Coast Starlight-LA to Seattle in Coach! (Vlog and Review)
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- I have almost never seen a review by someone who rode the Coast Starlight in Coach so I am here! I could not recommend this trip enough. As a university student, this ride was relatively cheap and I feel I got way more out of the experience than I paid for. FULL REVIEW:
Seating: You will be sleeping in your assigned seat which could be a window or an aisle seat. The seat is large and comfortable and has some room for a small carry on under the seat in front of you. There is also a tray table like on a plane. You may be sitting next to s stranger so don't be afraid to make a friend out of them before you sleep as neighbors ha. My seat buddy was practically my new bestie after a few hours.
Observation: Since I was in the aisle seat I really wanted a good view, so I spent almost all of my time in the observation car, it was rarely full and a great place to hang out. I met so many amazing people! Bring a sweater cause it is a little chilly in this car.
Sleep: The chairs in coach recline quite a bit and do have a foot and leg rest. I am 5,9" and was quite comfortable. I was never cold but I did bring a simple blanket for comfort. I would recommend some sort of noise cancelling if you are a light sleeper but I just used my regular headphones and was fine. An eyemask could be helpful too as they dim the lights nicely but there is still some light. The windows have curtains so you don't have to deal with the sun in the morning.
Food: I brought a bunch of snacks and only bought one dinner and one lunch. Dinner I splurged and had the special pasta they were offering which was incredible. A friend I had made shared their complimentary dessert with me, another benefit of friends. I wanted to save money so day two I got the mac and cheese off the kids menu and they let me which was nice and it was actually very good and filling. Shaun/Shawn the waiter was very kind and lovely to be served by. Meals in the dining car are by reservation so if you want to eat in the dining car off the menu keep an eye out for staff walking through the train calling for reservations. DO NOT go to the dining car until they call your time as this was the one strict rule I found could get staff and customers a little confused and frustrated about.
Amenities: Each aisle of seats has outlets as does the observation car. Wifi is only available to business class and sleeper cars (make a friend in business or a sleeper car if you are desperate for the password, it will only work in those cars or the observation car, farther back was spotty), being off my phone was actually more enjoyable though. Washrooms are downstairs in your car and I never had to wait for one, they are roomy and have a toilet, trash bins, sink, soap, toilet paper, paper towels, an outlet, and a full length mirror. Also downstairs is an easily accessible storage area for your bigger carry on luggage as well as reserved lower seating for accessibility concerns.
My feelings overall: this trip was amazing, I could not recommend it enough and want to do it again. I was very comfortable and very happy.
TIPS:
-bring whatever you feel you need for comfort in a somewhat stimulating sleep area
-don't be afraid to splurge on one meal, lots of dietary options and it is delicious
-spend lots of time in the observation car, you will get the best views and meet lots of people
-make friends! everyone seems happier on a train and you will meet so many different people from all over. Go for it!!
MUSIC: TFLM-Lost In Your Eyes (feat. Anja)
Questions or personal experience? Let me know!
I am leaving on Monday 8/22/22 out of Seattle all the way to Anaheim for a Disney trip with my niece. I am so glad I found your page. I am now looking forward to our first Amtrak ride.
Very helpful. I was unsure about taking this train from L.A. to Seattle, but now I am pumped to go!
Well done video. We took the Coast Starlight last month from LA to Seattle in a roomette and enjoyed every minute. Quite an experience!
Your tips are very prescient. We met some very nice people onboard during meals and in the observation car. Didn't take as many pictures as I could. I was afraid I would miss something looking through a lens.
Totally agree with you... looking through the windows without your camera that's a very nice experience and a nice memory for all times...
This really is well done and quite inspiring..... Thank you :)
I can't find any other reviews in detail such as this, I'm planning a shorter trip, and this convinced me. Thank you!
Yay! I am glad I could convince you. You won't regret it.
thank you for this
lovely to watch
Thanx for the memories. I worked on a private railcar on that route. We saw whales, porpoise, moose & incredible views. Even though it wasn't steady work, it was one of the best jobs I ever had.
I'm so glad you had the chance to experience traveling by rail. It's like a meditation 😑
I’ve done this before sometimes and really enjoy it! As far as I know I don’t think there is any Wi-Fi on Amtrak long distance trains, not even in a public place such as the viewing car. Anyhow, back in the older days they used to have some other kind of lounge car that was only used for sleeping car passengers called” the pacific Parlour car that was retired in early 2018 due to the car’s old age etc. I wish they would bring that back as it was a great addition to sleeping car passengers as they did wine tasting etc, light meals served during lunch and dinner as well as a small movie theater on the low level!
Great video, I loved your response to seeing 'snow!'
Great video! I 💕💕💕! The train too!! Especially the clickty clack sound of the wheels on th rails. Definitely want to take this trip.
