How to Get to Disneyland by Train

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is one of the world’s most visited vacation destinations. While millions of guests arrive by car each year, traveling by train is an increasingly popular option for families, couples, solo travelers, and international visitors looking to avoid Southern California traffic.

Amtrak provides convenient rail service to Anaheim through the Pacific Surfliner and several connecting long-distance routes. The closest Amtrak station is the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), located approximately two miles (3 km) from the Disneyland Resort.

From ARTIC, visitors can easily reach Disneyland using local buses, rideshare services, taxis, hotel shuttles, or by combining public transportation with a short walk.

This guide explains everything you need to know about traveling to Disneyland by train, including the nearest Amtrak station, recommended routes from different regions of the United States, transportation from the station to the parks, nearby hotels, and practical travel tips.

Can You Get to Disneyland by Train?

Yes. Although Amtrak does not stop directly at Disneyland Resort, the park is one of the easiest major attractions in California to reach by train.

The nearest Amtrak station is:

Nearest Station	Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC)
Distance to Disneyland	Approximately 2 miles (3 km)
Travel Time	10–15 minutes by shuttle, bus, taxi, or rideshare
Primary Amtrak Route	Pacific Surfliner

Because Anaheim ARTIC is a modern transportation hub with excellent public transit connections, reaching Disneyland after arriving by train is simple and convenient.

Where is Disneyland?

Disneyland Resort is located in Anaheim, Orange County, approximately 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Downtown Los Angeles.

The resort includes:

Disneyland Park
Disney California Adventure Park
Downtown Disney District
Disney Hotels

The surrounding Anaheim Resort District also features numerous hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment venues, making it an excellent base for a Southern California vacation.

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Nearest Amtrak Station to Disneyland

The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) is the closest Amtrak station to Disneyland Resort.

ARTIC is one of Southern California’s busiest transportation hubs and is served by:

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Metrolink commuter rail
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses
Anaheim Resort Transportation services
Taxi and rideshare operators

The station offers indoor waiting areas, ticketing facilities, accessible platforms, parking, bicycle storage, and passenger services, making it an excellent gateway for Disneyland visitors.

Best Amtrak Routes to Disneyland

The most suitable route depends on where you’re starting your journey. Most travelers will connect through Southern California before arriving at Anaheim ARTIC.

Starting Region	Recommended Route	Transfer
Southern California	Pacific Surfliner	None
Northern California	Coast Starlight	Los Angeles Union Station
Arizona & New Mexico	Southwest Chief	Los Angeles Union Station
Midwest	Southwest Chief	Los Angeles Union Station
Texas	Texas Eagle + Pacific Surfliner (or connecting service via Los Angeles)	Los Angeles
Northeast	Multiple Amtrak connections	Chicago and/or Los Angeles

Traveling from Southern California

Visitors already in Southern California enjoy the easiest train access to Disneyland. The Pacific Surfliner provides direct service to Anaheim from several popular destinations.

Popular departure stations include:

Most of these journeys take less than three hours, making Disneyland an ideal weekend or day-trip destination by train.

Traveling from Northern California

Travelers departing from cities such as Sacramento, Emeryville, Oakland, San Jose, or Santa Barbara can use the Coast Starlight to reach Los Angeles Union Station. From there, simply transfer to the Pacific Surfliner for the short journey to Anaheim.

This route combines spectacular Pacific coastline scenery with convenient connections to one of the world’s most famous theme parks.

Traveling to Disneyland from Different Regions of the United States

One of the advantages of Amtrak’s nationwide network is that travelers from many parts of the country can reach Disneyland by combining long-distance routes with Southern California’s regional rail services. Depending on your starting location, your trip may involve one or more train transfers before arriving at Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC).

From Southern California

Southern California residents have the easiest rail access to Disneyland.

The Pacific Surfliner serves Anaheim multiple times daily, connecting many of the region’s largest cities.

Departure Station	Approximate Travel Time
San Diego Santa Fe Depot	About 2 hours 15 minutes
Solana Beach Station	About 2 hours
Oceanside Transit Center	About 1 hour 20 minutes
Irvine Station	About 20 minutes
Fullerton Transportation Center	Less than 15 minutes
Los Angeles Union Station	About 40 minutes

For Southern California visitors, Amtrak is often faster and less stressful than driving, especially during weekends, holidays, and peak tourist seasons.

