Trains from San Jose to Los Angeles
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Train Trip Information: San Jose to Los Angeles
There are 9 daily trains from San Jose to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from San Jose to Los Angeles usually takes around 14 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 8 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 305 mi (492 km) |
| Fastest train | 8h 35m |
| Lowest price | $61.55 |
| Trains per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
San Jose to Los Angeles Route Map
What is the price of a train ticket from San Jose to Los Angeles?
In the last month, $101.09 was the average price of a train ticket from San Jose to Los Angeles. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 12 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $11.41 more than that for a same-day booking.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from San Jose to Los Angeles will vary between C$91 and C$123. Planning a train trip to Los Angeles within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from San Jose over the next 7 days is C$91. 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.
Monthly average prices
If you are trying to decide when to travel from San Jose to Los Angeles by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for October. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$69 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from San Jose to Los Angeles in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$85 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 12 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Los Angeles from San Jose will be about C$11.41 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from San Jose to Los Angeles?
2 train services operate from San Jose to Los Angeles. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 8 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 8 | 14h 49m | $105.81 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 10h 29m | $71.87 |
Amtrak
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 8 Amtrak trains from San Jose to Los Angeles every day, as well as 75 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $62.
Amtrak Coast Starlight
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. A trip from San Jose to Los Angeles takes 10 hours and 29 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at $64.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by train from San Jose to Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
Can you take a train all the way from San Jose to Los Angeles?
How long is the train journey from San Jose to Los Angeles?
The distance between San Jose and Los Angeles is approximately 305 miles, or 492 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 14 hours and 37 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 35 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.
When are trains the most crowded?
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from San Jose to Los Angeles 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 Tuesday. Tuesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs San Jose at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from San Jose to Los Angeles?
There are 9 scheduled trains on most days. 4 of these are direct connections to Los Angeles. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Los Angeles to San Jose.
City Information
San Jose
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.
While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.
Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.
San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.
The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.
With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Jose?
Image credit: SPUR
Link to image attributionDeparture stations
Diridon Station opened in 1935 with architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and today is a vital part of Silicon Valley’s transportation system. Diridon Station connects Amtrak train service to local commuter service like the Caltrain and VTA Light Rail. The station is also a major hub for bus transit on Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound buses. With paid parking onsite, bicycle racks, and accessible entrances, travelers can easily reach the station from nearby downtown San Jose. As a bonus, food trucks frequently set up outside the station to provide delicious cheap eats for passengers.
All train stations in San Jose:
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
5099 Stars and Stripes Dr
Caltrain ACE station - 1001 Railroad Ave
Metro Center - 920 Pacific Ave
37260 Fremont Blvd
Scotts Valley Transit Ctr
Salesforce Plaza
Valley Station - 401 I St
700 University Ave under University Ave overpass W of 4th St
Amtrak Station - 840 Second St
BART Station - 1700 Nevin Ave
Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave
245 Second St
5885 Horton St
601 Marina Vista Ave
Where is the train station in Los Angeles?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionArrival stations
Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.
Train stations in Los Angeles:
Union Station
592 Gayley Ave
Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd
Need a return trip from Los Angeles to San Jose?
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