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Pacific Surfliner trains offer two types of tickets: Unreserved Coach and Business Class.

• Unreserved Coach: Unreserved Coach tickets allow you to ride any Pacific Surfliner train from the origin station to the destination station listed on your ticket. This gives you the flexibility to take a different train than the one you selected in the booking process if your travel plans change, subject to certain restrictions.
• Business Class: Business Class tickets offer guaranteed seating and other perks. Advance reservations are required. The number of Business Class seats on each train is limited, so it’s best to book early before they sell out. If your plans change and you need to ride an earlier or later train, you will need to modify your Business Class reservation in advance by visiting Amtrak.com or calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Reservations can be made online, via the Amtrak App, at staffed Amtrak Stations and by calling 800-USA-RAIL (800-872-7245).

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The Pacific Surfliner provides daily service to 29 stations between San Diego and San Luis Obispo. Many of these stations are staffed, meaning that there is an Amtrak ticket window with a representative that passengers can speak with. The destinations section has more information about each station, including the address, parking, local connections, and more.

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For the most part, you may bring up to six items on board Pacific Surfliner trains without being charged. These six pieces consist of:

• Two personal items: For example, large purses, briefcases, or computer backpacks.

• Two carry-on bags: These bags can measure up to 28" x 22" x 11" each, and weigh up to 50 lbs. each.

• Two checked bags (currently suspended): These bags can measure up to 75 linear inches. That’s L+W+H, so for example, a 28" x 22" x 11" bag would be 61 linear inches. Baggage can be checked at the Amtrak ticket counter at stations that offer baggage service.

You may bring additional bags and/or larger bags, but you may be charged for them.

Baby gear such as strollers, diaper bags and car seats do not count toward this limit, and you will not be charged extra for bringing any of these items. Service animals are allowed onboard, but not pets or emotional support animals.

Visit Amtrak.com to view a list of prohibited items, which includes but is not limited to, firearms, hover boards, corrosive chemicals, and more.

Pacific Surfliner trains have bike racks onboard that can fix seven standard-size bicycles. Make a free reservation for your bike when booking your trip, but do so early, because space runs out. Read our article about bikes on trains to get more tips, including which types of bikes are allowed onboard, where to go, and the best destinations to visit.

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Our goal is to provide a safe, efficient, and comfortable ride to all of our passengers. Additional services are provided to passengers with disabilities, and we have worked to make facilities more accessible to customers with disabilities.

Learn more on Amtrak.com

Let's work together to keep people safe and away from railroad tracks. Train tracks are private property – walking, biking, jogging and standing on or next to them is dangerous and considered trespassing. Learn important safety facts and tips.

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Amtrak PD reminds all passengers that if they see something, they should say something. The Text-A-Tip program allows customers to message the Amtrak Police Department’s National Communications Center straight from their cell phones. Report suspected criminal or suspicious activity by texting APD11 (smartphone) or 27311 (standard phone), and an officer will respond. Passengers can also call (800) 331-0008.

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To report an emergency at a train crossing, locate the Emergency Notification System sign (posted at or near the crossing) and call the number provided. Visit our Rail Safety page for additional tips, important facts, and resources for staying safe around railroad tracks.

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The Pacific Surfliner provides easy connections to bus, air, rail, and local transit services, whether you are looking for that last-mile connection or wanting to travel beyond Southern California.

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Yes, with a multi-city ticket, you can book your trip in segments, allowing you to stop at multiple destinations along the way at no additional cost. You must plan your trip in advance, including stopovers. Remember, connections aren’t guaranteed, so make sure to build a trip that allows adequate time to make connecting trains. Learn more about multi-city tickets at Amtrak.com.

The easiest way to decide which schedule will work for you is to use our online booking tool.

If you prefer to explore options via our digital timetable, start by downloading the PDF from the schedules page. Then find the page for the direction you wish to travel (northbound or southbound).

Once you are on the right page, look at the left column, find your departure station, and read across to the right to see all the departure times from that station. Once you've found a departure time that works for you, follow the column down to find the arrival time at your destination station. The train number is located at the top of each column.

Some trains connect with Amtrak Thruway bus routes to provide more travel options. Bus connections are designated on the schedule with orange shading.

Check out our Destinations page to see which cities are served by the Pacific Surfliner.

Once you know where you’d like to go, use our online booking tool to explore your travel options. Choose “One-Way” or “Round-Trip”, enter your starting and ending stations, and indicate the dates you are interested in traveling. All of the available trains will appear as options once you click the “Submit” button.

If you'd prefer to speak with an Amtrak representative, visit a staffed Amtrak station or call 1-800-USA-RAIL. Customers who are deaf or hard of hearing can access TTD/TTY service at 1-800-523-6590.

Yes, multi-ride tickets allow you to take multiple trips using one ticket within a set amount of time. There are two types of multi-ride tickets that can be used on Pacific Surfliner trains: Monthly and Ten-Ride.

• Monthly Ticket: Monthly tickets are valid for unlimited travel between two stations you select and all stations in between for an entire calendar month. The distance between the two stations determines the price of your ticket.
• Ten-Ride Ticket: Ten-Ride tickets are valid for 10 one-way trips between two stations you select within a 90-day period. These tickets are non-transferable. However, more than one person may use a 10-ride ticket at one time, as long as the person named on the ticket is one of the passengers traveling and all passengers are traveling together. For example, five people could ride together round-trip (5 tickets each way) on one 10-trip ticket.

Visit Amtrak.com or download the Amtrak app to purchase a multi-ride ticket.

