Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to Boston

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Boston. Travelling by train from San Francisco to Boston usually takes 3 days, 12 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 3 days, 10 hours and 9 minutes.

Distance: 2693 mi (4334 km)
Fastest train: 82h 9m
Lowest price: SEK 3,637.25
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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San Francisco to Boston Train Timetable

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

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

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceSEK 5,915.25	Avg. PriceSEK 3,425.96Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration84h 4m	Duration83h 30mFaster

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

Amtrak tickets: SEK 3,053 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Francisco to Boston was SEK 3,791. Considering the distance between San Francisco and Boston, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 17 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around SEK 4,663.02 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to Boston by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Francisco to Boston will cost between SEK 3,558 and SEK 8,236. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to Boston by month

Ticket prices for the train from San Francisco to Boston often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only SEK 4,529. If you're thinking of travelling from San Francisco to Boston during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of SEK 6,264 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 Boston on Wanderu at least 17 days ahead of time, you can save about SEK 4,663.02 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from San Francisco to Boston?

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

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	84h 4m	SEK 5,915.21

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 2 Amtrak trains from San Francisco to Boston every day, as well as 4 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from SEK 3,052.52.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from San Francisco to Boston

While the train is the main method of transport from San Francisco to Boston, 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.

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 hand 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 Boston to San Francisco. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from San Francisco to Boston for SEK 1,437.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Francisco and Boston is approximately 2,693 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 days, 12 hours and 4 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 days, 10 hours and 9 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 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)

2693

Distance (km)

4334

The earliest train departs San Francisco at 7:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 7:15. 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

7:15am

Trains from San Francisco to Boston 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 travelling on Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Tuesday

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 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.

Boston

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the country, but it is kept young and fresh with the help of over 150,000 students who flock to the city’s prestigious universities every year. Beantown’s many sights and activities celebrate American history, prolific sports teams, and New England seafood. So let's spill the tea (into the harbour, if you will):

Boston's Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city on foot and visit some of the most iconic landmarks of the American Revolution: from Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution to the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall. The Freedom Trail officially begins in Boston Common, the oldest public park in the U.S. and a beautiful spot for walking, picnicking, or ice skating in the winter. Foodies will love tasting the Italian cuisine in the North End and the modern eateries of South End, while sports fans can tour Fenway Park, and art lovers can explore the expansive Museum of Fine Arts.

From Boston, travellers can easily get to the beachy summer destination of Cape Cod, or surrounding states like New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. With four main train stations and several bus stops in the city, as well as Boston Logan Airport (which, by the way, has some excellent airport food), Boston is a central hub for travel throughout New England and beyond.

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 Boston?

Main arrival station: Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St

Boston receives travellers from San Francisco at its two active train stations.

Train stations in Boston:

Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St
South Station

Need a return trip from Boston to San Francisco?

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