Compare train tickets from San Francisco to Los Angeles
San Francisco-Los Angeles Train Timetable
Trip Summary
How much are train tickets from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
| Lowest Price | £41.78 |
| Fastest Train | 9h 35m |
| Trains Per Day | 12 |
| Train Lines | 1 |
San Francisco to Los Angeles Route Map
Frequently Asked Questions
How many stops are there on the train from San Francisco to L.A.?
There are 8 stops between Jack London Square Station in Oakland (the closest train station to San Francisco) and Union Station in Los Angeles. Those stops are:
- San Jose, CA
- Salinas, CA
- Paso Robles, CA
- San Luis Obispo, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Oxnard, CA
- Simi Valley, CA
- Van Nuys, CA
Alternatively, you can depart out of Diridon Caltrain Station in San Jose.
How hard is it to get to the train station versus the airport?
San Francisco International Airport and Oakland’s Jack London Square Station (the nearest train station to S.F.), are both about 13 miles away from the city center. However, 101 South toward SFO tends to have significantly worse traffic, which may extend your total travel time.
On Bay Area Rapid Transit, the light rail to SFO takes approximately 29 minutes, whereas the Blue and Green lines to Jack London Square take about 24 minutes.
Is it safe to travel by train from San Francisco to Los Angeles right now?
We stand behind CDC guidelines that caution passengers against non-essential travel during the coronavirus outbreak. That said, we recognize not everyone is in a position to completely abstain. Whether it’s for work, to take care of family or to get back home, some circumstances inevitably require travel. If you’re one of those individuals who still needs to book a trip, you can continue to do so on Wanderu.
Know that most train companies are still running at this time, though some have limited service. Visit our COVID-19 travel guide for resources and daily updates on the coronavirus and COVID travel restrictions.
In order to keep vehicles as clean and sanitized as possible, train companies are taking extra precautions for coronavirus. For details on what various companies are doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
Can you take a train all the way from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
What is the price of a train ticket from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
In the last month, £44.29 was the average price of a train ticket from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 10 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £8.71 more than that for a same-day booking.
How long is the train journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
The distance between San Francisco and Los Angeles is approximately 347 miles, or 559 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 21 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 35 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 San Francisco to Los Angeles are the most crowded on Friday. 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 Sunday 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 San Francisco at 07:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 22:00. 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 San Francisco to Los Angeles?
There are 12 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 Los Angeles to San Francisco. If you're not not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles for £32.96.
Which train should you take from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Francisco, California to Los Angeles, California. However, there are 12 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 12 | 10h 22m | £45.16 |
Amtrak train tickets from San Francisco to Los Angeles start from £42, and on average cost £45. Daily there are 12 Amtrak schedules to Los Angeles. Amtrak in San Francisco leaves from Salesforce Plaza, And in Los Angeles trains arrive at Union Station and 3 other train stations. From San Francisco to Los Angeles train travel on Amtrak takes 10 hours and 22 minutes. If you are looking to get to Los Angeles faster, Amtrak offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 9 hours and 35 minutes. If you're considering a weeked trip, Amtrak offers 15 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Los Angeles.
Where is the train station in San Francisco?
There is one train station in San Francisco:
- Salesforce Plaza
Where is the train station in Los Angeles?
There are more train stations and stops in Los Angeles than most cities. Most trains from San Francisco will stop at one (or more) of the 4 following stations in Los Angeles:
- Union Station
- Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd
- 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd
- 592 Gayley Ave
Price trends for trains from San Francisco to Los Angeles
Average prices by travel date
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
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