Cheap train tickets from Tacoma to San Francisco

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Tacoma to San Francisco. Travelling by train from Tacoma to San Francisco usually takes 23 hours and 2 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 22 hours and 37 minutes.

Distance: 655 mi (1054 km)
Fastest train: 22h 37m
Lowest price: £90.43
Trains per day: 1
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Tacoma to San Francisco Train Timetable

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full timetable.

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

There are usually 2 daily coach trips from Tacoma to San Francisco.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. Price£135.78	Avg. Price£120.21Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration23h 2mFaster	Duration33h 28m

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

Amtrak tickets: £90 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Tacoma to San Francisco cost about £125 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 7 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £26.68 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Tacoma to San Francisco will cost between £83 and £199. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Tacoma to San Francisco by month

Ticket prices for the train from Tacoma to San Francisco often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only £108. If you're thinking of travelling from Tacoma to San Francisco during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £156 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Tacoma to San Francisco on Wanderu at least 7 days ahead of time, you can save about £26.68 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Tacoma to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Tacoma 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 2m	£135.78

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 Tacoma to San Francisco every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from £90.43.

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

While the train is the main method of transport from Tacoma 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 Tacoma. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Tacoma to San Francisco for £84.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Tacoma and San Francisco is approximately 655 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 23 hours and 2 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 22 hours and 37 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)

655

Distance (km)

1054

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Tacoma at 10:43 and arrives in San Francisco around 22 hours later.

First train

10:43am

Last train

10:43am

Trains from Tacoma to San Francisco are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Thursday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

Tacoma

Tacoma has seen some hard times in recent years, but the city is receiving many new revival attempts, turning it into a charming town with its own unique attractions. For those interested in the history of the city, as well as the creativity of its residents, head towards the Museum District, which houses numerous interesting museums such as the Tacoma Art Museum and the Washington State History Museum. While in the area, don’t miss out on the chance to marvel at the architectural ingenuity of the Bridge of Glass. If you wish to enjoy a bit of outdoor air, diving into the cold water of American Lake in Lakewood in the morning is bound to make you happy.

Seafood has always been among Tacoma’s finest offerings, and the best place to enjoy these dishes is Duke’s Chowder House, which features a bay view. For a more exquisite taste, head over to Indochine, a pan-Asian restaurant featuring mouth watering dishes.

The main coach station and the Amtrak train station in Tacoma are both near downtown, just a few blocks from each other. Tacoma is served by Amtrak’s Cascades and Coast Starlight lines. The city’s main airport is Seattle–Tacoma International and it sits 22 miles north of the city.

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 Tacoma?

Main departure station: 422 E. 25th St.

The Amtrak station in Tacoma is located at 422 E 25th St, near I-5 and close to the Tacoma Dome. The Tacoma Dome Station is served by Amtrak Cascades, which travels between Vancouver, BC, Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, and Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles. Local Sound Transit's commuter rail station is next door. The coach terminal on Puyallup Ave is across the street from the train station complex for easy transfers to local buses or intercity coaches. The station complex includes two car parks and a customer service centre with toilets and vending machines. Nearby attractions in Tacoma include Freighthouse Square, a shopping mall inside an old depot, and several museums like the Washington State History Museum and the Museum of Glass.

All train stations in Tacoma:

422 E. 25th 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 Tacoma?

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