Amtrak Coast Starlight: Schedule, Stops, & Route Guide

The Coast Starlight runs daily, connecting Seattle, WA, and Los Angeles, CA, with 28 stops along its 1,377-mile route. The journey offers stunning views of the Pacific coastline, the Cascade Range, and lush valleys, making it one of Amtrak’s most scenic rides.

Here’s a quick overview of fun stops and highlights:

• Seattle, WA: Start or end your journey in the Emerald City with iconic attractions like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market.
• Portland, OR: Known for its vibrant food scene, craft breweries, and scenic parks
• Sacramento, CA: A must-stop for history buffs interested in the California Gold Rush.
• Emeryville, CA (San Francisco Bay Area): A convenient gateway to San Francisco, to visit Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Additionally, Amtrak provides a connecting bus service from Emeryville to San Francisco.
• Santa Barbara, CA: A charming coastal town with beautiful beaches and Spanish architecture
• Los Angeles, CA: Start or end your trip in the City of Angels, home to Hollywood, world-class museums, and iconic landmarks like the Griffith Observatory

Timetable Highlights:

• Southbound Train (#11) departs Seattle at 9:55 AM and arrives in Los Angeles at 9:11 PM the next day.
• Northbound Train (#14) departs from Los Angeles at 9:51 AM and arrives in Seattle at 7:51 PM the following day.

Amtrak Coast Starlight Timetable or Schedule

The timetable information is sourced from the official Amtrak website but may change before I update this page. To ensure you have the most accurate departure times, please check your e-ticket or print your ticket on the day of travel. I last checked and updated this information on March 31. 2026.

If the train does not list arrival and departure times, it will likely make a short stop, often at unstaffed stations.

Abbreviations

Printable Amtrak Coast Starlight Schedule

You can print the schedule using the button below or from Amtrak.com. If you ride multiple trains or want a customized schedule, learn how to print Amtrak Schedules.

Want the full schedule? Click below to access the latest Coast Starlight timetable from Amtrak! Download the Coast Starlight & Connecting Service Schedule (PDF)

Why Choose the Coast Starlight?

The Coast Starlight isn’t just a train ride—it’s a journey through some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States. Whether you’re an experienced traveler or taking your first train trip, here’s why the Coast Starlight is a must-ride:

1. Breathtaking Scenery

The route takes you along the Pacific coastline, through lush forests, and over picturesque mountain ranges. Highlights include:

• Puget Sound views as you depart Seattle.
• Willamette Valley vineyards near Portland.
• Crashing Pacific waves along California’s central coast.

2. Comfort

Skip the hassle of airports and highways! The Coast Starlight offers:

• Wide, reclining seats with legroom in coach class.
• Private sleeping accommodations are available.
• You can grab food from the café or enjoy traditional dining in the dining car!
• An observation car offers panoramic views and photo opportunities.

3. Iconic Destinations

With stops in vibrant cities such as Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles, the Coast Starlight offers the ideal way to explore the Pacific Northwest and California. Discover charming towns like Santa Barbara or connect to San Francisco via Emeryville.

4. Memorable Onboard Experience

The train is more than transportation—it’s part of the adventure! Passengers enjoy:

• The Sightseer lounge car is perfect for relaxing with a view.
• Access to a café car with snacks and beverages.
• Opportunities to socialize with fellow travelers while soaking in the scenery abound.

5. Stress-Free Travel

Leave the driving to Amtrak! There are no traffic or airport security lines—sit back and enjoy the ride. With flexible ticket options and generous baggage allowances, the Coast Starlight is a convenient choice for travelers of all types.

The owners of the tracks that the Coast Starlight uses

As you may know, Amtrak uses other railroads, called host railroads, for many of its routes. The Coast Starlight uses four host railroads, each with at least 15 miles of track.

• BNSF – 158 miles
• Union Pacific – 1162 miles
• Metrolink – 48 miles
• Sounder – 20 miles

Often, these railroads are the primary reasons for Amtrak’s delays, such as:

• Routing delays
• Freight train interference.
• Signal delays
• Passenger train interference.

Coast Starlight On-Time Performance

In June 2026, the Coast Starlight recorded a Customer On-Time Performance (OTP) of 55.2%, which is below the 12-month trailing average of 65.9%. Both figures remain below Amtrak’s minimum standard of 80% for long-distance trains.

