Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo. Travelling by train from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo usually takes 8 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 54 minutes.

Distance: 198 mi (319 km)
Fastest train: 7h 54m
Lowest price: £46.82
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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San Francisco to San Luis Obispo Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?

There are usually 1 daily coach trips from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. Price£58.22	Avg. Price£31.45Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration8h 11m	Duration4h 46mFaster

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.0

Kristoffer

5 September 2024 - Vacation

Amtrak

Pros: It was relatively short Cons: More trains running instead if requiring so much time on amtrak buses Tips: Ensure you're trip is mostly train rather than bus

There are several train options that can take you from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo:

Amtrak tickets: £42 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo was £46.82. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 22 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £27.94 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo will cost between £42 and £57. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo by month

Ticket prices for the train from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only £60, If you're thinking of travelling from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo during May, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £67 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in May, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo on Wanderu at least 22 days ahead of time, you can save about £27.94 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Francisco to San Luis Obispo. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	8h 11m	£58.21

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 2 Amtrak trains from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £42.29.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo

Trains leave the station in San Francisco twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo for £11.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Francisco and San Luis Obispo is approximately 198 miles, or 319 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 11 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 54 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.

Distance (mi)

198

Distance (km)

319

The earliest train departs San Francisco at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 1:40pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

7:00am

Last train

1:40pm

Trains from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Saturday

City Information

San Francisco

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.

San Luis Obispo

San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.

Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.

SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

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 San Luis Obispo?

Main arrival station: 1011 Railroad Ave

San Luis Obispo has one train station.

Train stations in San Luis Obispo:

1011 Railroad Ave

Need a return trip from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco?

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Plan your next adventure

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Continue by train from San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo to Anaheim Train£35+
San Luis Obispo to Emeryville Train£76+
San Luis Obispo to Irvine Train£36+
San Luis Obispo to Monterey Train£59+
San Luis Obispo to Paso Robles Train£26+
San Luis Obispo to San Diego Train£55+
San Luis Obispo to San Jose Train£40+
San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz Train£50+
San Luis Obispo to Portland Train£102+

San Luis Obispo to Berkeley Train£56+
San Luis Obispo to Fresno Train£85+
San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles Train£42+
San Luis Obispo to Oakland Train£74+
San Luis Obispo to Sacramento Train£69+
San Luis Obispo to San Francisco Train£49+
San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Train£26+
San Luis Obispo to Las Vegas Train£107+
San Luis Obispo to Seattle Train£103+

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