[4K] Business Class for the price of coach?! Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from LA to San Diego | Amtrak

Welcome to Los Angeles Union Station and my first ever trip report on a train! Today we are taking a ride on Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner down to San Diego!
Full Ride from LA to San Diego: • [4K] Full Ride from LA...
Here is my previous adventure to Hawaii including direct flights to and from Honolulu and two Island Hopping Flights!
Hawaii Playlist: • Hawaii
--- Train Information ---
Train Number: Amtrak #564
Locomotive Type: Siemens SC-44 Charger
Locomotive Number: #2122
Consist: 2 Coach, 1 Coach/Cafe, 3 Business
Journey Time: 2hr 59min
Departure Time: 7:02am
Arrival Time: 10:01am
Top Speed: 90mph
I also recommend checking out the main channel, where I post more rail and aviation videos.
Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed!
Subscribe: / lonestartripreports
Main Channel: / lonestaryt
Equipment Used:
Camera: iPhone 12 Pro Max
Other Equipment:
Camera: Sony AX-43
Mic: Rode Videomic Pro+
Camera: GoPro Hero 9 Black
Tripod: Coman DF06 + Manfrotto 502 Head

[@largebigboy3123]

I JUST WOKE UP FROM A BOMB A*& NAP AND ITS TIME TO WATCH MY FAVORITE TRAIN GUY LESS GOOOO

[@largebigboy3123]

BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND HIT THAT MF BELL ICON FOR MORE EPIC TRAIN CONTENT

[@RobertKrebill]

I love this train

[@LonestarTrips]

It's awesome! I wish Amtrak ran more services like it.

[@duffman7065]

Fantastic review. I remember catching this train in 2009. I was visiting the US with a mate and we travelled from Anaheim to San Diego to watch a Chargers game. It was seamless and we literally went from the train to the tram and the game and then the same in reverse. Great memories 👍 Thanks for sharing.

[@gdrriley420]

Surfliner cars are not the limiting factor as none of the track is rated for faster than 90mph. The surfliner cars were designed to go 125mph however most of the consists contain superliners which are limited to 100mph.

[@LARailProductions]

The 6800 series "Business" car seats actually have a little more legroom than the 6400 series "Coach" car seats. It's nothing too significant which is why you should definitely sit in the Superliner if you paid for Business class, it's a lot more comfortable.

[@LARailProductions]

After watching more of the video I realize what you mean by your perception of what would be considered "coach" class seating. The 6X5X series cars are owned by the State of California (Caltrans) and have different seats installed from the Amtrak owned cars. Yes, that means there are actual Business class cars fitted with the horrid California seats. They are thrown onto the trainset at random but they are significantly fewer California cars than Surfliner cars in the equipment pool.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@LARailProductions I wasn’t aware of this. The seating and consists seem so inconsistent on these trains that there’s no good way to predict what you’ll be on when riding.

[@LARailProductions]

The 6X0X and 6X1X cars are Amtrak-owned and therefore have the good seating. In short, avoid the cars with a 5 as the third digit. Something to look out for when boarding a Pacific Surfliner train in the future. I hope you found this helpful!

[@3dkidsartfairs]

The business class cars were refurbished in 2022, they now feature leather seating thus now making them super comfy per my experience back in February of last year.

[@stevesteffen7001]

That is a beautiful station.

[@Aqua_108]

i found reality french café at 8:41 free coffees ☕

[@Seawiz21]

We don’t talk enough how great California trains are.

[@MT-fv2gs]

Wow nice

[@LonestarTrips]

Thanks!

[@Missnackie247]

Lol at the urine in the toilet

[@Southern_California_Railfanner]

Actually for the surfliner route instead of the cars being limited it is the track since track speed is 90mph while the superliners can only go up to 100mph the surfliner cars can handle up to 125mph and due to 90mph limits the surfline has an extra type of safety device since the speed is faster than normal u.s. mainlines which have 79mph limits.

[@Adumzzinthehouse]

The two station to watch these bad boys go max out is Tustin, CA and Carlsbad, CA

[@LonestarTrips]

I actually got the chance to see them in action at Tustin! Check out my video from the second channel! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqfVnWqmatB-ZtE

[@Adumzzinthehouse]

Wow those are pretty fast! Here how there are like in Carlsbad Village kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHvRl4ekjr92bdE

[@LonestarTrips]

@@Adumzzinthehouse Awesome! That’s such a beautiful station! I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in Cali.

[@Adumzzinthehouse]

@@LonestarTrips Yes! Carlsbad is always my go to for fast Amtrak and in general it’s a very nice town with many nice shops next to the beach.

[@johnpolese6575]

I took business class on the Surliner yesterday and they had large leather seats. It almost looked brand new and updated. When I took coach last week, I was in a car that was configured like yours (in the former business class configuration). I just wonder if Amtrak recently updated their business class seating, which then they made some of the former business class cars into coach?

[@chloecover1276]

Yeah, they definitely seemed to have, because I took a trip last month on the Surfliner with my grandmother to San Luis Obispo in business class and the seats were just as you described them

[@reynoldhunter8600]

Next time, comic con international in San Diego

[@marcuscoffey9535]

I’M on the Pacific Surfliner well I just got off and now in my car!

[@LonestarTrips]

Awesome! How was your ride?

