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Sacramento to Bakersfield train

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Sacramento - Bakersfield Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 14 daily train trips between Sacramento and Bakersfield. The average train journey from Sacramento to Bakersfield takes 6 hours and 39 minutes, but some Amtrak San Joaquins train trips are as short as 5 hours and 31 minutes.

Distance260 mi (419 km)
Fastest train5h 31m
Lowest price€24.94
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Sacramento to Bakersfield

(Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

James

16 October 2023- Business

Amtrak San Joaquins

Pros: Less cost than fuel for a car. I could stretch out/ get coffee and a snack. Cons: Minor: at the Bakersfield final stop it was a little confusing where to pick up my luggage.

5.0

Renee

26 December 2022- Vacation

Amtrak San Joaquins

Easier than renting a car. Our southwest flight was canceled.

5.0

Heather

24 November 2019- Vacation

Amtrak San Joaquins

I love the Amtrak, its a good experience every time

5.0

Heather

1 August 2019- Visiting family

Amtrak San Joaquins

Ez way to travel.

What is the price of a train ticket from Sacramento to Bakersfield?

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Sacramento to Bakersfield was €32.50. This is an excellent deal, especially considering the length of the journey. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Bakersfield if you book your train tickets at least 23 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra €13.28.

Average prices by travel date

€69€46€23MarApr

The average cost of a one-way train trip from Sacramento to Bakersfield is expected to fluctuate between €27 and €56 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Bakersfield in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Sacramento is €35.

Monthly average prices

€46€37€28€18€9AMJJASONDJFM
Taking the train from Sacramento to Bakersfield usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around €36 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

€46€37€28€18€93020100

Since the average price of train trips from Sacramento to Bakersfield remains pretty consistent throughout the year, there’s no need to book your tickets too far in advance. However, we still recommend you purchase your train tickets at least 48 hours ahead of departure time to avoid surprise last-minute surges and the risk of the train selling out.

Which train should you take from Sacramento to Bakersfield?

2 train services operate from Sacramento to Bakersfield. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 13 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak136h 44m€41.60
Amtrak San Joaquins15h 31m€33.94
  • 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 13 Amtrak trains from Sacramento to Bakersfield every day, as well as 16 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €25.

  • After becoming a permanent Amtrak rail route in 1974, the San Joaquins has offered train services throughout California and the San Joaquin Valley. The line runs daily from the San Francisco Bay Area to Bakersfield, with many stops in between, including Martinez and Modesto. Although Amtrak San Joaquins is one of the nation's busiest routes, it is renowned for being impeccably clean and safe, with passenger comfort remaining the carrier's highest priority. Most of the trains on this line are equipped with lavatories, onboard WiFi, disabled access, and personal power outlets, ensuring a comfortable journey for every passenger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Sacramento to Bakersfield. 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.

The distance between Sacramento and Bakersfield is approximately 260 miles, or 419 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 39 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 31 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.

Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Sacramento to Bakersfield. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Friday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Sacramento at 05:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 18:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 14 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Sacramento to Bakersfield. 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 Bakersfield to Sacramento.

City Information

Sacramento

As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.

Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.

The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.

Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California, is just north of LA on the Kern River. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, one of the city’s biggest attractions, displays fossils, dinosaur models, Native American artifacts, and a changing array of temporary exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Bakersfield Museum of Art features multiple rotating galleries of modern and historical art.

As the sun sets in Bakersfield, locals and visitors alike flock to Buck Owens Crystal Palace for food, drinks, and the biggest live music venue in the area. The Belvedere Cocktail lounge offers a more intimate live music experience– plus some amazing drinks and arcade games. For a truly unique experience, check out the family-friendly Gaslight Melodrama Theatre, where audiences are encouraged to cheer, boo, and get in on the fun of the live performances.

On the quieter side, Bakersfield has a number of beautiful parks across the city. The Park at RiverWalk is a fan favorite, with 32 sprawling acres along the Kern River dotted with picnic areas, public grills, and fishing spots. The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area provides more outdoor activities with swimming, boating, sailing, cycling, and more.

To get to Bakersfield, fly into the Meadows Field Airport just north of the town. Several bus lines also service the area, connecting the city to Phoenix, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Ontario. For train service, Amtrak offers routes to San Diego, San Francisco, and even New York City.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Sacramento?

Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-0

Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon

Link to image attribution
Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-1

Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Valley Station - 401 I St

Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.

All train stations in Sacramento:

  • Valley Station - 401 I St

Where is the train station in Bakersfield?

Main arrival station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station

Bakersfield has one train station.

Train stations in Bakersfield:

  • 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station

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