If you take Amtrak, definitely go business classes there's legroom and it's really close to the bar... The snack bar that is. I enjoyed the trip to Tacoma from Portland. It was relaxing better than me having to drive because man that drive is not something look forward to and people who love driving... More power to you. The staff on the train is really nice and informative and a little humorous at times. It was great to take the train for Christmas to my sisters. read more

Reasonable pricing for a round trip to Portland. COVID travel restrictions no food or beverages being sold, but the offer free water and snacks. Mask required but no social distancing seating enforced. A little over two hours of beautiful Nice was to travel .. round trip great experience. read more

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I'd you want to know what your experience will be like with the older blonde lady that works there .... You're in for a demeaning , rude and beyond unprofessional experience. My son travels as an unaccompanied minor all the time . She huffs and puffs, rolls her eyes, deliberately does other tasked knowing you have to fill out paperwork , she acts like a toddler. She is ( I can not make this up or express this enough) a rude ( every single time for zero reason, just wait go there lol it's to everyone) dramatic vengeful person who probably hates her life and should not be working with other human beings . Idk how she still works there. There is another guy there who is rude as well . For no reason ! At all ! read more

Went to Vancouver Wa to visit family. my sister and I decided to take the train instead of driving what a great idea it was. It was so easy and relaxing. We did not have to worry about traffic or stopping for gas. We loved and will do it again. The employees are the train were great as well!!! read more

First of all, the crew is very professional and helpful. Everyone is friendly and makes you feel welcome aboard the train. Riding the train is very calming and relaxing. It's a chance for everyone to slow down and enjoy the scenery, see the parts of the country you don't see from the road. The only complaint I have is the food service - most of trains here in the Northwest don't have a dining car, so all you've got for choices is snacks. That's alright for a short trip, but I wouldn't like it on a longer journey. I enjoy riding enough that I try to take a train trip once a year. Wish I could go more often. read more

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Staff was friendly. Never rode on amtrack before, so I didn't know what to expect. Unfortunately, train tracks were closed due to heavy rains and mudslides. Alternate accommodations were made, so instead of train, bus was used. I wish they explained a bit more with the alternate/change and delay since it was my first time. Website and app not up to date and not accurate with trip status. The app and website said no delays, but the ticket counter/station said a different story. Wish amtrack communicated more efficiency that train is off service, but the bus will be used instead with up to date delay times. Other than that, service and workers were very friendly, and I was only 1 hr delayed. read more

Yay! Let the fun begin! Took the Amtrak and it was pretty easy. No real issues. Arrived a little later but that was expected. 122308 read more

I did not find the information I was after. I could not find the price for the trip I wanted to take and could not find how to reserve a ticket or roomette - read more

Very nice and great ride. Have food and alcohol. Great customer service.! I would definitely be recommending to friends and family.

Really love traveling by Amtrak,- if you have the time available its nicer then flying and get to see a lot of scenery you won't get to see driving or flying. The negative though is the time it takes to get there, and also unless the place your going is walking distance everywhere you want to go, or that you have access to a vehicle or trust the local transit system, then that can be a minus. Overall, I've always enjoyed riding Amtrak and would have no problem using them for whatever trips I have planed and would recommend them. read more

Amtrak - Train Stations Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I like this location because of its small size. This means less people traffic and who doesn't like that! Easy friendly checkin without hassels and all smiles. read more

The new address is 422 E 25th St, Tacoma, WA 98421 Facilities look really nice but be sure to buy your tickets online because the ticket office isn't open all the hours that the indoor waiting area is. read more

They used a VAN to Tacoma full train to use us as Guinea pigs for their new system. We were delayed 45 minutes before we could leave then delayed another 20-30 minutes during the trip for ANOTHER system glitch. Toss in we were now way behind schedule so we had to wait at SEVERAL points to wait for other trains who were on schedule and we arrived at our destination way past and missed our scheduled plans as a result. Amtrak never tried to make it right and to not use a empty train for a trial run was the most idiotic thing I've seen. Lots of unhappy customers and they act like its par for the course. Horrible experience. read more

I'll never ride your company again after today they only except credit cards for food never again

