The first is probably the most important to anyone reading this - it is that it is still a very reasonably priced method of travel. I also love that I have a table. I can sit at and write or eat something or play a game with someone who is with me instead of having to focus on traffic and being uncomfortable about not being able to change my seating posture for a long trip. I like the fact that I can go get a snack whenever I want to, and start up a conversation with a stranger and to make a new friend. That's what I think you want to hear when you want a review, but I want to tell you another special thing about why I love Amtrak. The sound of the train is something I have loved and that has comforted me from the first time I ever heard it when I was a child, until I bought my first house and discovered that there was a train track right on the other side of a fence that was 8 feet from my house. I learned later that the realtors were supposed to tell you that, but I was young and dumb. I had no idea of that. I was a newlywed and that happened the first night we slept there. It rattled the ground and knocked pictures and clocks off of the walls and terrified my husband and I, thinking it was an earthquake, until we heard the horn. Then we looked at each other and laughed and responded that same way as long as we lived in that house. I missed it for the longest time until many many years later I moved into a senior mobile home park that was nearby a train track, and I was thrilled to hear a train the first night I spent there. I was there five years and smiled every time I heard that that and felt my walls rattle. Between those two experiences, I had a Red Hat Society group for 12 years and we used to take the Amtrak train from Bakersfield to Hanford and spend the day there at different events they put on in the Civic Park, and then Fred the antique fire truck would pick us up and drop us back off at the train station and we would have fun riding home sharing the rolling adventures we had had that day. But the trips there and back themselves were also very fun because there were a few very sweet conductors who played with us and let us take pictures of them with us, and even tried on our hats and let them take pictures of them with us, and that kind of thing. We were a very silly and fun-loving group and we loved that! That's been many many years ago and I wish I could find those pictures... read more

Clean place also right by bus station and Bakersfield welcome center. Also close to restaurants!

5 stars for the bus link from Bako to Union Station. The bus is comfortable and the transportation is quick and efficient with professional and friendly drivers. 1 star for the absurdity that you CAN NOT purchase a ticket from Bako to Union Station (I was told on a couple occasions it's because the bus service isn't t technically Amtrak so they can't sell tickets for only that stretch.) So even though the bus says Amtrak and I pay Amtrak...one must purchase an extended route ticket - wasco to union station. It's ridiculous. read more

Bakersfield Amtrak Station - As seen from the window from the bus - snow on the Grapevine. - Train Stations Near Me - Bakersfield, California

They left me on the platform. I had a bus to train connection in Bakersfield. We got there at 3:30am and the train was set to leave at 4:12am. The bus driver who dropped us off, leaves and says nothing. There are no instructions for anything. So I'm about 200 feet away and I start to walk over around 4:08. Now keep in mind Amtrak is most always late. So I walk over and I don't see anyone. The train is empty and all the passengers gone. I hear over a speaker. 4:10 last call. I frantically start running trying to find the open door. Well my train was the train behind this train. So I run around and start screaming and pounding on the windows. They fire up the train at 4:11 and start leaving. Then they stop, a train worker gets out and looks at me. Jumps back on the train and they leave. Unbelievable I am stranded in Bakersfield at 4 am. I will never use Amtrak again. read more

Clean sitting area and bathrooms are clean The staff at front window were helpful in locating other stations close to my house read more

I would like to share my awful experience boarding the train today. I was traveling with my daughter and we needed some assistance with our bags. We were unable to locate any Amtrak employees anywhere near the train approximately 7-8 minutes prior to departure. So my family had to assist us with loading bags on the train. There were no announcements and the doors of the train closed 3 minutes prior to departure time. We had to run to the complete opposite end of the train to find one Amtrak employee who was extremely rude and refused to help. My family was unable to get off the train and the conductor refused to reopen the doors even though the train was still stopped at the station. My family was forced to get off in Wasco and try to find a ride back to their car in Bakersfield. I will never ride with Amtrak again. Amtrak employees hide during boarding time and refuse to help you up the very steep steps with your bags and then will trap your family onboard if they dare try to help you. read more