PS .... yes!! 5’ 9’ rocks!! Me too😊
Awesome video, I can't believe you spent that long on a train am from the UK 😆
im going on this trip this spring, im so excited! thanks for sharing!
I have done the Emeryville to Chemult portion this trip several times ( en route to Bend OR. Very nice ride i recomend it highly. Unfortunately Amtrack is currently NOT running the Bussiness Class coach which were very comfortable and well worth the small price increase. Hope they bring them back. My favorite part of the ride is very early AM from Dunsmuir CA to Chemult OR .in the Klamuth River Basin & in the shadow of Mt. Shasta. BEAUTIFUL!!! make sure u position yourself for the best views. If your travel north try to be on the left side of the train.Have Fun!!!
Oopps.i mean RIGHT side
@@jeffreyrubenstein8809which side is it? If going north towards Seattle, sit on the side facing the west or the side facing the east?
Thank you looking to take the train for the first time from L.A. to Bay Area and then on to Seattle and this was perfect. I only see the sleeper options for the vids I’ve seen it’s good to have options. 👍 🚂
2:40 is Klamath Lake, 27 miles long, 19 miles wide at one point. (My home town was jus south of the lake) Great Video! I never tire of looking at the Willamette Pass! I love that trip. Glad you liked it too!
I'm going on this train in October, but in business class. So looking forward to this route. Also, bring along snacks and drinks from home. And a neck pillow, they don't provide any pillows in coach.
Since carry-on policy is so generous, I actually take a roll-on full of assorted small pillows & 2 light blankets. Probably overkill for one night but I go coast to coast so 3 or 4 nights. And I'm 6 foot so the multiple pillows all me to get comfy in many different positions.
Awesome video! I'm getting ready to book my train ride and this is just what I was looking for!
Taking the starlight in August can’t wait. Great video.
You are going to love it! Have fun :D
Awesome video. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing!!! Can't wait to try!!!
Owww you've inspired me and convinced me to take this train to LA instead of flying.
Thanxs for making this video it helped me decide what ticket to purchase, also the sights look amazing. Would you prefer sitting on upper or lower level?
Katrina Heldman I would say upper level since your view is a bit more panoramic but I can’t say for sure since I only sat upstairs. I believe there is an accessible seating area on the lower level but I’m not sure about other lower level seating scenarios. Have fun!! :D
Definitely sit upper level unless going up or down the narrow staircase will be a problem. Downstairs is prioritized for limited mobility folks, so most downstairs passengers are elderly.
Well done! Informative and enjoyable! Your tips are spot on!
try that in a roomette! fantastic and sleeps very well
I took Coast Starlight to Portland 3 weeks ago on a roomette. There was no wifi there and in business class as well. I took the return trip by plane. The downside with the roomette is you can only see one side out the train window and the seat is not as comfy as the coach and business class section. I'll try again next month but this time with the business class and up to Seattle.
I recommend bringing ear plug just in case you want to sleep well.
Great tips! If you snag an observation car seat it is quite comfy and roomy and I only used my coach seat to sleep. Best views in observation anyways
Well done! Thank you for posting! :-)
We are taking the Starlight up to Salem Oregon. Thanks for a wonderful preview. WHAT???? No wi-fi in coach???? ;)
Yeah I know kinda a bummer but I never needed it I was having so much fun and the views are much better to look at ;)
Rebecca Dhillon was your regular phone service good or do you just mean you didn’t need Internet at all?
Nail Onin the service was in and out most of the time but I also did not need it in general
Nail Onin I wouldn’t really count on having too much service especially out in the mountains
Best tips for traveling on Coast Starlight: Thank you
Thanks for emphasizing to forget the wifi and enjoy the views & be social instead
I also took amtrao coast starlight from LA to Sacramento R.T. and enjoyed the.city, now I'm ready for the L.A. to Chicago with a bedroom.
Kevin N I made a long (too long?) a post about Tucson - Chicago. If you have a stop over In Tucson there is a great French Bakery in the RR Station! It’s also a restaurant at night.
@@robertmcglinchey3347 thanks Robert,
I grew up in Tucson
If your traveling North thur Northern CA & Southern OR best veiw are out of to right hand windows.
Dudette, anything over, say, 700 miles without paying extra for the sleeper and I’m dead to the world at my destination.
amazing review and advice
What side would you say is best to sit on? I have upper level seats from LA to Eugene. Last time I took the Coastal it was my first and it stopped in Sacramento due to fires in the mountains. Finally getting the whole ride🤣
Oh man I’m sorry I missed your comment and that you missed part of your ride! I’m sure you found out on your trip but if you spend your time in the observation car you can’t really go wrong. I never felt like I missed a single view. You are of course going up the coast so the west side may be your wish. I hope you loved it!
great video... your addorable
nice ride!! 😇 and your so cute... 🙏
I’ve been wanting to do this so as i made plans with my friends to go to Seattle... I made it a point to ride the train at least one way to experience this bucket list of mine... Never thought I’d do it alone though... so I’m quite nervous, I’m shy, my first time, new experience, and had never gone on it- dang I’m crazy!
