4.0
Pros: Being able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. Cons: Arrival/departure times. Tips: Give yourself extra time for delays.
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
There is usually just one train option from Monterey to San Francisco per day. The average train journey from Monterey to San Francisco takes 6 hours and 10 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 5 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 86 mi (139 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 50m |
| Lowest price | HUF 17,142.86 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |

Average score for trains from Monterey to San Francisco
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: Being able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. Cons: Arrival/departure times. Tips: Give yourself extra time for delays.
The average price for a train ticket from Monterey to San Francisco is HUF 18,218.49, By booking your trip at least 25 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay HUF 2,107.56 more.
Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to San Francisco at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Monterey to San Francisco. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 6h 11m | HUF 19,818.49 |
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 1 Amtrak trains from Monterey to San Francisco every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from HUF 17,143.
The distance between Monterey and San Francisco is approximately 86 miles, or 139 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 10 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 50 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Monterey to San Francisco on Wednesday. Tickets for Wednesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Sunday. Sunday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Monterey at 16:00 and arrives in San Francisco around 5 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. 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 transfer 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 San Francisco to Monterey.

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.
If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.
Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 5 stops and stations in Monterey where you can board the train.
351 Fremont St
500 Tyler St
1 Old Golf Course Rd
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey (Calle Principal Parking Garage), California

Image credit: 146109843@N05
Link to image attributionBehind a modern curved façade lies San Francisco’s commuter hub, the Salesforce Transit Center. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. Rotating food trucks, cafés, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself.
San Francisco, California
HUF 12,392+
HUF 43,213+
HUF 38,741+
HUF 69,610+
HUF 11,933+
HUF 12,413+
HUF 29,856+
HUF 77,105+
HUF 12,134+
HUF 9,025+
HUF 32,181+
HUF 9,262+
HUF 9,254+
HUF 12,504+
HUF 12,134+
HUF 28,808+
HUF 9,025+
HUF 115,594+
HUF 168,546+
HUF 110,420+
HUF 111,404+
HUF 53,386+
HUF 16,248+
HUF 12,392+
HUF 12,413+
HUF 14,845+
HUF 37,232+
HUF 30,458+
HUF 17,638+
HUF 41,136+
HUF 44,448+
HUF 40,216+
HUF 15,930+
HUF 23,206+
HUF 15,058+

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.