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Arcata to San Francisco train

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Arcata - San Francisco Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 4 daily train trips between Arcata and San Francisco. The average train journey from Arcata to San Francisco takes 11 hours and 31 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 9 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance231 mi (372 km)
Fastest train9h 5m
Lowest priceUS$48.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Arcata to San Francisco

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

4.0

4.0

Katelyn

November 27, 2019- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: Convenient, organized, and good value. Helpful to have Wanderu navigate the logistics because it would have been complicated to figure out on my own. Cons: The driver was quite rude to a man in a wheelchair who required assistance and the lift to get onto the bus. The driver had a lot of difficulty with the door, repeatedly slamming it. The man transferred from his wheelchair to a more comfortable seat on his own, but the driver then yelled at him to return to his wheelchair because it’s “the rules.” I’m unsure what those rules are, but I do know from professional experience with wheelchair fittings that it can become uncomfortable and potentially unsafe for a person to sit in one position for extended periods (ie. a 6 hour bus ride). He also would not allow the man off the bus to get off the bus when we stopped for food, stating that we did not have time because we were late because of having to use the wheelchair ramp. All in all, the driver was cordial to me, but generally unfriendly, rude, and borderline abusive to this man. Had we been in a healthcare setting and I witnessed anyone treat someone this way, I would be obligated to report them. It was unsettling. Tips: With the exception of the driver’s behavior, this was a really great way to get to SFO from northern california. The bus/train/bus changeovers went smoothly and we were on time. It was a slow day so less than 50% the bus was full.

What is the price of a train ticket from Arcata to San Francisco?

The average price for a train ticket from Arcata to San Francisco is US$58.66, By booking your trip at least 16 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay US$1.30 more.

Average prices by travel date

US$75US$50US$25AprApr

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Arcata to San Francisco will vary between CUS$58 and CUS$68. Planning a train trip to San Francisco within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Arcata over the next 7 days is CUS$58. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.

Prices as travel date approaches

US$75US$60US$45US$30US$153020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 16 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to San Francisco from Arcata will be about CUS$1.30 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Arcata to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Arcata to San Francisco. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak411h 32mUS$59.52
  • 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. On average, there are 4 Amtrak trains from Arcata to San Francisco every day, as well as 9 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from US$48.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the train is the main method of transportation from Arcata to San Francisco, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

The distance between Arcata and San Francisco is approximately 231 miles, or 372 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 31 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 5 minutes.

Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Trains departing from Arcata to San Francisco tend to have the most passengers on Monday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Monday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Arcata at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 4 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from San Francisco to Arcata.

City Information

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.

If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.

Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Arcata?

Main departure station: Humboldt State University

There are two stations in Arcata where you can board the train to San Francisco.

All train stations in Arcata:

  • Humboldt State University

  • 925 E St Transit Ctr

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

Salesforce Plaza - SFOBLT-0

Image credit: 146109843@N05

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: San Francisco, California

Behind a modern curved façade lies San Francisco’s commuter hub, the Salesforce Transit Center. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. Rotating food trucks, cafés, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself.

Train stations in San Francisco:

  • San Francisco, California

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