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San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles train

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San Luis Obispo - Los Angeles Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

12 trains operate daily from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles. The train trip from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles is usually about 5 hours and 50 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance161 mi (260 km)
Fastest train4h 30m
Lowest price$47.18
Trains per day12
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

(Based on 13 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Jagannath

February 20, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: Everything. Cons: None. Tips: Enjoy the trip.

4.0

Theodore

September 26, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Beautiful route. Comfortable. Easy to walk around. Cafe/viewing car.

4.0

Wendy

March 6, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: The scenery coming down the California coast was lovely. Cons: I was disappointed at the number of people in my car who had masks down below their noses or who took them off altogether. There was no monitoring by train personnel.

4.0

Amie

July 25, 2021- Vacation

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Beautiful scenery, relaxing. Cons: The hour delay somewhat messed up our plans for catching our next bus and hotel check in but these things happen!

5.0

Timothy

February 6, 2020- Business

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: good food selection, very affordable, and incredible views out the windows to keep you entertained. Cons: a little outdated but nothing to concern about. Tips: very worth the price! only cost $40 to get from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles- a $170 or higher flight equivalent.

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What is the price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles?

Over the past month, a train ticket between San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles cost $79.27, on average. Booking your trip at least 29 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $4.66 more.

Average prices by travel date

$101$67$34SepSep

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles will cost between $80 and $84. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly average prices

$101$81$61$40$20ONDJFMAMJJAS
Ticket prices for the train from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in November when the average ticket price is only $62. If you're thinking of traveling from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles during February, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $80 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in February, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$101$81$61$40$203020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles, book online with Wanderu at least 29 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $4.66 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles?

There are 3 train lines with service from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 10 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak105h 56m$83.43
Amtrak Coast Starlight15h 17m$77.89
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner15h 3m$61.99

  • 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 10 Amtrak trains from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles every day, as well as 40 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $57.

  • 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 Luis Obispo to Los Angeles takes 5 hours and 17 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at $47.

  • The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 1 train trips from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $57.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles is approximately 161 miles, or 260 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 50 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 30 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 San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. 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 Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs San Luis Obispo at 3:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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 12 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo.

City Information

San Luis Obispo

San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.

Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.

SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.

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 Luis Obispo?

Main departure station: 1011 Railroad Ave

There are two stations in San Luis Obispo where you can board the train to Los Angeles.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Union Station

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

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

  • 592 Gayley Ave

  • Metrolink Station

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Related reading

Need a return trip from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo?

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