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Compare train tickets from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

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Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo Train Timetable

Train
£31.75
15:06
Union Station
20:36
1011 Railroad Ave
USPSL
4.4stars
0 transfers
Train
£30.74
15:38
Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd
20:36
1011 Railroad Ave
USPSL
4.4stars
0 transfers
Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from£21.75
Train
£30.34
15:50
10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth
20:36
1011 Railroad Ave
USPSL
4.4stars
0 transfers
Train
£75.39
10:10
Union Station
15:22
1011 Railroad Ave
USCSL
4.3stars
0 transfers
Train
£31.46
15:18
Glendale Transp Ctr - 400 W Cerritos Ave
20:36
1011 Railroad Ave
USPSL
4.4stars
0 transfers

Trip Summary

There are 7 daily trains from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. Traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo usually takes around 5 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 10 minutes.

Distance161 mi (260 km)
Fastest train4h 10m
Lowest price£23.20
Trains per day6
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Los Angeles, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA

(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Ginger

24 January 2020 - Couples trip

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: The ability to see and appreciate your surroundings. Can’t do that with driving. Cons: Wi-fi. Tips: Bring some snacks n magazines.

Pros: The ability to see and appreciate your surroundings. Can’t do that with driving. Cons: Wi-fi. Tips: Bring some snacks n magazines.

5.0

Juan

8 October 2019 - Solo travel

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: I am very happy, because I made the right choice! Too beautiful! I mean the scenery is beautiful! Tips: If you love highway one, you'll love the railway even more! Be sure to try it!

Pros: I am very happy, because I made the right choice! Too beautiful! I mean the scenery is beautiful! Tips: If you love highway one, you'll love the railway even more! Be sure to try it!

5.0

Katya

25 May 2019 - Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: The train was very comfortable and provided ample time for scenic viewing and picture-taking. The staff was most friendly and helpful. It was an altogether memorable experience. Also, with so much guidance and help by the staff, I got over my fear of being lost! ...

Pros: The train was very comfortable and provided ample time for scenic viewing and picture-taking. The staff was most friendly and helpful. It was an altogether memorable experience. Also, with so much guidance and help by the staff, I got over my fear of being lost! Yippee!!! Cons: More frequent checking of restrooms to see if toilet paper or paper towels are needed. Tips: If you have a knee problem, you can ask for a handicapped seat where you’ll meet the loveliest and chattier people ever. Also, if you can’t carry your suitcase upstairs, the courteous staff will do their best to help you. In addition, if you’re reluctant to travel by train, don’t be; it’s a breeze.

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Train service from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

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

In the last month, £32.48 was the average price of a train ticket from Los Angeles, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA. This is a good price that is inexpensive compared to most train fares. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 29 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £2.97 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

£43£29£14JunJul

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo will vary between £30 and £36. Planning a train trip to San Luis Obispo within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Los Angeles over the next 7 days is £32. 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

£36£29£22£14£7JASONDJFMAMJ

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for June. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just £30 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo in November, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to £34 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

£36£29£22£14£73020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to San Luis Obispo from Los Angeles will be about £2.97 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

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

There are 3 train lines with service from Los Angeles, California to San Luis Obispo, California. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 5 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak55h 30m£33.95
Amtrak Coast Starlight14h 58m£29.87
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner15h 6m£30.42
  • Amtrak

    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 5 Amtrak trains from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo every day, as well as 20 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £23.

    AMT-0AMT-1AMT-2AMT-3AMT-4AMT-5AMT-6AMT-7AMT-8AMT-9
  • Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

    Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

    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 Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from £23.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo 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 Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo?

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. 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.

How long is the train journey from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo?

The distance between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo is approximately 161 miles, or 260 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 10 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?

Trains from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 05:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 20:00. 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 Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo?

There are 7 scheduled trains on most days. 6 of these are direct connections to San Luis Obispo. 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 Luis Obispo to Los Angeles. If you're not not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo for £10.87.

City Information

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 Los Angeles?

Departure 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:

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

  • 592 Gayley Ave

Where is the train station in San Luis Obispo?

Arrival stations

San Luis Obispo receives travelers from Los Angeles at its two active train stations.

Train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Related reading

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