Trains from San Francisco to Los Angeles
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Trip Summary
There are 19 daily trains from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from San Francisco to Los Angeles usually takes around 10 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 9 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 347 mi (559 km) |
| Fastest train | 9h 25m |
| Lowest price | £43.55 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
San Francisco to Los Angeles Route Map
What is the price of a train ticket from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
In the last month, £45.65 was the average price of a train ticket from San Francisco to Los Angeles. 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 £7.67 more than that for a same-day booking.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Since the average price of train trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles remains pretty consistent throughout the year, there’s no need to book your tickets too far in advance. However, we still recommend you purchase your train tickets at least 48 hours ahead of departure time to avoid surprise last-minute surges and the risk of the train selling out.
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 19 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 19 | 10h 32m | £47.44 |
Amtrak
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 19 Amtrak trains from San Francisco to Los Angeles every day, as well as 26 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £44.
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 during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
Can you take a train all the way from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
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 31 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.
When are trains the most crowded?
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from San Francisco to Los Angeles on Thursday. Tickets for Thursday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Monday. Monday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
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.
Is there a direct train from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
There are 19 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
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.
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?
Image credit: [email protected]
Link to image attributionDeparture stations
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:
Salesforce Plaza
Where is the train station in Los Angeles?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionArrival stations
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
Need a return trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
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