Train or Bus from LA to San Diego?? (Los Angeles, Alameda: car, station)

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by riaselva

do you know if i have to book in advance or can i just show up on the day?

No reservations needed for the Surfliner (SLO - SAN DIEGO) for coach and non-holiday travel. Business class and holidays, yes, get a reservation. Business class, BTW, for the extra few bucks is mostly worth it. Ultra comfortable with a couple of extra niceties thrown in (complimentary juice, coffee and snacks) plus BC service has always been superb in my experience.

[calipoppy]

The train is really fun! You will definitely enjoy the Surfliner

[xyzxyz]

Neither. Buses are horrible. I had a friend who took a Greyhound bus a few years ago and he didn't think he would live to tell about it. Amtrak is not what it is cracked up to be. I took the train from LA to San Diego because someone said it is scenic. Yeah, until you get out of LA county the scenes are pretty horrific. Some stuff close to San Diego was nice, but I would never do it again.

[Christine Joan]

Originally Posted by cre8

No reservations needed for the Surfliner (SLO - SAN DIEGO) for coach and non-holiday travel. Business class and holidays, yes, get a reservation. Business class, BTW, for the extra few bucks is mostly worth it. Ultra comfortable with a couple of extra niceties thrown in (complimentary juice, coffee and snacks) plus BC service has always been superb in my experience.

I've taken the train from LA to San Diego several times and I never even even considered asking about business class. This is good to know. Thanks.

[strategery52]

Hmm, I might consider taking the train when I get back to LA next month. I've always had a negative impression of Amtrak.

I've been in Europe for the past 8 months and have been thoroughly impressed by the train system. You can get from any city to any other at basically anytime. The trains run frequently and on time, and I haven't heard of any major train derailings/accidents, considering how much the trains are used.

Now, if only the US could develop Amtrak to be smooth and efficient. I know there are plans for a high-speed rail system to link SD, LA, Vegas, the Bay Area, Sactown and everywhere in between. But I must be dreaming that this will get people out of their cars and off the stressways that used to be "free". Some freedom, indeed.

[Lindasuedallas]

Hi,
I'm going to be taking the train from LA to San Diego in a week or so and would love to make reservations for buisness class. Went to the Amtrak site and I just don't recognize enough of the stops to know which ones are close to me. I live in the Brentwood area, so based on comments here would it be Union Station (and where is that).

Or, would it be easier to leave from Woodland Hills or Sherman Oaks because i could park my car there easier (don't know if they even have stops at these places, but just a thought).

Any comments?

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by Lindasuedallas

Hi,
I'm going to be taking the train from LA to San Diego in a week or so and would love to make reservations for buisness class. Went to the Amtrak site and I just don't recognize enough of the stops to know which ones are close to me. I live in the Brentwood area, so based on comments here would it be Union Station (and where is that).

Or, would it be easier to leave from Woodland Hills or Sherman Oaks because i could park my car there easier (don't know if they even have stops at these places, but just a thought).

Any comments?

Union Station would be your best bet, in my estimation. If for no other reason than that there are far more schedules departing Union Station for San Diego than from points north. From Brentwood there might even be a MetroRapid option for you if you can get to Wilshire Blvd. Check the MTA's web site: metro.net | Trip Planning, Transit Services & Information for Los Angeles County.

Incidentally, in the Valley the Surfliner stops in Chatsworth, Van Nuys and Burbank Airport, not Woodland Hills or Sherman Oaks.

[Lovehound]

Union Station is downtown. I haven't taken the train yet, but I think you can take Metrolink from Van Nuys to downtown and then switch to Amtrak there. Read up at Metrolink Stations & Maps, and take a look at the map. I don't think there are any stops in WH or SO unless you bring your own train and track.

Myself, if I was taking the train to SD I wouldn't want to spend the first 45-60 minutes stuck in traffic.

(Please note that I did not verify that Amtrack runs out of Union Station, but I've studied Metrolink intending on taking it and Metrolink does go to Union Station.)


EDIT: I simultaneous posted with the post above, but just to add, I think that MetroRapid means it's a bus. I wouldn't want to spend 45 minutes on a bus either before taking the SD train. I think either take Metrolink Van Nuys to Union Station and transfer to Amtrack downtown, or if you can get on Amtrack right in Van Nuys then do that. I suspect the schedules would determine which makes the best sense.

[caliguy92832]

Take the Amtrak train. Alot better than Greyhound. I've taken the train many of times to SD. Alot better scenery, more relaxing, better experience.

[caligurltotx]

Definitely train and depending on yr travel dates I would book in advance. Can't hurt.