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Fresno to Sacramento train

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Fresno - Sacramento Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 15 daily train trips between Fresno and Sacramento. The average train journey from Fresno to Sacramento takes 4 hours and 25 minutes, but some Amtrak San Joaquins train trips are as short as 3 hours and 19 minutes.

Distance158 mi (254 km)
Fastest train3h 19m
Lowest price$18.00
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Fresno to Sacramento

(Based on 7 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Samuel

December 28, 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak

Pros: Cleaning and neat customer service. Cons: Cheaper price. Tips: No.

4.0

chris

October 19, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: I didn't have to drive. Cons: The depot in Stockton is a dump.

5.0

La Vonne

September 20, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak San Joaquins

Pros: Quiet, sufficient seating. Cons: Speaker system. Tips: Use the train.

5.0

Yer

May 8, 2020- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: Just excited to travel n see my love ones.. Cons: No comment. Tips: Enjoyed.

5.0

Eleanor

July 12, 2019- Visiting friends

Amtrak San Joaquins

Pros: Very relaxing, lots of families traveling in my car but no screaming or crying! Everyone was well behaved and friendly, compared to my last flight to Sacramento. :D. Cons: The Fresno station wasn't a comfortable place to wait for the train. I wasn't allowed to use the restroom until an employee unlocked the door. The neighborhood the station is located in isn't terrific and yeah, there are a number of homeless hanging out, but making it inconvenient for passengers to use the toilet is a minus. There was also no cafe or Starbucks next to the station; there is a 7-11 across the street, but the selection there was not great and several homeless men were lounging in the parking lot. As a solo female traveler, I felt uncomfortable navigating around them. There are a couple of vending machines inside the station, but no real food in them. Tips: The very first car behind the engine had tables with benches facing each other; families used them to play games and use their laptops. Someone said there was WiFi on the train, but I was unable to connect my phone to it.

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

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Fresno to Sacramento was $29.46. This is a fantastic deal for train travel. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Sacramento if you book your train tickets at least 29 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $10.23.

Average prices by travel date

$45$30$15SepSep

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Fresno to Sacramento will cost between $26 and $34. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10ONDJFMAMJJAS
You can find the lowest prices on this route during August. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Fresno to Sacramento, with the average price at just $26. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in December, when the average price goes up to $33. 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

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Fresno to Sacramento, book online with Wanderu at least 29 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $10.23 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Fresno to Sacramento?

2 train services operate from Fresno 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
Amtrak144h 29m$32.30
Amtrak San Joaquins13h 19m$21.37

  • 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 Fresno to Sacramento every day, as well as 19 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $21.

  • 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 Fresno 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 Fresno and Sacramento is approximately 158 miles, or 254 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 25 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 19 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Fresno to Sacramento on Wednesday. Tickets for Wednesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Tuesday. Tuesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs Fresno at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00pm. 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 Fresno 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 Fresno.

City Information

Fresno

Situated close to the center of California, Fresno’s location makes it the perfect hub for travelers who wish to explore the state, but it also has enough attractions on its own to keep visitors interested. One of the city’s most unique destinations is the Forestiere Underground Gardens. Built by a Sicilian immigrant, the gardens stay below the ground level so that citrus trees could grow, making it a unique sight that will capture the heart of nature lovers. Fresno has recently gone through a lot of changes in the field of agriculture, and the city’s love for homegrown produce is now one of its attractions. As you explore the city, don’t hesitate to make a slight detour to Riverdance Farm, a local organic farm where you can pick ripened blueberries and cherries to your heart’s content. For fans of cultural activities, the Fresno Art Museum offers unique artworks created mostly by local artists.

Fresno restaurants are famous for their fresh homegrown produce, and Sam’s Italian Deli & Market is where you can try local staples. If you want to cook yourself, Fresno Farmers’ Market will be a great choice.

Fresno’s main bus and train station is the Santa Fe Passenger Depot located at 2650 Tulare St. From there, you can take buses from various carriers or hop on a train on Amtrak’s San Joaquins line. The Fresno Yosemite International Airport is the city’s main airport and it is located not too far from the city center.

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 Fresno?

Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St - FNOAMT-0

Image credit: Ron Reiring

Link to image attribution
Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St - FNOAMT-1

Image credit: Mattias Thorslund

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St

The Santa Fe Station is a historic train station and transportation hub in Fresno. The station opened in 1899 and was originally owned by the Santa Fe Railway, hence the misleading “Santa Fe” name for a station in Fresno. Passengers can board the Amtrak San Joaquins train to Oakland, Sacramento, or Bakersfield from this station, and bus service from Amtrak Thruway and Jefferson Lines also stops at this location. The Santa Fe station is just steps away from Fresno’s City Hall, the Meux Home Museum, and the Fresno Convention Center, making this station a convenient entry point to Fresno.

All train stations in Fresno:

  • Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St

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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