There is no direct train from Amtrak Los Angeles to San Francisco, and it does not have a station in downtown San Francisco. Two train-based options connect the cities: the Coast Starlight and the Gold Runner, both of which involve a connecting bus on at least part of the journey. The Coast Starlight departs Los Angeles Union Station once daily at 9:51 a.m. and arrives at Emeryville across the bay from San Francisco at 10:26 p.m., with a free connecting bus to San Francisco’s Ferry Building. Coach fares on the Coast Starlight start from around $89, and sleeping accommodations, including the exclusive Pacific Parlour Car, are available for passengers.
Los Angeles to San Francisco on Amtrak
There is no direct Amtrak train from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Amtrak’s closest stations to the city are Emeryville (across the Bay Bridge) and Oakland Jack London Square. A free Amtrak Thruway bus operates between Emeryville and San Francisco’s Ferry Building, taking approximately 30 minutes. When Amtrak books a ticket to San Francisco (SFC), this includes the Emeryville rail route plus the bus.
- Train Lines: Coast Starlight and Gold Runner
- Duration: 11 hours 30 minutes
- Distance: Approximately 474 miles
- Frequency: One daily departure (Coast Starlight) and multiple departures (Gold Runner) in each direction.
- Departure Station: Amtrak Los Angeles Station, 5885 Horton Street, Emeryville, CA 94608-2037.
- Arrival Station: Amtrak Emeryville Station, 800 North Alameda Street, Emeryville, CA 90012-2902.
| Route | Mode of Transport | Duration | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coast Starlight | Train + bus to SF | Around 13 hours | Once Daily |
| Gold Runner | Bus + Train + Bus | 10-11 hours | Multiple Daily |
Route 1: Coast Starlight-Los Angeles to San Francisco
Train 14 (Northbound, Daily)
Coast Starlight offers a direct train to Emeryville, while passengers will have to take a bus to San Francisco. The train stops at Oakland Jack London Square and Emeryville. A free Amtrak Thruway bus (Emeryville-San Francisco) connects to San Francisco’s Ferry Building.
| Amtrak Train | Departure (Los Angeles) | Arrival (Emeryville) | Days of Operation | Duration | Coach | Sleeping Cabins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Coast Starlight | 9:51 a.m. | 10:26 p.m. | Daily Service | 13 hours 10 minutes | From $89 | From $162 |
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Union Station (LAX) | Departs 9:51 a.m. |
| Burbank (BUR) | 10:18 a.m. |
| Van Nuys (VNC) | 10:49 a.m. |
| Simi Valley (SIM) | 11:22 a.m. |
| Oxnard (OXN) | 12:15 p.m. |
| Santa Barbara (SBA) | 1:30 p.m. |
| San Luis Obispo (SLO) | 4:15 p.m. |
| Paso Robles (PRB) | 6:13 p.m. |
| Salinas (SNS) | 7:58 p.m. |
| San Jose (SJC) | 9:21 p.m. |
| Oakland (OKJ) | 9:41 p.m. |
| Emeryville (EMY) | 10:26 p.m. |
Service Disruption Notice: As of July 2026, SCRRA and Union Pacific Railroad trackwork is affecting Coast Starlight service. Train 14 originates at Emeryville rather than Los Angeles on impacted dates, with alternate transportation provided between Los Angeles and Martinez via Gold Runner service. Always check before booking or travelling.
San Francisco to Los Angeles: Coast Starlight (Southbound – Train 11)
| Amtrak Train | Departure (Rochester) | Arrival (New York) | Days of Operation | Duration | Coach | Sleeping Cabins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Coast Starlight | 8:39 p.m. | 9:11 p.m. (next day) | Daily Service | 12 hours 30 minutes | From $89 | From $162 |
Route 2: Gold Runner: Los Angeles to San Francisco
Since there is no direct rail link between Los Angeles and Bakersfield that connects to the Gold Runner, Amtrak operates Thruway bus connections from Los Angeles Union Station to Bakersfield. At the northern end, a Thruway bus connects Oakland and Emeryville to San Francisco’s Ferry Building. The full journey is: Los Angeles (bus) → Bakersfield (train) → Oakland/Emeryville (bus) → San Francisco. Multiple departures from Los Angeles are available throughout the day, providing passengers more options than the single daily Coast Starlight departure.
