Tired of watching brake lights on the 5 or 14? If you live in Santa Clarita, Metrolink can turn traffic time into reading, resting, or catching up on email. Whether you are moving here or simply rethinking your commute, you want clear answers on stations, schedules, parking, fares, and what is changing next. This quick playbook gives you the essentials so you can ride with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Metrolink in Santa Clarita
Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line connects Lancaster and Palmdale through Santa Clarita to Glendale, Burbank, and Los Angeles Union Station. You board in the Santa Clarita Valley and ride straight to Union Station. For official station details and amenities, start with the Santa Clarita station page on Metrolink’s site. View station info.
Typical ride time to Union Station is about 55 to 65 minutes, depending on your station and train. Local reporting often summarizes the trip as about one hour. See travel time context.
Choose the right station
Pick your station based on proximity, parking, bus connections, bike access, and which trains stop there.
Vista Canyon
This new infill intermodal center opened in 2023. It features rail platforms, bus bays, bike facilities, and a large parking structure designed for easy transfers and walkable access. Learn about Vista Canyon.
Santa Clarita Station
Located on Soledad Canyon Road, this is one of the primary stops in the valley with park-and-ride access and local bus links. Metrolink lists passenger parking as free at this station, and amenities vary by time of day. Check official station details.
Jan Heidt Newhall
The Newhall intermodal area connects rail riders to local buses and regional services, including Amtrak Thruway. If you prefer a transfer-focused hub, Newhall can be convenient. See the city’s transfer stations page.
Via Princessa
Serving Canyon Country, this station offers parking and bike access. The City reports approximately 395 parking spaces here, though counts can vary by source. Confirm parking and connections.
How to pick fast
- Choose the closest station with reliable parking.
- Confirm bus links or on-demand options from your neighborhood.
- Check which trains stop at your station during your travel times.
- If lots fill early, plan a drop-off, bike, or bus connection.
Get to and from the train
Local bus connections by Santa Clarita Transit make first and last mile easier. The McBean Regional Transit Center is a key transfer hub, and several routes feed Metrolink stations. Explore transfer points.
For short trips within the city, consider the on-demand option. GO! Santa Clarita is designed to bridge nearby neighborhoods to stations and activity centers. See on-demand service.
Ride-share, Kiss & Ride, walking, and biking are also popular, especially at Vista Canyon, which was built with pedestrian and transit connections in mind.
Tickets, fares, and how to buy
Metrolink offers One-Way, Round-Trip, 7-Day, Weekend Day Pass, and Monthly Pass options with standard discounts for youth, seniors, riders with disabilities, and military. The easiest way to ride is mobile ticketing. Download the Metrolink app, buy your ticket, and activate before boarding. Get the app and how-to.
Fares are distance-based. The Antelope Valley Line has tested short-trip fare pilots and reductions at times, so pricing can change. Check the Metrolink app for current fares or contact customer service at 800-371-5465. Read about past fare reductions.
To stay in the know, subscribe to real-time alerts. Sign up for Metrolink Alerts.
Plan for schedules and reliability
Frequency has improved compared to the old peak-only pattern, with more mid-day and weekend trains than before. That said, service is still concentrated around morning and evening commute windows. Always check your station’s weekday and weekend schedule before you go.
Track work and capacity upgrades can lead to temporary closures or bus bridges along parts of the Antelope Valley Line. If you see a maintenance notice, build in a few extra minutes and have a backup plan. Review current advisories.
Pro tip: set an alert for your usual train and identify the next departure in case you need a quick plan B.
Upgrades that change your options
Vista Canyon is already making access easier for Canyon Country riders. Bigger network upgrades are in the pipeline through the Antelope Valley Line Capacity and Service Improvements Program. Project elements like added double-tracking near Santa Clarita are designed to enable 30-minute bi-directional service between Union Station and Santa Clarita, and up to 60-minute bi-directional service to Lancaster. See the project documents.
These investments are part of Metrolink’s broader SCORE program, which aims to deliver more frequent, reliable regional service over the next several years.
Quick-start checklist
- Pick the station that balances proximity, parking, and bus links.
- Download the Metrolink app and set up payment.
- Check the schedule for your specific station and travel time.
- Buy and activate your ticket before boarding.
- Subscribe to Metrolink Alerts for day-of updates.
- Have a backup plan if there is maintenance or a disruption.
- If you are house hunting, consider how station access fits your daily routine.
Make commuting part of your home plan
Your commute shapes where you live, how you plan your days, and the value you get from Santa Clarita’s neighborhoods. If you want a home that pairs with an easy Metrolink routine, we can help you zero in on the right pocket, near the right station, with the right daily connections. For hands-on guidance, local data, and early access to listings, reach out to Rose District. We will help you match your move to your commute.
FAQs
How long does Metrolink take from Santa Clarita to Union Station?
- Typical published and reported rides fall around 55 to 65 minutes, with many trips summarized as about one hour. See local reporting.
Which Santa Clarita Metrolink station should I use?
- Choose based on proximity, parking, and connections: Vista Canyon, Santa Clarita, Jan Heidt Newhall, and Via Princessa all serve the valley. Compare transfer hubs and parking.
How much does Metrolink cost from Santa Clarita?
- Fares are distance-based and can change with pilots on the Antelope Valley Line. Check current pricing in the Metrolink app or call 800-371-5465 for assistance. See fare pilot background.
What if there is track work on the Antelope Valley Line?
- Metrolink posts advisories and sometimes uses bus bridges during maintenance. Review the latest notices and allow extra time. Check current AVL advisories.
Will Antelope Valley Line service get more frequent soon?
- Planned double-tracking and related projects are intended to enable 30-minute bi-directional service between Union Station and Santa Clarita and faster, more frequent trips to Lancaster. View the project scope.
Can I bring a bike to Santa Clarita Metrolink stations?
- Many stations provide bike racks and, in some cases, lockers, with Vista Canyon emphasizing bike and pedestrian access. See Vista Canyon details.
