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Seattle to Los Angeles train

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Seattle - Los Angeles Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 11 daily train trips between Seattle and Los Angeles. The average train journey from Seattle to Los Angeles takes 36 hours and 36 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 30 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance960 mi (1545 km)
Fastest train30h 40m
Lowest price$109.67
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Seattle to Los Angeles

(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Victor

December 15, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: The view from the lounge cart was my favorite part! The cafe shop was good too. Not too pricey and they have a wide variety of snacks. Cons: The bathrooms were dirty, and has a great deal of visible damage. The lounge area was also packed most of the time so it hard to find a seat. More seating would be appreciated. Tips: Bring your own USB adapter they do not sell them on the train. The cell service goes in and out so you'll want to pre download all your entertainment.

5.0

Amber

December 14, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Very cozy and comfortable. Cons: I would like to be able to choose window or aisle. Tips: Make sure to pack accordingly for long trips!

What is the price of a train ticket from Seattle to Los Angeles?

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Seattle to Los Angeles was $262.48. Tickets for this route are somewhat expensive, given the distance between Seattle and Los Angeles. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Los Angeles if you book your train tickets at least 19 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $100.26.

Average prices by travel date

$426$284$142MarApr

The average cost of a one-way train trip from Seattle to Los Angeles is expected to fluctuate between $207 and $414 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Los Angeles in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Seattle is $248.

Monthly average prices

$338$271$203$135$68AMJJASONDJFM
Mark your calendar for February if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Seattle to Los Angeles. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of $218. If you're planning a trip from Seattle to Los Angeles during August, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about $321 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Prices as travel date approaches

$406$325$244$162$813020100

Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Seattle to Los Angeles. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 19 days before departure, you can save around $100.26. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!

Which train should you take from Seattle to Los Angeles?

2 train services operate from Seattle to Los Angeles. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 10 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak101d 12h 42m$288.00
Amtrak Coast Starlight11d 11h 7m$271.87
  • Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 10 Amtrak trains from Seattle to Los Angeles every day, as well as 17 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $156.

  • The Coast Starlight is an Amtrak train that travels the entire length of the West Coast, connecting Los Angeles to Seattle. The route starts hugging the California coastline, treating passengers to swoon-worthy views of the Pacific, before continuing into the verdant forests of the Cascade Mountains. The Coast Starlight indisputably earns its spot among the most scenic Amtrak train routes. Seating options include Coach or Business Class and roomettes or bedrooms for extra space. A trip from Seattle to Los Angeles takes 35 hours and 7 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at $110.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Seattle to Los Angeles. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between Seattle and Los Angeles is approximately 960 miles, or 1545 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 36 hours and 36 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 30 hours and 40 minutes.

Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Tuesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Seattle to Los Angeles. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Tuesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Sunday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Seattle at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 11 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Los Angeles. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Los Angeles to Seattle.

City Information

Seattle

Seattle is a must-see destination on the West Coast of the United States, offering many unique activities for any type of traveler. However, we're confident every visitor will enjoy the view of Mount Rainier from the top of Seattle's iconic Space Needle. Outdoor enthusiasts can bike, hike, boat, and ski in one of the top cities for outdoor activities in the U.S., while soaking in the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty (and yes, some rain as well). Urban explorers will love walking through Pike Place Market and experiencing Seattle's museums and public art, like the scenic Olympic Sculpture Park. These offerings and more make Seattle one of the best vacation destination in Washington.

Known for its coffee culture and as the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle is also one of the top 5 craft beer cities in the U.S., which is ideal for those who prefer to experience the taste of a city served up in a latte mug or a pint glass.

Seattle is home to the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle-Tacoma Airport, but there are plenty of other ways to continue your travels from the Emerald City. A short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island includes the chance to see orca whales in the Puget Sound, or you can catch the Amtrak Cascades train or one of several affordable bus options from the historic King Street Station to other exciting Northwest cities in British Columbia, Oregon and beyond.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Seattle?

Seattle, WA - King Street Station - SEAAMT-0

Image credit: SounderBruce

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: King St Station - 303 S Jackson St

King Street Station is the main station for Amtrak train service and Greyhound bus service in Seattle, with connections to local public transit like the Link Light Rail and King County Metro at the International District/Chinatown station one block away. Located near downtown Seattle in the trendy Pioneer Square neighborhood, King Street Station opened in 1906 and continues to impress travelers with its restored Italian architecture and Venetian-style clocktower. King Street Station has on-site Amtrak staff, restrooms, and vending machines, and while there are no restaurants in the station, several nearby coffee shops and eateries make it easy to fuel up before your trip.

All train stations in Seattle:

  • King St Station - 303 S Jackson St

  • 10251 St Edwards Dr

  • Pacific Central Station

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Union Station

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.

Train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 592 Gayley Ave

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Need a return trip from Los Angeles to Seattle?

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