We've done the Empire Builder and California Zephyr. Looking at either the Coast Starlight or Sunset Limited for our next trip. Which would you recommend for scenery and overall experience?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Coast Starlight or Sunset Limited for our next trip?
- Thread starter ygbsm
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My personal preference is the Coast Starlight, on which I have traveled many times. I have only traveled on the Sunset Limited once and it was nice, but not as scenic as the Coast Starlight, in my opinion.
Devil's Advocate
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The route of the Coast Starlight is far more pleasing to the eye so if that's what you want go there. On the other hand if you intend to take both routes eventually you might want to start with the Sunset so you have something to look forward to next time around.
Starlight
Either one for me although I lean towards the Sunset Limited.
If you plan to do both either way I would do the Sunset first. I personally would avoid the most scenic routes first to ensure the less dramatic ones, such as the Sunset, don't appear underwhelming. Each train has it's beauty but the Starlight is a tough act to follow.
Limited.
Gumbo, shrimp-“étouffée, po boy Cajun & creole - music everywhere!
Gumbo, shrimp-“étouffée, po boy Cajun & creole - music everywhere!
I've done the full Coast Starlight route and the Sunset Ltd between Los Angeles and San Antonio several times. If you love dramatic Southwest desert and scenery, then the Sunset is your best bet. If you love riding by the ocean, through rolling hills and croplands, and through dramatic mountain scenery, the the Starlight is the best. I'm attaching a couple of pics that show typical scenery from both of those trains.
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Maglev
Conductor
I like both trains. For me, the decision would be based on trip length, so the Sunset Limited would be my choice. Also, I would go eastbound to avoid that awful 5:35 am arrival in Los Angeles of the westbound.
GAT
GAT
If you have the time, blow the budget and do both routes as one trip. Start in New Orleans on the westbound SL. Yes, the early morning LA arrival might be a little taxing, but there's a convenient transfer interlude (if you arrive on time) and a great breakfast spot before boarding the CS. In my opinion, both routes are spectacular in a variety of ways. (And if you have even more time and money, continue north from Seattle to Vancouver on the Cascades before flying home.) 
Do you have a plan for what time of the year you will be traveling?
These routes can suffer disruptions from various causes at certain times of the year. I guess it can be a matter of luck, or bad luck, and you can't plan for everything, but you might consider reviewing the delays some trains have experienced lately.
These routes can suffer disruptions from various causes at certain times of the year. I guess it can be a matter of luck, or bad luck, and you can't plan for everything, but you might consider reviewing the delays some trains have experienced lately.
I agree. And I think the scenery is best in the clockwise direction. One thing to note, however, is that flying home from Vancouver could be costly compared to flying from Seattle. My employer once sent two of us to Vancouver, BC for a conference. I landed in Seattle, visited a friend, stayed in a modest hotel, and took Amtrak up to Vancouver the next morning. My colleague's direct flight to Vancouver cost the same as my trip.If you have the time, blow the budget and do both routes as one trip. Start in New Orleans on the westbound SL. Yes, the early morning LA arrival might be a little taxing, but there's a convenient transfer interlude (if you arrive on time) and a great breakfast spot before boarding the CS. In my opinion, both routes are spectacular in a variety of ways. (And if you have even more time and money, continue north from Seattle to Vancouver on the Cascades before flying home.)
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Where’s the breakfast spot, Iam catching the westbound TE/Sunset in SeptemberIf you have the time, blow the budget and do both routes as one trip. Start in New Orleans on the westbound SL. Yes, the early morning LA arrival might be a little taxing, but there's a convenient transfer interlude (if you arrive on time) and a great breakfast spot before boarding the CS. In my opinion, both routes are spectacular in a variety of ways. (And if you have even more time and money, continue north from Seattle to Vancouver on the Cascades before flying home.)
Phillipes. About a 5 minute walk from the Alameda entrance to LAUS.
Northwest corner of Alameda and Ord.
SouthwestDude
Train Attendant
This is a fun question. I have ridden both numerous times and weather can play a factor - so time of year is an issue. I also love the idea of doing both but, if that's not possible, how long do you plan on staying in your destination? I love Seattle and Los Angeles but, well, New Orleans...that is something to behold.
GAT
GAT
Perhaps wandering off topic a bit, but if you do fly one-way out of Vancouver, your fare quote may be in Canadian dollars, and you should discount it by 25% to get the USD equivalent. Don't forget to factor in taxes; they're usually higher in Canada.
While I suppose it's OK to select a route based on what others feel is scenic, all I'll offer is the suggestion to see for yourself what's along each route using the FRA - Safety Map tailored to show only passenger rail on an imagery background, like this:
You can scroll in as close as you'd like. What's scenic to me might be ho-hum to you.
Another advantage of this method is you can make note of which side of the train some feature of interest will be on and if there's an adjacent highway you can get a ground level view by using Street View in Google Maps to see what it looks like from the train. F'rinstance, just west of Marfa TX lies the somewhat famous Prada of Marfa on the south side of the Sunset Limited tracks, as shown below:
The FRA-Safety map allows allows you to locate such things by where they lie between certain mileposts (MP). The one above is between MP 669 and MP 670 and is only about 200' from the tracks, so it's not in view for very long. Be a shame to miss something you really wanted to see by not being adequately prepared
You can scroll in as close as you'd like. What's scenic to me might be ho-hum to you.
Another advantage of this method is you can make note of which side of the train some feature of interest will be on and if there's an adjacent highway you can get a ground level view by using Street View in Google Maps to see what it looks like from the train. F'rinstance, just west of Marfa TX lies the somewhat famous Prada of Marfa on the south side of the Sunset Limited tracks, as shown below:
The FRA-Safety map allows allows you to locate such things by where they lie between certain mileposts (MP). The one above is between MP 669 and MP 670 and is only about 200' from the tracks, so it's not in view for very long. Be a shame to miss something you really wanted to see by not being adequately prepared
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Thanks, Appreciate it
The Westbound Sunset is the only train I don’t mind being late. One plus is that the Metropolitan Lounge opens when the Sunset arrives and Phillippes opens at 6.
I have taken both routes multiple times, The Starlight is the best for dramatic scenery, but as someone who just loves to ride, I always take the Eagle/Sunset from Chicago to LA because it has the lowest prices (low bucket) and longest route of any Amtrak long distance train.
fordt
Train Attendant
Going west on both sounds like a fun idea! Although we’re near SA and getting on at 2:45A sounds bad, I guess you could just crash into your room. Hopefully the train wouldn’t get into LA too late to miss a meal at Philippes-Great suggestion!
If you like the long-distance trains, then why not try them all. The coastal starlight is really very nice, as well as the sun so limited. Of course the California Zephyr is one of the most desired, as is the southwest chief. I’d like to travel some of the shorter routes - tomorrow I’m on the Mapleleaf to Toronto
Whichever you can get a better fare for.
Philippe's is straight out of a Raymond Chandler mystery. I once took an East Coast film producer there and he started thinking of ways of using it as a location.
I guess I’m going to have to amble back over to Philippe’s and see what I missed the first couple of time’s eating there. Sort of reminds me of the Pantry.
https://pantrycafe.restaurant/