This review is specific to the Empire Builder, the daily train that runs from Chicago to Seattle/Portand and back. It is considered one of the "flagship" routes on the Amtrak rail system. Besides being one of the busiest lines, this train offers special "perks" to first class passengers. Upon boarding, you are treated to a glass of bubbly, and are given a small bag filled with travel size toiletries. In addition, at some point in the trip, you can participate in a wine and cheese event held in the dining car. It's fun and you get to meet a lot of other passengers. Usually they have a trivia game at the end, and winners get the wine that has not been drunk. Lucky for me, my cob webbed brain, was still able to come up with a right answer on some of these trips, so I departed this little soiree, pink cheeked and happy, clutching my winnings. The ride is extremely enjoyable, and the scenery is ever changing and impressive. The train rumbles through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and the smallest tip of Idaho. In Spokane WA the train splits with one part continuing on to Seattle and the other to Portland. Of course, Montana is a highlight especially since the Empire Builder winds its way through Glacier National Park. The vistas, wild animals, valleys, and mountain peaks, make this part of the trip inspiring. Minnesota has it's own beauty, as the train meanders along the great Mississippi River for over a 100 miles. North Dakota, though often barren and devoid of much life, is still interesting and kind of mysterious. It really opens your eyes to the diversity of ways Americans choose to live their lives and where they choose to do it. Washington state is gorgeous with thick forests, numerous streams and rivers, apple orchards, waterfalls, and of course the snow capped mountains. The scenery is literally like pages from National Geographic. Besides some wild life like Eagles and deer, you might catch a glimpse of a fisherman in his waders fly fishing for trout. There are quite a few tunnels, as the train traverses through different mountain ranges. Then as you near Seattle, the the Empire Builder hugs Puget Sound, a sparkling waterway framed by mountains in the background. I will be riding this train again in April. This will be my 7th or 8th trip and I am looking forward to it as much as I did the first time I climbed aboard the Empire Builder. If you've got the time, this is definitely a good way to sample rail travel. Service on this train is usually excellent and the food better than other routes. This train does sell out, especially the sleepers, so if you want to travel first class, make sure you book early. All aboard! read more

UPDATE: a week after I wrote the below review I received a snail mail from Amtrak that provided a coupon good for one year on Amtrak. Value is 1/3rd of the cost of the below trip. A few years ago we took the Amtrak from Seattle to Portland and back, and it was a good trip. This year we took the Empire Builder from Whitefish, MT to Seattle. Two sleeper compartments. A 14 hour trip. WE WILL NOT BE TAKING THAT ROUTE AGAIN. PROS: - Dining car wasn't bad, other than missing some items. - Shower worked fine. Nothing fancy, but there were plenty of clean towels and fresh soap. CONS: - 10:47pm scheduled departure was delayed three hours to past 1:30am. We had been warned this might happen so it wasn't a big deal. Lot of oil tankers from N Dakota were on the track and had priority. - We bought our tickets a couple of months in advance. Yet, when we tried to board the car steward said she had no record. We moved to the next car. - The next car did not have a compartment ready, so we waited 20 minutes while it was set up. - When the ventilator ran, the whole car smelled of sewage. (In fact, I saw that the car steward had already noted this on his log.) Not a little - a lot. Enough to wake one up as the ventilator blew it in your face, especially on the top bunk. - The train conductor walked through and I mentioned the smell. He said he would tell the car steward. That was the last we heard. - We had a short stop so I went back and asked the car steward of our original reservation if we could move to her car. She said it wasn't up to her, and to talk to our car steward or the train conductor. I then went to our car steward, and he tried to be helpful but was clearly irritated at the other steward. He couldn't move us, but did turn off the car ventilator--which caused it to become very hot. He therefore had to turn on the sewage-laden venitlator occassionally to cool the car. Gag. Others were complaining also. I couldn't help but wonder if complainers who had boarded earlier than us had been moved to our original compartment in the non-smelly car. - Upon return I submitted a complaint on the Amtrak web site. An email response came the next day, saying they would review my message in a few weeks and to be patient. Well, it has been over a month and I still have heard nothing further. read more