Driver of bus 5810 sat in air conditioning while leaving everyone else out in the 100 plus heat in Bakersfield CA. When I asked if we could board, his response was "dude if you don't shut up I won't let you board my bus." We were supposed to leave at 2:05 but he waited giving us no explanation. HE SHOULD BE FIRED. We left at 2:23! There were elderly and young kids standing out in that heat. How rude and non customer focused that was. FIRE HIM NOW! His is Jay and he is horrible read more

Bakersfield Amtrak Station - Driver if bus 5810 at 1:56pm waiting in the air conditioning while leaving us outside in the heat. Bus was supposed to leave at 2:05. - Train Stations Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I don't know why they put a combination lock for bathrooms since it is for public use. When I asked the security for the combination, he told me to ask Amtrak counter. The Greyhound counter also told me the same. Too bad no one is at the Amtrak counter and my bus will leave in 5 minutes. Hard for me to understand they don't communicate for such a simple thing. . If not for that, I would give it a 5 stars. read more

this place is so horrible. I am here waiting for my husband. I go to use the bathroom and they told me I could not use it at all and I am. Five months pregnant and the lady is very rude. read more

Never on time I was told by tye lady that works here that the bus leaves at 4 so when we got here they told us the buss had a delay and we won't leave till 6 she was rude and said it happens all the time :( read more

There is a bus that goes to Barstow and Las Vegas. I left 4PM and arrived at Downtown RTC bus terminal in Vegas about 9:30PM. I bought an online ticket with only the BFD-Las Vegas but another passenger said the Amtrak website did not offer her this option. Wasco to Vegas and just board the bus in Bakersfield. Return service leaves about 9 AM. If going to the Vegas airport stop at South Strip RTC terminal, which is not on the strip but just south of the airport. 30 minute stop at Barstow Station which had a surprising variety of fast food option plus a convenience store. No taxis at central terminal, but walking 3 blocks to the Nugget Casino there were plenty. read more

On August 31, 2024, our group of 14 Ministers' Wives were traveling Southbound. Our pickup was delayed due to mechanical problems with the Charter Bus that we were waiting on. It was 8pm and the security guards were very considerate of our situation. They allowed us to remain in the waiting area for 40 minutes until our bus arrived; even though the terminal was officially closed. We all truly appreciate the considerate team of Security Guards that were on duty that evening! Way to go Bakersfield Amtrak Station!! God Bless! :) read more

Easy on and off, and some cool places to eat that are just a few blocks away like Sanchos Tacos

Awesome travels this week .our team went Florida USA to pick up our mom and we landed in Florida USA by jet.we bought Amtrak tickets in Florida USA and got the train from Amtrak Florida to New York City then throughout the eastern cities of Virginia, New York City, Philadelphia city USA to Chicago I'll USA. I found the stuff that Amtrak from Florida tomorrow in Chicago New Mexico a sandwich to be awesome and fantastic. Performance it was good to have everybody on point to Cassie you never know Kirk Franklin if you're not concerns together next week. The news and happiness having enjoy the rest of it okay Mr Wilkinson what was that lady's name Charlie was awesome the food people were beautiful and accommodations were nice can't complain it was awesome five stars on the way through still haven't finished my journey heading toward Martinez but have a wonderful time bye-bye read more

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Somethings have changed and some have stayed the same since the last time we were here. The employees still seem to have a very laid-back attitude bordering on rude. While at the ticket window a gentleman approached and asked to use the bathroom. Apparently now you need a key to get in. I'm guessing because of the homeless in the area. The station is still seemed clean and well kept. UPDATE What can I say about Amtrak. The station in Bakersfield was semi-clean but there were several homeless in the seating area. We sat in the station for approximately 45 minutes never seeing any security personnel. Finally when we got up to go to the train there was a security guard at the tracks. I approached him and told him about the homeless inside the station but he made excuses that they were actually passengers. I doubt this very much as one had a shopping cart full of things and another was throwing things against the window inside and going through the trash cans. It seemed to me that he was afraid of an encounter. read more

Bakersfield Amtrak Station - Train Stations Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Update: Greyhound bus lines has since moved its service from 18th street to this location.

