Commuting From Simi Valley: The 118, the 23, Metrolink and Bus Options

Quick answer: Most Simi Valley commuters drive the 118, which runs east over the Santa Susana Pass into the San Fernando Valley and west to Moorpark, where the 23 heads south through Thousand Oaks to the 101. If you'd rather not drive, Simi Valley has its own Metrolink and Amtrak station at 5050 Los Angeles Ave., with free parking and weekday trains to Chatsworth, Van Nuys, Burbank Airport, Glendale and L.A. Union Station. A VCTC bus also links Simi Valley to Moorpark and Thousand Oaks. Here's how each option works.

We're Steve Hise and Tricia Garcia, and we help buyers and sellers across Simi Valley and its neighbors.

1. Driving east: the 118 into the San Fernando Valley

The 118 is Simi Valley's main road out of town. Heading east, it climbs over the Santa Susana Pass and drops into the San Fernando Valley, where it connects with the 405 and the 5. From there, drivers head south toward the West Valley, Van Nuys, Burbank, Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles.

A few things buyers tend to learn after they move:

• Where you live in Simi Valley matters. A home near a 118 on-ramp on the east side can save real minutes every day compared with a home deep in a west-side canyon. Look at the route from the actual street, not just the city.
• The pass is the bottleneck. One freeway crosses the hills to the east, so a crash there affects everyone.
• Check live conditions. Caltrans QuickMap shows live traffic, closures and lane work on state highways, including the 118, 23 and 101.

If you're moving here from the Valley, our guide to moving from the San Fernando Valley to Simi Valley covers what else changes when you cross the county line.

2. Driving west and south: the 23 to Thousand Oaks and the 101

Heading west, the 118 runs to Moorpark, where it meets the 23. The 23 runs south through Thousand Oaks to the 101. That's the usual drive for jobs in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park and Camarillo.

If your work is on the 101 side, a home on Simi Valley's west end or in Moorpark can shorten the drive. Our comparison of Simi Valley vs. Moorpark for buyers walks through the other differences between the two cities.

3. Metrolink from the Simi Valley station

Simi Valley's station is at 5050 Los Angeles Ave. It's on Metrolink's Ventura County Line, and the City of Simi Valley owns the station. According to Metrolink's station page:

• Parking is free for Metrolink riders, with 569 spaces, including 7 accessible spaces, and overnight parking is allowed.
• The station connects with Simi Valley Transit and Amtrak.
• You need a valid ticket on the platform and on the train.

Heading east, Ventura County Line trains stop at Chatsworth, Northridge (some trains), Van Nuys, Burbank Airport–South, Burbank–Downtown (some trains), Glendale and L.A. Union Station.

In Metrolink's current timetable, the first weekday train toward Los Angeles leaves Simi Valley at 5:33 a.m. It's due at Burbank Airport–South at 6:06 a.m. and L.A. Union Station at 6:30 a.m. In the other direction, the 5:30 p.m. train from Union Station is due in Simi Valley at 6:32 p.m. The weekday timetable lists 13 departures from Simi Valley toward Los Angeles, counting the Amtrak trains that take Metrolink tickets (see below). Schedules change, so always check the current timetable before you plan around a train.

4. Amtrak from the same station

The Simi Valley station is also an Amtrak stop:

• Codeshare: Metrolink and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner run a program that lets Ventura County Line ticket holders ride Pacific Surfliner trains between Los Angeles and Ventura, and the other way around. Metrolink's timetable marks which Pacific Surfliner trains take Metrolink tickets. Bikes on those trains need a paid Amtrak bike reservation.
• Going north: VCTC lists a new daily Pacific Surfliner morning train (added in May 2026) that leaves Simi Valley at 6:14 a.m. and stops in Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and Goleta, with an evening return due back in Simi Valley at 6:24 p.m. That can work for a job in Ventura or Santa Barbara.
• Long distance: Amtrak's Coast Starlight, which runs once a day between Los Angeles and Seattle, stops at Simi Valley and Oxnard in Ventura County.

5. Getting to Burbank Airport and Chatsworth

For flights out of Hollywood Burbank Airport, the Ventura County Line stops at Burbank Airport–South, so you can skip airport parking on some trips.