I've only been inside (ie...walked thru and sat and dealt with) three Amtrak stations. Yes, I've choo chooed my merry way thru other towns, but only stepped foot into 3. :) Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland Union Station. As strange as this may seem...Tacoma is more quaint and simple and well...clean. Granted, Tacoma station is tiny compared to the other two. And one would think would be more run down being...well...in Tacoma, and the employees here might possibly be...bottomish of the barrel. But wrong, and totally wrong. Every time I've been to this station it's been clean, and actually even smelled good! :D BIG plus. The employees and have been a pleasure to deal with, they are very knowledgable, I especially found that out, as I was dropping off my 13 yr old daughter for her first unaccompanied minor trip to Portland to see dad. Scary!! Yes...I'm one of those overprotected parents who ask's TONS of questions about who what where when the train bla bla bla. Ticket for teen in hand...I jaunt over to the ticket booth...At what area does my daughter get picked up from the train? Can I walk on the train with her? Can I make sure her bags won't topple over on her and/or others? How do I know she won't be sat next to a scary creeper? What if she is hungry, will someone kidnap her on her walk to the bistro car? What happens if she needs to use the restroom...will she fall thru the cracks between the cars? I mean seriously...these are very legit questions. And the Amtrak employee smiled and answered my questions very nicely and respectively. (He probably wanted to strangle me, but he didn't show it!!) :D so nice!! If you knew me...you would understand all this parental shenanigans....all scenarios run thru my head, and an answer needs to follow each question. Else my lil anxious mind will run haywire and I could legitimately check myself into that looming dark crazy persons mansion on top of that hill with mobs of ravens encircling it. Not kidding. Anyways, another thing, I left my car all day there in the Amtrak parking lot as I went to Portland and back all in one day, and it was safe as can be. And I'm one, again, who's stressed out about all these things. So for me to feel comfortable with this, is a big deal. Lol. Really. Lots of lighting, security I saw driving slowly around checking things out, it was good. Just all of it was good. :) read more

What a fun experience. I surprised my wife with a trip to Portland. The train is a very relaxing way to travel. Kick back and read a book or have a meal. Enjoy the company of other travelers. I loved seeing old carts and processes that seem to throw back to an era of train travel. I could imagine what it was like to travel the countryside like our grandfathers.... read more

fast ticketing, fast boarding, fast seating and fast travel! We had a great time and plan on making a few more trips on the Amtrak before the end of the year. Downfall...the cost of food. A cheese and cracker platter. 5.50-6 for 5 small slices of cheese and 5 wheat crackers...hey at least the mustard was free!? The conductor was very knowledgeable and kept us all informed and entertained on the way to Portland...the one on the way back...not so much. The track delays were unexpected but not terrible. We got home safely! read more

I have only taken a couple of trips. Really great way to travel. Both times though I had trouble with the app purchasing tickets. Really nice though that you can use tickets from your smart phones Train very clean comfortable staff super helpful and knowledgeable I'm excited to travel again. We rode reserved general read more

There are a lot of positives about traveling on Amtrak but at the same time for me there are a few negatives. The positives for me was getting to meet people while dining, and having a good conversation with them, the food that is provided while being in the sleeper cars and also the scenery. The scenery is something that is not only beautiful and amazing but something you can't get when traveling by airplane as most people do. Also I like the fact that the train stops at a numerous amount of stations allowing a feel of different cities along the coast. The negatives though is the shaking which for me is quite annoying at times. The bumpy and shakiness of the train is ridiculous and I feel should be fixed or at least improved. Compared to the trains in Europe and Japan they do not even compare. On top of that also there are times when I feel pretty cramped on the train and it may feel a little uncomfortable. Overall though I would recommend Amtrak to those that have lot of time on their hands for traveling, like to enjoy the scenery of nature and to meet people and converse. But for those who like to travel quickly and don't really enjoy a little bit of a cramped ride with a bit of shakiness then I would recommend another means of transportation. read more

I have never been on a train until my friend recommended that we take the train from here (WA) to Portland, OR so that we could explore the city on foot. I loved the whole experience. Both this station and the train were clean. The lady at the ticketing counter was very friendly and attentive. The train staff was also accommodating. The train ride was smooth and easy to use for a newcomer. Will do this again. read more

Amtrak - Train Stations Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

My Coast Starlight train trip started over the Christmas holiday 2018 from Union Station, Los Angeles to Amtrak Station in Tacoma and back to Los Angeles I have to compliment 2 sleeping car attendants for their great service - Roman and Cindy. They were very helpful and attentive. Roman has a great sense of humor. I would recommend Amtrak to anyone wanting to relax and enjoy the sleeping car. The food in the dining car was very good with healthy options. read more