Los Angeles to San Francisco- Gold Runner with Thruway Connections
| LA Departure (Bus) | Bakersfield Arrival | Bakersfield Train Departure | Emeryville Arrival | SF Ferry Building Arrival | Total Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:15 a.m. | 9:35 a.m. | 9:50 a.m. | 3:15 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | 8 hours 45 minutes |
| 10:55 a.m. | 1:45 p.m. | 2:05 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. | 8:15 p.m. | 9 hours 20 minutes |
| 12:55 p.m. | 3:45 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | 10:15 p.m. | 9 hours 20 minutes |
Gold Runner fares from Bakersfield to Emeryville start at $46 for a standard coach cabin. The thruway bus LA-Bakersfield is included in the through-ticket when booked as a single journey through the official Amtrak website.
Cabin Classes and Onboard Amenities: Amtrak Los Angeles to San Francisco Route
Passengers on the Los Angeles and San Francisco route can choose between two trains, each offering similar cabin comfort and amenities.
Coast Starlight: Amtrak Coach Class
Coach on the Coast Starlight uses Superliner bi-level cars. Seats are wide, arranged two-by-two with generous legroom, full recline, fold-down tray tables, reading lights, and Amtrak power outlets. The upper deck of the Superliner provides visuals, and the Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo section is reached in the early afternoon on Train 14. Passengers can visit the Cafe Car for food and drinks.
Coast Starlight: Sleeping Accommodations
- Roomette: A private two-person room with facing seats converting to berths. Includes a window, USB charging, climate control, and included meals in the Dining Car.
- Bedroom: Larger room with a full-size lower bed, upper bunk, private toilet and sink, and shower access in the Bedroom Suite car. All meals included. Bedroom passengers have Metropolitan Lounge access at Los Angeles Union Station.
- Family Bedroom: Accommodates up to two adults and two children. Meals are included with all tickets.
- Accessible Bedroom: Lower-level accessible room with wide doorways, toilet, sink, and space for a mobility device.
Pacific Parlour Car (Coast Starlight Exclusive)
The Pacific Parlour Car is exclusive to the Coast Starlight and available only to Sleeping Car passengers. It is a premium upper-level lounge offering wine and cheese service. On the northbound LA-San Francisco run, the Parlour Car’s wine and cheese service is typically offered in the early-to-mid afternoon.
Gold Runner: Coach Class
The Gold Runner uses California-style double-deck Surfliner cars or Superliner equipment. Seats are arranged two-by-two with power outlets, Wi-Fi, and access to the dining on Amtrak. Business Class is available on some Gold Runner departures, offering reserved seating and a complimentary beverage. The Gold Runner is a daytime service.
Passengers get multiple daily departures between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Two lines operate simultaneously, each providing cabins equipped with Amtrak internet access for free and meal facilities. Additionally, booking bus and train together helps in getting better prices.
FAQs
No, there is no direct Amtrak train between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Coast Starlight travels from Los Angeles to Emeryville, with a free connecting bus to the Ferry Building. The Gold Runner requires a connecting bus from Los Angeles to Bakersfield and another bus from Emeryville to San Francisco.
The Coast Starlight takes approximately 12 hours and 35 minutes from Los Angeles to Emeryville, with an additional 30 minutes by bus to San Francisco, a total of roughly 13 hours. The Gold Runner with connecting buses typically takes 8 to 11 hours depending on the departure time.
The Coast Starlight (Train 14) runs once daily from Los Angeles to the Bay Area. The Gold Runner (formerly San Joaquins) operates multiple daily departures between Bakersfield and Oakland, with Thruway bus connections to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Both can be booked as through-tickets on amtrak.com.
Not directly; Amtrak’s San Francisco station (SFC) is the Ferry Building at the Embarcadero, served by a free Amtrak Thruway bus from Emeryville. The bus takes approximately 30 minutes from Emeryville to the Ferry Building.
Gold Runner Coach fares from Bakersfield to Oakland start from approximately $46, with Thruway bus connections included in the through-ticket. Coast Starlight Coach from Los Angeles to Emeryville/San Francisco starts from approximately $89 on booking. Both increase closer to departure.
Yes, Superliner Roomettes, Bedrooms, Family Bedrooms, and Accessible Bedrooms are available. All Sleeping fares include meals in the Dining Car and access to the exclusive Pacific Parlour Car.
The Coast Starlight offers a Pacific Parlour Car, an upper-level premium lounge exclusive to sleeping Car passengers. It offers curated wine and cheese service.
Yes, as of July 2026, SCRRA and Union Pacific trackwork is affecting the Coast Starlight, with Train 14 sometimes originating at Emeryville rather than Los Angeles.
