Plan Your Next Train Trip | Pacific Surfliner

When you travel on the Pacific Surfliner, your getaway begins the moment you step on board. Whether you want to unwind or stay productive, we’re here to make sure you’re comfortable and connected as you coast through scenic Southern California.

Where We Go

The Pacific Surfliner train offers daily service to 27 stations along a beautiful 351-mile rail corridor. Explore destinations along our route for your next trip.

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Train Schedules

Know where you want to go? Check out the train schedule timetable and start planning your next Pacific Surfliner trip.

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Onboard Amenities

Once onboard the train, you can sink back in your seat and take in the ever-changing scenery. Whether you want to unwind or stay productive, you can enjoy the Market Cafe car, reclining seats, tray tables, power outlets, and free Wi-Fi to keep you comfortable and connected.

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Important Travel Info

Learn what you can expect during your next Pacific Surfliner trip, including updated information about schedules, ticket policies, enhanced cleaning measures, and more.

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Know Before You Go

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 27 stations between San Diego and San Luis Obispo. Thirteen 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 (not available at all stations, please check in advance): 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.

NOTE: Effective Wednesday, October 28, 2020, checked baggage service on the Pacific Surfliner is suspended until further notice. Please view our Travel Advisory page for the latest updates.
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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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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Trip Essentials

Schedules

The Pacific Surfliner serves stations in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.

Planned Disruptions for Improvements

Ongoing construction projects keep the infrastructure in top condition and contribute to overall improvements in rail travel along the corridor.

Make a Connection

Extend your Pacific Surfliner trip by connecting to a plane, Thruway bus, long-distance Amtrak route, or local transit.

Travel Tips and More

Our blog, The Inside Track, features a wide variety of tips and ideas for train travel including information about local whale watching excursions, bringing your bike onboard, taking the train to your next baseball game, and more.

READ OUR BLOG

Trip Planning FAQs

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.
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) and whether it’s on a weekday or weekend/holiday. The schedules are indicated as such at the top of the page.

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. Some trains have different schedules on weekdays and weekends/holidays, so make sure you are looking at the correct page. 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.
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.
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 60-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.

Note Amtrak RideReserve confirmations are not required for travel on Pacific Surfliner trains.
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.
Note: Special exceptions are being made to the cancellation policy due to COVID-19. Please view our Travel Advisory page for the latest updates.

Normally, one-way and round-trip coach tickets will be refunded minus a 10 percent service fee. Business Class tickets are fully refundable if canceled prior to departure. You can get more details on cancellation policies on Amtrak.com.

If you’d like to postpone your trip instead of cancelling, 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.