We are going to Bakersfield by Amtrak I'm San Joaquins bound after the Amtrak express bus from Los Angeles. This place is clean! It took 3 hours from now on, you don't have to drive a car here because the parking was permanently on the road and I couldn't park it in here. It took 3 hours again from LA-Bakersfield to SF-Oakland, I should bring the snacks where we got from 7-Eleven to Truxtun ave because it's cheaper! Welcome aboard, your vacation time had been started earlier in the morning. I only go to this train station on summer to invite dad's relatives in San Francisco county. read more

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I took a train from San Francisco heading to Los Angeles. I have a certified emotional support 18 pound miniature Goldendoodle that I have with me everywhere since my only child was murdered. My dog is exceptionally well behaved and very clean. A gentleman who I had not seen in the first two plus hours of the trip appeared and very brusquely told me that I could not continue the trip which was now about to embark on a bus. He said my dog was not allowed and that he had barked. This was completely untrue. It was after10 pm and I was afraid at this train station alone. It resulted in my having To spend the night in Bakersfield and ultimately having luggage stolen. No one from the company has ever responded to my complaint. I cannot believe the anger and the manner in which this person acted toward me. I used to love Amtrac. read more

Very comfortable and not smelly like Greyhound. I 100% recommend this one instead. It is very punctual as well.

I enjoyed the train rides and snacks. The employees are very nice helpful and professional! The busses were nice too.

If you cannot make the drive to the Bay area from Bakersfield, then taking the Amtrak train is a good alternative. Yes, it is pricier than just driving up there. Yes, it takes longer to get up there. About 7 hour trip by Amtrak as compared to about 4 hours by car. The train is pretty comfortable. Seats are okay. Gets a bit too crowded at times. If you are not comfortable meeting others, then do not take Amtrak during peak times or peak days. This Amtrak station in Bakersfield is quite nice in comparison to most other towns train stations. Cleaner and larger. Try them out, if you do not mind a longer trip. read more

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Hate having to take bus when train terminates in Bakersfield-- last trip AC was out on train. Otherwise love to take train read more

So I've taken Amtrak from Burbank to sacramento before via 2 buses and a train. It's always been interesting. Today the guy working in the dining car on the San Joaquin corridor was especially friendly and funny. Plus he was a great at up selling! He kept things clean and stocked. Great Asset! Sadly when I first got on the train as a disabled passenger, all the seats are taken by very able bodies and no-one seemed to help the 3 or 4 other disabled people acquire a handicap seat. (Thus how I ended up in the dining car for a quick bite and a place to sit!) But the time we hit Fresno i thought I'd try again and surprisingly the riff raff haden of the train. Another woman recognized me as one of the disabled looking earlier for a seat and asked where i had gone and that she was forced to stand until someone got off. :/ that was disappointing. Also the entire downstairs smelled like toilets. It was pretty bad. But i was just happy to have a seat with an outlet.. FINALLY. I DO LOVE THEY OFFER FREE WIFI AND OUTLETS ( except in the dining car which is understandable as the seats are not meant to campout in). Restrooms weren't the worst but they could stand for some fresh air or the very least air freshener. The changing from train to bus terms to be a little confusing but they are generally pretty helpful. My transfer from Stockton to sacramento last tuesday (June23) the thin black driver was a bit on the confusing side. But he was great inn the sense he went over safety instructions, bathrooms, destination and emergency exits (something no other driver has done). My final leg home on the bus from Bakersfield to Burbank on June29 i was a bit surprised to see the trash can seatbelted in one of the only 4 handicap seats. So for 2 hours i say next to a trash can. Can't say that was the best way to represent a big commute company like Amtrak or a way disabled should be treated.. But i made light of it? Called him Gus... And posted OUR journey over the Grapevine together to friends. Either way.. I think Amtrak is an inexpensive option for those trying too save money and or have less of an impact on our environment like myself. I do recommend you screenshot your Qcode and boarding pass as some places don't get the best reception. Do visit the dining car. And do strike up a conversation with other travelers... It's really an interesting experience. One thing i did notice however was the announcements on the trains stated they had reclining seats. I don't know where they were as none of the seats i say inn reclined! I would update that if the corridor train does not have that feature. Other than that... Happy trails! read more

