Cheap train tickets from Seattle to San Francisco

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Seattle to San Francisco. Travelling by train from Seattle to San Francisco usually takes 23 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 23 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance: 679 mi (1093 km)
Fastest train: 23h 25m
Lowest price: US$126.00
Trains per day: 1
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Seattle to San Francisco Train Timetable

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

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

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceUS$180.42	Avg. PriceUS$138.12Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips3
Duration	Duration23h 30mFaster	Duration31h 14m

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Seattle to San Francisco (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

5.0

Sara

2 August 2021

Amtrak

Pros: The views along the way were incredible.

5.0

Amaury

5 August 2019 - Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: I met good people Cons: The toilets could use an upgrade Tips: No.

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

Amtrak tickets: US$124 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Seattle to San Francisco cost about US$139 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 22 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$85.75 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Seattle to San Francisco will cost between US$122 and US$276. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Seattle to San Francisco by month

Ticket prices for the train from Seattle 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 US$147. If you're thinking of travelling from Seattle to San Francisco during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$205 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 Seattle to San Francisco on Wanderu at least 22 days ahead of time, you can save about US$85.75 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Seattle to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Seattle 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	23h 30m	US$180.42

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 Seattle to San Francisco every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from US$124.

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

Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train is known for being scenic, especially through the Cascade Range at the Willamette Pass in Oregon. The route from Seattle to San Francisco also passes through forests and valleys en route to California.

Seattle is situated along the eastern coast of Elliott Bay, part of the Puget Sound that connects to the Pacific Ocean, so in a way, it’s right on the coast. From the actual Pacific coastline, however, Seattle is just under 100 miles away. It will take you more than 3 hours by car to reach that point because Washington’s various interconnected waterways prevent a direct drive to the coast. Ocean Shores, Washington, while technically a farther coastal point, takes only 2 hours 30 minutes to reach by car.

Portland is 145 miles from Seattle by plane and 173 miles by car. Driving nonstop, it would take you just under 3 hours to get to Portland from Seattle.

While the train is the main method of transport from Seattle 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 Seattle. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Seattle to San Francisco for US$103.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Seattle and San Francisco is approximately 679 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 23 hours and 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 23 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 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)

679

Distance (km)

1093

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Seattle at 9:55 and arrives in San Francisco around 23 hours later.

First train

9:55am

Last train

9:55am

Trains from Seattle to San Francisco are the most crowded on Sunday. 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

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Seattle

Seattle is a must-see destination on the West Coast of the United States, offering many unique activities for any type of traveller. However, we're confident every visitor will enjoy the view of Mount Rainier from the top of Seattle's iconic Space Needle. Outdoor enthusiasts can bike, hike, boat, and ski in one of the top cities for outdoor activities in the U.S., while soaking in the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty (and yes, some rain as well). Urban explorers will love walking through Pike Place Market and experiencing Seattle's museums and public art, like the scenic Olympic Sculpture Park. These offerings and more make Seattle one of the best holiday destination in Washington.

Known for its coffee culture and as the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle is also one of the top 5 craft beer cities in the U.S., which is ideal for those who prefer to experience the taste of a city served up in a latte mug or a pint glass.

Seattle is home to the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle-Tacoma Airport, but there are plenty of other ways to continue your travels from the Emerald City. A short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island includes the chance to see orca whales in the Puget Sound, or you can catch the Amtrak Cascades train or one of several affordable coach options from the historic King Street Station to other exciting Northwest cities in British Columbia, Oregon and beyond.

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 Seattle?

Main departure station: King Street Station

Seattle, WA - King Street Station - SEAAMT-0

King Street Station is the main station for Amtrak train service in Seattle. Greyhound coaches use the coach station at 503 S Royal Brougham Way, near Lumen Field. King Street Station has connections to local public transit like the Link Light Rail and King County Metro at the International District/Chinatown station one block away. Located near downtown Seattle in the trendy Pioneer Square neighbourhood, King Street Station opened in 1906 and continues to impress travellers with its restored Italian architecture and Venetian-style clocktower. King Street Station has on-site Amtrak staff, toilets, and vending machines, and while there are no restaurants in the station, several nearby coffee shops and eateries make it easy to fuel up before your trip.

All train stations in Seattle:

King St Station - 303 S Jackson 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 Seattle?

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