I was so upset I could barely stand it. After seeing an operator trip a child I watched the mom yell at the child while he was trying Ro tell her it was the lady! Then I get on my phone to work as I had intended. Possibly the only reason I didn't drive was so that I could work and travel at the same time. "Oh, no wifi they lied to you. We really don't offer it" WHAT?! R u kidding me?! So I only tried to do what service would allow- two emails... Total. A 1.5hr trip turned into a 2.5hr trip due to construction?! Okay so after the emails I go to eat since I haven't all day.... "The dining cart is now closed" Wtf seriously? I beg to know where a vending machine or anything is and I go to my seat. Lol THEN a random woman tells at me about how they announced it would like an hour and a half ago... I was like dude I wasn't on the train then back off! I swear it was stupid and annoying and I have nothing good to say! read more

I've been here several times, sending people off and picking friends up. Every time I've been here the facilities have been clean, parking has been available, and the area is well lit. I've never actually broken to an attendant in the station, because I always buy my tickets online. Since this is in the old part of Tacoma you would think that there would be strangers and beggars bothering you while you wait for a train, but every time I've been here it has been the exact opposite. I frequently find myself having nice conversations with other people while waiting for the train and don't feel like I'm going to be robbed. read more

Amtrak - Train Stations Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Pros: Staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient. Boarding and detraining is highly organized, given that this is merely an intermediate stop on the line. Trainspotters waiting for their train get the added bonus of watching the activity of the nearby railyard. TV in the waiting room shows cable news. Cons: Vending machine food and drinks are horribly expensive, and nearest food options aren't exactly walking distance. In a sketchy industrial neighborhood; station staff advises parking in their lot at one's own risk. read more

I've traveled out of here twice and both times I've been helped with a smile. The station is bright and completely non sketch in my opinion for the part of town it's set in. Sure it's ugly and not some gorgeous old station like Portland or even the one in Everett, but it's clean and it's there with people who are willing to help. Just don't get raped by the overpriced vending machines. You can take your own goodies on Amtrak so pack a tote bag with all the munchie goodness you can handle. The trains are usually on time, even *gasp* the Coast Starlight has been on time as of late. Considering I live RIGHT by the tracks that it goes through when it blasts into town, I hear it, and it's been hovering around the 7PM mark for weeks now. It's shocking really. Even when I was on it going south we didn't have to pull over for other trains and wait for hours in order for them to pass. I don't know if this is just better scheduling on the rails' part but whatever they're doin they need to keep it up. I got to my destination EARLY. Back to the station though. It's fine for what it is, and the five stars comes more from the service standpoint than anything else, because I've had other Amtrak experiences that were no where NEAR as friendly as the two I've had here. read more

Approach counter to purchase ticket. Woman is making announcement. Wait patiently... Woman stops announcement mid stream. "I can't help you while I'm making the announcement" "Yea, no shit, carry on" "I can't do it while you're looking at me!" "I'm looking at you because you're talking to me!" Look away so retard can finish announcement. Purchase ticket as normal. read more

The station was an absolute abomination. Dirty, the digital screens for arrivals and departures was broken, parking was abysmal. It's no wonder Amtrak doesn't seem to be doing very well. All I wanted to do when I walked in, was pick up my mother and leave. The place was disgusting. read more

I am a huge fan of taking the train. It's relaxing, inexpensive, and I can check up to 3 bags for free along with my carry on...not like I ever pack this much personally, but it was nice to have the option when toting a large box and 2 snowboards for work. The station is nothing special but easy to access and the trains have been consistently on time and clean. Definitely a choice option if traveling. read more

Customer service here was great. Helped changed my moms ticket without any problems. Always love using the train when possible.

