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How to get to Sacramento by train
| Routes | 172 |
| Trips per day | 899 |
| train lines | 5 |
| Stations | 2 |
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About Sacramento
As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.
Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.
The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.
Station Information
Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy
Link to image attributionSacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.
Popular train stations in Sacramento:
Valley Station - 401 I St
1389 10th Street 10th and N Streets
What train companies travel to Sacramento, California?
Located in California, Sacramento is accessible by train from 172 other cities. You can choose from 899 daily scheduled trips when you search for trains to Sacramento on Wanderu. Amtrak usually has the most trains on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Bus tickets to Sacramento are also available..
Train companies serving Sacramento
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 329 | 15h 57m | $124.33 |
| Amtrak California Zephyr | 28 | 16h 59m | $96.48 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 27 | 8h 27m | $79.63 |
| Amtrak Capitol Corridor | 15 | 1h 39m | $34.48 |
| Amtrak San Joaquins | 11 | 3h 27m | $33.40 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey.
Amtrak’s California Zephyr travels over 2,400 miles to connect Chicago to the San Francisco area. The full journey takes over 50 hours, so many passengers upgrade to a sleeper cabin for added privacy and comfort. The Zephyr is one of Amtrak’s most scenic routes, and the sightseer lounge’s panoramic windows offer the best views of the Rockies, the Sierra Nevadas, and the Great Salt Lake along the route.
The Coast Starlight is an Amtrak train that travels the entire length of the West Coast, connecting Los Angeles to Seattle. The route starts hugging the California coastline, treating passengers to swoon-worthy views of the Pacific, before continuing into the verdant forests of the Cascade Mountains. The Coast Starlight indisputably earns its spot among the most scenic Amtrak train routes. Seating options include Coach or Business Class and roomettes or bedrooms for extra space.
Since 1991, Capitol Corridor has connected Auburn to San Jose, with stops in Sacramento, Oakland, Berkeley, and 15 other cities in Northern California. The route's convenient transport to various cities includes breathtaking scenery guaranteed to help pass the time. Each train offers onboard WiFi and a cafe car for the comfort of passengers, as well as ample bicycle and luggage storage.
After becoming a permanent Amtrak rail route in 1974, the San Joaquins has offered train services throughout California and the San Joaquin Valley. The line runs daily from the San Francisco Bay Area to Bakersfield, with many stops in between, including Martinez and Modesto. Although Amtrak San Joaquins is one of the nation's busiest routes, it is renowned for being impeccably clean and safe, with passenger comfort remaining the carrier's highest priority. Most of the trains on this line are equipped with lavatories, onboard WiFi, disabled access, and personal power outlets, ensuring a comfortable journey for every passenger.
Which train carrier has the best service to Sacramento?
Based on customers travel reviews, travelers who booked on Wanderu rave about traveling to Sacramento by train with Amtrak San Joaquins giving them a 4.8 rating out of 5.
Travelers also mentioned that Amtrak Capitol Corridor had the most comfortable train service to Sacramento taking into account the seats and amenities that Amtrak Capitol Corridor offers. They rate Amtrak Capitol Corridor a 4.5 out of 5 when it comes to just how relaxing and enjoyable their experience was onboard.
If you are looking to arrive to Sacramento punctually, travelers suggest that Amtrak San Joaquins has the best on time performance on their train schedules to Sacramento, rating them a 4.7 based on their on time arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The busiest train station in Sacramento is Valley Station - 401 I St. As Sacramento's main station, it has the most trains coming and going. However, a popular alternative is 1389 10th Street 10th and N Streets.
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10h 48m | $100.27 |
| Bakersfield | 6h 28m | $59.45 |
| Corcoran | 5h 36m | $50.44 |
| Fresno | 4h 25m | $42.89 |
| Merced | 3h 26m | $34.27 |
Top train routes to and from Sacramento
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