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Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to New York

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San Francisco to New York Train Timetable

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to New York?

There are usually 19 daily bus trips from San Francisco to New York.

Coach
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

£189.80

Avg. Price

£335.85

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

19

Daily Trips

6

Duration

Duration

3d 11h 34m

Duration

3d 9h 44m

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Trip Summary

7 trains operate daily from San Francisco to New York. The train trip from San Francisco to New York is usually about 81 hours and 46 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 78 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance2566 mi (4129 km)
Fastest train78h 35m
Lowest price£189.16
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

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

Over the past month, a train ticket between San Francisco and New York cost £247.40, on average. Due to the distance between San Francisco and New York, train tickets on this route tend to be relatively pricey. Booking your trip at least 19 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around £198.45 more.

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

£500£333£167NovNov

The average cost of a one-way train trip from San Francisco to New York is expected to fluctuate between £252 and £496 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to New York in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from San Francisco is £252.

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

£310£248£186£124£62DJFMAMJJASON
You can find the lowest prices on this route during December. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from San Francisco to New York, with the average price at just £249. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in February, when the average price goes up to £307. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

£465£372£279£186£933020100

Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from San Francisco to New York. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 19 days before departure, you can save around £198.45. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!

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

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Francisco to New York. However, there are 7 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak73d 9h 46m£352.71
  • 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 7 Amtrak trains from San Francisco to New York every day, as well as 8 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £189.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Francisco to New York

While the train is the main method of transportation from San Francisco to New York, 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 New York is approximately 2566 miles, or 4129 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 81 hours and 46 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 78 hours and 35 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 New York are the most crowded on Friday. 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs San Francisco at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 06:00. 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 7 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 New York 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.

New York

NYC-0NYC-1NYC-2

New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world for a reason – it offers numerous opportunities for a great time to visitors of all ages and interests. For the culturally inclined travelers, the city boasts a unique collection of world-famous museums, as well as the chance to see the best plays and musicals that Broadway has to offer, or check out the latest production at the Metropolitan Opera. If sightseeing is your cardio, NYC is the place to be – just by walking around town, you can visit such iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square. Or hop on a ferry to Ellis Island to meet the Statue of Liberty up-close and personal.

NYC’s five boroughs feature more than 1,700 parks, including the gorgeous Central Park, making it one of the best cities for outdoor activities in the country. As for the nightlife, there’s no argument that New York City is the biggest party hub in the U.S.

With three major bus and train stations in Manhattan alone – Port Authority, Grand Central & Penn Station – and three nearby airports, NYC is one of the predominant travel hubs in the world. If you are ever looking to get out of town, NYC is centrally connected throughout the state and region, you can easily hop on a train to Albany to go explore upstate New York.

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 New York?

New York, NY - Penn Station - NYCPEN-0

Main arrival station: NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

Pennsylvania Station, or just Penn Station, is the main train station in New York City. All Amtrak trains to and from NYC use Penn Station as their only train stop in Manhattan. Penn Station offers easy connections to various other types of transportation, including commuter rail (the Long Island Rail Road and the NJ Transit both operate out of Penn Station), airport transit, and six lines of the NYC Subway, making it the busiest train station in the Western Hemisphere. Located in the heart of Manhattan, right by the world-famous Madison Square Garden, Penn Station is close to various points of interest such as Times Square and the Empire State Building, as well as many restaurants and retail stores.

Train stations in New York:

  • NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

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Need a return trip from New York to San Francisco?

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