If you love train travel, this one’s for you. Some of the most breathtaking landscapes can be seen from the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, and if you’re curious about learning how to take this hassle-free journey, keep reading.

This picturesque trip takes you right along the coastline, so you’ll have plenty of views to keep you busy while the time flies by. We’ll go over my experience riding both Business Class and Coach, how to book tickets, and highlights to see along the way.

I recently took the trip from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Santa Barbara with my boyfriend, Justin. We packed up for just one night in the middle of the week – a Wednesday to Thursday trip. It was a welcome, quick refresh from city life.

We stayed at the super charming and newly renovated Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Downtown (pictured above), located on State Street, within walking distance of downtown Santa Barbara and the pier. I absolutely loved staying here because it was a bit more affordable than other options in the area, yet still so conveniently located. The bed was suuuper comfortable. Reserve your stay on Booking.com.

But first, a YouTube video recapping our entire experience taking the Pacific Surfliner, and PLUS, things to do in Santa Barbara:

Continue reading for more important info to know about about Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner:

What Route Does Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner Take?

From start to finish, the Pacific Surfliner runs all the way from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. Popular stops include Los Angeles (of course, that’s why you’re reading this!), cities in Orange county like Irvine, San Clemente, and more, Ventura, and Santa Barbara.

You can take in roughly 100 miles of stunning coastline from your seat on the train. If you’re starting your journey in Los Angeles, get ready to pass through Simi Valley, Moorpark, Ventura, Carpinteria, etc.

How Long Does It Take to Get from LA to Santa Barbara on the Train?

Since there are multiple trains running each day, the time it takes can vary. However, usually the trip takes about 2 ½ hours, but it can take up to 3 hours.

When you book your ticket, you’ll be able to see the estimated duration of each train and decide which one you’d like to book.

Personally, I’d rather be on a train scrolling through my phone, taking photographs, or working on my laptop for 3 hours instead of stuck in traffic for the same amount of time. But, you do sacrifice a little bit of freedom once you arrive in Santa Barbara, so consider that as well. 

Boarding Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner at Union Station in Los Angeles

First things first, when you arrive at Union Station in DTLA, check the timetable to see which platform your train is arriving at and make sure your train is arriving on time. In my experience, I’ve found Amtrak to be generally reliable, but cancellations and delays DO happen. So, keep tabs on that before you even head to the station, for good measure.

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Then, it’s time to head to your platform! Generally, I believe the train should be waiting in Los Angeles about 15 minutes before departure time. For our train departing at 11:13am, we arrived at the platform at about 11:00am, and the train was already there waiting for us to board.

However, if you are hopping on the train at a different stop aside from LA, the train only waits a minute or two before departing. In general, you always want to be at your platform waiting at least 15 minutes beforehand, otherwise you risk missing your train!

How Much Does It Cost to Take the Pacific Surfliner from LA to Santa Barbara?

Let’s go over cost. Pricing varies depending on time of day and the duration of your ride.

You can get a one-way ticket for as little as $30 per person in Coach. The upgrade to coach only costs $16 per person.

Our round-trip cost for two people totaled $152. Per person, it came to $76 – not bad, considering the cost of gas there and back might cost anywhere between $45-65, plus possible parking fees. For this trip, we paid for everything and were not sponsored.

Should I Ride Business Class or Coach on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner?

Without a doubt, Business Class is better. On our trip, we rode Business Class on the way there, and Coach on the way back.

Although both experiences were honestly not terribly different, Business Class was much quieter. On our way home in Coach, a lovely family was returning from their trip, and although their kids were adorable, it can be a bit too much if you’re not along for ‘the ride,’ if you know what I mean.

In Business Class, our seats were a tad more comfortable and made with finer material. There is also more leg room on Business Class, which is really nice. 

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As far as food, we got complimentary coffee, tea, water, and a packaged pastry. We also got this fun snack box filled with goodies – chocolate chip cookies, gluten-free pretzels, gouda cheese, a meat stick, and more – along with a free beverage of choice (I got wine, Justin got ginger ale).

The Business Class car is located at the front of the train, so the ride might be a bit smoother as well. Of course, Business Class usually costs a bit more, but if you want to make last minute changes to your ticket (we actually ended up doing this on our departure), there is no charge. For Coach, if you change your ticket, fees may apply.

In short, opt for Business Class if you like the extra perks of free snacks and a more peaceful experience, or go with Coach if those niceties don’t matter to you.

