Cheap train tickets from Portland to San Francisco

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Portland to San Francisco. Travelling by train from Portland to San Francisco usually takes 19 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 18 hours and 58 minutes.

Distance: 536 mi (862 km)
Fastest train: 18h 58m
Lowest price: RON 497.35
Trains per day: 2
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Portland to San Francisco Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by coach or train from Portland to San Francisco?

There are usually 3 daily coach trips from Portland to San Francisco.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceRON 723.36	Avg. PriceRON 631.11Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips3
Duration	Duration19h 21m	Duration18h 36mFaster

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Portland to San Francisco (Based on 3 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Michael

25 July 2022 - Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: The calmness of the train section. I thought it would go bad ways, but turn out to be great ! Cons: The food deals, I decided to starve. Tips: Bring your AirPods, but depends on how far your traveling. And there’s no WiFi

4.0

Ricky

13 June 2022 - Holiday

Amtrak

Pros: Cost wise, it was in our budget. No driving & knew we would eventually get there. Cons: Running on time & avoiding delays.There was a female conductor that YELLED into the microphone to announce things. She was unnecessarily loud. There were no fresh fruits or vegetables offered in the cafe, such as bananas, oranges, etc. Also the toilets were dirty, locked did not work, & only two were functioning ing the coach car. Tips: Plan some extra time if transferring to another bus or train. Since our train was three hours late we almost missed boarding of our ship. Luckily, Amtrak provided a three four hour taxi ride that helped, since we missed out connecting train! (But no sleep & we lost a night in our reserved hotel).

There are several train options that can take you from Portland to San Francisco:

Amtrak tickets: RON 497 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Portland to San Francisco?

In the last month, train tickets from Portland to San Francisco cost about RON 569 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 26 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 284.92 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Portland to San Francisco by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Portland to San Francisco will cost between RON 488 and RON 956. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Portland to San Francisco by month

Ticket prices for the train from Portland to San Francisco often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only RON 593. If you're thinking of travelling from Portland to San Francisco during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 823 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 Portland to San Francisco on Wanderu at least 26 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 284.92 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Portland to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Portland 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	19h 21m	RON 723.34

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 Portland to San Francisco every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from RON 497.35.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Portland to San Francisco

While the train is the main method of transport from Portland 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.

Trains leave the station in Portland 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 San Francisco to Portland. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Portland to San Francisco for RON 397.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Portland and San Francisco is approximately 536 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 19 hours and 21 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 18 hours and 58 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)

536

Distance (km)

862

The earliest train departs Portland at 14:22 while the last train of the day leaves at 14:22. 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

2:22pm

Last train

2:22pm

Trains from Portland to San Francisco 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Portland

Portland is the largest city in Oregon and accordingly one of the state's best holiday destinations. Also known as the City of Roses, this city along the Willamette River wows visitors with its diverse street food, quirky counterculture, and sprawling bookstores such as the world-famous Powell's Books.

Portland is the 5th best city in the United States for outdoor activities, thanks in part to open-air grounds like the expansive Forest Park. Gardens are also excellent outdoor date locales for couples on a romantic getaway: stop and smell the roses at either the International Rose Test Garden or the Portland Japanese Garden.

Once you've gotten hungry from a long day wandering outside, nearly every block downtown has a plethora of food trucks waiting to tickle your taste buds. Or, kick back at one of the many breweries in the #3 best city for craft beer in the United States. Unique locations like McMenamin's brewpubs in renovated cinemas or historic hotels do their part to “keep Portland weird.”

As the biggest city in Oregon, Portland is a hub for travel throughout the Pacific Northwest. Amtrak train service and various coach services operate primarily out of Union Station, conveniently-located downtown, and nearby Portland International Airport makes it easy to travel to Portland from near and far.

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 Portland?

Main departure station: Union Station

Union Station - 800 NW 6th Ave - PDXAMT-0

Located in Portland’s Old Town Chinatown area at 800 Northwest Sixth Avenue, Union Station features a glowing neon sign encouraging you to “Go By Train.” Union Station serves several iconic Amtrak routes including the Cascades through the Pacific Northwest, the scenic Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle, and the long-distance Empire Builder which travels all the way to Chicago. Along with train service, Union Station serves intercity coach service via Greyhound, and connects to the Portland Streetcar, MAX Light Rail, and several TriMet local buses. There is a restaurant and bar onsite, as well as a Metropolitan Lounge reserved for Amtrak’s first- and business-class passengers.

All train stations in Portland:

Union Station

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 Portland?

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