Private Jet-Style Train Carriage Between SF and LA Offers 'Ultimate Luxury'

Lunatrain charges $18,500 for a six-person charter aboard a restored 1950s-era private rail car hooked onto Amtrak trains.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A travel startup called Lunatrain is offering high-end rail service between major West Coast cities, featuring private jet-style amenities like glass dome ceilings, plush leather seating, fine dining, and private bedrooms. The company is chartering restored 1950s-era private rail cars and coupling them to regular Amtrak routes, with the California Zephyr from Emeryville to Denver priced at $18,500 for a group of six and the Coast Starlight from Oakland to Los Angeles costing $10,000 for six passengers.

Why it matters

This new luxury rail service caters to travelers seeking an ultra-premium experience, blending the comfort and amenities of private jet travel with the scenic views of train journeys. While extremely expensive, it highlights a growing demand for bespoke, high-end transportation options, especially among affluent passengers.

The details

Lunatrain's private rail cars feature glass dome ceilings, plush leather seating, a full dining room with fine china and crystal, a media room with a flat-screen TV and bar, and five bedrooms including a master suite with a private shower. The cars also have an open-air platform for passengers to step outside while the train is stopped. Lunatrain acts as a booking platform, curating private railcars owned by independent operators and coordinating the logistics.

  • The first Coast Starlight departure left Oakland at 9 a.m. on Jan. 15, 2026.
  • The inaugural California Zephyr run departed Emeryville at 8:15 a.m. on Jan. 16, 2026.

The players

Lunatrain

A travel startup that is offering high-end rail service by chartering restored 1950s-era private rail cars and coupling them to regular Amtrak routes.

Mike Avena

The founder and CEO of Lunatrain.

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What they’re saying

“This is above first class service, closer to the experience of chartering a private jet.”

— Mike Avena, Founder and CEO of Lunatrain (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Our trips offer a chance to travel in ultimate luxury and view the scenery in a way that our passengers have never seen it before.”

— Mike Avena, Founder and CEO of Lunatrain (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Lunatrain plans to expand its luxury rail service to other Amtrak routes, including a New York–New Orleans route that costs more than $28,000 for a party of six.

The takeaway

This new private rail service caters to a niche market of affluent travelers seeking an ultra-premium transportation experience, blending the comfort and amenities of private jet travel with the scenic views of train journeys. While extremely expensive, it highlights the growing demand for bespoke, high-end travel options.