Cheap train tickets from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA

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

Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA. Travelling by train from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA usually takes 21 hours and 16 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 20 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance: 543 mi (875 km)
Fastest train: 20h 5m
Lowest price: SEK 1,031.49
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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, WA to San Francisco, CA Train Timetable

There are several train options that can take you from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA:

Amtrak tickets: SEK 1,031 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA was SEK 1,194. 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 SEK 642.28 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA will cost between SEK 1,022 and SEK 1,798. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA by month

Ticket prices for the train from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in March when the average ticket price is only SEK 1,257. If you're thinking of travelling from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of SEK 1,739 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, WA to San Francisco, CA on Wanderu at least 22 days ahead of time, you can save about SEK 642.28 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	3	21h 16m	SEK 1,517.64

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 3 Amtrak trains from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA every day, as well as 3 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from SEK 1,031.49.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA

While the train is the main method of transport from Vancouver, WA to San Francisco, CA, 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.

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 hand 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, CA to Vancouver, WA.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Vancouver, WA and San Francisco, CA is approximately 543 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 21 hours and 16 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 20 hours and 5 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)

543

Distance (km)

875

The earliest train departs Vancouver, WA 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, WA to San Francisco, CA 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Sunday

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.

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 Vancouver, WA?

Main departure station: 1301 W 11th St

There are two stations in Vancouver, WA where you can board the train to San Francisco, CA.

All train stations in Vancouver, WA:

1301 W 11th St
Portland International Airport

Where is the train station in San Francisco, CA?

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, CA:

San Francisco, California

Need a return trip from San Francisco, CA to Vancouver, WA?

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.