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Connecting two of California’s most iconic cities can be a tall order.
Although only an hour and a half by plane, a road trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco will take up most of your day.
That’s why most choose to tackle the hassle of LAX rather than spend a full day on California’s highways. But what if there was a more enjoyable option, where you could just sit back, relax, and catch some much-needed z’s?
That will be the case next summer. At least that’s the plan. The new train hotel operated by Dreamstar lines will be on track in the summer of 2024.
LA To San Fran the fun way
Few details have been shared about what is now happening behind the curtain to bring the former luxury night train service between the two cities.
Considering this is happening in a state known for red tape, it’s no surprise the project has already been postponed.
But Dreamstar clearly has goals to launch next summer. When you’re considering a short flight, your mind probably doesn’t immediately take into account the drive time to the airport, the barking TSA agents, and possible delays.
With gas prices being the highest in the country, a road trip might also be out of the question. So there is clearly a gap in the market that Dreamstar is trying to fill.
The question now is: can it finally become reality?
Don’t call it a comeback
This isn’t the first rodeo between these California icons. In the 1940s and 1950s, a chic upper train known as The Lark was often sold out and was a favorite with Hollywood’s elite of businessmen and entertainers.
As air travel became more popular, train service declined over the years, eventually demising in the late 1960s.
The Lark is doing well, but now it’s Dreamstar’s turn to go full steam ahead with a modern take on the concept.
A train hotel or a sleeper train?
If you’ve ever traveled abroad, especially in Europe, you may have come across sleeper trains. They do exist in the US, but the concept is more popular abroad.
And if you’ve had the courage to take that sleep train, you can be sure you’re not signing up for a full night’s sleep.
Chances are you arrived at your destination dizzy and red-eyed and in dire need of coffee. That’s where Dreamstar dares to be different.
Rather than thinking of itself as an ordinary sleeper train, the new railway sees itself as a train hotel, where the emphasis is on hospitality and comfort rather than just getting you from A to B.
Our last report on the subject claimed that trains would leave around 10pm and arrive at 9am. Ticket prices range from $300 to $1000 depending on your room choice.
Since the delay, no updates on prices or times have been given.
An alternative to Amtrak and Bus travel
Let’s face it: flights are the most efficient way to travel between these cities, but traveling by train can be much more fun!
Amtrak is your current option for train travel, but it’s about as vanilla as it gets. The company made headlines last year for all the wrong reasons and was even publicly shamed by Congress for their lack of efficiency.
The same goes for bus travel, where you will certainly save money compared to trains, but the seats are often just as full as on airlines and not nearly as quickly.
And have you heard anyone rave about long-distance bus travel? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
Are Los Angeles and San Francisco worth a visit?
We recently named San Francisco as a place you shouldn’t visit in 2024. While it is still a beautiful city full of cultural neighborhoods and beautiful sights, the increase in crime is a concern.
The same goes for Los Angeles, a city with many instantly recognizable landmarks, from the bright lights of Hollywood to world-famous beaches.
Both cities have been in the news since the pandemic, especially when it comes to safety in the city center.
Some travelers may feel the need to keep their wits about them while still having to pay premium prices for their trip.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