Bakersfield Amtrak Station - My seat partner from Bakersfield to Burbank [June 29,2015] I the disabled seating - Train Stations Near Me - Bakersfield, California

It's way less stress and easy to rest and watch the sights. No driving the I-5 corridor. Running north and south daily. There are better ways to travel the I-5 other than driving it and this is the best way to go. Quick and efficient Amtrak makes dealing with the task of getting up or down the central valley as about as painless as it can be. With gas at close to 4$ a gallon it makes it the smart choice as well. 00043 read more

The Amtrak Bakersfield station is located at the southern most end of the Amtrak San Joaquin line and many destinations via Amtrak bus are available from that point. This station is one of the most modern of Amtrak stations opening on 4th of July, 2000. The indoor waiting area has a light, airy feel as the upper half of the high beam ceilinged walls is very eye pleasing, turquoise paned windows on the south and west sides. Another HUGE perk of this station is that there are no pan-handlers in one's path to ask for money. And the large parking lot is reasonably safe from break-ins if the car has nothing valuable in sight. This is probably my favorite Amtrak station. read more

Bakersfield Amtrak Station - Amtrak Bakersfield station - Train Stations Near Me - Bakersfield, California

This is not my first time on the train! I find the train to be rather relaxing when inmates aren't getting on from the prison and there aren't any loud individuals ... I got on the Amtrak bus this morning @7 to Bakersfield. Than on a train in Bakersfield to Hanford .. there's a cafe area so I head that way. I get to the counter order coffee and ask what's good on the breakfast menu? DONNA's response " I don't eat anything on this train! I make my own food!" Me " well I'm on the train and I'm hungry so there's not one thing you could recommend ?" Donna " I make my own food; this is all processed ....!" I left with a processed blueberry muffin .... how rude! What I should have said was " Donna me too; when I'm @ home HO! but since I'm on a train and I've only got my camping stove out, can you hook me up with a CSA box so I can cook at my seat ! I can't stand rude ass people. Maybe she should work a different section or better yet not on the train ! Horrible Customer Service read more

Very funny guy on the speaker as we boarded and throughout our trip! I enjoyed it! Whomever you are, you make experiences, like traveling on the train, so much better! Also the ticket checker, a younger thin kid, was so sweet. He helped a older lady by taking her luggage downstairs for her. Appreciate your kindness! May you be rewarded greatly in heaven read more

Pros: cheap, easy way to get around California, book online Cons: frequent delays, slow method of transportation I've been taking trains and buses from the Bakersfield Amtrak station for over 15 years. The station itself has improved by a lot - including adding more seating, cleaning up the interior. However, I still am not a huge fan of Amtrak itself. Booking is a pain - you're not allowed to book just a through-way bus and have to purchase the train ticket as well. This means that instead of booking a ticket for Bakersfield to LA, I have to book from Wasco to LA. Be prepared to wait an extra 1-2 hours. I would say that 50% of the time I've used Amtrak, the train has been late. The worst case I've experienced was a 4-hour delay - make sure to give yourself a lot of buffer time when traveling with Amtrak. Overall, I just use it because it's a cheap way to get around. Some of its routes are not optimal and take much longer, so make sure to research your options. read more

It's an enjoyable experience pulling into this station through the bus service. Nice view along the route that is taken from Grand Central Station to Bako. read more

Yes, Bakersfield. We do have public transportation. And no, it's not the GET bus. If you're unfamiliar with Amtrak - get aboard! With soaring gas prices and crazy summer traffic, you'll find Amtrak a great alternative. Especially, if you're needing to travel for work. The Bakersfield Amtrak is located next to the Beale library in downtown Bakersfield. There's an actual indoor waiting area next to the bus terminals that is always clean, well lit, and properly managed. The facilities were incredibly clean the few times I've been inside. Even though my first Amtrak experience was practically a disaster, it's of no fault in the Bakersfield employees or those that manage this depot. In fact, the employees were apologetic and quite informative. I could not have been more impressed by the kind staff. If it's your first time on Amtrak, or you're just plain confused, ask any employee and they'll be more than happy to help. Really. These people are that nice. At least in Bakersfield. read more

