You’re planning a trip to the neon lights of the Strip, and you want to do it by rail. It sounds romantic, right? Watching the Mojave Desert blur past your window while you sip a drink in the observation car. But then you go to the Amtrak website, type in "Las Vegas," and things get... weird. You might see "Las Vegas, NV (LVS)" pop up, but don't let that fool you. That isn't a train station. It's a bus stop.
If you are looking for the nearest Amtrak station to Las Vegas Nevada, you aren't actually looking for a platform in Sin City. You are looking for a town called Kingman, Arizona. Or maybe Barstow, California. It depends on which direction you’re coming from and how much you enjoy sitting on a bus.
The truth is, Las Vegas is the largest metropolitan area in the United States without direct Amtrak passenger rail service. It’s been that way since 1997. Back then, the Desert Wind line used to roll right up to the Union Plaza Hotel (now the Plaza) downtown. Now? You’re stuck with a "Thruway" connection, which is really just a fancy way of saying a Greyhound-style bus ride to finish your journey.
The Kingman Connection: Your Closest Rail Link
Most people will tell you that Kingman, Arizona, is your best bet. Geographically, it is. The Kingman Station (KNG) is roughly 100 miles southeast of Las Vegas. If you’re driving, you can knock that out in about an hour and forty-five minutes via US-93, crossing over the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge near the Hoover Dam.
This station serves the Southwest Chief, a legendary route that runs between Chicago and Los Angeles. If you’re coming from the Midwest—places like Kansas City or Albuquerque—this is where you’ll likely hop off.
But here’s the kicker. The Southwest Chief usually pulls into Kingman in the middle of the night. We're talking 11:30 PM for the westbound train and around 2:00 AM for the eastbound. It’s a tiny, historic depot built in 1907. It’s charming, sure, but there isn't exactly a fleet of Ubers waiting there at 2:00 AM to take you across the state line. You have to plan this. Honestly, unless you have someone picking you up or you've pre-arranged a shuttle, landing in Kingman in the dead of night feels a bit like being stranded in a classic Western movie. Without the horses.
What about Barstow or Needles?
If you look at a map, you’ll see Needles, California. It’s actually slightly closer to some parts of Vegas than Kingman is. However, the infrastructure there for travelers is even thinner. Most savvy travelers look toward the Barstow Station (BAR).
Barstow is about 150 miles from Vegas. Why would you go further? Because of the Northbound Thruway Bus connections. Amtrak operates a dedicated bus service that links the Barstow station directly to several points in Las Vegas, including the Harry Reid International Airport and the RTC South Strip Transit Terminal. It’s coordinated. If the train is late, the bus usually waits. You don't get that guarantee if you’re trying to wing it from Kingman.
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The Strange Case of the Las Vegas "Station" (LVS)
When you book a ticket to "Las Vegas, NV" on the Amtrak app, you’ll notice the station code is LVS. You might think, Great, I’m going to a train station.
You aren't.
You’re going to a bus stop, likely at the Greyhound terminal or the airport. Amtrak sells "multi-modal" tickets. You take the train to a hub like Los Angeles Union Station or Bakersfield, and then you board a motorcoach.
Some people hate this. They feel cheated. They wanted the rails, not the rubber. But honestly? The bus from LA or Bakersfield to Vegas is often faster than the train would be anyway, given the freight traffic interference on those lines. The scenery through the Cajon Pass is actually pretty stunning, even from a bus window.
The Bakersfield Route
If you’re coming from Northern California—San Francisco, Sacramento, or Fresno—you’ll be on the San Joaquins line. That train ends in Bakersfield. From there, you hop on an Amtrak Thruway bus that hauls you across the Tehachapi Mountains and through the desert into Vegas. It’s a long day. You’re looking at about a six-hour bus ride after your train journey. It’s efficient, but it’s a test of endurance for your glutes.
Why isn't there a train in Vegas?
