Cheap train tickets from Vancouver to Oakland

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Vancouver to Oakland. Travelling by train from Vancouver to Oakland usually takes 21 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 19 hours and 39 minutes.

Distance: 542 mi (872 km)
Fastest train: 19h 39m
Lowest price: NOK 1,057.67
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Vancouver to Oakland Train Timetable

There are several train options that can take you from Vancouver to Oakland:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Vancouver to Oakland?

In the last month, train tickets from Vancouver to Oakland cost about NOK 1,152 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 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 2,408.09 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Vancouver to Oakland by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Vancouver to Oakland will cost between NOK 944 and NOK 2,503. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Vancouver to Oakland by month

Ticket prices for the train from Vancouver to Oakland 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 NOK 1,275. If you're thinking of travelling from Vancouver to Oakland during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 1,794 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 Vancouver to Oakland on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about NOK 2,408.09 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Vancouver to Oakland?

2 train services operate from Vancouver to Oakland. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	21h 50m	NOK 1,598.40
Amtrak Coast Starlight	1	19h 39m	NOK 1,572.90

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 Vancouver to Oakland every day, as well as 2 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from NOK 972.68.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned carriages, power sockets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Vancouver to Oakland

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Vancouver to Oakland. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a coach or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Vancouver to Oakland. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from Oakland to Vancouver.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Vancouver and Oakland is approximately 542 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 21 hours and 8 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 19 hours and 39 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)

542

Distance (km)

872

The earliest train departs Vancouver at 11:10 while the last train of the day leaves at 13:15. 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

11:10am

Last train

1:15pm

Trains from Vancouver to Oakland 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Monday

City Information

Vancouver

Vancouver sits on the northern banks of the Columbia River in Washington and is the state's fourth most populated city. The surrounding Cascade Mountains offer incredible Pacific Northwest adventures. Mount Saint Helens and Mount Hood, two snow-topped volcanoes, are within short drives of Vancouver for easy access to hikes and ski runs. Beacon Rock State Park includes a trail to the summit of a monolithic rock formation. Plus, the Columbia River Gorge is easily one of the best destinations in Washington for breathtaking scenery.

Vancouver is located just across the Columbia from Portland, and Interstates 5 and 205 have north to south bridges connecting Portland to Vancouver. Within the city, you will find Vancouver's mass transit system, C-Tran, to get around with ease.

Several Amtrak services operate from Vancouver, including the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Cascades routes. If you're arriving by air, the nearest airport is Portland International Airport, just a few minutes' drive from downtown Vancouver.

Oakland

Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbour to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.

Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.

It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity coach routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Vancouver?

Main departure station: 1301 W 11th St

There are two stations in Vancouver where you can board the train to Oakland.

All train stations in Vancouver:

1301 W 11th St
Portland International Airport

Where is the train station in Oakland?

Main arrival station: 245 Second St

The Jack London Station in Oakland opened in 1995, replacing 16th Street Station, which was extensively damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The station was named after the famous writer Jack London, as he spent much of his life in the area. It is a contemporary glass and stone structure located on the easternmost corner of Jack London Square. The square, which fronts a natural estuary leading to San Francisco Bay, was formerly the hub of Oakland's port activities, connecting the maritime and agricultural sectors. It is still an active and bustling waterfront today. Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and Gold Runner trains serve the station. It is the 10th busiest of Amtrak's 74 California stops, boarding or de-boarding an average of 1,142 people per day.

Train stations in Oakland:

245 Second St
Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave

Need a return trip from Oakland to Vancouver?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.