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Cheap train tickets from Sacramento to Santa Cruz

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Sacramento to Santa Cruz Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 7 daily train trips between Sacramento and Santa Cruz. The average train journey from Sacramento to Santa Cruz takes 4 hours and 32 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 4 hours and 13 minutes.

Distance115 mi (185 km)
Fastest train4h 13m
Lowest price£32.95
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

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What is the price of a train ticket from Sacramento to Santa Cruz?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Sacramento to Santa Cruz was £36.87. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 14 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £1.29 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Monthly average prices

£59£47£35£24£12JFMAMJJASOND
Mark your calendar for December if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Sacramento to Santa Cruz. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of £37. If you're planning a trip from Sacramento to Santa Cruz during August, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about £40 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Prices as travel date approaches

£59£47£35£24£123020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Sacramento to Santa Cruz, book online with Wanderu at least 14 days in advance. That way, you’ll save £1.29 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Sacramento to Santa Cruz?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Sacramento to Santa Cruz. However, there are 7 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak74h 32m£39.45
  • 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 7 Amtrak trains from Sacramento to Santa Cruz every day, as well as 8 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £33.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Sacramento to Santa Cruz

While the train is the main method of transportation from Sacramento to Santa Cruz, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

The distance between Sacramento and Santa Cruz is approximately 115 miles, or 185 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 32 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 13 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.

Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Sacramento to Santa Cruz. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Thursday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Sacramento at 04:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 17:00. 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 7 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Cruz to Sacramento.

City Information

Sacramento

As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.

Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.

The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Sacramento?

Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-0

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Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-1

Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy

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Main departure station: Valley Station - 401 I St

Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.

All train stations in Sacramento:

  • Valley Station - 401 I St

Where is the train station in Santa Cruz?

Main arrival station: Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz has one train station.

Train stations in Santa Cruz:

  • Santa Cruz, California

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