Amtrak

Clean trains, on time and great staff! The Amtrak conductors were extremely friendly.

Amtrak is the biggest joke! I have never been on time when taking Amtrak. I am now over two hours late and they just stopped for twenty mins to let another train go by. Their reasoning for this is that we are already so late and the other train is on time so they decided we would just be more late! This company is a joke! Avoid the train if at all possible!!! I will never travel by Amtrak again

This is the worst station and train ever! Train 591 from Oceanside to union station has been delayed by over an hour and there is no inside hub! I have been waiting for over an hour in the cold and it keeps getting delayed! What a horrible experience.

3.5 – This review is for Amtrak, not a particular station. And for my experience overall (otherwise this particular trip’s review would be a lot lower.) I do usually go out of Solana Beach though, and the station attendants are very nice, helpful, and easy to hear and understand on the platform. The actual train service however, is a different story. I took the train a few years ago during a holiday weekend while pregnant and didn’t buy business class. I guess that was my fault, and I stood/​sat on the floor of the bottom entrance/​exit the whole way (with many others). I’ve taken it since and has an OK experience – nothing special, nothing terrible. Here I am again 8 months pregnant, not able to drive, so I took the 583 train on a holiday week-​Tuesday mid afternoon in business class. When I got on, the train attendant did not offer to help with my suitcase, though that would have been the polite thing to do. (Fine, I get it-it’s not your job, but it’s rude.) Then when I’m sitting down, the same guy comes through and offers only certain people snacks and beverages. Excuse me! The pregnant lady would like some water! I wish I were the type of person who would shout that out. I had to ask for service after a very long absence and the way he treated me and everyone around me was with absolute distaste. I hope Amtrak prides itself on better service than that.

I have ridden the train to LA several tines. It has always been a pleasant experience. However, this weekend trip was extra special to me. I am senior citizen and walking a distance is difficult. Plus last week I sprained my wrist. So I was having difficulty this weekend. The porter on the train noticed my difficulty and after helping me remove my suitcase, he then called for a cart to get me to my car. The cart was there very quickly. He loaded my suitcase, drove me to my car. He even loaded my suitcase in my car for me. I feel like they went above and beyond in helping me. I appreciate it very much.

This review is for the Oceanside train/​transit station — the most useful & comprehensive transit station between LA & SD. Having grown up using northern European transit for many years — most of the US has a long way to go in the public transportation arena. Oceanside is an exception to this rule. Trains and buses leave in all directions 7 days a week from 4am — midnight. There is plenty of free parking for up to 72 hours and it is only blocks to the long sandy beaches of OSide! Also the train rides north and south hug the coastline with incredible coastal views of SoCal… enJoy!

Amtrak are a bunch of crooks! Over booking trains to a ridiculous level, people sitting on floors, in isles, on steps and in front of bathroom doors. Not only did I pay good money to be treated like cattle but the conditions were not conducive to anybody’s safety or well being. I could have taken metrolink and at least got to sit down or use the bathroom. Unacceptable Amtrak! You should be ashamed of yourselves, putting people’s safety, well being and comfort last on your agenda. Dispicable!

It’s been a very long time since I’ve taken a train anywhere but Amtrak made it easy. From buying the ticket online to navigating the train station it was a breeze! The seats are large and comfortable and there are plugs at every seat to charge your phone. There is a snack bar that serves sandwiches and beverages including beer and win. When I looked online for a train from Los Angeles to San Diego I found a different train that cost $ 139 one way, I thought that was a lil pricy but hey what do I know about train fare it’s been like 5+ years since I’ve taken one. Then I found Amtrack and it was only $ 35! I have no idea how the other train stays in business being so much more expensive for the same trip leaving from the same station. I also liked how the train went along the ocean so the view was beautiful!

Unfortunately the workers on the train can’t stay off the microphone making it very unrelaxing with loud interruptions every few minutes. You can travel all over Europe and hours go by with very little interruptions in terms of noise, with the self important workers on Amtrak have to make redundant officious and unnecessary announcements over and over

Cops were on the train real quick for a drunk girl from the Angels game. She won’t get off the train and it’s giving us a huge delay. Just get off the train miss… Please, it’s midnight.

I love this Amtrak station! I have been very blessed to meet interesting and amazing people. I have taken this 5 times now and I have had the opportunity to make great conversations with others and even though this is used as transport, it has given me the ability to make connections and to learn about others lives that is so different than my own. It’s a pretty cool and exciting adventure each time.

