Amtrak CA

What Is The Kids 'n Trains Program

Kids 'n Trains is an exciting program available only on Amtrak California which enables schools and other youth groups such as boy scouts, girl scouts, church groups, etc., and their leaders and chaperones, to experience train travel at significantly reduced fares.  Your group can explore California and its rich history while visiting exciting and educational destinations along the way.  This special program is made available by the California Department of Transportation in partnership with Amtrak®.

Kids 'n Trains is available on two different routes  - the San Joaquin®, which travels through California's agriculturally diverse Central Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Pacific Surfliner®, which serves Southern California's winding, picturesque coastline. 

Kids 'n Trains is designed to support classroom curriculum, special projects or fields of study, or to just simply have fun!  The Kids 'n Trains Destination Guide includes information about destinations along each corridor that relate to Agriculture, Art, Cultural Studies, Entertainment, Government, History, Science and Technology.

Who Can Participate

The Kids 'n Trains Program is specifically designed for school and community groups with youth between the ages of 3 and 18 and their designated leaders and chaperones.

How The Program Works

The 2009-2010 Kids 'n Trains Program is available for a limited time.  Refer to the Program Schedule for available dates of travel.  Several departures are available Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays on the San Joaquin and Mondays through Thursdays on the Pacific Surfliner. Prices vary depending upon the Zone(s) and route you are traveling.  Everyone in your group pays the same low fare for their same-day round-trip adventure.

Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to space availability.  Making a reservation is easy. Just complete and submit the on-line Reservation Request Form at least 30 days prior to your desired departure date(s).   Be sure to include an alternate date of travel should your first choice be unavailable.  If approved, you will receive a confirmation letter by email or fax within seven to ten working days from the date you submit your request.

Once you receive your confirmation notification, you may purchase tickets.  Tickets must be presented on your day of travel and are non-refundable, even if the total number of passengers traveling in your group is less than what you planned for.  Please note that once your reservation request has been submitted to Amtrak, no changes in dates, schedules, or number of passengers is allowed.  Please do not lose your tickets.  Stolen or misplaced tickets will incur a non-refundable $75 replacement fee. Your group will not be allowed to travel without a ticket.  You will need to provide a Passenger List of all those who will be traveling in your group, including leaders and chaperones. (Please include the first and last name of each passenger).

Download the 2009-2010 Brochures
Pacific Surfliner PDF
San Joaquin PDF

Pacific Surfliner
     Pacific Surfliner Zone Map (JPEG)
     Pacific Surfliner Zone Map (PDF)
     Pacific Surfliner Destination Guide
     Pacific Surfliner Train Schedule
     Pacific Surfliner Program Schedule

San Joaquin
     San Joaquin Zone Map (JPEG)
     San Joaquin Zone Map (PDF)
     San Joaquin Destination Guide
     San Joaquin Train Schedule
     San Joaquin Program Schedule