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Trip Summary
2 trains operate daily from Santa Cruz to Arcata. The train trip from Santa Cruz to Arcata is usually about 11 hours and 31 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 10 hours and 30 minutes.
Distance | 291 mi (468 km) |
Fastest train | 10h 30m |
Lowest price | $105.15 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from Santa Cruz to Arcata
Monthly average prices
Which train should you take from Santa Cruz to Arcata?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Cruz to Arcata. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 2 | 11h 31m | $106.52 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from Santa Cruz to Arcata every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $105.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Santa Cruz and Arcata is approximately 291 miles, or 468 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 31 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 10 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 Santa Cruz to Arcata 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 Santa Cruz at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Santa Cruz twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. 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 change 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 Arcata to Santa Cruz.
City Information
Station Information
Where is the train station in Santa Cruz?
Main departure station: Santa Cruz, California
There is one train station in Santa Cruz.
All train stations in Santa Cruz:
Santa Cruz, California
Where is the train station in Arcata?
Main arrival station: Humboldt State University
Arcata receives travelers from Santa Cruz at its two active train stations.
Train stations in Arcata:
Humboldt State University
925 E St Transit Ctr
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