San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano train

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San Luis Obispo - San Juan Capistrano Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 8 daily train trips between San Luis Obispo and San Juan Capistrano. The average train journey from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano takes 8 hours and 20 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 7 hours and 12 minutes.

	Distance	211 mi (339 km)
	Fastest train	7h 12m
	Lowest price	$64.87
	Trains per day	2
	Most frequent service	Amtrak
	Train lines	2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

Madilyn

March 30, 2021- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: It was incredible, I really enjoyed it. The employees and their service was great, and it was clean! And they handled the Covid-19 safety measures well (along with those who were anti-masks), and made sure to keep announcing to everyone what the necessary precautions were. They also kept up on trash, and ensured to people that there was food and drinks ready for those who wanted it at the Cafe. Tips: I very much recommend this way of transportation!! Especially for long travel, it’s a great way to get out a good book!!

What is the price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano?

In the last month, $84.93 was the average price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 17 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $4.83 more than that for a same-day booking.

Monthly average prices

You can find the lowest prices on this route during March. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano, with the average price at just $73. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in September, when the average price goes up to $92. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

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 17 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to San Juan Capistrano from San Luis Obispo will be about C$4.83 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano?

2 train services operate from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 7 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	7	8h 25m	$93.46
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner	1	7h 14m	$69.02

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 7 Amtrak trains from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano every day, as well as 12 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $65.
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 San Juan Capistrano every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $69.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano. 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 San Juan Capistrano is approximately 211 miles, or 339 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 20 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 12 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 from San Luis Obispo to San Juan Capistrano are the most crowded on Tuesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

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 8 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to San Juan Capistrano. 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 San Juan Capistrano 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.

San Juan Capistrano

Image credit: Unsplash

Located in Orange County, California, San Juan Capistrano is a small city founded by the Spanish in 1776. Although largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, this city is a growing destination south of Los Angeles and is often used as a backdrop in major Hollywood movies.

San Juan Capistrano has many historical religious sites to explore, and Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of its most renowned. The "Jewel of California Missions" includes a chapel with regular Mass, stunning gardens, and a museum to learn about the many Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences in the region. Visit in mid-March to experience the annual Return of the Swallows celebration. Local cliff swallows return from winters in Argentina, and the Mission plans parades, fairs, and other events to welcome them home.

The area around the Mission is a historic downtown with local restaurants, green spaces, and retail services. In the center of this historic core, San Juan Capistrano's Amtrak station welcomes Pacific Surfliner trains that run from Los Angeles to San Diego.

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 San Juan Capistrano.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

1011 Railroad Ave
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Where is the train station in San Juan Capistrano?

Main arrival station: 26701 Verdugo St

San Juan Capistrano has one train station.

Train stations in San Juan Capistrano:

26701 Verdugo St

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from San Juan Capistrano to San Luis Obispo?

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