We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
You can pick from 9 daily train trips between San Luis Obispo and Oakland. The average train journey from San Luis Obispo to Oakland takes 8 hours and 14 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 5 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 196 mi (315 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 35m |
| Lowest price | €32.64 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Overall score for trains from San Luis Obispo to Oakland
(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: When the bus was late I could change my ticket for a cheaper trip and receive a discount. Tips: When possible ask for trip and ticket info in person.
5.0
Pros: I always try to take one of the Train's that go straight thru with no changing to a bus. Buses are rough riding. Cons: Nothing.
4.0
Pros: I love trains. Cons: Some of the staff seems rushed and not that friendly. It is difficult for seniors to be treated that way. Tips: Arrive early.
Over the past month, a train ticket between San Luis Obispo and Oakland cost €70.30, on average. Booking your trip at least 21 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around €3.85 more.
If you're looking to save on your train trip from San Luis Obispo to Oakland, book online with Wanderu at least 21 days in advance. That way, you’ll save €3.85 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
2 train services operate from San Luis Obispo to Oakland. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 8 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 8 | 8h 22m | €75.32 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 6h 2m | €49.35 |
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 8 Amtrak trains from San Luis Obispo to Oakland every day, as well as 19 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €59.
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 San Luis Obispo to Oakland takes 6 hours and 2 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at €33.
The distance between San Luis Obispo and Oakland is approximately 196 miles, or 315 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 14 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 35 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.
Trains departing from San Luis Obispo to Oakland tend to have the most passengers on Monday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Monday. 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 San Luis Obispo at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 15:00. 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 9 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo.
San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.
Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.
SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor 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 bus 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.
There are two stations in San Luis Obispo where you can board the train to Oakland.
1011 Railroad Ave
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attribution
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionThe 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 San Joaquins 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.
245 Second St
Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules 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 bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more