Chatsworth is the first stop east of Simi Valley. Metrolink lists free parking there too, plus connections to Metro buses, Simi Valley Transit and Metro Micro, Metro's on-demand rideshare, which makes it a handy transfer point for West Valley jobs.

6. Buses: Simi Valley Transit and VCTC East County

Simi Valley Transit is the city's local bus system. It connects with Metrolink at the Simi Valley station, and VCTC says Simi Valley Transit accepts Metrolink tickets.

VCTC East County (Routes 70-74X) links Simi Valley, Moorpark and Thousand Oaks. Southbound trips start in Simi Valley (some at Cochran St. and Galena Ave., others at Simi Town Center) and stop at Moorpark College, the Moorpark Metrolink station, the Thousand Oaks Transportation Center and The Oaks mall, with a few trips continuing to Newbury Park. VCTC's regional (Zone 2) full fare is $4.00, and it takes cash, contactless cards through TAP2RIDE, and VCBusPass. Check VCTC's route page for the current times.

7. Carpools and vanpools

For longer drives, VCTC's Rideshare program helps Ventura County commuters find carpool and vanpool partners through RideMatch.info. VCTC says vanpools need five or more riders with similar destinations and schedules, and that people who live 15 miles or more from work are prime candidates. If an emergency comes up, VCTC's Guaranteed Ride Home program provides a free ride home for carpoolers and vanpoolers.

On weekends, Metrolink's $12 weekend pass covers Metrolink and certain Amtrak trains between Ventura County and downtown Los Angeles.

8. How to test a commute before you buy

• Drive it at rush hour from the actual street, both directions, on a weekday.
• Try the train once. Park at the station, ride to your stop, and time the last mile to your office.
• Price the whole commute: gas, parking, wear on the car, or a monthly pass. VCTC has a cost-of-driving calculator.
• Think about hybrid days. If you only go in two or three days a week, a longer drive may matter less than more house or a bigger yard.
• Selling a home too? Plan the timing early. We plan both moves together so you're not stuck in between. See buy first or sell first in Simi Valley.

To compare areas of town, start with our Simi Valley neighborhoods guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Simi Valley have a Metrolink station?
Yes. The Simi Valley station is at 5050 Los Angeles Ave. on Metrolink's Ventura County Line, which runs to L.A. Union Station. Parking is free for Metrolink riders.

How long is the train from Simi Valley to Union Station?
In Metrolink's current weekday timetable, the 5:33 a.m. train from Simi Valley is due at L.A. Union Station at 6:30 a.m., just under an hour. Times vary by train, so check the current schedule.

Can I take the train from Simi Valley to Burbank Airport?
Yes. Ventura County Line trains stop at Burbank Airport–South. In the current timetable, the 5:33 a.m. train from Simi Valley is due there at 6:06 a.m.

Is there a bus from Simi Valley to Thousand Oaks?
Yes. VCTC's East County routes (70-74X) run between Simi Valley, Moorpark and Thousand Oaks, with stops at the Moorpark Metrolink station and the Thousand Oaks Transportation Center.

Do Amtrak trains stop in Simi Valley?
Yes. Pacific Surfliner trains stop at the Simi Valley station, and some accept Metrolink tickets between Los Angeles and Ventura. Amtrak's Coast Starlight also stops there.

Thinking about a move to Simi Valley?

Tell us where you work, and we'll help you focus on the parts of Simi Valley that fit your commute, then tour homes there. Schedule a call, or call or text 805-424-6226. Already own here and thinking about a move? See What's My Simi Valley Home Worth?

Sources

All checked November 1, 2026.

• Metrolink: Simi Valley station (address, parking, connections, station owner)
• Metrolink: Chatsworth station (parking and connections)
• Metrolink current timetable (PDF), Ventura County Line + Codeshare
• VCTC: Train service in Ventura County (Metrolink, Pacific Surfliner, Coast Starlight, Codeshare, Simi Valley Transit)
• VCTC: East County route
• VCTC: fares and weekend train pass
• VCTC: Rideshare, carpool and vanpool
• Caltrans QuickMap (live highway conditions)

Steve Hise and Tricia Garcia, Real Estate Toolbox at eXp Realty
Steve Hise CA DRE #01702055 | Tricia Garcia CA DRE #02032007

This article is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Transit schedules, fares and routes change often; confirm current details with Metrolink, Amtrak, VCTC or Simi Valley Transit before you plan a commute.