Camarillo, with its charming Old Town, vibrant shopping, and serene agricultural landscapes, is more than just a beautiful place to live or visit. It’s also a convenient hub for train travel, offering direct access to Amtrak’s popular Pacific Surfliner route.
If you’re looking to escape the notorious California traffic, enjoy a scenic coastal journey, or connect to major cities and even airports without the stress of driving, Camarillo’s unstaffed Amtrak station is your gateway. Let’s dive into everything you need to know!
The Camarillo Amtrak Station: The Basics
- Location: 33 E. Ventura Blvd, Camarillo, CA 93010 (Adjacent to Old Town Camarillo)
- Line Served: Pacific Surfliner
- Station Type: Unstaffed, open-air platform with shelters.
- Amenities:
- Sheltered waiting areas
- Bench seating
- Limited paid parking available nearby (check signage for rates and restrictions)
- No baggage service (carry-on only)
- No ticket counter – tickets must be purchased online, via the Amtrak app, or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
- Restrooms are generally not available at the station itself, but nearby businesses in Old Town may offer public access during operating hours.
- ADA Accessible: The platform meets accessibility standards.
Pro Tip: Since it’s an unstaffed station, arrive with your e-ticket ready on your phone or printed. Boarding is typically quick and straightforward.
Routes & Destinations: The Pacific Surfliner Experience
The Pacific Surfliner is renowned for its picturesque journey, offering stunning views of the Southern California coastline, particularly between Ventura and San Diego. From Camarillo, you can head north or south to a myriad of exciting destinations.
Heading North from Camarillo:
- Oxnard (OXN): ~10-15 minutes
- Ventura (VNT): ~20-25 minutes
- Santa Barbara (SBA): ~1 hour
- Goleta (GTA): ~1 hour 15 minutes
- Carpinteria (CPN): ~1 hour 10 minutes
- San Luis Obispo (SLO): ~3 hours 15 minutes – 3 hours 30 minutes (the northern terminus of the Surfliner route)
Heading South from Camarillo:
- Moorpark (MPK): ~10-15 minutes
- Simi Valley (SIM): ~20-25 minutes
- Chatsworth (CWT): ~30-35 minutes
- Van Nuys (VNC): ~40-45 minutes
- Glendale (GDL): ~1 hour
- Los Angeles – Union Station (LAX): ~1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes (a major hub for connecting to other Amtrak lines like the Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief, and Sunset Limited, as well as Metrolink and LA Metro).
- Fullerton (FUL): ~2 hours
- Anaheim – ARTIC (ANA): ~2 hours – 2 hours 15 minutes (convenient for Disneyland connections)
- Santa Ana (SNA): ~2 hours 20 minutes
- Irvine (IRV): ~2 hours 30 minutes
- San Juan Capistrano (SNC): ~3 hours
- Oceanside (OSD): ~3 hours 30 minutes
- Solana Beach (SOL): ~3 hours 45 minutes
- Old Town San Diego (OLT): ~4 hours
- San Diego – Santa Fe Depot (SAN): ~4 hours – 4 hours 15 minutes (the southern terminus, right in downtown San Diego)
Train travel times are approximate and can vary based on schedule, track conditions, and stops.
Connecting to Airports from Camarillo
While there isn’t an Amtrak station directly at most major airports, the Surfliner offers convenient connections that can save you the hassle and cost of airport parking.
1. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Train Portion: Take the Pacific Surfliner south from Camarillo to Los Angeles Union Station (LAZ).
- Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Airport Connection: From Union Station, you can take the LAX FlyAway bus service. This dedicated express bus runs frequently, directly from Union Station to all LAX terminals.
- Bus travel time: Approximately 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Total Travel Time (Train + Bus): Roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, plus transfer time.
- Driving Distance (for comparison): ~55-65 miles, typically 1 to 1.5 hours without traffic, significantly longer during peak hours.
2. Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
- Train Portion: Take the Pacific Surfliner south from Camarillo to Burbank Airport-Downtown Station (BUR). This is one of the easiest airport connections!
- Travel time: Approximately 1 hour.
- Airport Connection: This station is just a short, free shuttle ride (or even a walk for some terminals) to the Burbank Airport terminals.
- Shuttle travel time: 5-10 minutes.
- Total Travel Time (Train + Shuttle): Roughly 1 hour 15 minutes, plus transfer time.
- Driving Distance (for comparison): ~45-50 miles, typically 45 minutes to 1 hour without traffic.
3. John Wayne Airport (SNA) – Orange County
- Train Portion: Take the Pacific Surfliner south from Camarillo to Santa Ana (SNA) or Irvine (IRV). Santa Ana is generally closer.
- Travel time to Santa Ana: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes.
- Travel time to Irvine: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Airport Connection: From either the Santa Ana or Irvine Amtrak station, you’ll need to take a short taxi, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), or local bus connection to John Wayne Airport.
- Local travel time: Approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Total Travel Time (Train + Local): Roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, plus transfer time.
- Driving Distance (for comparison): ~85-95 miles, typically 1.5 to 2 hours without traffic.
4. Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
- Train Portion: Take the Pacific Surfliner north from Camarillo to Goleta (GTA).
- Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Airport Connection: From Goleta, a short taxi or rideshare (Uber/Lyft) can take you directly to Santa Barbara Airport.
- Local travel time: Approximately 5-10 minutes.
- Total Travel Time (Train + Local): Roughly 1.5 hours, plus transfer time.
- Driving Distance (for comparison): ~40-45 miles, typically 45 minutes to 1 hour without traffic.
Getting To and From the Camarillo Station
- Parking: Limited paid parking is available. It’s advisable to check signs carefully for duration limits and payment methods. For longer trips, consider alternative transportation.
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are readily available in Camarillo and can drop you off directly at the station entrance.
- Local Transit: Camarillo Area Transit (CAT) buses serve various parts of Camarillo. Check their routes and schedules to see if a stop is convenient to your origin or destination.
- Walking/Biking: The station’s location near Old Town makes it accessible by foot or bike for those staying nearby.
Why Choose Amtrak from Camarillo?
- Escape Traffic: Say goodbye to freeway stress and enjoy a relaxing ride.
- Scenic Views: Especially south of Ventura, the coastal views are unparalleled.
- Comfort: More legroom, spacious seats, and the ability to walk around.
- Productivity/Relaxation: Use your travel time to work, read, or simply gaze out the window.
- Eco-Friendly: A greener way to travel compared to driving solo.
- Convenience: Drop off and pick up in the heart of many cities, avoiding parking woes.
Whether you’re planning a day trip to Santa Barbara, a weekend getaway to San Diego, or connecting to a flight out of Burbank, Camarillo’s Amtrak station provides a refreshingly convenient and enjoyable way to travel California. So, next time you’re planning a trip, consider letting the train take the strain!
Disclaimer: Train schedules, prices, and services are subject to change. Always check the official Amtrak website (www.amtrak.com) or app for the most up-to-date information before planning your trip.
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