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My family and I (4), are planning a vacation trip using Amtrak. We are to leave LA and spend a couple days near SLO. Should we take the Surfliner or the Starlight for those 6-7 hours of travel? What are the pros and cons of each? For example, any difference in scenery?
RRRICH Member # 1418
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There will be no difference in scenery, as both trains take the same route. The Starlight, of course, leaves L.A. at 10 AM and arrives in SLO 3:43 PM. There is only one Surfliner which goes from L.A. all the way to SLO, and that leaves at 2:55 PM and gets to SLO at 8:35, so some of that train route may be in darkness, while the entire trip on the Starlight will be during daylight hours. Most of the scenic part of the route (along the ocean) you will pass in daylight on either train, however.
The differences in service mainly are that the Starlight has the Superliner Sightseer Lounge and the Pacific Parlour Car, but the P.P. Car is only for 1st class passengers, and I doubt you would take a 1st class ticket (i.e. sleeper) just between L.A. and SLO. The Sightseer Lounge probably is the best bet as far as viewing the scenery -- the Surfliner cars are double-decker cars, but they just have standard windows at each seat, and do not have the scenic advantage that the floor to roof windows in the Sightseer Lounge on the Starlight have. Also, there is a complete diner on the Starlight, as well as a snack car (in the Sightseer Lounge) and the Surfliners only have a Cafe Car.
Enjoy your trip!!
Rotallad Member # 2027
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Thanks, your reply was very helpful. We'll take the Starlight. Besides getting there earlier and having the sightseer lounge, I think there is a play area for kids.
Thanks again, and we are looking forward to our trip.
reggierail Member # 26
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Booking a first class accomodation, specifically the family bedroom, might not be a bad idea. when booking a room, your rail fare could be lower than riding coach. Having 4 people in your group, this could help to pay for the room. Even if it wound up costing $100 extra with the bedroom, you would all be entitled to all of the features of the Pacific Parlour Car, which include free non alcoholic beverages and snacks. You would all have a free lunch in the dining car including beverages and dessert. The bottom line is that you would have a much nicer trip for not that much more money.
Reggie
reggierail Member # 26
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Well, actually you would only save $15 on your rail fare, assuming 2 adults and 2 children are traveling. The family bedroom would cost $239, resulting in an extra charge of $224. An alternative would be to book 2 standard bedrooms, preferably across from each other on the upper level. This would result in an additional fare of $147. these fare comparisons were using a travel date in mid November. Your fare could be higher or lower. I show your coach fare to be $93. If the coach space is selling out, your additional cost for a room would be less.
Reggie
MPALMER Member # 125
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Keep in mind that the Coast Starlight has a much longer route than the Surfliner, so there is a greater chance of it running late (compared to the Surfliner).
Eric Member # 674
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MPALMER wrote: "Keep in mind that the Coast Starlight has a much longer route than the Surfliner, so there is a greater chance of it running late (compared to the Surfliner)." If the Starlight leaves LAX at 10:00A, and gets to SLO at 3:45ishP, it still might be better than getting to SLO at 8:35P. So even if the Starlate is running light (I mean the Starlight is running late), it should still get to SLO before the scheduled arrival of the Pac Surf- unless it's 'really' late! Doesn't UP usually mess it up the most in the North, or is it up and down the route?
Do any RailSale fares apply here? If Rotallad decides not to take a sleeper, and depending on when the trip is, they could possibly get a good discount...
[This message has been edited by Eric (edited 10-23-2002).]
MPALMER Member # 125
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Actually I was thinking of delays on the return leg to LA. Southbound #11 leaves SLO around 3pm and is scheduled to get into LA at 9:05pm. (I just checked today's train...it is running 14 minutes late. Not bad!).
The Surfliner leaves too early (6:30am or so) but maybe a bus + train combination would get you more daytime travel. (Bus?? Gasp!!)
mr williams Member # 1928
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Excuse me sticking my two cents in from 5,000 miles away in England but I've done this run twice this year whilst vacationing in the States. If you just want to get from A to B then a bus-train combination is fine but if you want to see the ocean remember that the bus travels INLAND between Santa Barbara and SLO, not up the coast, and you miss most of the best scenary.
MPALMER Member # 125
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Mr. Williams, You are absolutely correct; that all rail route is more scenic (and away from the built-up areas). But on the southbound Starlight, much of that segment will be in twilight/darkness this time of year. MP
trainrider Member # 1619
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Definitely take the Coast Starlight. I went to SLO this summer and the ride was absolutely wonderful!!! I got in line early so I was able to get an ocean view. It is beautiful.
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