5.0
Pros: clean safe transport, great views out of the windows. quick trip. Cons: nothing. Tips: please use this service as it was excellent and a great price.
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Berkeley to Santa Cruz. Traveling by train from Berkeley to Santa Cruz usually takes 3 hours and 3 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 42 minutes.
| Distance | 63 mi (102 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 42m |
| Lowest price | $27.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Berkeley to Santa Cruz
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from Berkeley to Santa Cruz?
The average price for a train ticket from Berkeley to Santa Cruz is $27.00, This is one of the best deals we’ve seen for train fares recently. By booking your trip at least 15 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 $0.20 more.
Average prices by travel date
The cost of a one-way train trip from Berkeley to Santa Cruz is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about $27 for your ticket.
Monthly avg. prices
Ticket prices for the train from Berkeley to Santa Cruz stay pretty consistent throughout the year. You can expect to pay around $26 regardless of when you plan to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to Santa Cruz at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.
Which train should you take from Berkeley to Santa Cruz?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Berkeley to Santa Cruz. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 6 | 3h 3m | $27.17 |
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 6 Amtrak trains from Berkeley to Santa Cruz every day, as well as 7 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $27.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the train is the main method of transportation from Berkeley to Santa Cruz, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.
The distance between Berkeley and Santa Cruz is approximately 63 miles, or 102 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 3 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 42 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.
Trains departing from Berkeley to Santa Cruz 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 Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Berkeley at 5:00am 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Cruz to Berkeley.
City Information
Berkeley
Image credit: Unsplash
Berkeley is located on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay Area and is home to the popular University of California. It has an ethnically diverse community and numerous culinary and art attractions as a college city. Make the most of your trip with a visit to their unique museums, like the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, the Berkeley Art Museum, and the Pacific Film Archive.
The Lawrence Hall of Science offers a planetarium and hands-on exhibits for families. Berkeley is also home to gorgeous parks and green spaces, like the 2000-acre Tilden Regional Park and Adventure Playground. Berkeley is the center of entertainment in California, with the exciting nightlife attracting students and young professionals. Food is an important part of this city, as you can explore the ethnic restaurants and food trucks. Look out for shows held in the Greek Theatre, or explore their ever-growing craft beer scene. Downtown Berkeley is the entertainment district of this college city.
If you're visiting Berkeley, you can do so by train from 85 other cities or bus from 38 cities. The bus lines are provided by FlixBus, while Amtrak supplies most of the train routes. In the town, you can move around with public transit, with student-friendly prices.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Berkeley?
Main departure station: 700 University Ave under University Ave overpass W of 4th St
There is one train station in Berkeley.
All train stations in Berkeley:
700 University Ave under University Ave overpass W of 4th St
Where is the train station in Santa Cruz?
Main arrival station: Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz has one train station.
All train stations in Santa Cruz:
Santa Cruz, California
Get around town with Moovit
Find the best way to get to and from any station in Santa Cruz by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now
Need a return trip from Santa Cruz to Berkeley?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Berkeley
Continue by train from Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz to Bakersfield Train
$62+
- Train from Santa Cruz to Berkeley
$27+
- Train from Santa Cruz to Emeryville
$28+
- Santa Cruz to Fresno Train
$45+
- Santa Cruz to Hayward
$23+
- Santa Cruz to Los Angeles
$91+
- Train from Santa Cruz to Modesto
$32+
- Santa Cruz to Monterey Train
$50+
- Train from Santa Cruz to Richmond
$28+
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
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. 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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more