In June, passengers who arrived late experienced an average delay of 67 minutes. Over the past 12 months, late passengers have faced an average delay of 78 minutes.

The Coast Starlight operates across four host railroads, with the primary causes of delay differing by segment.

• BNSF: Freight train interference was the largest delay category in June, followed by interference from other passenger trains.
• Union Pacific: Temporary slow orders caused the most delay, followed by interference from other passenger trains.
• Metrolink, listed as SCRRA in the report: Interference from other passenger trains was the leading issue, followed by commuter train interference.
• Sounder: Interference from other passenger trains caused the most delay, followed closely by commuter train interference.

June’s customer on-time performance (OTP) was lower than the trailing 12-month average for the Coast Starlight. Since this route goes through busy freight and commuter-rail areas, passengers should allow extra time when planning connections for train reservations, flights, rental car pickups, or any other time-sensitive activities after their arrival.

These preliminary figures are taken from Amtrak’s June 2026 Host Railroad Report on-time performance. Customer OTP measures whether passengers arrive on time at their destination, not whether the train reaches every station as scheduled.

Coach Class: Affordable Comfort with Scenic Views

Traveling in Coach Class on the Coast Starlight offers a budget-friendly way to experience this iconic route. The seats are spacious and designed for comfort, featuring:

• Wide reclining chairs with adjustable footrests and leg rests.
• Generous legroom to stretch out, even on long trips.
• Fold-down tray tables for meals, reading, or laptops.
• A grounded 120V outlet is available at the seat.
• Upper and lower-level seating options
• Luggage storage
• Reading light available

Coach passengers enjoy access to the céafé car, which offers a variety of snacks, beverages, and light meals throughout the trip. They can also access the dining car; however, seating is limited. The article discusses dining more later.

Wi-Fi is not available on the route. If you’re looking for activities during your ride, see my post on Amtrak’s entertainment options.

Pro Tips for a Comfortable Ride:

• To make overnight travel more enjoyable, bring an eye mask, earplugs, a travel pillow, and a lightweight blanket.
• Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs can help block out ambient noise.
• Bring an extension cord to make sharing the outlet with your seatmate easier.
• Snacks and a water bottle help to save money and fill in the gaps if the café car is closed

For those seeking added privacy or comfort, consider upgrading to a roomette or a bedroom; more options will be available later.

Coach Starlight Coach Car Layout

Sleeper accommodations (Rooms) on the Coast Starlight

Amtrak’s sleeper accommodations are an excellent choice for travelers seeking extra comfort and privacy on the Coast Starlight.

These accommodations are perfect for overnight trips or anyone wanting a more luxurious experience. They include all the amenities to make your trip relaxing and enjoyable.

Types of rooms you can get on the Coast Starlight.

Roomette

• Ideal for solo travelers or couples, the Roomette is a cozy, private space with:
  • Two comfortable seats convert into a lower bed, and the upper one folds down from above.
  • Large windows provide panoramic views.
  • Access the shared restrooms and a shower room in your sleeper car.

Learn more about Amtrak Roomettes here.

Bedroom

• For more space and additional comfort, the Bedroom offers:
  • A private in-room restroom and shower.
  • A larger seating area that converts into upper and lower beds
  • Extra room for luggage and personal belongings.

Learn more about Amtrak Bedrooms here.

Family Bedroom

• Traveling with kids? The Family Bedroom is designed with families in mind and includes:
  • Two adult-sized beds and two smaller beds for children.
  • Windows to enjoy the view together.
  • Convenient access to restrooms and showers.

Learn more about Amtrak Family Rooms here.

Accessible Bedroom

• Amtrak ensures everyone can enjoy the Coast Starlight with the Accessible Bedroom, designed for passengers with mobility needs and their travel companions.
  • It features a private restroom, ample wheelchair space, and accessible amenities for comfort and convenience.

Learn more about Amtrak Accessible Rooms here.

