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Trip Summary
You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Chico and Tacoma. The average train journey from Chico to Tacoma takes 18 hours and 41 minutes, but some Amtrak Coast Starlight train trips are as short as 17 hours and 1 minute.
| Distance | 521 mi (838 km) |
| Fastest train | 17h 1m |
| Lowest price | €100.88 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Chico to Tacoma?
2 train services operate from Chico to Tacoma. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 20h 21m | €127.50 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 17h 1m | €127.26 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad 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 restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Chico to Tacoma every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €104.
The Coast Starlight is an Amtrak train that travels the entire length of the West Coast, connecting Los Angeles to Seattle. The route starts hugging the California coastline, treating passengers to swoon-worthy views of the Pacific, before continuing into the verdant forests of the Cascade Mountains. The Coast Starlight indisputably earns its spot among the most scenic Amtrak train routes. Seating options include Coach or Business Class and roomettes or bedrooms for extra space. A trip from Chico to Tacoma takes 17 hours and 1 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at €101.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Chico and Tacoma is approximately 521 miles, or 838 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 18 hours and 41 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 17 hours and 1 minute.
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 spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains departing from Chico to Tacoma tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Chico at 01:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 01:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Chico twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to Tacoma faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Tacoma to Chico.
City Information
Chico
Chico is the largest city in California north of Sacramento, as well as the cultural and economic heart of the northern Sacramento Valley. In addition, the city is a college town, home to California State University.
Chico is a California city famed for its world-famous golf course, wooded paths popular with hikers and environmental enthusiasts, and the massive Bidwell Park. If you're visiting Chico, you can't miss Bidwell Park, which spans 2500 acres of natural beauty.
Chico has the most fantastic steakhouse at the 5th Street Steakhouse. The highly recommended Unwined Kitchen & Bar is only two blocks away, serving the best bar food and drinks. There is no shortage of nightlife in Chico, the best cocktail bar (Duffy's Tavern) is only 100m away from central Chico, and if you are craving a club, The Beach Nightclub is the best option.
Amtrak has one of the major train stations in Chico, with service to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Seattle, and more. For buses, Jefferson Lines offers routes from cities like Seattle, Phoenix, Sacramento to Chico.
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 bus station and the Amtrak train station in Tacoma are both located on Puyallup Ave 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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Chico?
Main departure station: 450 Orange St
There is one train station in Chico.
All train stations in Chico:
450 Orange St
Where is the train station in Tacoma?
Image credit: WSDOT/AmtrakCascades
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: 422 E. 25th St.
The Amtrak station in Tacoma is located at 1001 Puyallup Ave, just north of I-5 and very close to the Tacoma Dome. Local Sound Transit commuter rail uses the station, as well as Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles and Cascades from Vancouver, BC to Eugene. The bus terminal at 510 Puyallup Ave is connected to the train station complex for easy transfers to local or intercity buses. The station complex includes two parking garages and a customer service center with restrooms 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 Museum of Glass.
Train stations in Tacoma:
422 E. 25th St.
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