A full Los Angeles–Seattle trip on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight is scheduled to take 34 hours northbound and 35 hours 16 minutes southbound, according to the timetable effective March 16, 2026. There is no single fixed ticket price: the fare depends on your travel date, stations, and accommodation, so check the exact itinerary before budgeting.
How long does the Coast Starlight take from Los Angeles to Seattle?
Amtrak’s timetable effective March 16, 2026 schedules train 14 northbound from Los Angeles to Seattle in 34 hours. Southbound train 11 is scheduled to take 35 hours 16 minutes. These are published trip times, not guarantees of on-time arrival. Check departure and arrival times for your date at Amtrak’s timetable lookup and review service alerts before leaving.
The train runs daily between Los Angeles and Seattle, stopping at cities including Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, and Portland. Your trip will be shorter if you board or leave at an intermediate station; its duration and price will differ from the end-to-end journey. The published route timetable is available from Amtrak’s Coast Starlight schedule, effective March 16, 2026.
How much does a Coast Starlight ticket cost?
There is no evergreen price that applies to every Coast Starlight trip. Amtrak’s fare quote depends on the date, origin and destination, and the accommodation you select. Search the same itinerary and date when comparing options, then use the price shown in the booking flow to set your budget. Check Amtrak’s trip lookup for schedule and booking details; prices and availability can change.
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A Los Angeles–Seattle fare should not be used to estimate a shorter segment, or vice versa. Likewise, a coach quote and a private-room quote are not comparable as though they were the same type of ticket.
What accommodations can you book?
Amtrak lists coach seating and Superliner private-room categories on the route, including Roomette, Bedroom, Bedroom Suite, Family Bedroom, and Accessible Bedroom. Which options are offered depends on the specific departure and remaining availability. Confirm the choices shown for your travel date in the booking flow. Amtrak also notes that accommodations and amenities vary by train on its Coast Starlight route page.
Coach and private rooms
Coach is the seating option; private rooms provide a separate accommodation. Amtrak describes a Roomette as having two seats by day that convert into upper and lower beds at night. Its listed Roomette benefits include bedding and linens, shared restroom and shower facilities, a dedicated First Class attendant, lounge access, priority boarding, and complimentary meals. Check the specific trip listing to confirm what applies to the room and departure you select. Details are on Amtrak’s Roomette page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What food and onboard amenities are available?
Amtrak’s route page lists a Sightseer Lounge, traditional dining, and café service. Its dining information includes the Coast Starlight among routes offering traditional dining, but exceptions may apply based on the schedule or delays. Menus, service times, and availability can change, so do not assume a particular dish or meal service will be offered on your departure. Review Amtrak’s traditional dining information and check current trip details.
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What to check before you book
- Search your exact origin, destination, and travel date rather than relying on a route-wide fare estimate.
- Compare the scheduled departure and arrival times for your direction; the full-route durations differ northbound and southbound.
- Compare coach with any private-room options available for that departure, and verify the benefits attached to the selected accommodation.
- Review current dining details and dated service alerts. For example, Amtrak’s route page displayed an adjustment effective October 9–11, 2026; that was a dated notice, not a permanent timetable rule.
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