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Trip Summary
There are 2 daily trains from Boston to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Boston to San Francisco usually takes around 80 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 79 hours and 3 minutes.
Distance | 2693 mi (4334 km) |
Fastest train | 79h 3m |
Lowest price | £175.57 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Boston to San Francisco?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Boston to San Francisco was £270.17. Train tickets on this route are typically priced higher due to the distance covered. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to San Francisco if you book your train tickets at least 22 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra £111.10.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Boston to San Francisco will vary between £247 and £350. Planning a train trip to San Francisco within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Boston over the next 7 days is £247. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.
Monthly average prices
Ticket prices for the train from Boston to San Francisco often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in July when the average ticket price is only £187,
If you're thinking of traveling from Boston to San Francisco during March, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £309 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in March, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you're looking to save on your train trip from Boston to San Francisco, book online with Wanderu at least 22 days in advance. That way, you’ll save £111.10 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
Which train should you take from Boston to San Francisco?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Boston to San Francisco. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 2 | 3d 8h 33m | £302.87 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from Boston to San Francisco every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £176.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Boston and San Francisco is approximately 2693 miles, or 4334 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 80 hours and 32 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 79 hours and 3 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 departing from Boston to San Francisco tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Boston at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 12:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
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 carry-on 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 San Francisco to Boston.
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 harbor, 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, travelers 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.
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
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 San Francisco.
All train stations in Boston:
Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St
South Station
Where is the train station in San Francisco?
Image credit: 146109843@N05
Link to image attributionMain 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 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.
Train stations in San Francisco:
San Francisco, California
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