How to Get to Disneyland by Amtrak (Complete Guide)

Yes, you can easily visit Disneyland by Amtrak. While trains don’t stop inside the resort itself, Amtrak serves the nearby Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), located just a few miles from Disneyland Resort. From there, it’s a short shuttle, rideshare, taxi, or local bus ride to the entrance, making train travel one of the easiest ways to avoid Southern California traffic and expensive parking.

Whether you’re traveling from Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, or farther away, taking Amtrak can turn the journey into part of the vacation. This guide explains the best train routes, how to reach Disneyland after arriving in Anaheim, what to see inside the resort, and helpful planning tips for your visit.

Can You Get to Disneyland by Amtrak?

Yes. Although Disneyland doesn’t have its own train station, Amtrak stops at Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), which is approximately three miles (5 km) from Disneyland Resort. From ARTIC, visitors can easily reach the parks using local buses, rideshare services, taxis, or hotel shuttles.

For many visitors, traveling by train is one of the most convenient ways to reach Disneyland, especially if you’re coming from Southern California cities where driving can be slow and parking fees add to the cost of your trip.

Nearest Amtrak Station

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) – approximately 10–15 minutes from Disneyland Resort.

Best Amtrak Routes to Disneyland

Several Amtrak routes provide easy access to Anaheim, depending on where you’re starting your journey.

Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner is by far the best option for most visitors. The train connects San Diego, Oceanside, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and several coastal communities, making it one of California’s most popular rail routes.

If you’re traveling from San Diego or Los Angeles, the Pacific Surfliner offers a comfortable and scenic alternative to driving on busy freeways.

Coast Starlight Connections

Visitors arriving from Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, or the San Francisco Bay Area can travel on the Coast Starlight before transferring to the Pacific Surfliner in Los Angeles.

California Zephyr Connections

If you’re traveling from Chicago or the Rocky Mountains, the California Zephyr can be combined with connecting Amtrak services to Southern California.

Getting from ARTIC to Disneyland

After arriving at Anaheim’s ARTIC station, reaching Disneyland is quick and straightforward.

Rideshare: Uber and Lyft usually reach Disneyland in around 10 minutes.
Taxi: Readily available outside the station.
Anaheim Resort Transportation: Local buses connect ARTIC with Disneyland Resort and nearby hotels.
Hotel shuttle: Many nearby hotels provide complimentary shuttle service for guests.
Walking: Possible for confident walkers, although most visitors prefer local transportation.

Top Things to Do at Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort includes two theme parks, Downtown Disney District, and several Disney-owned hotels. Whether you’re visiting for one day or several, there’s plenty to experience.

Disneyland Park

The original Disneyland Park remains one of the world’s most famous theme parks. Classic attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, and “it’s a small world” continue to delight visitors of all ages.

Disney California Adventure Park

Located next door, Disney California Adventure features popular attractions including Cars Land, Pixar Pier, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, Avengers Campus, and the Incredicoaster.

Downtown Disney District

Even without entering the parks, Downtown Disney offers shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and live music, making it a great place to relax before or after your train journey.

Best Time to Visit Disneyland

Disneyland Resort is open year-round, but the experience varies depending on the season. Visiting during quieter periods can mean shorter wait times, while holiday seasons bring special entertainment, decorations, and events.

January to early March: Cooler weather and generally lighter crowds outside holiday weekends.
Spring: Pleasant temperatures, although spring break periods can be busy.
Summer: Longer park hours and special entertainment, but also the largest crowds.
Autumn: Halloween celebrations make September and October particularly popular.
November and December: Disneyland transforms for the holidays with festive decorations, seasonal food, and Christmas entertainment.

Travel Tips for Visiting Disneyland by Train

A little planning will help you make the most of both your train journey and your time at Disneyland Resort.

Book your Amtrak tickets early, especially during school holidays and weekends.
Purchase Disneyland tickets in advance and check whether park reservations are required.
Stay at a nearby hotel if you’re planning to spend more than one day at the resort.
Travel light to make transfers between the station and your hotel easier.
Arrive early to enjoy popular attractions before crowds build later in the day.
Download the Disneyland app to check wait times, mobile food ordering, maps, and entertainment schedules.

Suggested Disneyland Itinerary

If you’re visiting for the first time, here’s a simple itinerary that lets you experience the highlights without feeling rushed.

Day 1: Explore Disneyland Park, including Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and iconic attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain.
Day 2: Spend the day at Disney California Adventure, then enjoy shopping and dining in Downtown Disney before returning to Anaheim Station.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not directly. Amtrak serves Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), located a few miles from Disneyland Resort. From there, you can take a shuttle, taxi, rideshare, or local bus to the parks.

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) is the closest Amtrak station and the primary rail gateway for visitors traveling to Disneyland.

Yes. The Pacific Surfliner operates frequent daily services between Los Angeles Union Station and Anaheim, making it one of the easiest ways to reach Disneyland without driving.

Two days is ideal for most visitors, allowing enough time to enjoy both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure at a comfortable pace.

Absolutely. Traveling by train helps you avoid Southern California traffic, parking fees, and the stress of driving, allowing you to begin your vacation in a more relaxed way.

Start Planning Your Disneyland Adventure

Visiting Disneyland by Amtrak is one of the easiest ways to reach Southern California’s most famous theme park. With convenient rail service to Anaheim, simple transportation connections, and comfortable onboard travel, you can spend less time worrying about traffic and more time enjoying the magic of Disneyland Resort.

Continue planning your journey with our Ultimate Guide to Amtrak Travel in the USA, or explore more destination guides, including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Sequoia National Park, and the Pacific Surfliner.

How to Get to Disneyland by Amtrak (Complete Guide 2026)