Cheap train tickets from Charlotte to San Francisco
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Charlotte to San Francisco. Travelling by train from Charlotte to San Francisco usually takes 3 days, 15 hours and 44 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 3 days, 15 hours and 14 minutes.
- Distance
- 2297 mi (3697 km)
- Fastest train
- 87h 14m
- Lowest price
- US$673.00
- Trains per day
- 1
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
Millions of travellers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest coach & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most coach & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travellers are saying about Wanderu:
Charlotte to San Francisco Train Timetable
Is it better to travel by coach or train from Charlotte to San Francisco?
There are usually 2 daily coach trips from Charlotte to San Francisco.
Train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceUS$687.50 | Avg. PriceUS$294.30Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration87h 44m | Duration69h 30mFaster |

There are several train options that can take you from Charlotte to San Francisco:
See more detailsPrice trends for trains from Charlotte to San Francisco
Average train ticket prices from Charlotte to San Francisco by travel date
Average train ticket prices from Charlotte to San Francisco by month
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from Charlotte to San Francisco?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Charlotte to San Francisco. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 87h 44m | US$687.50 |
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 is 1 Amtrak train from Charlotte to San Francisco every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from US$673.










Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Charlotte to San Francisco
While the train is the main method of transport from Charlotte 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.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. 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 transfer 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 Charlotte. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Charlotte to San Francisco for US$165.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
0
The distance between Charlotte and San Francisco is approximately 2,297 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 days, 15 hours and 44 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 days, 15 hours and 14 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)
2297
Distance (km)
3697
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Charlotte at 5:31 and arrives in San Francisco around 87 hours later.
First train
5:31am
Last train
5:31am
Trains from Charlotte to San Francisco 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Tuesday
Least crowded
Tuesday
City Information
Charlotte



A mecca for fans of speed in general and for NASCAR in particular, Charlotte is a burgeoning urban centre that still retains its southern charm. Even if you are not a hardcore fan of NASCAR, it is still worth taking the time to check it out. Housing more than just plaques dedicated to legendary drivers, the NASCAR Hall of Fame also features high-tech exhibits, as well as racing simulators to keep you enthralled. If cars are not your thing, the bustling Uptown area, which houses the city’s top museums such as Discovery Place or Mint Museum Uptown, will offer a day’s worth of interesting facts to enjoy. When you wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of Uptown, Freedom Park, located about three miles north of the city centre, provides a natural refuge where you can recover.
Charlotte’s food scene is brimming with life, as modernized Southern staples take the city by storm. Perhaps the best place to enjoy the tastiest Southern dishes in town is at Price’s Chicken Coop. If you are looking to enjoy some fine barbecues, Midwood Smokehouse or Noble Smoke might have what you need.
Charlotte’s busiest coach station is at W 4th St in the heart of the city, offering coach trips by several carriers like Greyhound and Jefferson Lines to other cities such as Richmond or New York. The city is served by three Amtrak lines: the Crescent, the Carolinian, and the Piedmont. Travellers can catch these trains at the station on Tryon St in Lockwood. The main airport of the city is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is the sixth-busiest airport in the country. It is located 6 miles from the city centre.
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 Charlotte?
Main departure station: 1914 N Tryon St

The busiest train station in North Carolina is located at 1914 N Tryon St, slightly northeast of downtown Charlotte. This station is the origin point for the Amtrak Carolinian to New York City and the Amtrak Piedmont to Raleigh. The Amtrak Crescent also stops in Charlotte on its route from New York City to New Orleans. The station has free parking and vending machines onsite, and is close to several stations for the local LYNX light rail.
All train stations in Charlotte:
- 1914 N Tryon St
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 Charlotte?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Charlotte
- Charlotte to New Haven TrainUS$140+
- Charlotte to West Palm Beach TrainUS$146+
- Charlotte to Detroit TrainUS$256+
- Charlotte to Rocky Mount TrainUS$50+
- Charlotte to New York TrainUS$198+
- Charlotte to Harrisburg TrainUS$167+
- Charlotte to Charlottesville TrainUS$76+
- Charlotte to Roanoke TrainUS$91+
- Charlotte to Milwaukee TrainUS$216+
Continue by train from San Francisco
- San Francisco to Auburn TrainUS$44+
- San Francisco to Fairfield TrainUS$27+
- San Francisco to Los Angeles TrainUS$72+
- San Francisco to Pasadena TrainUS$84+
- San Francisco to Sacramento TrainUS$38+
- San Francisco to San Luis Obispo TrainUS$62+
- San Francisco to Ventura TrainUS$38+
- San Francisco to St Paul TrainUS$310+
- San Francisco to Omaha TrainUS$205+
- San Francisco to Chico TrainUS$51+
- San Francisco to Irvine TrainUS$78+
- San Francisco to Ontario TrainUS$89+
- San Francisco to Roseville TrainUS$41+
- San Francisco to San Jose TrainUS$27+
- San Francisco to Truckee TrainUS$60+
- San Francisco to Baltimore TrainUS$404+
- San Francisco to St Louis TrainUS$317+
- San Francisco to Medford TrainUS$105+
Check out these popular routes
- Montreal to Québec City TrainUS$40+
- Madrid to Barcelona TrainUS$39+
- Fort Lauderdale to Orlando TrainUS$51+
- Chicago to St Louis TrainUS$69+
- Ann Arbor to Chicago TrainUS$61+
- New York to Toronto TrainUS$170+
- New York to Boston TrainUS$148+
- Leavenworth to Seattle TrainUS$60+
- Seattle to Portland TrainUS$49+
- Québec City to Montreal TrainUS$38+
- San Francisco to San Jose TrainUS$27+
- Orlando to Fort Lauderdale TrainUS$54+
- Boston to New York TrainUS$161+
- Raleigh to Charlotte TrainUS$34+
- New York to Ontario TrainUS$472+
- New York to Pittsburgh TrainUS$127+
- Seattle to New York TrainUS$517+
- Seattle to Leavenworth TrainUS$59+

Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train timetables and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap coach and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.




