highway
- San Luis Obispo
- Santa Barbara
- Ventura
- Los Angeles Beaches
- Orange County Coastline
- San Diego Coastline
Contact information for Amtrak
Here’s the contact information for Amtrak:
- Reservations & Customer Service:
- Phone: 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)
- TTY: 1-800-523-6590
- Website: https://www.amtrak.com/home
- Email: Use the email form on Amtrak’s website https://www.amtrak.com/email-us
Additional Contacts (depending on your needs):
- International Visitors: 1-215-856-7924
- Group Travel Requests: 1-800-872-1477
- Amtrak Guest Rewards: 1-800-307-5000
- Amtrak Vacations: 1-800-AMTRAK-2
- Amtrak Headquarters: 1 Massachusetts Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20001
Resources for further information about the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Train
Here are some resources for further information about the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Train:
Official Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Resources:
- Pacific Surfliner Website: This is the primary resource for all information about the Pacific Surfliner train, including schedules, fares, amenities, stations, and trip planning tools. https://www.pacificsurfliner.com/plan-your-trip/schedules/
- Amtrak Mobile App: Download the free Amtrak app for smartphones and tablets. It offers schedules, real-time train information, ticket purchases, and more.
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Social Media:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PacificSurfliner/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pacificsurfliner/?hl=en
- Twitter (formerly known as X): Updates and alerts about Pacific Surfliner trains can be found on Amtrak’s official Twitter feed
https://twitter.com/amtrakalerts?lang=en
FAQs
The Pacific Surfliner can reach 90 mph and has an average speed of 41 mph. The trip from San Diego to San Luis Obispo takes around 5 hours and 45 minutes.
If you cancel your ticket within 24 hours after making the first reservation, you will get a full refund. Following that, refunds are no longer possible.
The Pacific Surfliner provides access to a broad range of amenities. Every train has a business class car, three coach cars, a café car, and a coach or luggage vehicle. Checked luggage is housed on a lower lever, with coach seats available on the top level.
Business Class: Whether you’re ordering Pacific Surfliner tickets for a short trip or a lengthy journey, consider the Business Class experience. Passengers in Business Class pay an additional $15 for the finest facilities, such as complimentary newspapers, free beverage and snack service, reclining seats, and increased leg space. Each seat is also outfitted with power outlets, Wi-Fi, reading lamps, and wide tray tables to make your travel more enjoyable and comfortable.
Coach Class: Ideal for both short and long-distance travels, coach class provides plenty of legroom. Passengers will have comfy seats with power outlets, Wi-Fi, adjustable lighting, and fold-down tray tables.
Café car: Open to all Pacific Surfliner passengers, the café car provides an excellent alternative for those who did not have time to get a snack before boarding. There’s no need to think about eating while you’re hurrying to catch your train. Pacific Surfliner Cafe caters to all tastes, offering a variety of meals, snacks, and desserts, as well as fine wines and beverages.
Yes, Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner trains usually offer free Wi-Fi. However, coverage may be limited in remote areas. Having backup entertainment, such as books or downloaded movies, is recommended.
Wi-Fi is fine for light tasks like checking email or browsing the web, but streaming movies or TV shows can be difficult due to potential bandwidth limitations.
Yes, they do! You can find power outlets on most trains, usually one or two rows of seats. Be considerate of your seatmate and offer to share an outlet if needed.
These outlets can be used to charge both laptops and USB devices. Just make sure you have a USB adapter, which is usually included with most phones and tablets.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner typically has 1237 scheduled train runs every day. However, the actual departure and arrival timings depend on the day and route. The easiest approach to obtain a precise timetable for your trip is to utilize the search feature on this website.
No, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner does not provide will-call tickets. Purchase your tickets online and ensure that you have everything you need to board before arriving at the station.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner does not provide will-call tickets. Purchase your tickets online and make sure you have everything you need to board before you arrive at the station.
Yes, they do. Bathrooms are basic with toiletries, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. Keep in mind that most do not have running water. For safety, always hold on to something when using the bathroom on a moving train.
Yes, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner offers food and drink for purchase. Make sure to have some money, either cash or credit card, ready to pay.
No, you don’t. Instead of a paper ticket, you will receive an eTicket via email after making a reservation. You can easily show this e-ticket to the boarding agent on your smartphone.
Yes, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner offers premium features such as extra legroom seats. This means you can enjoy more space to spread out during your travels. While the exact amount of extra legroom may vary, it’s certainly a comfortable option compared to standard seats.