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Fullerton to San Luis Obispo train

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Fullerton - San Luis Obispo Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

7 trains operate daily from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo. The train trip from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo is usually about 6 hours and 28 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 5 hours and 52 minutes.

Distance184 mi (296 km)
Fastest train5h 52m
Lowest price$45.00
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo

(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Matthew

November 4, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: The cafe - snack bar food was good. The server made us some Jack and Cokes. He was friendly and funny. Cons: The windows on the cars could be washed more often. Tips: If you want to be on the ocean side of the train, ride facing backwards on the right side of the train heading north into LA. The train backs up after leaving LA, and you will be facing forward on the ocean side from then on.

5.0

Matthew

June 18, 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: The chance to see a part of California off limits to most of the population - the beaches of Point Conception and Vandenburg Air Force Base. Also, the trip was cheaper than what I would have spent on gasoline to drive the same distance. The pre-made and microwaved hamburger I had for dinner was very tasty. Cons: The windows of the car we were riding in were a little dirty, which detracted form the otherwise scenic view. Tips: There could be minor delays. We had to stop near Los Angeles on our return trip because some people were vandalizing a freight train ahead of us. This required us to later pull into a siding to let another passenger train pass. Finally, we had to stop for a couple of minutes because a warning light on the train showed a door was open. This was quickly fixed. The overall delay was only 30 minutes total - much less than I have experienced with air travel.

What is the price of a train ticket from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo was $63.28. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $0.26 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average prices by travel date

$75$50$25AprMay

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo will cost between $61 and $68. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly avg. prices

$75$60$45$30$15MJJASONDJFMA
You can find the lowest prices on this route during August. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo, with the average price at just $51. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in March, when the average price goes up to $61. 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

$75$60$45$30$153020100

By booking your train trip from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $0.26 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo?

2 train services operate from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak56h 30m$68.77
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner26h 25m$45.00

  • 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 5 Amtrak trains from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo every day, as well as 10 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $51.

  • The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 2 train trips from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $45.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Fullerton to San Luis Obispo. 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 Fullerton and San Luis Obispo is approximately 184 miles, or 296 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 52 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 Fullerton to San Luis Obispo 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 Fullerton at 12:00am 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 7 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to San Luis Obispo. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from San Luis Obispo to Fullerton.

City Information

Fullerton

Fullerton was founded in 1887 and is roughly 22 miles from Los Angeles. The area around Fullerton was the original California orange growing zone due to its great Mediterranean environment. The nightlife in downtown Fullerton is well-known, plus there are around 50 parks in the city, including the famed Fullerton Arboretum, which features 26 acres of uncommon and rare species as well as sculpted gardens.

Fullerton has some of the best art museums in the country, including Muckenthaler Art and Cultural Center and the Clayes Performing Arts Center. You can also experience amazing lakes such as the Laguna Lake Park.

If you're a beer-lover, visit the Bootleggers Brewery. Founded in 2008 by home brewer and beer enthusiast Aaron Barkenhagen, Bootleggers Brewery is one of Orange County's largest artisan breweries.

As for transportation, Amtrak and Fullerton Metrolink are the two best train stations in Fullerton serviced by Amtrak's Southwest Chief and Pacific Surfliner. These Amtrak lines connect from Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and even as far away as Chicago. For buses, Amtrak Thruway comes from Santa Ana, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and Riverside to Fullerton. The nearest airport is Long Beach Airport, which is only 14 miles away from the city.

San Luis Obispo

San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.

Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.

SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Fullerton?

Main departure station: 120 East Santa Fe Ave - Fullerton Transp Ctr

There is one train station in Fullerton.

All train stations in Fullerton:

  • 120 East Santa Fe Ave - Fullerton Transp Ctr

Where is the train station in San Luis Obispo?

Main arrival station: 1011 Railroad Ave

San Luis Obispo receives travelers from Fullerton at its two active train stations.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Get around town with Moovit

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