Cheap train tickets from Los Angeles to Riverside
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Los Angeles to Riverside?
There are usually 6 daily bus trips from Los Angeles to Riverside.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price€30.75 | Avg. Price€20.95 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips6 | Daily Trips11 |
Duration | Duration5h 11m | Duration4h 54m |
Trip Summary
You can pick from 6 daily train trips between Los Angeles and Riverside. The average train journey from Los Angeles to Riverside takes 4 hours and 47 minutes, but some Amtrak Southwest Chief train trips are as short as one hour and 17 minutes.
| Distance | 49 mi (79 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 17m |
| Lowest price | €10.47 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Los Angeles to Riverside
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from Los Angeles to Riverside?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Los Angeles to Riverside was €20.21. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 16 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around €0.90 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Los Angeles to Riverside by travel date
If you're planning a train trip from Los Angeles to Riverside in the upcoming month, you'll be happy to know that ticket prices are expected to remain stable. You can book your trip for any day within the next four weeks and expect to pay around €20.
Monthly average prices
Taking the train from Los Angeles to Riverside usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around €21 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to Riverside at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.
Which train should you take from Los Angeles to Riverside?
2 train services operate from Los Angeles to Riverside. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 5h 9m | €21.32 |
| Amtrak Southwest Chief | 1 | 1h 17m | €11.70 |
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 5 Amtrak trains from Los Angeles to Riverside every day, as well as 11 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €16.
The Southwest Chief is a passenger train operated by America’s largest train service, Amtrak. The full route travels over 2,200 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, which takes over 43 hours. The train covers the stretch from Los Angeles to Riverside in about 1 hours and 17 minutes. In addition to standard Coach Class seats, the Southwest Chief offers several sleeper cabin options on longer journeys. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief is consistently ranked as one of the most scenic train routes in America, thanks to the stunning views of the Painted Desert, the Red Cliffs of Sedona, and the Grand Canyon you’ll see from your train window.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Los Angeles to Riverside
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Los Angeles to Riverside. 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 Los Angeles and Riverside is approximately 49 miles, or 79 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 47 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 17 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Los Angeles to Riverside on Tuesday. Tickets for Tuesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Sunday. Sunday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 08:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 17:00. 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Los Angeles to Riverside. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Riverside to Los Angeles.
City Information
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.
Riverside
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Riverside is the most populous city in the Inland Empire and the birthplace of the local citrus industry. One of the most popular buildings in the city is the Mission Inn, a historic landmark that is also the largest Mission Revival Style building in the country. The building is now a popular local hotel and spa, offering top-notch hospitality services. While nearby, don't forget to check out the Mission Inn Museum as well. If you are looking to enjoy a great panoramic view of the entire city, take a short hike to the top of Mount Rubidoux, and you will not be disappointed!
Riverside boasts a generally vibrant food scene with plenty of establishments to choose from. The Mission Inn itself offers incredible traditional Spanish dishes and a fabulous open-air patio dining spot. For seasonal produce and local dishes, check out Salted Pig!
Riverside is served by Amtrak trains and several bus companies that operate routes throughout Southern California and beyond. In addition, there are three major airports in Riverside's general area: Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and John Wayne Orange County Airport.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Los Angeles?
Main departure station: Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd
Los Angeles has 3 stations where passengers can board the train to Riverside.
All train stations in Los Angeles:
Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd
10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth
Union Station
Where is the train station in Riverside?
Image credit: Juan Enrique Gilardi
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St
On June 14, 1993, the Riverside station on Vine Street opened as a transportation facility. It comprises a platform with modest shelters to shield visitors from the sun and adverse weather. On April 29, 2002, the station was added as a stop on the Southwest Chief route, putting an end to Amtrak trains just passing through Riverside without making a scheduled stop. In addition to Amtrak, the station now primarily operates as a Metrolink commuter rail and transit bus terminal.
Train stations in Riverside:
Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St
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