Cheap train tickets from Boston to Oakland

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Boston to Oakland. Travelling by train from Boston to Oakland usually takes 3 days, 18 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 3 days, 7 hours and 54 minutes.

Distance: 2685 mi (4320 km)
Fastest train: 79h 54m
Lowest price: RON 1,467.12
Trains per day: 2
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Boston to Oakland Train Timetable

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

There is usually 1 daily coach trip from Boston to Oakland.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceRON 2,434.75	Avg. PriceRON 1,596.82Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration90h 32m	Duration85h 29mFaster

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

Amtrak tickets: RON 1,343 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Boston to Oakland cost about RON 2,126 when booked at the cheapest time. Considering the distance between Boston and Oakland, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 15 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 803.43 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Boston to Oakland by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Boston to Oakland will cost between RON 1,343 and RON 3,202. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Boston to Oakland by month

Ticket prices for the train from Boston to Oakland 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 RON 1,749. If you're thinking of travelling from Boston to Oakland during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 3,106 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Boston to Oakland on Wanderu at least 15 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 803.43 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Boston to Oakland?

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

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	90h 32m	RON 2,434.74

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 Boston to Oakland every day, as well as 4 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from RON 1,342.87.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Boston to Oakland

Trains leave the station in Boston 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 Oakland to Boston. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Boston to Oakland for RON 693.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Boston and Oakland is approximately 2,685 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 days, 18 hours and 32 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 days, 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 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)

2685

Distance (km)

4320

The earliest train departs Boston at 6:10 while the last train of the day leaves at 12:57. 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

6:10am

Last train

12:57pm

Trains from Boston to Oakland 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 travelling on Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Tuesday

City Information

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.

Oakland

Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbour to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.

Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.

It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity coach routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Boston?

Main departure station: Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St

There are two stations in Boston where you can board the train to Oakland.

All train stations in Boston:

Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St
South Station

Where is the train station in Oakland?

Main arrival station: 245 Second St

The Jack London Station in Oakland opened in 1995, replacing 16th Street Station, which was extensively damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The station was named after the famous writer Jack London, as he spent much of his life in the area. It is a contemporary glass and stone structure located on the easternmost corner of Jack London Square. The square, which fronts a natural estuary leading to San Francisco Bay, was formerly the hub of Oakland's port activities, connecting the maritime and agricultural sectors. It is still an active and bustling waterfront today. Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and Gold Runner trains serve the station. It is the 10th busiest of Amtrak's 74 California stops, boarding or de-boarding an average of 1,142 people per day.

Train stations in Oakland:

245 Second St
Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave

Need a return trip from Oakland to Boston?

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