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Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo train

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Los Angeles - San Luis Obispo Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

11 trains operate daily from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. The train trip from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo is usually about 5 hours and 21 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 4 hours and 11 minutes.

Distance161 mi (260 km)
Fastest train4h 11m
Lowest price€30.16
Trains per day11
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

(Based on 14 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Liviu

22 June 2023- Business

Amtrak

Pros: Everything was great. Cons: I would suggest having the ac or fan at a slightly lower setting. It was a bit cold in the through bus. Tips: Train ride out of LA has very scenic views.

5.0

Alicia D.

29 November 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Everything about the trip was fabulous. The views while traveling g from LA to San Luis Obispo were incredible. The staff very friendly and helpful and plenty of space to move around and the sit. Cons: All good! Tips: Arrive in plenty of time as the trains are prompt and you want to have room for your luggage. Travel light!

4.0

KYLE

5 August 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Lack of traffic!!! Beautiful scenery. Comfortable (if somewhat dated) seats and surroundings. Cons: Speed of wifi. Look & feel of toilet room.

4.0

Melanie

21 June 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: The atrium car Looking at the ocean. Cons: Be on time!! 4 9 year old girls in front of me making so much noise Very rude They needed some rules.

5.0

Nurhannifah

14 February 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Lots of leg room which is good, so much easier than a plane for sure. I definitely will consider doing this way more often!! The WiFi sucks, so try not to rely on that too much. Cons: WiFi could improve. Tips: All you do is hop on and someone comes around and scans your ticket.

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

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo was €54.70. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to San Luis Obispo if you book your train tickets at least 29 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra €2.17.

Average prices by travel date

€71€47€24AprApr

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo will vary between €53 and €57. 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 €53. 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

€71€57€42€28€14MJJASONDJFMA
Mark your calendar for October if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of €43. If you're planning a trip from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo during March, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about €50 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Prices as travel date approaches

€71€57€42€28€143020100

Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 29 days before departure, you can save around €2.17. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!

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

There are 3 train lines with service from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 8 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak85h 30m€59.27
Amtrak Coast Starlight14h 48m€58.01
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner24h 59m€42.32

  • 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 Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo every day, as well as 32 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €44.

  • 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 Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo takes 4 hours and 48 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at €30.

  • 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 2 train trips from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from €40.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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 21 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 11 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 Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo tend to have the most passengers on Thursday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Thursday. 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 Los Angeles at 05:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. 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 11 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo.

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

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.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main departure 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.

All 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

Where is the train station in San Luis Obispo?

Main arrival station: 1011 Railroad Ave

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

Train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

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