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Trains from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

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Los Angeles - San Luis Obispo Train Timetable

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Train Route Overview: Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

There are 10 daily trains from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. Traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo usually takes around 10 hours and 26 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance161 mi (260 km)
Fastest train4h 30m
Lowest price€30.48
Trains per day9
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

(Based on 7 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Nurhannifah

14 February 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Lots of leg room which is good, so much easier than a plane for sure. I definitely will consider doing this way more often!! The WiFi sucks, so try not to rely on that too much. Cons: WiFi could improve. Tips: All you do is hop on and someone comes around and sca...

Pros: Lots of leg room which is good, so much easier than a plane for sure. I definitely will consider doing this way more often!! The WiFi sucks, so try not to rely on that too much. Cons: WiFi could improve. Tips: All you do is hop on and someone comes around and scans your ticket.

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5.0

Precious

22 December 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: The gentleman who worked business coach in the back was very helpful and attentive. Tips: Be kind, ask for help.

Pros: The gentleman who worked business coach in the back was very helpful and attentive. Tips: Be kind, ask for help.

4.0

Ted

13 December 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: The confer and clean sit and space. Cons: Everything was good. Tips: Safe the trip and confer.

Pros: The confer and clean sit and space. Cons: Everything was good. Tips: Safe the trip and confer.

5.0

Ginger

24 January 2020- Couples trip

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: The ability to see and appreciate your surroundings. Can’t do that with driving. Cons: Wi-fi. Tips: Bring some snacks n magazines.

Pros: The ability to see and appreciate your surroundings. Can’t do that with driving. Cons: Wi-fi. Tips: Bring some snacks n magazines.

5.0

Juan

8 October 2019- Solo travel

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: I am very happy, because I made the right choice! Too beautiful! I mean the scenery is beautiful! Tips: If you love highway one, you'll love the railway even more! Be sure to try it!

Pros: I am very happy, because I made the right choice! Too beautiful! I mean the scenery is beautiful! Tips: If you love highway one, you'll love the railway even more! Be sure to try it!

Train service from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

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What is the price of a train ticket from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo?

€60.24 is the average price of a bus ticket from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. Any tickets cheaper than €60.24 can be considered a great deal. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

€86€57€29MayMay

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo will vary between €53 and €84. Planning a train trip to San Luis Obispo within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Los Angeles over the next 7 days is €53. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.

Monthly average prices

€71€57€43€29€14JJASONDJFMAM

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for January. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just €43 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo in September, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to €50 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

€71€57€43€29€143020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 4 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to San Luis Obispo from Los Angeles will be about €19.02 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo?

There are 3 train lines with service from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 7 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak713h 16m€76.46
Amtrak Coast Starlight14h 52m€36.55
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner25h 4m€40.94
  • Amtrak

    Amtrak

    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 7 Amtrak trains from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo every day, as well as 13 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €32.

    AMT-0AMT-1AMT-2AMT-3AMT-4AMT-5AMT-6AMT-7AMT-8AMT-9
  • Amtrak Coast Starlight

    Amtrak Coast Starlight

    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 Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo takes 4 hours and 52 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at €30.

  • Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

    Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

    The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 2 train trips from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from €40.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

Can you take a train all the way from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo?

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus 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.

How long is the train journey from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo?

The distance between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo is approximately 161 miles, or 260 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 26 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 30 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 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.

When are trains the most crowded?

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for trains, as many passengers take the train to San Luis Obispo at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for train travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 00:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

How many train schedules are there most days?

There are 10 scheduled trains on most days. 9 of these are direct connections to San Luis Obispo. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles.

City Information

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Departure stations

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.

All train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

  • Union Station

  • Anaheim Stadium Parking - 2626 E Katella Ave

  • Irvine Transp Ctr - 15215 Barranca Pkwy

  • 105 N Cedros Ave - Solana Beach Transit Ctr

  • Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd

  • 120 East Santa Fe Ave - Fullerton Transp Ctr

  • Oceanside Transit Center

  • Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd

  • Sky Harbor Apt, Terminal 4 Arrivals, Door 3

  • 4005 Taylor St

  • 26701 Verdugo St

  • Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St

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