From Northern California

If you’re traveling from Northern California, one of the most scenic options is the Coast Starlight. The route follows much of California’s spectacular coastline before arriving at Los Angeles Union Station.

Typical journey:

Board the Coast Starlight from cities such as Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Emeryville, Oakland, San Jose, or Santa Barbara.
Arrive at Los Angeles Union Station.
Transfer to the Pacific Surfliner.
Disembark at Anaheim ARTIC.
Continue to Disneyland by shuttle, bus, taxi, or rideshare.

This route is particularly popular with travelers who want to combine sightseeing with their vacation.

From Arizona and New Mexico

Passengers from Arizona and New Mexico typically reach Disneyland via the Southwest Chief.

Recommended itinerary:

Travel on the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles Union Station.
Transfer to the Pacific Surfliner.
Arrive at Anaheim ARTIC.
Complete the final journey using local transportation.

The Southwest Chief connects several cities across the Southwest before reaching Southern California.

From Chicago and the Midwest

Chicago serves as one of Amtrak’s largest hubs, making Disneyland accessible from much of the Midwest.

Many travelers begin their journey aboard the Southwest Chief, which travels directly from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Once in Los Angeles, passengers transfer to the Pacific Surfliner for the short ride to Anaheim.

This option is especially popular among rail enthusiasts looking to experience one of Amtrak’s classic long-distance routes.

From Texas

Travelers from Texas have several options depending on their departure city.

Many journeys begin on the Texas Eagle, with connections toward Southern California before continuing to Anaheim on the Pacific Surfliner.

Popular departure cities include:

Dallas
Fort Worth
Austin
San Antonio
El Paso (via connecting services)

Because schedules vary, passengers should review available connections when booking their tickets.

From the East Coast

Visitors from cities such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, DC can also reach Disneyland by train, although the journey usually involves multiple Amtrak routes.

A typical cross-country itinerary may include:

Northeast Regional or Acela
Chicago connection
Southwest Chief
Pacific Surfliner

While these trips require more travel time, they offer one of the most memorable rail journeys in North America.

From Florida

Travelers from Florida can reach Southern California using a combination of Amtrak’s eastern and western long-distance routes.

Depending on your starting city, your itinerary may include connections through Washington, Chicago, or New Orleans before continuing toward Los Angeles and Anaheim.

Because these journeys span several days, many passengers choose to stop and explore additional destinations along the way.

How to Get from Anaheim ARTIC to Disneyland

After arriving at Anaheim ARTIC, visitors have several convenient transportation options to reach Disneyland Resort.

Transportation	Approximate Time	Best For
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)	10 minutes	Fastest option
Taxi	10–15 minutes	Families with luggage
OCTA Bus	20–30 minutes	Budget travelers
Anaheim Resort Transportation (where available)	15–25 minutes	Hotel guests
Walking	45–60 minutes	Light travelers

Using Rideshare Services

Uber and Lyft are among the easiest ways to travel between ARTIC and Disneyland.

Benefits include:

Short travel time.
Direct drop-off near the resort.
Convenient for families with luggage or young children.
Available throughout the day.

Using OCTA Bus Service

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) operates local bus routes connecting Anaheim ARTIC with the Disneyland Resort area.

Bus travel is an affordable option for visitors who don’t mind a slightly longer journey.

Schedules and routes may vary, so it’s a good idea to check current local transit information before traveling.

Hotel Shuttle Services

Many hotels in the Anaheim Resort District provide shuttle transportation between their properties, Anaheim ARTIC, and Disneyland.

If you’re staying overnight, ask your hotel whether complimentary or paid shuttle services are available.

Which Transportation Option is Best?

Traveler Type	Recommended Option
Families	Rideshare or Hotel Shuttle
Solo Travelers	OCTA Bus or Rideshare
Budget Travelers	OCTA Bus
Visitors with Luggage	Taxi or Rideshare
International Visitors	Rideshare

Travel Time Summary

From the moment your Amtrak train arrives at Anaheim ARTIC, most visitors can expect to reach Disneyland Resort within 10 to 30 minutes, depending on their chosen mode of transportation.

This makes Disneyland one of the most convenient major theme parks in the United States to visit using Amtrak.

How to Get to Disneyland by Train (Amtrak Travel Guide)