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Bakersfield to Sacramento train

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Bakersfield - Sacramento Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are usually 15 daily train trips available from Bakersfield to Sacramento. Traveling by train from Bakersfield to Sacramento usually takes 6 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 5 hours and 23 minutes.

Distance260 mi (419 km)
Fastest train5h 23m
Lowest price$27.00
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Bakersfield to Sacramento

(Based on 9 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Susan

February 26, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Speed of the trip and informative bus driver and accommodating me with my luggage. I’d ride again and again! Cons: So far it was as great as going through Italys Train system. I was impressed ! Tips: Better way to travel without having a vehicle and no traffic to contend with!

5.0

Luis

November 13, 2021- Business

Amtrak San Joaquins

Pros: Nice. Cons: Nothing. Tips: No.

5.0

Kathy A

November 10, 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: No driving for me . Relaxing. Cons: Idk. Tips: Bring snacks and neck pillow.

5.0

Joyce

September 13, 2019- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: It was a relaxing way to travel. Cons: Arriving at my final destination an hour late. Tips: I found other travelers very friendly and willing to share.

4.0

Heather

August 25, 2019- Visiting friends

Amtrak San Joaquins

The bathrooms were filthy the toilet didnt flush and the was a mound of focus in the stool you could smell it upstairs.

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

The average price for a train ticket from Bakersfield to Sacramento is $38.91, Considering the distance of the route, this is an excellent deal. By booking your trip at least 28 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $10.81 more.

Average prices by travel date

$45$30$15AprMay

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Bakersfield to Sacramento will range from $35 to $45. If you're planning to travel by train to Sacramento in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Bakersfield you can find in the next 7 days is $38. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

$50$40$30$20$10MJJASONDJFMA
You can find the lowest prices on this route during October. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Bakersfield to Sacramento, with the average price at just $40. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in November, when the average price goes up to $45. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

By booking your train trip from Bakersfield to Sacramento on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $10.81 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Bakersfield to Sacramento?

2 train services operate from Bakersfield to Sacramento. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 14 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak146h 32m$43.15
Amtrak San Joaquins15h 24m$35.33

  • 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 14 Amtrak trains from Bakersfield to Sacramento every day, as well as 18 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $27.

  • 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 Bakersfield to Sacramento. 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 Bakersfield and Sacramento is approximately 260 miles, or 419 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 28 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 23 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 Bakersfield to Sacramento tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. 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 Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Bakersfield at 3:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. 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 15 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Bakersfield to Sacramento. 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 Sacramento to Bakersfield.

City Information

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.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Bakersfield?

Main departure station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station

There is one train station in Bakersfield.

All train stations in Bakersfield:

  • 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station

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 arrival 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

  • 1389 10th Street 10th and N Streets

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