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Hey there, fellow travelers! Let’s talk about Amtrak Coast Starlight, a daily train traveling up and down the West Coast of the USA. In this article, you will find the schedule of Coast Starlight and learn about the accommodation, food on the train, and more.

Picture this: You’re nestled comfortably in your seat (or room), watching the vibrant landscapes of the West Coast unfold outside your window. From the sun-soaked beaches of Southern California to the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, this train traverses some of the most breathtaking scenery the United States offers.

But it’s not just about the destinations but the journey itself. The Coast Starlight isn’t just a mode of transportation; it’s an experience. With its plush seats, sleeping accommodations, panoramic windows, and onboard food amenities, traveling from Los Angeles to Seattle (or anywhere between) has never been more enjoyable.

Now, let’s talk logistics. The Coast Starlight covers 1377 miles in less than 37 hours, stopping at cities like Portland, Oakland, San Francisco Bay Area, and Sacramento. 

Smoking and vaping are not allowed on the Coast Starlight.

So, whether you’re a seasoned rail enthusiast or a first-time traveler, I encourage you to hop aboard the Coast Starlight and experience the magic of train travel. Trust me, it’s an adventure you will remember.

What can you as traveling on the Amtrak Coast Starlight

The Amtrak Coast Starlight takes you along the West Coast and offers a marvelous Amtrak adventure!

When traveling on this train between Los Angeles and Seattle, you pass through Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Portland. The Coast Starlight offers views from the snow-covered Cascade Range and Mount Shasta peaks to lush forests, fertile valleys, and long stretches of the Pacific Ocean shoreline.

There’s a little something for everyone, and each day offers something different.

My favorite part of the route is the southern section, where you can see the beauty of the Pacific Ocean as you travel.

The Coast Starlights on-time performance and track owners.

Since Amtrak does not own most of the tracks it runs on, it relies on other railroads to host these trains. Here is a list of who owns the tracks the Coast Starlight uses, 15 miles or more.

• BNSF (BNSF) 158 miles
• Sound Transit (SDRX) 20 miles
• Union Pacific (UP) 1162 miles
• Metrolink (SCAX) 48 miles

The Coast Starlight on-time performance.

Things can cause delays in any form of transportation, including acts of God. Amtrak may be responsible for some delays, but host railroads often contribute to delays.

• The average “at station” on-time performance for the Coast Starlight
  • From February 2023 to 2024, the average was 53.6% average minutes late 82.
  • In February 2024, the average was 56.5% average minutes late 90.
• The major causes of delays due to host railroads include.
  • BNSF: routing and dispatching delays and signal delays
  • UP: Signal delays and freight train interference
  • Metrolink: passenger train interference and signal delays
  • Sounder: passenger train interference

Information in the section comes from the Amtrak Host Railroad Report – February 2024.

Coach Class on the Coast Starlight

• Coach seating or class is an economical way to ride on this train for a few hours or overnight.
• The seats in these cars feature comfortable and recline
• Ample legroom
• A fold-down tray
• Individual reading lights
• 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets.
• There is also a foot and leg rests.
• There is also luggage storage above your seat and a lower-level luggage rack.

Coach Starlight Coach Car Layout

Sleeper accommodations (Rooms) on the Coast Starlight

What you get with your room

• Fresh linens and towels
• Showers
• Traditional Dining
• Station Lounge access in Portland, OR, and Los Angeles
• Dedicated car attendant
• Meals come with your reservations
• Coffee and juice station in the middle of the car’s upper level.
• One upper-level restroom, with at least three on the lower level
• Curtains for privacy and block out light.
• At least one outlet in the room
• And more

Types of rooms you can get on the Coast Starlight

• Roomettes
  • Smallest of the rooms
  • Rooms 1-10 are on the upper and 11-14 on the lower.
• Bedroom
  • In-room bathroom and sink
  • Only found on the upper level
• Accessible room
  • A room for people with mobility issues
  • Located on the lower level.
• Family Bedroom
  • On the lower level
  • This room accommodates two adults and two small children.

Coast Starlight sleeping car layout

This is a typical sleeping car layout, but if you have a roomette, you could have a room in a transitional dorm, aka a transdorm.

Trip add on’s

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 need paperwork to travel with your pet that needs to be filled out before boarding the train.
• Get the latest info and the needed paperwork on 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

This train allows you to check or carry on your luggage. Checked baggage service may not be available at all station pairs.

Checked bags

• Your first and last stations must offer checked bags for you to check them.
  • Click the station links below to see if they provide checked baggage service and Amtrak’s checked bag policy.
• Each passenger can check two bags and allow two bags up to 50 lbs—75 linear 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, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches, and 
• Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each
• If you transfer to the Pacific Surfliner at some point along your journey, the baggage size for that train is up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each. 

Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage; check out 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 and accessible bedrooms if you want a sleeping accommodation. There are no elevators to get between floors.

Food offerings on the Coast Starlight

There are two food cars on this train.

Cafe car

• There is a cafe on the lower level of the Sightseer Lounge
  • It is between the coach and dining cars in the middle of the train.
• Features hot and cold meals
• Snacks
• Hot, cold, and adult beverages are for sale.
• The car is available for all customers from early morning until late at night.
  • It does close during the day for breaks.
• You can bring food and drink aboard the train.
  • Amtrak cannot store or heat your food.
  • You cannot consume the alcohol you bring on the train.

Dining car and traditional dining on the Coast Starlight

The meals are complimentary for customers with sleeping accommodations, but coach class passengers can snag one of the limited meal seating for a set price.

• The Coast Starlight has traditional dining!
  • Which are chef-prepared meals with table service
• Meals include breakfast, lunch, and a three-course dinner.
  • Selections for kids
• Non-alcoholic drinks are included, with wine, beer, and spirits available for sale.
  • Your first drink at dinner is on Amtrak!
• Sleeping passengers can have meals brought to their rooms.
• Reservations may be open for coach passengers at a set meal price.

One of my favorite parts of having a sleeper is the dining car meals, for you get good food without having to pull the wallet out (but for tip). The table below shows you the meal you can revive as you travel on the Coast Starlight,

Amtrak Coast Starlight Schedule

If the train does not list an Arrival and departure time, it is a shortstop, often at unstaffed stations. This train operates daily.

Abbreviations

R = Receive passengers only; this means you can board the train, but you cannot buy a ticket on this train to this station.

D = Depart only; you can buy a ticket to this station but not from this station.

* = Stations with Amtrak Connecting Services.

Printable Amtrak Coast Starlight Schedule

You can use the button below to print out the schedule or print it from Amtrak.com. If you are riding more than one train or want a customized schedule, those are offered too; learn how to print out Amtrak Schedules.