For many years, until the budget crunch hit, our favorite kindergarten field trip was to take an Amtrak train from this station in Bakersfield to the Amtrak station in Wasco, have a picnic in the park, then ride back to Bakersfield in the school bus. My five year old students were fascinated by the huge freestanding stone globe out front. It must be 8 feet tall and rests on a pedestal full of water. You can rotate the globe freely in any and all directions by pushing it with your hands. The kids would gather around the globe and reach up with their little hands to just barely touch it and beg the teachers and parent volunteers to get it turning from them. The globe was a gift from the Hogan family and bears an inscription on the base that says: "Riches through acknowledge, Knowledge through Travel." Edward J. Hogan I truly believe that my life has been enriched by my many travelling adventures around the world and can't think of a more fitting quote to put outside the train station; the gateway to the rest of the world for us Central Valley folk. There are plenty of benches outside, though as a teacher chaperoning a large kindergarten class I never had the chance to take advantage of them. There is a very unique fountain outside that is basically a large flat area with holes spaced at intervals around it. When the fountain is on, little jets of water will spurt of of holes at random intervals. I can tell you from experience that nobody ever came out of the station to bust my students when they ran around the fountain and I thought it was good clean fun as they never got wet due to the small quantities of water coming out at any one time. There is a long skinny covered area trackside where you can wait for the train to arrive. The station building itself is very modern looking with a very high vaulted ceiling and windows everywhere stretching far up the wals letting in the natural light. There is plenty of seating inside the station running along both walls. The restrooms are clean and well maintained. There are two vending machines for sodas carrying Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew, Orange Crush, apple juice, orange juice, Rockstar, Sugar Free Rockstar, all kinds of cold beverages to slake that thirst. There is also a coffee vending machine for those cold days when you need to warm up. Last but not least there is a vending machine for snack products. All the vending machines take cash and credit cards MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. There is an ATM inside, and a pay telephone outside. This is a nice little train station and we had no trouble finding things to keep the kids entertained till the train arrived. The Amtrak employees always allowed us to board all the kindergarten classes in a group so that we could have a train car for ourselves. The trains were always clean and nice with well maintained restrooms also. It was a great experience for teachers, parents, and students alike! read more

When you're traveling between NorCal and SoCal, you might pass through Bakersfield. I do when I'm going to Fresno. I take an Amtrak bus to Bakersfield and then take the Amtrak train. There's not much at this station and not much surrounding it. You don't have a choice but to wait inside or outside if it isn't too cold or wet. There are restrooms. There are vending machines. There's a fair number of seats. It's hard to find a power outlet. Amtrak offers free WiFi, but it's not reliable. I forget if you can use it at the station. I like the marble globe outside the station. read more

Our bus was delayed and we were late about 10 minutes, and our train left. We had to wait 2 and a half hours for the next train. But once the train came and we boarded, we had to wait another hour for some other delayed busses. Our train couldn't wait at least 15 minutes for us but the next train can wait a whole hour for some other delayed busses. This is just really unfair and inconvenient for everyone. read more

Bakersfield Amtrak Station - This is not a sweet way to transfer - Train Stations Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Nice, Nice, Nice, Nice, Nice. Nice plolaces to be a Yelp Foodie Eater pretty close. If you want to Drive few blocks then theres Foodie Heaven of Places. But couple blocks walking offer good places to eat too. Heck. There is even a Best Western, Multi-Stories Marriot(?) super close. Parki g here is really great. Bakersfield Kern County Visitor Ctr close. Adjacent huge Library. Awesome Maya Theater walking distance. County building is close. Convention Ctr n Auditorium is right there. Station is spacious. Modern. Appears really safe Especially day hours. Well with AAA Card, 3 days advance ticket ordering, you save $5 to go to Emeryville or to like Richmond Amtrak Bart. Thats $42. 6 hour Amtrak Train. Thats cheaper than I can Drive my Car. And Train is Double Decker. BTW, Emeryville Amtrak Station is the Depart point fir the West to East USA California Zephyr Train. Practically all the Elite Yelp'Rs reviewing here gives 4 to 5 stars. read more

