Cheap train tickets from Oakland to San Jose

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Trip Summary

There are usually 9 daily train trips available from Oakland to San Jose. Travelling by train from Oakland to San Jose usually takes 1 hour and 42 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Distance: 38 mi (62 km)
Fastest train: 1h 5m
Lowest price: RON 76.46
Trains per day: 9
Most frequent service: Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Train lines: 3

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Oakland to San Jose Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by coach or train from Oakland to San Jose?

There are usually 3 daily coach trips from Oakland to San Jose.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceRON 93.00	Avg. PriceRON 58.35Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips9	Daily Trips3
Duration	Duration1h 42m	Duration1h 15mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from Oakland to San Jose:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Oakland to San Jose?

In the last month, train tickets from Oakland to San Jose cost about RON 79 when booked at the cheapest time. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 9 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 32.31 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Oakland to San Jose by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Oakland to San Jose will cost between RON 76 and RON 110. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Oakland to San Jose by month

Taking the train from Oakland to San Jose usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around RON 81 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

The price of train trips from Oakland to San Jose doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.

Which train should you take from Oakland to San Jose?

There are 3 train lines with service from Oakland to San Jose. Amtrak Capitol Corridor is the most popular choice with travellers, offering scheduled service on 6 trains each day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	4h 11m	RON 151.80
Amtrak Capitol Corridor	6	1h 15m	RON 79.17
Amtrak Coast Starlight	1	1h 5m	RON 119.64

Amtrak is the largest passenger railway 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 toilet, free WiFi and power sockets 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 Oakland to San Jose every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from RON 76.46.
Since 1991, Capitol Corridor has connected Auburn to San Jose, with stops in Sacramento, Oakland, Berkeley, and 15 other cities in Northern California. The route's convenient transport to various cities includes breathtaking scenery guaranteed to help pass the time. Each train offers onboard WiFi and a cafe car for the comfort of passengers, as well as ample bicycle and luggage storage. Most Capitol Corridor trips make the journey from Oakland to San Jose in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned carriages, power sockets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Oakland to San Jose

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Oakland to San Jose. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a coach 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.

There are 9 scheduled trains on most days. Of these, 8 are direct connections to San Jose. 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 Jose to Oakland. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Oakland to San Jose for RON 43.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Oakland and San Jose is approximately 38 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour and 42 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour and 5 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

Distance (mi)

Distance (km)

The earliest train departs Oakland at 6:13 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:05. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

6:13am

Last train

7:05pm

Trains from Oakland to San Jose 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 travelling on Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Thursday

City Information

Oakland

Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbour to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.

Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.

It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity coach routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.

San Jose

San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial centre.

While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.

Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.

San Jose is served by various coach carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Oakland?

Main departure station: 245 Second St

The Jack London Station in Oakland opened in 1995, replacing 16th Street Station, which was extensively damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The station was named after the famous writer Jack London, as he spent much of his life in the area. It is a contemporary glass and stone structure located on the easternmost corner of Jack London Square. The square, which fronts a natural estuary leading to San Francisco Bay, was formerly the hub of Oakland's port activities, connecting the maritime and agricultural sectors. It is still an active and bustling waterfront today. Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and Gold Runner trains serve the station. It is the 10th busiest of Amtrak's 74 California stops, boarding or de-boarding an average of 1,142 people per day.

All train stations in Oakland:

245 Second St
Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave

Where is the train station in San Jose?

Main arrival station: Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St - SJCDCS-0

Diridon Station opened in 1935 with architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and today is a vital part of Silicon Valley’s transport system. Diridon Station connects Amtrak train service to local commuter service like the Caltrain and VTA Light Rail. The station is also a major hub for coach transit on Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound coaches. With paid parking onsite, bicycle racks, and accessible entrances, travellers can easily reach the station from nearby downtown San Jose. As a bonus, food trucks frequently set up outside the station to provide delicious cheap eats for passengers.

Train stations in San Jose:

Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

Need a return trip from San Jose to Oakland?

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