What is the difference between Metrolink and Surfliner?

Metrolink operates in Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange Counties and the Coaster operates in San Diego County only. The Surfliner is operated by Amtrak and is intercity service. It operates between San Diego and Los Angeles with selected trains going to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.



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Amtrak is more expensive but has more frequent trains throughout the day. Metrolink is less expensive but their service is more concentrated around morning and evening commuting times for workers, as their main focus is transporting people to and from their jobs. You can use either one.

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Metrolink tickets are good for free rides on most local transit services only. An additional fare payment may be required for express or other non-local bus service.

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The Pacific Surfliner can connect you to the airports in San Diego, Los Angeles and Burbank.

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Metrolink, Amtrak suspend train service to Oceanside because of unstable slope. Passenger Tony Prince took these photos when his southbound Metrolink train was stopped in San Clemente by ocean waves washing over the tracks due to erosion on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.

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The Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor has been under construction since September 2022 as crews worked to fix tracks near San Clemente. Storms last fall shifted coastal tracks in the area, prompting authorities to suspend service from Oceanside to Irvine.

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