I really wish this place had a 24 hour waiting room. I guess it was partly my fault for taking Greyhound and transferring to Amtrak. One of my trips, after walking all the way across town from the Greyhound station, I arrived around 12:30am and my train wasn't leaving until 4:15am, so I literally had to keep myself busy for four hours. I wasn't about to fall asleep, oh no. This place is a bum paradise after the terminal doors are locked. It gets so bad that when they open in the morning they make an announcement stating that if you aren't an Amtrak customer you have to get off the platform immediately. Not to mention all the lights on the platform are timed to turn off at 1am. So since I couldn't find a Wi-Fi network, I snacked on some food, charged my phone (using my laptop, mind you, no outlets around either), and denied having money to at least three different people who asked for it. Thankfully it was in the summer months, I'm sure I would have been freezing. I also watched about four, mile long trains go by. Once they finally opened tons of people started showing up and I was able to get inside and check my bag. The terminal itself is actually very nice and obviously relatively new. It was a great sigh of relief once it did open though... those were almost the longest four hours of my life. I slept well on that train ride, that's for sure. The second time I was here I utilized the Amtrak thruway bus system; it's seamless! I'm definitely using that from now on. The only reason that I took Greyhound is because I thought friends of mine were going to be meeting me in Bakersfield for the drive up to the bay area. They ended up not coming and I had to book Amtrak later... read more

My mother was in route to visit me from Fresno to San Diego via Amtrak and had to transfer to a bus at Bakersfield. She is elderly and disabled and requires a scooter to get around. When she reached this transfer station she encountered a staff that was beyond rude. She waited in line to board the bus. When the driver saw she had a scooter he made her get out of line and wait with the baggage. After all of the passengers boarded the bus he then came back to get and told her, "You know I'm not going to load that by myself." My mother needs this to get around and now this man is demanding she lift her own scooter?! He didn't even apologize or reassure her that he would get her a seat on the bus. This treatment is outright wrong. Amtrak needs to refresh its employees in ADA compliance and also improved customer service. read more

If you travel by train up and down the state you will see a lot of stations . And, as you observe you probably notice that well, if the stop does in fact have a station (because some stops just have small platforms) that most of them are old, run down, and in need of someone to fix them up. However, this is not the case with the Bakersfield Amtrak station. It is quite lovely and remodeled and up to par. Maybe because it's the last stop in the valley. So, while the station is beautiful and it's a nice welcome to Bakersfield, I just can't say the same about travel on the train. I wish it were faster! And, I wished the seats reclined and made it more comfy to sleep. Lastly, I wish they served better food on the train. Oh well, one can dream of the idea of the bullet train. read more

okay so I did not know Amtrak was available for buses nor had any clue about their Run way thru bus system however you call it. Since I don't ride their trains often. Anyways I prefer Amtrak ten times more than Greyhound. I think it is not that popular because it can be a little more pricey depending where you go and it is kinda complicated if you are trying to find your destination ect. The *BUSES* are well kept and that is probably my favorite. I usually buy my tickets online so I have never bought them here. I recommend do this or just call they are relatively helpful. The location is not bad at all. Plenty of parking and all the buses are visible so one can just walk down and see where your bus is. read more

This place is really nice. Compared to the greyhound this place is an oasis. Staff are really nice and the facility is pretty new and well taken care of. The area outside where the buses are is well lit and labeled well. read more

Bakersfield Amtrak Station - Train Stations Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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On the plus side: It's much cleaner than the Amtrak Union Station. On the negative side: They are not open sometimes when the early bus pulls up in the middle of winter when it is freezing outside. There is not much to offer aside from a couple vending machines. I understand.... they don't want transients hanging out. But seriously, it's below freezing and your customers are sitting outside in the rain or freezing cold while we observe you sitting inside at the desk. Not too cool. read more