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Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to Los Angeles

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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San Francisco to Los Angeles Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

There are usually 23 daily bus trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Coach
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
£50.79
Avg. Price
£57.13
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
23
Daily Trips
40
Duration
Duration
11h 9m
Duration
10h 46m

Trip Summary

There are usually 18 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from San Francisco to Los Angeles usually takes 10 hours and 50 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 9 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance347 mi (559 km)
Fastest train9h 25m
Lowest price£34.51
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Francisco to Los Angeles

(Based on 9 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Emmett

4 August 2025- Visiting friends

Amtrak

nice way to travel

5.0

James

3 May 2025- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: I really enjoyed the view, even though it was night, I could still see the stars. Cons: In my opinion, I think that the seats could obviously be more comfortable for a 9 or more hour trip. Tips: Bring a neck pillow and a small blanky.

4.0

Isaac

6 December 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: The view from the Surfliner viewing car. I also love access to overnight trips, allowing me.to start my day in my destination. Cons: Better explanation of location to wait for bus. Tips: N/a.

5.0

Emmett

2 June 2024- Business

Amtrak

Pros: The very friendly people & staff. Cons: Perfect. Tips: Always use this service.

5.0

Edwin

19 January 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Pleasant trip. Cons: Na. Tips: Na.

San Francisco to Los Angeles Route Map

San Francisco Los Angeles

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

On average, the price of a train ticket from San Francisco to Los Angeles was £53.18 in the past month. To unlock better savings, secure your tickets at least 23 days in advance for the most economical prices. But if you must opt for a last-minute booking, it’ll likely cost an extra £4.04.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to Los Angeles by travel date

£68£45£23DecDec

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles will cost between £50 and £62. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to Los Angeles by month

£56£45£34£23£11JFMAMJJASOND
In the upcoming month, anticipate an average price ranging from £50 to £62 for a train ticket from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The most budget-friendly train tickets within the week are priced at £53.18. So be sure to book your tickets in advance to avoid price hikes closer to the date of your adventure.

Prices as travel date approaches

£75£60£45£30£153020100

The price of train trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles 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 San Francisco to Los Angeles?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Francisco to Los Angeles. However, there are 18 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak1810h 51m£56.13

  • 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 18 Amtrak trains from San Francisco to Los Angeles every day, as well as 35 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £35.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Francisco to Los Angeles

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.

While the train is the main method of transportation from San Francisco to Los Angeles, 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 San Francisco and Los Angeles is approximately 347 miles, or 559 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 50 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 25 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 from San Francisco to Los Angeles are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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.

The earliest train departs San Francisco at 04:00 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.

There are 18 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.

City Information

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

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.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

Salesforce Plaza - SFOBLT-0

Image credit: 146109843@N05

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: San Francisco, California

Behind 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.

All train stations in San Francisco:

  • San Francisco, California

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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.

Train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 592 Gayley Ave

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

  • Metrolink Station

Get around town with Moovit

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Related reading

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