It's a question locals have been screaming for decades. The short answer is money and freight. The tracks that run through Las Vegas are owned by Union Pacific. They are busy. Very busy. Union Pacific moves an incredible amount of freight between the Port of Los Angeles and the rest of the country. Slotting a passenger train into that schedule is a logistical nightmare that Amtrak hasn't been able to solve since the Desert Wind was axed in the 90s.
But things are changing.
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The Brightline West Factor
We can't talk about the nearest Amtrak station to Las Vegas Nevada without mentioning the elephant in the room: Brightline West. While it isn't Amtrak, it’s the future of rail in the region.
Brightline is building a high-speed rail line that will connect Las Vegas directly to Rancho Cucamonga, California. From there, you’ll be able to link up with the Metrolink system into Los Angeles.
- It’s electric.
- It’ll hit speeds of 186 mph.
- The Vegas station will be located right on Las Vegas Boulevard, near the South Premium Outlets.
Construction is actually happening. They broke ground in 2024. If all goes according to plan, by the time the 2028 Olympics roll around in LA, you won't be searching for the nearest Amtrak station anymore. You'll just be booking a high-speed ticket.
Logistics: Getting from the Station to the Strip
So, you’ve decided to take the Southwest Chief to Kingman or Barstow. Now what?
If you choose Kingman:
Rent a car. There is an Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Kingman, but they aren't open when the train arrives. You’ll need to stay overnight at a local motel (there are several historic ones on Route 66) and pick up the car in the morning.
If you choose Barstow:
The Amtrak Thruway bus is your best friend. It drops you off at the RTC South Strip Transit Terminal. From there, you can take the "Deuce" bus (the famous Vegas double-decker) straight up the Strip to almost any major resort. It’s cheap, it runs 24/7, and it’s surprisingly easy.
A Note on the "Other" Las Vegas
Just a quick heads-up because it happens more often than you'd think: there is a Las Vegas, New Mexico. It has an actual Amtrak station. It is on the Southwest Chief line. Do not, under any circumstances, book your ticket to Las Vegas, NM (LSV) unless you want to see some beautiful historic territory in the Land of Enchantment instead of the Caesar's Palace.
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The Nevada stop is LVS. The New Mexico stop is LSV. One letter makes a thousand-mile difference.
Is the Trip Worth It?
Let’s be real. Taking Amtrak to Vegas requires a certain kind of personality. If you’re in a rush, fly. If you want the cheapest option, take the BoltBus or Megabus from LA.
But if you love the transition of the landscape—the way the green of the coast turns into the jagged, red-rock intensity of the high desert—there’s nothing like it. Standing on the platform in Kingman at 2:00 AM, smelling the dry sagebrush and hearing the low idle of a massive GE Genesis locomotive, is an experience you won't get at Harry Reid International Airport.
It’s travel for the sake of travel.
Practical Steps for Your Journey
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on this trip, don’t just wing it. The desert is unforgiving and the schedules are sparse.
- Check the "Multi-Modal" Schedule: Go to the Amtrak website and search for "LVS" to see the bus-to-train connections. This is usually the least headache-inducing way to do it.
- Book a Roomette if Possible: If you’re taking the Southwest Chief from somewhere far away like Chicago, get a sleeper. The meals are included, and having your own space makes the desert crossing feel much more "Orient Express" and much less "commuter hell."
- Coordinate Your Arrival: If you are getting off in Kingman, book your hotel in advance. Do not assume you can find a room at 3:00 AM. The Hotel Beale is right there, though it’s currently more of a historic landmark than a functioning hotel—look for the nearby chain hotels instead.
- Monitor the Amtrak App: The Southwest Chief is notorious for delays because it shares tracks with BNSF freight trains. It can be two hours late, or it can be five. The app’s "Train Status" feature is actually pretty accurate.
- Pack Snacks: Even if you have a dining car, the stretches between stations are vast. The "cafe car" on Amtrak is fine for a microwaved pizza, but you'll want some real food if you're doing the 100-mile transit from Kingman to Vegas by car afterward.
The nearest Amtrak station to Las Vegas Nevada might be a few hours away, but it's a gateway to a much more interesting journey than a standard flight. Just make sure you know which desert you're landing in before you hop off the train.