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Chico to Sacramento train

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Chiku

Chico to Sacramento Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Chico to Sacramento. Traveling by train from Chico to Sacramento usually takes 2 hours and 16 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours.

Distance81 mi (131 km)
Fastest train2h 0m
Lowest price$16.00
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Coast Starlight
Train lines2

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Chico to Sacramento was $16.00. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $11.69 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Monthly avg. prices

$50$40$30$20$10NDJFMAMJJASO
Ticket prices for the train from Chico to Sacramento often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only $17. If you're thinking of traveling from Chico to Sacramento during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $46 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Chico to Sacramento. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 29 days before departure, you can save around $11.69. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!

Which train should you take from Chico to Sacramento?

2 train services operate from Chico to Sacramento. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak12h 0m$16.00
Amtrak Coast Starlight12h 16m$22.71
  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from Chico to Sacramento every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $16.

  • The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned cars, power outlets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are some trains that travel the entire distance from Chico to Sacramento. However, in some cases you will have to take a bus for part of your journey in addition to taking the train.
The distance between Chico and Sacramento is approximately 81 miles, or 131 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 16 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours, 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 Chico to Sacramento tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. 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 Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Chico at 2:00am and arrives in Sacramento around 2 hours later.

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Sacramento with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Sacramento to Chico.

City Information

Chico

Chico is the largest city in California north of Sacramento, as well as the cultural and economic heart of the northern Sacramento Valley. In addition, the city is a college town, home to California State University.

Chico is a California city famed for its world-famous golf course, wooded paths popular with hikers and environmental enthusiasts, and the massive Bidwell Park. If you're visiting Chico, you can't miss Bidwell Park, which spans 2500 acres of natural beauty.

Chico has the most fantastic steakhouse at the 5th Street Steakhouse. The highly recommended Unwined Kitchen & Bar is only two blocks away, serving the best bar food and drinks. There is no shortage of nightlife in Chico, the best cocktail bar (Duffy's Tavern) is only 100m away from central Chico, and if you are craving a club, The Beach Nightclub is the best option.

Amtrak has one of the major train stations in Chico, with service to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Seattle, and more. For buses, Jefferson Lines offers routes from cities like Seattle, Phoenix, Sacramento to Chico.

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 Chico?

Main departure station: 450 Orange St

There is one train station in Chico.

All train stations in Chico:

  • 450 Orange St

Where is the train station in Sacramento?

Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-0

Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon

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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

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