I was on the Amtrak train to Los Angeles, and another train broke down which for some reason meant ours had to back track and hook the broken one onto ours. This process delayed the train an entire hour and five minutes. It made me miss my bus, and cut one day off of my much needed vacation. I now unfortunately have to stay in a different town, pay for a nights stay in a hotel and wait to continue my journey tomorrow. Amtrak luckily gave me new tickets, and were very helpful. However, this was very inconvenient. So my suggestion is that if you’re riding amtrak, with transfers involved, prepare yourself for your trip to not go according to plan.

One good thing about the Oceanside train station is the two women behind the ticket counter are super friendly. Bad and I mean huge part is the whole train station looks dirty and abandoned. Its really sad that the city itself cannot do an update on this place like and i mean a huge renovation (I mean big time) but then again I guess money is an issue to. San Diego airport looks cleaner than this place and this is where people travel back and fourth to one place to another. Then again you really cannot complain the good thing about this place is thats its here for conviency Could be better though.

We took the amtrack from Oceanside to Santa Barbara for a weekend trip. Super easy to get a ticket from the kiosk or from the ticket office. Took our road bikes on the train for free (with a reservation). Staff was friendly and helpful. Get on quick to get a good seat because it filled up quick… The staff on the train was REALLY nice and friendly (T. Turner was really helpful and funny). The seats were comfortable and roomy. Much better than an airplane.

Great station well lighted. You can get tickets here. Clean bath rooms good food. Senior rates good for kids.

The train station is really helpful for navigating up and down the coast, especially for college students because it’s affordable and easy. Overall, I enjoy it because it’s a quick and smooth ride. They’re very easy going if you need to change your ticket etc. However, I have encounters a couple problems. One being that the tickets are oversold in the afternoons which usually just leaves standing room. Second, an unlimited amount of alcohol can be purchased. 2 out of the 5 times I’ve used the train, I have encountered a drunk fellow disturbing the overall atmosphere. Conductors don’t seen to care that this is happening.

I loved using the trains when I lived in Europe so I thought I’d take a trip up the coast on Amtrak. I started at Oceanside and rode to the end SLO. I have never heard so much profanity in public! Train was filthy. Trashcan in bathroom was full and overflowing when we started the return. Apparently the train is popular for alcoholics and drunks. Drunks get on and the bar is open! One woman shouted about her vagina for 45 minutes. I was shocked that families put their children on the train unaccompanied. There were two kids, one about 10 yrs old and cussing like a sailor, with his sister of 13 yrs of age — traveling alone. I thought you’d have to take a Greyhound Bus for this kind of experience but apparently Amtrak is just an over-​priced bus now.
WiFii doesn’t work either.

This train station is normally pretty easy to get information about where you want to go. Seems that on this day there was some miscommunication. Coming from downtown San Diego we had to take a bus here. Upon arrival no one was sure which platform was heading North. The young lady behind the glass seemed to get a little frustrated about being asked which platform the train was coming in and out of.
They did give us ample time to be able to get to the correct side though.

I am writing this review from AMTRAK. We are headed north to Union Station on a world class Amtrak two story train at approximately 70 mph. They provide free wifi along with plenty of power sources for your devices. The seats are spacious and recline. All the bathrooms I’ve gone to in my past experiences have been pleasantly clean and tidy. There’s even a little café downstairs on each cart where you can get snacks, light meals, and even a bottle of wine.
What I love about this Amtrak route is the scenic views. We just went up the coast and saw the ocean for most of the time. This is an excellent mode of transportation for heavy or light traveling.
I’ve also taken this to Santa Barbara and it is very similar. Ocean side views, smooth rides.
Sometimes they leave a minute or two before schedule, or up to 10 minutes behind schedule, but they are usually right on time. Everyone should take it at least once even if you have a car. It’s a good way to catch up on reading, emails, UnilocalING, and more.
Also one last side note: thank you to all the considerate amtrak guests, I’ve never been irritated or had someone yapping on a phone or watching a movie without headsets… that’s an anomaly if you ask me.

This is the station I always use when heading up to Fullerton. There is some seating inside as well as seating outside the station. The station is well lit at night. This station is relatively safe since they do have armed security around as well as cameras all around.
Amtrak now has eTicket. With eTicket, you can purchase an Amtrak ticket on your smartphone and walk on the train. No need to go into the station to get a ticket. Don’t have a smartphone, you can still buy a ticket from the self-​serve kiosk or from the Amtrak agent in the station.