California Everyday Discounts offer year-round savings on Pacific Surfliner travel for students, seniors, kids, passengers with disabilities, and others. Visit our Offers page for more information. There are also generally special promotions throughout the year. Check the Promotions page for current offers.

Pacific Surfliner trains offer two types of tickets: Unreserved Coach and Business Class.

• Unreserved Coach: Unreserved Coach tickets allow you to ride any Pacific Surfliner train from the origin station to the destination station listed on your ticket. This gives you the flexibility to take a different train than the one you selected in the booking process if your travel plans change, subject to certain restrictions. 
• Business Class: Business Class tickets offer guaranteed seating and other perks. Learn more about Business Class.

Note: Advance reservations for all Pacific Surfliner trains may be required during holidays and special events. Certain promotions and discounts may also require advance purchase. Also be aware that some connecting bus routes require reservations, so make sure to purchase those tickets in advance. 

Business Class provides an upgraded travel experience. You’ll receive a complimentary snack and drink, priority boarding in San Diego, and bonus Amtrak Guest Rewards points. Visit our Business Class page to learn more.

The cost to upgrade to Business Class cannot be discounted – it’s usually between $10 to $35 each way depending on the distance traveled. However, use any applicable Pacific Surfliner discount to save on the overall cost of the trip. Visit the Offers page to learn about discounts and promotions.

Yes, if you made your reservation online, visit Amtrak.com and select “Modify Trip”. Log into your Amtrak Guest Rewards account or enter your reservation number and email address to upgrade to Business Class. You can also call 800-USA-RAIL to upgrade. You’ll be charged the difference in the fare between Unreserved Coach and Business Class, which is $10 to $35, depending on the distance traveled. Seats are limited, and it is possible Business Class seats may sell out on certain trains, so we recommend doing this in advance of your trip.

Yes, Amtrak Guest Rewards members can earn points for every Amtrak ride they take. There are many benefits, including upgrades, reward travel, and more. Enroll for free at amtrakguestrewards.com.

Purchase tickets using the online booking tool (Book Now button at the top of the page), the Amtrak app, Amtrak ticket agents at staffed stations, Amtrak Ticket Kiosks, or at 1-800-USA-RAIL. If you purchase tickets by phone and don’t have a device to pull up your ticket, please ask the agent on the phone for a confirmation code. That code can be given to the conductor in lieu of a printed or electronic ticket. Please note that certain promotions and discounts are only available online and require advance purchase.

When you book a ticket online or through the Amtrak app, your ticket is sent electronically as a PDF. Save the ticket on your mobile device and present it to the conductor upon request. If you prefer a paper ticket, print out the e-ticket and bring it with you. You can also ask for a printout of your ticket at an Amtrak ticket window at staffed stations. You can also ask the Amtrak agent on the phone for a confirmation code that can be given to the conductor in lieu of a printed or electronic ticket.

Yes, small cats and dogs up to 20 pounds (combined weight of pet and carrier) are welcome onboard Pacific Surfliner trains with advanced reservations. It costs $29 each way to add a pet to your trip. There are limited spaces available on each train, so book early. Learn more on our pets page.

Yes, service animals are welcome onboard at no charge. Service animals have been trained to perform a specific task for a person with a disability and can be booked when selecting "Passenger with Disability" as the traveler. Animals that are strictly for emotional support or security are not considered service animals, but they may be added to a trip under our pet program. Visit the Service Animals page on Amtrak’s website for more information on the policy.

Absolutely, but you’ll need to make a free bike reservation when you book your ticket, since there is limited bike space available on each train. A bike can also be added to an existing trip by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL. Bikes are stored in the train car at the end of the train opposite from the engine. Learn more.

Amtrak Thruway Bus Service offers guaranteed connections to Pacific Surfliner trains, extending travel possibilities. Dedicated bus routes fill gaps in the train schedule, link to other Amtrak routes, and provide the first or last connection to popular destinations such as Palm Springs and Long Beach.

Trips with bus connections may show up as additional options as you are planning your trip online or in the Amtrak app. You can also view the trains with bus connections in our digital timetable. The buses are highlighted in orange on the schedule.

Children 12 and younger may not travel alone, and must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. An exception applies to young parents. Learn more on the Unaccompanied Minors page on Amtrak’s website.

Children ages 13, 14 and 15 may travel alone, provided they meet the conditions of Amtrak’s Unaccompanied Minor Policy. You can view the full policy on the Unaccompanied Minors page on Amtrak’s website.

Children 16 and older may travel unaccompanied without restriction, but each traveler must have valid photo ID when purchasing tickets, on board the train, and riding buses.

It's easy to postpone your trip if plans change thanks to our flexible ticket policies. Unreserved Coach tickets can be saved and used at a later date (up to one year from the date listed on the ticket) without making any changes to the reservation. Some restrictions may apply, such as when the trains are all-reserved on peak travel days. 

Business Class reservations do need to be updated if plans change. If you made your reservation online, visit Amtrak.com and select “Modify Trip”. Log into your Amtrak Guest Rewards account or enter your reservation number and email address to make changes to your trip.  You can also call 800-USA-RAIL or speak with an Amtrak agent at a staffed Amtrak station in advance of your ticketed departure.

Pacific Surfliner tickets are considered "Flexible Fares". Tickets can be cancelled with a full refund to original form of payment with no fees if canceled before departure. There are no change fees. You can get more details on cancellation policies on Amtrak.com.

Yes. Gift cards for Pacific Surfliner train fares are available up to $500. Learn more