Exclusive Benefits of Sleeper Accommodations

In addition to a private room, sleeper passengers enjoy several perks:

• Traditional Dining: Complimentary meals for sleeping-car passengers are served in the dining car, offering a variety of delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Meals can be in the dining car or your room.
• Priority Boarding: Skip the lines and board the train early at larger stations for a seamless start to your journey.
• Car Attendant: Each car has a sleeper attendant who assists passengers by making their beds, helping them off the train, providing meals, and more.

Which Room Is Right for You?

Choosing the best sleeper accommodation depends on your travel style and budget:

• The Roomette is a cozy, cost-effective option for solo travelers or couples.
• Families or those wanting extra space will love the Bedroom or Family Bedroom.
• Travelers needing accessibility features can rest easy in the Accessible Bedroom.

Pro Tip: Sleeper accommodations on the Coast Starlight often sell out, especially during peak travel times. Book early to secure your preferred room!

Sleeping car layout

This picture illustrates a typical sleeping car layout; however, if you have a roomette, you may also have a room in a transitional dorm. These cars have only roomettes and often house the staff.

Trip add-ons

There are a few things you can add to this trip.

Bikes

• Space is available for standard, full-size bicycles
  • Up to 50 lbs, 70 inches x 41 inches x 8.5 inches.
• Amtrak stores bikes in designated bike racks/areas inside the baggage car (if available).

Pets and Service Animals on Amtrak

• Amtrak allows dogs and cats up to 20 pounds.
  • The combined weight of the pet and carrier
• For trips up to seven hours
• You must have the paperwork completed before boarding the train.
• Get the latest information and the necessary paperwork by clicking the button below.

If you have a service or comfort animal, read Amtrak’s service animal policy for rules and booking instructions.

Luggage on the Coast Starlight

You can check or carry your luggage on this train. However, checked baggage service may not be available at all station pairs.

Checked bags

• Your first and last stations must offer checked-bag service.
  • Click the station links below to see if they offer checked baggage service and to review Amtrak’s checked bag policy.
• Each passenger may check two bags, with a maximum weight of 50 pounds and a maximum linear dimension of 75 inches.
• Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage.
• Limit of four checked bags per passenger.

Carry-on luggage

Each passenger may carry on:

• One personal item, up to 25 pounds (12 kg), and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
• Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each

Charges apply to additional and oversized luggage; see Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.

Accessibility on the Coast Starlight.

Wheelchair ramps are available to assist passengers with wheeled mobility devices in boarding and detraining. The train offers lower-level seating or mobile device space in coach class, as well as accessible bedrooms for those seeking sleeping accommodations. There are no elevators to get between floors.

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The Coast Starlight Broken Down by Day

The graph below breaks down the route by day, showing the first and last stop for each day.

Food options for the Coast Starlight

The Coast Starlight offers two dining options on board. The café is open to all passengers. Sleeper passengers receive complimentary meals in the dining car, while coach passengers can reserve seats at a fixed price, based on availability.

Café car

The café car is an excellent place to grab a snack, meal, or beverage. When I travel in coach, I typically buy most of my food there. Even when I’m in a sleeper car, I enjoy wandering over to stretch my legs and often treat myself to a glass of wine or beer along with a cheese tray. I’m from Wisconsin—what can I say?

The café is situated on the lower level of the Sightseer Lounge, positioned between the coach cars and the dining car. It provides a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks, and beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits.

The café operates from early morning until late at night, with short breaks throughout the day and a nightly closure for staff to eat and recharge.

Passengers are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages on board. Please note that Amtrak cannot store, refrigerate, or heat any items. Alcohol brought on board is only permitted in sleeping accommodations.

Dining car and traditional dining on the Coast Starlight

The Coast Starlight offers Amtrak’s classic dining experience, featuring chef-prepared meals served with full table service. Passengers can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and a three-course dinner, with special options available for children. Non-alcoholic beverages are included, and the first drink served at dinner is complimentary. Additional beer, wine, and spirits can be purchased.

Sleeper passengers enjoy complimentary meals, which can be savored in the dining car or delivered to their rooms. Coach passengers can reserve a limited number of dining car seats at a fixed price when available.

One of my favorite perks of booking a sleeper is that I can skip the café car, except for the cheese tray, and enjoy a real meal without spending any money, aside from the tip.

The table below details the meals provided on each leg of the journey.

Coast Starlight Scheduled Meals