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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Oceanside to Santa Cruz. Traveling by train from Oceanside to Santa Cruz usually takes around 15 hours, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 14 hours and 9 minutes.
Distance | 370 mi (596 km) |
Fastest train | 14h 9m |
Lowest price | $99.38 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from Oceanside to Santa Cruz
Monthly average prices
Which train should you take from Oceanside to Santa Cruz?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Oceanside to Santa Cruz. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 1 | 15h 0m | $108.31 |
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 1 Amtrak trains from Oceanside to Santa Cruz every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $92.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Oceanside and Santa Cruz is approximately 370 miles, or 596 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 15 hours, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 14 hours and 9 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Oceanside to Santa Cruz on Sunday. Tickets for Sunday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Thursday. Thursday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Oceanside at 10:00pm and arrives in Santa Cruz around 14 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Cruz to Oceanside.
City Information
Oceanside
Oceanside is a beautiful coastal city in Southern California, best known for its lovely beaches and stunning ocean views. Visitors can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities such as swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, and more.
There are also many great points of interest worth checking out, including the Oceanside Pier, which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Also, don't miss the Oceanside Museum of Art, which houses a collection of art from across the globe. Other attractions include Mission San Luis Rey and the California Surf Museum.
The city also boasts a variety of popular neighborhoods and nightlife destinations, like Downtown Oceanside or Coastal Highway, which are home to several bars and restaurants, and The Strand, which offers a vibrant nightlife scene.
Most ground travel to Oceanside operates through the Oceanside Transit Center. Here, Metrolink trains and local buses connect to Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route and intercity bus lines like Greyhound. The nearest airport is the McClellan-Palomar Airport, about 3 miles away from the center of Oceanside.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Oceanside?
Main departure station: Oceanside Transit Center
There is one train station in Oceanside.
All train stations in Oceanside:
Oceanside Transit Center
Where is the train station in Santa Cruz?
Main arrival station: Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz has one train station.
Train stations in Santa Cruz:
Santa Cruz, California
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- Train Tickets
- United States
- California
- Santa Cruz
- Oceanside to Santa Cruz