Cheap train tickets from Chico to Salinas

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Chico to Salinas. Traveling by train from Chico to Salinas usually takes 8 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 7 hours and 54 minutes.

Distance: 211 mi (340 km)
Fastest train: 7h 54m
Lowest price: CZK 1,645.04
Trains per day: 1
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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Chico to Salinas Train Schedule

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Chico to Salinas (Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

4.0

Maria

January 25, 2020 - Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Not having to arrive 2 hours early for boarding and no long security check lines. Plenty of leg room. Cons: Be more on time and staircase is to narrow for a person with walking issues I had back surgery 3 months ago and still limited on movement and getting my luggage up and down staircase was very difficult for me. There was no help to call on.

There are several train options that can take you from Chico to Salinas:

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Price trends for trains from Chico to Salinas

Average train ticket prices from Chico to Salinas by month

Prices as travel date approaches

Which train should you take from Chico to Salinas?

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

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	8h 28m	CZK 1,645.04
Amtrak Coast Starlight	1	7h 54m	CZK 2,034.66

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 Salinas every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CZK 1,645.04.
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 about traveling by train from Chico to Salinas

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Chico to Salinas. 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.

Trains leave the station in Chico twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to Salinas faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from Salinas to Chico.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Chico and Salinas is approximately 211 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 11 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 54 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.

Distance (mi)

211

Distance (km)

340

The earliest train departs Chico at 4:12 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 4:12 AM. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

4:12am

Last train

4:12am

Trains from Chico to Salinas are the most crowded on Sunday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Sunday

Least crowded

Sunday

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.

Salinas

Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.

For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.

If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.

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 Salinas?

Main arrival station: 11 Station Pl

Salinas has one train station.

All train stations in Salinas:

11 Station Pl

Need a return trip from Salinas to Chico?

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