Overnight train between Los Angeles and San Francisco may soon become a reality

A startup is proposing an overnight hotel train traveling between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
california railroad tracks san francisco los angeles


The Daily Navigator strives to help you make the best personal finance decisions. While we produce content according with strict editorial integrity this post may contain references to partner products. Here’s a full explanation for how our team makes money.

A Newport Beach-based startup wants to bring back the good old days of train travel with a luxury overnight “hotel train” traveling between San Francisco and Los Angeles. I just want to know why it wasn’t thought of when I was in college and had to endure the agony of taking the Greyhound bus with a breathtaking view of Highway 5. 

Dreamstar Lines plans to bring back overnight train travel between Los Angeles and San Francisco, an option that hasn’t existed in 55 years. The privately run night train would provide comfy accommodations for passengers to get a full night’s sleep before arriving at their destination.

What will the trains look like?

Dreamstar plans to have about 65 private rooms for passengers with single roomettes, executive-class double bedrooms, first-class staterooms with private bathrooms, and a car for drinks, dessert, and breakfast. The trains will depart at 10 pm and arrive at their destination by 8 am the next day.

The plan for Dreamstar’s new train service includes multiple stops in LA and SF, with a crew-change point in San Luis Obispo, offering a better alternative to cramped flights and long airport security lines.

How much will the train tickets be? 

One-way tickets would cost about $300, $600, and $1,000, depending on the type of room, which is higher than typical airfare from city to city. If the plan is approved, the new trains could run as early as the summer of 2024.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone. This post contains references to products from one or more of our partners and we may receive compensation when you click on links to those products.

Master your money and travel smarter this year

Join the Smart Points newsletter and learn to save up to $10,000 a year on travel.

Related Stories