Anything Else I Should Consider When Choosing My Seat on the Amtrak Train?

In both Coach and Business Class, you can choose a seat that faces forward or backward while in motion. If you get motion sickness, you might want to try the seats that face forward. While I was riding, I also saw that the seats can be rotated to face one another and combine into a set of 4 seats.

I’m not entirely sure how to do the mechanics of it, but if you kindly as a staff member, you can likely switch the direction of your seat or create seating for 4 people easily.

One last but important thing about seating: If you want to enjoy views of the ocean during your ride, be sure to pick a seat on the left side of the train. That will be the side opposite the side you enter on at Union Station.

If you get confused when you board, pull out your compass on your phone or ask someone for help, and you’ll be sure to get the best views.

What About Luggage?

It’s very easy to bring your suitcases on the train. Above every seat is a rack where luggage can be stored, and larger suitcases are able to be placed at the front of every car. You will likely need to carry your suitcase up the stairs, so be prepared to lift it on your own if it’s heavy. 

Is There Another Train That Runs to Santa Barbara Aside from the Pacific Surfliner?

We originally booked the train at 9:51am out of Union Station, which is the Coast Starlight. The Coast Starlight is the fastest train offered, and it passes through Los Angeles once a day.

You can actually take the Coast Starlight all the way from Los Angeles to Seattle! I definitely want to do that trip sometime soon. 

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But to get to Santa Barbara, there is little difference between the two trains. You’ll see similar scenery along the way. There are a few less stops along the route taking the Coast Starlight (i.e. there is no stop in Carpinteria or Moorpark), which makes it a bit faster.

On the Coast Starlight, you can actually book a private room, if you like. But in my opinion, just getting from LA to Santa Barbara doesn’t solicit a reason to do so, as the trip goes by so quickly.

For some reason I’m not sure of, the train we booked on the Coast Starlight was canceled a few days before our trip. So, we ended up taking the 11:13am Pacific Surfliner.

Where Does The Train Drop You Off in Santa Barbara?

When the stop for Santa Barbara nears, start packing up your things. After a few hours, I’m sure you’ve gotten comfy in your seat! That’s what always happens to me.

But definitely pack up with enough time to get down to the first level of the train, so you’ll be ready to hop off. At the Santa Barbara stop, as well as with most stops along the way, the train only waits a few minutes before taking off again. Don’t miss your stop!

When you arrive in Santa Barbara, you’ll be at the end of State Street, the main promenade that runs through downtown. It’s super ideal. You’re also close to the beach, so if you like, you can walk over and take in the views before heading to your hotel. 

This part of Santa Barbara is also close to the Funk Zone, where many of the area’s wine tasting rooms are located. Right after hopping off the train, you can keep the fun going by stopping in at one of the many wine tasting rooms and ordering a wine flight! My favorites are Municipal Winemakers and Paradise Springs Winery.

Is Train Travel More Sustainable Than Driving or Flying?

Yes, taking the train is better for the environment than both driving and flying. When you take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to Santa Barbara instead of driving from Los Angeles, it’s much more eco-friendly.

Trains are more energy-efficient than cars and airplanes, and also, trains can transport more people, which leads to more energy efficiency per person. Fewer greenhouse gasses are produced by trains than cars. Reduce your carbon footprint and go with the train!

Are There Any Drawbacks to Taking the Train Instead of Driving?

Well, I’ll be honest. If you take the train to Santa Barbara instead of driving, you will be limited to areas you can walk or Uber to during your stay. 

Now, for us, this wasn’t an issue. We mostly wanted to check out the downtown area, drink some wine at the local wine shops in town, and walk up and down the pier to see the beach. 

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However, if you want to visit wineries in the hills farther away or check out Montecito for an evening, your transit options getting there are a bit limited. You could take an Uber from Santa Barbara to Montecito and back, but keep a budget of $30-40 in mind each way. The cost of multiple Uber rides adds up.

As an alternative, you could consider renting a bike during your stay, or choose a hotel which offers bike rentals. That way, you can easily bike up and down the beach.

Aside from that, there are very few disadvantages of taking the train. There is, of course, always the possibility your train might be delayed or canceled, but the chances are slim and if a cancellation occurs, there are many other trains running the same day. It’s much easier to reschedule a train than a flight, for example.

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Planning a trip right now? Here are a few of my top resources I use to book every trip. 

Booking.com for great deals on hotels.

Get Your Guide for incredible tours around the world.

World Nomads for travel insurance that has your back.

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