Trains from New York to San Francisco
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
No Wanderu Fees
Without any extra fees, we make it easy to book your tickets.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Trip Summary
There are 3 daily trains from New York to San Francisco. Traveling by train from New York to San Francisco usually takes around 81 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 76 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 2566 mi (4129 km) |
| Fastest train | 76h 25m |
| Lowest price | £156.51 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from New York to San Francisco?
In the last month, £177.96 was the average price of a train ticket from New York to San Francisco. Given how far apart New York and San Francisco are from each other, there's no getting around the fact that most train tickets are on the pricier side. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 18 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £33.11 more than that for a same-day booking.
Monthly average prices
If you are trying to decide when to travel from New York to San Francisco by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for February. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just £199 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from New York to San Francisco in August, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to £251 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 18 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to San Francisco from New York will be about £33.11 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from New York to San Francisco?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects New York to San Francisco. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 3d 9h 11m | £217.57 |
Amtrak
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 3 Amtrak trains from New York to San Francisco every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £157.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by train from New York to San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
Can you take a train all the way from New York to San Francisco?
How long is the train journey from New York to San Francisco?
The distance between New York and San Francisco is approximately 2566 miles, or 4129 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 81 hours and 11 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 76 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.
When are trains the most crowded?
Trains departing from New York to San Francisco tend to have the most passengers on Thursday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Thursday. 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 Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs New York at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from New York to San Francisco?
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 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 San Francisco to New York.
City Information
New York
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.
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.
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 New York?
Departure stations
All train stations in New York:
Penn Station
Where is the train station in San Francisco?
Image credit: [email protected]
Link to image attributionArrival stations
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:
Salesforce Plaza
Need a return trip from San Francisco to New York?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from New York
- Train from New York to Boston
£68+
- New York to Baltimore
£81+
- Train from New York to Atlantic City
£45+
- Train from New York to Buffalo
£59+
- New York to Niagara Falls Train
£58+
- New York to Rensselaer Train
£37+
- Train from New York to Albany
£249+
- New York to Philadelphia Train
£34+
- Train from New York to Providence
£58+
Continue by train from San Francisco
- Train from San Francisco to Vancouver
£108+
- San Francisco to Fresno Train
£25+
- San Francisco to Los Angeles Train
£46+
- San Francisco to Monterey Train
£28+
- Train from San Francisco to Napa
£13+
- San Francisco to Sacramento Train
£26+
- Train from San Francisco to San Diego
£56+
- Train from San Francisco to San Jose
£15+
- San Francisco to Santa Barbara Train
£38+
- San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe
£47+
- San Francisco to Yosemite Valley Train
£26+
- San Francisco to Chicago
£166+
- San Francisco to Las Vegas Train
£76+
- San Francisco to Reno Train
£50+
- Train from San Francisco to New York
£210+
- San Francisco to Portland
£63+
- San Francisco to Seattle Train
£76+
- San Francisco to Vancouver Train
£64+
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules 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 bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more