[@rudy1252]

Union station Los Angeles is s wild place.

[@LonestarTrips]

It’s never dull, that’s for sure.

[@la381]

Hi 😀thank you for this video!!!! Is Wifi available for business class or coach? Thank u if you can reply!😀

[@joshmolinari4873]

Taking the Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to Anaheim to go to Disneyland. Never been to California before, so this’ll be a first. Can’t wait for April 2023

[@kjhuang]

Is the _Pacific Surfliner_ still running on that stretch? Last I heard the tracks are under repair.

[@joshmolinari4873]

@@kjhuang currently, yes. Heard a few days ago though that work should be done come mid march

[@joshmolinari4873]

@@kjhuang booked my tickets yesterday and it mentioned nothing about track status though

[@TheJProducti0ns]

What if I needed to use the restroom and I just have my tech by my seat? Is it safe to leave my stuff alone ?

[@threenines95]

We are going to be riding this train in October. We have never travelled on a train before. How early should you arrive at the terminal before your departure time? Do you check and claim bags similarly to an airline?

[@LonestarTrips]

I would recommend getting to the station at least 45 minutes to an hour ahead of time. Some people may say that's excessive, but it gives you more than enough time to figure out where your train is departing from, plus some extra time to grab a snack or meal if you want. You can check bags on the Pacific Surfliner, however some stations do not offer baggage services, so depending on where you're going, that may not be possible. That being said, it's very easy to just bring a bag with you on the train. There are luggage racks at either end of each car, on the upper level, plus there's smaller baggage space above the seats on either side of the train. If you do want to check a bag, firstly check to on Amtrak's website to see if your origin and destination stations will handle checked baggage. Second, Amtrak states that all bags must be checked in "at least 45 minutes prior to departure," so plan to add some extra time on top of that hour before hand. Hope this helps, and safe travels!

[@sr.n7905]

Cuanto cuesta la Chela hermano?

[@sirisaaccowbelly1114]

Do you happen to know what car number you were in? Like 6407, 6808. Just asking because it would be cool to get a business class seat in a coach class car.

[@LonestarTrips]

I was seated in car 6402, named “Huntington Beach.” It says “coach” on the side, but it’s clearly business.

[@sirisaaccowbelly1114]

@@LonestarTrips thanks for the info!

[@LonestarTrips]

@@sirisaaccowbelly1114 Anytime!

[@andrewchuang1469]

Where's the F95PHI Diesel?

[@LonestarTrips]

Amtrak sold off their fleet to Metra when they took order of their SC-44 Chargers. Most of the fleet that Metra bought still have the classic Surfliner livery, but with Metra logos.

[@sketchyAnalogies]

"there is a dot matrix display at the front of the car" A WHAT DISPLAY???

[@t.b.gonzalez3581]

It to bad that you took it during the "pan demic" I don't care about spelling. I been taking the surfliner since when it was called the San Diegian. From LA to San Diego business class is the way to go. Before COVID there was unlimited coffee, juice, muffins, and afternoon treat box. Now the bi levels are good, but what you really want is the "Comet" cars. Single level thickly padded seats, and good leg room. But the state is looking at Siemens single level cars like Brightline's. Why not there made in Sacramento.

[@user-jj1uy5qg6n]

I had a dead battery in my Toyota Carolla The car will be two years old this coming Sept Toyots of Rockwall in Rockwall Tx Put a brand new battery in at no charge Since I was in Rockwall Tx I stopped off at my heart Dr office Dr Dickson told me that I can do any thing that I want but he wants me to stay on the ground no Southwest Airlines Have a American Cruise Line cruise planned The cruise leaves out of Providence Ri I was going to fly up to Providence R I Now I will be going Dallas Tx to Providence R I on Antrak

[@carmelt4205]

You paid for coach, sat in business class, then found it "rather annoying" that the outlet in business class was not working? I find it extremely annoying that this is allowed. Why bother paying extra then?

[@LonestarTrips]

It’s not actually business class lol. It’s a business class car that’s available to coach passengers. The consists vary from train to train, which often means business class or even superliner coaches on Surfliners. As for the outlet issue, if an amenity is unavailable, it’s annoying, business class or not.

[@carmelt4205]

​​​@@LonestarTripsThank you for the clarification. Is there a real business class area? I'm not expecting much given the price difference. I'm nervous about taking the train to San Diego for the first time (next month) which is why watched. I have used trains in other countries...which is why I'm.nervous. I'll leave it at that to avoid saying negative things.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@carmelt4205 There is a business class section on each train. It's usually one or two cars at one end of the train. You really don't get much in the way of business class bonuses on the surfliner. Sure you get a small snack box, and I think free drinks as well, but the seats are relatively similar to coach, and that's about it. As far as taking the train, it's super simple. Just be sure to have your ticket with you (electronic or physical) and be at the station about 20-30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. If you've used trains in other countries, then this is more of the same, and you shouldn't have any trouble on your journey. Hope you enjoy the train, and safe travels!

[@carmelt4205]

@LonestarTrips The many train experiences I've had in other countries were all wonderful except for one night train which I did not book in advance. I guess I'll have to deal with whatever the experience will be from LA to San Diego. I hope the discrepancy (which Im already anticipating) will not be as huge as Flix bus in Austria vs Flix here.