Bikes on Amtrak
Thread started by
indigis at 12.14.09 - 5:27 pm
Yea, I know. A simple phone call would answer this question but I haven't started a post in awhile. So, here it is...
I need to get up to around Monterey to start a bike ride down Highway 1 next week or so. Amtrak goes to Salinas. Does anyone know if a bike can be taken aboard without being packed... or even packed for that matter on that LA to Salinas line?
Also, the Amtrak that runs from Santa Barbara to LA, is that more bike friendly. I believe it is as I've been on the line from SD to LA.
Another option to consider is rent a one way car, LAX to San Jose airport and start the ride from there.
thx, indigis
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All Amtrak lines going up and along the coast don't have a problem with bikes as long as they're not crowded.
The Southwest Chief on the other hand, the conductor needs to neutered.
bentstrider12.14.09 - 5:31 pm
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accomodation of bicycles depends on the line, as well as the cars themselves. some cars have wall racks for bikes, and sometimes you'll have to check the bike in as luggage. not everyone knows the exact info at all times, so it might be a gametime decision. but i think one way or another, they'll find a way to get you and your bike aboard.
tfunk40812.14.09 - 5:33 pm
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come to think of it, a $50 tip might convince a conductor to my way of thinking.
indigis12.14.09 - 5:39 pm
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Last time I went the spaces for bikes inside the passenger car were both taken. The put my bike in the luggage car and I worried about it for the entire ride
mitch12.14.09 - 5:56 pm
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Going north you can take a bike as far as san luis obisbo and south you can take it to the end of the line.
On trains north of LA the bikes go in the luggage car.
On trains south of LA trains go on a bike rack and there is 3 in each car.
On other trains you need to break your bike down and put it in a bag or box.
trickmilla12.14.09 - 6:36 pm
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The Coast Starlight is the only train that goes to Salinas and I think it only leaves once a day from Union Station. I rode it but don't recall seeing bike racks although the lower level of the train has a luggage room. If you leave it in there, I'd bring a lock. I can never figure out if I'm required to box my bike or if they'll let me carry it on. It seems to depend on how the station master feels.
There are five daily Pacific Surliners running between Union Station and Santa Barbara with an additional two going as far as San Luis Obispo. There are racks on the lower level of each coach for three bikes.
mk452412.14.09 - 7:21 pm
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My bf takes his bike on the train to Santa Barbara all the time (it's the Surfliner, which has wall racks- sometimes if the train is packed and there are alot of bicyclists, you may have to wait till the next train depending on if the conductor is a jerk or not. If they're not, they'lll just wave you aboard. Last stop northbound is Goleta though. From SB, people take the amtrak bus if they need to go further north- depending on the driver, they can either let you just put your bike in the luggage department without a box, or if they're strict they'll require one). The other train though, the Coast Starlight, does not have wall racks and your bike needs to go in a box. Unfortunately the box is about $20 or so at the amtrak station, and you have to get it aboard the train I believe 30- 45 minutes before it leaves. Very rarely they'll give you a free box. To make it fit inside an amtrak box, just take off the pedals, and loosen up the handle bars so they can turn sideways, and roll the whole bike right into the box. It's pretty big. Amtrak does not have tools for you to do this. Once you get there, they may hold the box for you if they're nice about it so you dont' have to buy another one, or they might not. :P Hope that helps, have a good trip!
dusky12.14.09 - 8:31 pm
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Thanks this is all great info. A box to Salinas, then trash the box and ride to Monterey and down the coast to San Luis Obisbo. Then call Michael to pick me up and drive me home in L.A. He's such a good sport. ; P
indigis12.14.09 - 9:29 pm
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The early morning Surfliner (the one that leaves Union Station at 7:30) goes all the way to SLO. It's also the model of train where there are no bike racks in the passenger cars, so you have to put your bike on the luggage car. You don't need a box, though. You just hand your bike up to the baggage handler and tell them where you're getting off, then go back to the luggage car and have them hand it back down to you when you get to your destination.
nathansnider responding to a
comment by dusky
12.14.09 - 10:28 pm
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does anyone know if this is the same process for trains going to the bay area, specifically oakland?
mmaceda responding to a
comment by nathansnider
12.15.09 - 12:06 am
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I've taken the bus/train combo between LA and Oakland, and the process was a slightly different. You can stow your bike in an empty luggage bay beneath the bus from LA to Bakersfield (take the front wheel off and it fits in there fine), and then on the train from Bakersfield to Oakland, you can put the bike in the luggage car without a box.
I think it may be possible to put the bike on a rack in the passenger car on that train, but I can't remember. When I've taken it, the conductor has just asked me how far I'm going, and when I tell him all the way to the end of the line, he leads me back to the luggage car, flips up one of the racks to make it a bike storage space and lets me hang the bike there.
nathansnider responding to a
comment by mmaceda
12.15.09 - 12:27 am
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Going to Oaktown by train will most likely be the Coastal Starlight. That route does not have racks so you will need to box the bike and check it in Luggage.
Foldie responding to a
comment by mmaceda
12.15.09 - 7:38 am
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an amtrack conductor told me if you take the surfliner to SLO you can transfer to a bus to get the rest of the way to OAK and they will let you stash you bike in the luggage area under the bus *if* there is room.
He suggested traveling at non-peak times and there is almost always room.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by Foldie
12.15.09 - 8:03 am
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damn, sounds like the easiest and safest thing for my bike is to rent a one-way car from Enterprise
indigis12.15.09 - 6:14 pm
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