Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to New Orleans

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Francisco to New Orleans. Travelling by train from San Francisco to New Orleans usually takes 3 days, 4 hours and 59 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 days and 10 hours.

Distance: 1922 mi (3094 km)
Fastest train: 58h
Lowest price: RON 1,434.66
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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San Francisco to New Orleans Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by coach or train from San Francisco to New Orleans?

There are usually 2 daily coach trips from San Francisco to New Orleans.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceRON 2,452.69	Avg. PriceRON 1,228.40Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration76h 59m	Duration56h 42mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from San Francisco to New Orleans:

Amtrak tickets: RON 1,435 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from San Francisco to New Orleans?

In the last month, train tickets from San Francisco to New Orleans cost about RON 1,636 when booked at the cheapest time. Considering the distance between San Francisco and New Orleans, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 3 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 1,701.27 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to New Orleans by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Francisco to New Orleans will cost between RON 1,473 and RON 3,041. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to New Orleans by month

Ticket prices for the train from San Francisco to New Orleans often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only RON 1,779. If you're thinking of travelling from San Francisco to New Orleans during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 2,817 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from San Francisco to New Orleans on Wanderu at least 3 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 1,701.27 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from San Francisco to New Orleans?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Francisco to New Orleans. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	3	76h 59m	RON 2,452.71

Amtrak is the largest passenger railway 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 toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 3 Amtrak trains from San Francisco to New Orleans every day, as well as 3 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from RON 1,434.66.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from San Francisco to New Orleans

While the train is the main method of transport from San Francisco to New Orleans, 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 coach or express shuttle.

There are 3 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 hand 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 New Orleans to San Francisco. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from San Francisco to New Orleans for RON 708.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Francisco and New Orleans is approximately 1,922 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 days, 4 hours and 59 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 days and 10 hours. 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 patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

1922

Distance (km)

3094

The earliest train departs San Francisco at 7:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 9:40. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

7:00am

Last train

9:40am

Trains from San Francisco to New Orleans are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Wednesday

Least crowded

Thursday

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 holiday 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 travelling by coach, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.

New Orleans

New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred holiday destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travellers.

There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.

New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centres of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transport. The airport is located not too far from the city centre, while the city’s main coach and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.

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 coach station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway coaches, 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 travellers 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 New Orleans?

Main arrival station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transport hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Coaches operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous trams. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.

Train stations in New Orleans:

Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Need a return trip from New Orleans to San Francisco?

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