Four of us (three adults and one child) took train from Tacoma to Martinez. We were welcomed by Anthony our cabin attendant. He was very helpful and friendly. We boarded at 10:21 am as scheduled. We had a roomette that was small but quiet with door closed. Really enjoyed trip from Eugene to Chemult. Beautiful scenario. Our dining car attendant was Maria. She was great. Food was pretty poor. But trying to sleep was nearly impossible. Very rocky with lots of stops. I had the upper bunk which was very narrow and hard. Room was very warm. Not sure I would take this trip again. Did arrive on time around 7:30 a.m. Flying is easier. read more

If you can take another transportation than the train do it. These guys are very unreliable they lose your luggage, and than also don't give everything you need to pick up your luggage when you get to your destination. read more

The station is small, there is not much to it, some seats and a tv playing the news. Really not a place you want to hangout for to much time. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The station is located in the industrial section of town, not exactly the great hangout! But the train is great to ride I just hope you don't have to stick around the station for too long. read more

Most people rate Amtrak on the train experience. This is not accurate. The rating is on the Amtrak FACILITY, you know, the one that is on the address of Yelp! That said, the Tacoma Amtrak is miserable. It is old, tired, outdated and in a rough part of town. My experience on the train itself has been very pleasant. But the Tacoma Amtrak station is the worst! However, good news is in the works. The city of Tacoma, BNSF, Amtrak and Sound Transit have come together to move the Amtrak mess (Amen!!). Once that move happens, I would expect service and ridership to rise. I can't wait for that to happen. read more

Pet travel denied today to a customer in Washington State. I would like to know how your scales are certified that weigh baggage. How often they are certified? Do you scales have the NTEP Certificate of Conformance? Who did the service on the scales? Where are the records for service? Very upset customer in Washington. read more

We fell in love with the train on a short trip from Tacoma to Chehalis and decided to do our family vacation to Disneyland via Amtrak. I have made the trip via car and plane and I have to say that the train is by far the most relaxing way to travel IF you are not in a hurry to get there and IF you travel first class (sleeper car). I would NOT recommend traveling coach for the 33 hour trip! The views are BREATHTAKING! The service and the food were both pleasant surprises, the downside and the reason for a star deduction is really out of the train lines control. You ARE a captive audience and mother nature can throw a wrench in your travel plans just as easily as the airlines. If you are prepared to wait, take your time, and enjoy the view, this is one of the best ways to travel. read more

I purchased a round trip train ticket from Boise, ID Tacoma, WA for a relative. There was a derailed train on the route he was to take a week before his trip (you might have heard of it ... it made the National news). He was in touch with Amtrak almost daily to make sure the train was running on schedule. The morning of his departure, the bus provided by Amtrak from Boise to Portland left over an hour late because there was no bus driver. Once in Portland before his trip north to Tacoma, he was informed there would be no train.This after a week of hearing "the train is running" from Amtrak. The return trip was worse. He actually got to ride on a train from Tacoma to Portland. Once in Portland, he was given wrong information from multiple different ticket agents regarding where he was to meet for his connection. The end result was he and several other passengers missed their connection and were told the next bus to Boise would be leaving at 11:00 p.m. After the eleven hour layover due to the misinformation given to him by the employees at Amtrak, he boarded the bus back to Boise. He finally arrived home in Boise, ID 26 hours after he left Tacoma, WA. Once home, he contacted Amtrak customer service to express his concerns about both legs of his trip and suggested we be given a refund. The customer service representative laughed at him and hung up the phone. This is not the experience that I paid for, nor the experience I expected or wanted for a relative who was excited to be a first time train passenger. read more

Ok, so you're thinking who takes Amtrak, especially across country, but what a great stress free way to travel and it started with the wonderful staff in Tacoma! They were very helpful, came out to greet us and gave the kids coloring books and crayons. The very thoughtful ladies covered our two car seats with bags so they would not get damaged by wet weather on our trek to the east coast. The staff on the Empire Builder was great, especially in the dining car. My kids loved Crystal, the wonderful lady in charge. Kevin & Donald were also super. Phil the redcap in Chicago was astounding as was the redcap in Washington DC. Cliff, our cabin attendant on the Capitol Limited was also great. Trip of a lifetime for the kids. read more

My husband was returning to Tacoma , WA from Portland, OR. Train arrived at 10 pm, he waited for the door to open, it never opened in his car. After the train started to go again, he found a conducter in the next car to ask why his door didn't open. So they stopped the train down the tracks & let him out. REALLY, to walk back to station in Tacoma on the tracks in the dark. Isn't that DANGEROUS? After walking on the dark tracks a bit,they did send someone on a cart to get him. Next time he is going to fly the friendly skies. read more