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Cheap train tickets from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco. Travelling by train from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco usually takes 7 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 25 minutes.
- Distance
- 198 mi (319 km)
- Fastest train
- 7h 25m
- Lowest price
- £46.51
- Trains per day
- 0
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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San Luis Obispo to San Francisco Train Timetable
Is it better to travel by coach or train from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco?
There are usually 2 daily coach trips from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco.
Train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price£66.18 | Avg. Price£39.03Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration7h 38m | Duration4h 40mFaster |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco (Based on 1 rating and review)
There are several train options that can take you from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco was £50. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 12 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £22.96 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco will cost between £42 and £68. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco by month
Ticket prices for the train from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in March when the average ticket price is only £61. If you're thinking of travelling from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £71 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 Luis Obispo to San Francisco on Wanderu at least 12 days ahead of time, you can save about £22.96 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Luis Obispo to San Francisco. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 7h 38m | £66.18 |
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 outlets 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 Luis Obispo to San Francisco every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £42.01.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco
While the train is the main method of transportation from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco to San Luis Obispo. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco for £11.
Trains per day
3
Direct trains
0
The distance between San Luis Obispo and San Francisco is approximately 198 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 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.
Distance (mi)
198
Distance (km)
319
The earliest train departs San Luis Obispo at 10:05 while the last train of the day leaves at 15:05. 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
10:05am
Last train
3:05pm
Trains from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco 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 Luis Obispo
San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travellers 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 coach and train stations in San Luis—1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway coaches both service the town for coach 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.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Luis Obispo?
Main departure station: 1011 Railroad Ave
There are two stations in San Luis Obispo where you can board the train to San Francisco.
All train stations in San Luis Obispo:
- 1011 Railroad Ave
- 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
Where is the train station in San Francisco?
Main arrival 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.
Train stations in San Francisco:
- San Francisco, California
Need a return trip from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?
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Continue by train from San Francisco
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