Fontana, a vibrant and growing city in California’s Inland Empire, buzzes with activity. While it offers fantastic local amenities and a strategic location, one common question for residents and visitors is about train travel: “Where is the Amtrak station in Fontana?”
Here’s the essential truth upfront: Fontana does not have its own dedicated Amtrak station. Amtrak trains do not stop directly within Fontana city limits. However, don’t let that deter your train travel dreams! Fontana’s excellent Metrolink connectivity makes accessing Amtrak a straightforward and convenient process.
This guide will walk you through how to connect to Amtrak from Fontana, detailing the closest Amtrak-serviced stations, popular destinations, and distances to key cities and airports.
Understanding the Fontana Connection: Metrolink is Your Gateway
The key to Amtrak for Fontana residents is the Fontana Metrolink Station. Metrolink is Southern California’s commuter rail system, and it seamlessly connects you to major Amtrak hubs.
Fontana Metrolink Station Details:
- Location: 16770 West Orange Way, Fontana, CA 92336 (near Citrus Ave. and Arrow Blvd.)
- Service: San Bernardino Line
- Amenities: Ample parking, ticket vending machines.
From the Fontana Metrolink Station, you can easily travel to primary Amtrak stations like Los Angeles Union Station or Riverside-Downtown, where you can board Amtrak’s long-distance and regional services.
Closest Amtrak-Serviced Stations to Fontana
Your journey will typically begin with a Metrolink ride to one of these major Amtrak stations:
1. Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS)
- Why it’s important: The primary Amtrak hub for Southern California, offering the most routes and connections.
- Distance from Fontana: Approximately 50-55 miles (driving).
- Metrolink Travel Time: Around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes on the San Bernardino Line (direct from Fontana Metrolink).
- Amtrak Routes Available:
- Pacific Surfliner: South to San Diego, North to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
- Southwest Chief: East to Chicago (via Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri).
- Coast Starlight: North to Seattle (via Santa Barbara, San Francisco Bay Area, Portland).
- San Joaquins: North to Oakland/Sacramento (via Bakersfield, with bus connections).
2. Riverside-Downtown Station
- Why it’s important: A convenient, closer option for Southbound Pacific Surfliner service without going all the way to LA.
- Distance from Fontana: Approximately 15-20 miles (driving).
- Metrolink Travel Time: Around 30-40 minutes (requires a transfer or specific train on the Inland Empire-Orange County Line – check schedules carefully). Alternatively, a short drive or rideshare is often quicker.
- Amtrak Routes Available:
- Pacific Surfliner: South to San Diego. (Northbound Surfliner service from Riverside is limited; most travelers go to LAUS for northbound trains).
- Southwest Chief: East to Chicago.
3. San Bernardino-Downtown Station
- Why it’s important: While an Amtrak station, its direct Amtrak service is primarily limited to the Southwest Chief. Most residents would use this as a Metrolink connection point to LAUS or Riverside.
- Distance from Fontana: Approximately 10-12 miles (driving).
- Metrolink Travel Time: Around 15-20 minutes on the San Bernardino Line (direct from Fontana Metrolink).
- Amtrak Routes Available:
- Southwest Chief: East to Chicago. (Limited boarding for other routes; primarily a Metrolink transfer point for Fontana residents).
Key Destinations from Fontana (via Amtrak)
Once you’ve connected to an Amtrak hub, a world of train travel awaits!
Within Southern California (via Pacific Surfliner)
- Orange County (e.g., Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine):
- Connecting Station: LAUS or Riverside-Downtown.
- Travel Time from LAUS: ~45-90 minutes.
- Travel Time from Riverside: ~1-1.5 hours.
- San Diego:
- Connecting Station: LAUS or Riverside-Downtown.
- Travel Time from LAUS: ~2 hours 45 minutes – 3 hours.
- Travel Time from Riverside: ~1.5 – 2 hours.
- Santa Barbara/Ventura:
- Connecting Station: LAUS.
- Travel Time from LAUS: ~2.5 – 3 hours.
- San Luis Obispo:
- Connecting Station: LAUS.
- Travel Time from LAUS: ~5.5 – 6 hours.
Longer Distance Destinations
- Bay Area (Oakland/San Francisco):
- Connecting Station: LAUS (via Coast Starlight or San Joaquins with bus transfer).
- Travel Time from LAUS: ~10-12 hours.
- Seattle/Portland:
- Connecting Station: LAUS (via Coast Starlight).
- Travel Time from LAUS: ~30-35 hours to Portland, ~35-40 hours to Seattle.
- Chicago:
- Connecting Station: LAUS or Riverside-Downtown or San Bernardino-Downtown (via Southwest Chief).
- Travel Time from LAUS/Riverside/San Bernardino: ~43-45 hours.
Connecting to Airports from Fontana (via Metrolink/Amtrak)
Train travel can also be a viable option for getting to/from airports, especially for LAX.
1. Ontario International Airport (ONT)
- Distance from Fontana: Approximately 10-15 miles (driving).
- Public Transit: Take Metrolink one stop west from Fontana to Rancho Cucamonga, then connect to Omnitrans Bus Route 61, or use a rideshare service. This is the closest and most convenient airport.
2. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Distance from Fontana: Approximately 60-65 miles (driving).
- Public Transit: Take Metrolink from Fontana to Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS). From LAUS, you can take the LAX FlyAway bus service (a direct, non-stop express bus) or connect via Metro Rail (Red/Purple Line to Green Line/C Line, then a shuttle).
3. John Wayne Airport (SNA) – Orange County
- Distance from Fontana: Approximately 45-50 miles (driving).
- Public Transit: Take Metrolink from Fontana to LAUS, then Pacific Surfliner to Santa Ana or Irvine. From those stations, use a local bus or rideshare service to SNA.
4. Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
- Distance from Fontana: Approximately 50-55 miles (driving).
- Public Transit: Take Metrolink from Fontana to LAUS, then transfer to the Metrolink Antelope Valley Line or Ventura County Line to the Burbank Airport-South Station or Burbank Downtown Station. From there, take a short bus or rideshare to the airport terminal.
Tips for Fontana Travelers Using Amtrak
- Plan Ahead: Always check Metrolink and Amtrak schedules and fares in advance. Booking Amtrak tickets early usually gets you better prices.
- Combo Tickets: For some routes (especially the Pacific Surfliner), Amtrak offers tickets that include the connecting Metrolink ride. Inquire about these when booking.
- Parking: Fontana Metrolink Station offers free parking for commuters.
- Luggage: Be mindful of Amtrak’s luggage policies, especially for long-distance journeys.
- Enjoy the Journey: Train travel offers a unique perspective, allowing you to relax, work, or simply enjoy the scenery without the stress of driving.
While Fontana may not have its own Amtrak platform, its strategic location and excellent Metrolink connections make accessing the wider Amtrak network surprisingly simple. So, next time you’re planning a trip, consider the rails – a scenic and often stress-free way to explore California and beyond!
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