I’m hoping to get some answers though, and i hope you could help me:
1. How’s the seating arrangement? Do i just find a seat empty and sit or is there an arranged seats? When i leave that seat, do i take my stuff with me or is it still considered mine?
2. My baggage, is there a check in baggage? For carry on, we store it on the overhead but if i want to go to roam around, should i take it with me?
3. How would i know if I’m approaching my station? Haha do they announce it? Or they call me out... >.
hi there! don't worry you will have a great time and you can keep to yourself if you want but I recommend just sitting in the observation car if you want an easy way to meet people.
1) you will have an assigned seat in your class, everyone does. so your stuff will stay there, keep valuables with you of course like wallet, phone, camera. any other place you go like the observation car is "its your seat when youre sitting in it" if you get up its open for someone else you know?
2) you can check the website for specifics but I believe you can check a bag (dont quote me), but there is an area on the lower deck that is for suitcases since theyre usually too big to fit under your seat or in overhang. I could access it any time (you can see this area for the suitcases in my video at 2:03 )
3) they announce stations if I remember correctly but you will also have this little tag that goes above your seat which indicates to the train staff where your stop is. always feel free to ask attendants. Have fun!
Omg that's so classist they don't or didn't have wifi in coach. As if it would be that hard to offer that amenity who are barely gonna sleep.
I have done this on the Lake Shore Limited, Albany, NY to Chicago. I do not see neck pillows. I found these pillows are of great help sleeping in a seat. The can be inflatable or not.
Curious about other trips just using coach.
Seniors go business class much quieter especially traveling overnight for sleep! Small food or drink voucher too! Relax & enjoy the trip
Thank you so much for uploading this video! It's so helpful! My GF and I are planning this trip sometime in April. When did you take this trip?
Kent Yang I took it in early April! :) you guys will love it
hi took coast starlihgt but never got to sit next to a window wich i destesteest but spent alot of time in the observaton car it was soo cool
so I can go on the observation car with a coach ticket??
Absolutely! I spent my whole ride there
Thanks for the video, I've been on one trip LA to Sacramento and back, but these video make me feel as though I'm on boardboard when in reality I'm not, I would have loved to take another trip on the train this summer, but a health issue came up that required surgery, so no train trip this year :-( waaaa, but health is more important, I think I'll recoop at home watching train videos.
Thanks for this video! Definitely helped me decide what I should go for. I'm assuming this train doesn't have shower facilities huh? :P
J Park not in coach but check the website for amenities by room type if you decide to go for a more inclusive booking. You’d only be on the train for one night though :) m.amtrak.com/h5/r/www.amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train
How was the motion? Was it a rocking sensation or was it smooth sailing, so to speak? I deal with motion sickness so I’m just curious. Thanks for the video. :)
Megan Mickey It was a little bumpy at certain points and but overall pretty smooth. I get motion sickness quite easily but didn’t experience it on this ride :) looking out the windows at the horizon should help if you do
Awesome!!! Thanks for the quick response ❤️
I get motion sickness easily - Took a local train (Metrolink) to Pasadena and had no problems, despite the bumps and noise - it is smoother than a bus. Reading on the train might be a problem, but if I take a longer trip it will be with OTC meds like Bonine or Dranimine - maybe take one before boarding, just to be on the safe side...
I agree, be prepared with OTC meds, but in riding Amtrack for over 30,000 miles in coach I dont recall seeing anyone throw up or hear them talk about being nauseous. I've never read this was a problem for anyone in blog post either. It must happen but probably uncommon. Good luck.
Can I ask what time of the year this was?
Thank you in advance!
Renee Cronin this was in April! :)
Dear friend:
In the next month of June, I will travel through the United States, start in Chicago with the Empire Builder in Seattle, from there I will take the Coast Starlight to Los Angeles and return from San Francisco in the California Zephir to Chicago. Any comments about it, information, videos, blogs, etc., will be very beneficial for my trip. From already thank you very much.
Sincerely, Fausto Brindisi, from Rosario, Argentina.
We took the Empire Builder twice and loved it. We had a sleeping car for the Empire Builder but from NY to Chicago we were in the coach which was fine. You'll really see the country. Enjoy
How much for the ticket?
Bryan Constantino I recommend getting that information from the source (Amtrak’s website) as prices are subject to change and vary depending on type of accommodation. Hope you choose to go! :)
That place is my Lolo train
I do not wanna meet anyone. I know enough people. So I’m hoping the observation car is still cool
Hide in a bubble