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Cheap train tickets from Los Angeles to Oakland

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Los Angeles to Oakland Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Los Angeles to Oakland?

There are usually 14 daily bus trips available from Los Angeles to Oakland.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$70.01
Avg. Price
$83.51
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
14
Daily Trips
34
Duration
Duration
9h 45m
Duration
10h 40m

Trip Summary

There are usually 21 daily train trips available from Los Angeles to Oakland. Traveling by train from Los Angeles to Oakland usually takes 10 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 8 hours and 28 minutes.

Distance343 mi (553 km)
Fastest train8h 28m
Lowest price$49.00
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Los Angeles to Oakland

(Based on 7 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

Margaret

December 26, 2025- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Everything. Cons: Let’s have some hot coffee or let’s us know when they service cocktails & wish the seats can lean back. Tips: It save time for you go tickets are reasonable let Amtrak men do there job take u were you want to go sit back & relax.

4.0

PAIGE

August 28, 2025- Visiting friends

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Staff was so friendly and accommodating. Helped me get to wherever I needed in the train! Tips: Get your seat assignment somewhere? I didn’t have a seat assignment so I didn’t know if that was an upgrade thing hahahah.

5.0

Shirley

February 29, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak

Very quiet environment

5.0

DeAndre

February 2, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: i love that i’m able to rest while traveling and it’s very peaceful. Cons: i don’t find anything to be an issue nor any complaints. Tips: That this is the most lease expensive and most comfortable ride to travel on.

5.0

Tara

August 8, 2019- Vacation

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Great experience - could have stayed on the train for plenty more hours, but had to get of in oakland.

What is the price of a train ticket from Los Angeles to Oakland?

Over the past month, a train ticket between Los Angeles and Oakland cost $78.22, on average. Booking your trip at least 24 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $14.20 more.

Average train ticket prices from Los Angeles to Oakland by travel date

$120$80$40MarApr

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Los Angeles to Oakland will range from $71 to $106. If you're planning to travel by train to Oakland in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Los Angeles you can find in the next 7 days is $79. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Average train ticket prices from Los Angeles to Oakland by month

$100$80$60$40$20MJJASONDJFMA
Ticket prices for the train from Los Angeles to Oakland often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in August when the average ticket price is only $80. If you're thinking of traveling from Los Angeles to Oakland during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $90 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Los Angeles to Oakland, book online with Wanderu at least 24 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $14.20 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Los Angeles to Oakland?

2 train services operate from Los Angeles to Oakland. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 20 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak2010h 37m$80.39
Amtrak Coast Starlight111h 3m$194.78

  • 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 20 Amtrak trains from Los Angeles to Oakland every day, as well as 37 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $49.

  • 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 Los Angeles to Oakland

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Los Angeles to Oakland. 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 Los Angeles and Oakland is approximately 343 miles, or 553 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 28 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.

Wednesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Los Angeles to Oakland. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Wednesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Sunday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 1:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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 21 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Oakland. 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 Oakland to Los Angeles.

City Information

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

Oakland

Oakland, CA - OAK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA - OAK-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA - OAK-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.

Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.

It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Union Station

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.

All train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

  • 592 Gayley Ave

  • Metrolink Station

Where is the train station in Oakland?

245 Second St - OAKAMT-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution
246 Second St - OAKAMT-1

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 245 Second St

The Jack London Station in Oakland opened in 1995, replacing 16th Street Station, which was extensively damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The station was named after the famous writer Jack London, as he spent much of his life in the area. It is a contemporary glass and stone structure located on the easternmost corner of Jack London Square. The square, which fronts a natural estuary leading to San Francisco Bay, was formerly the hub of Oakland's port activities, connecting the maritime and agricultural sectors. It is still an active and bustling waterfront today. Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and Gold Runner trains serve the station. It is the 10th busiest of Amtrak's 74 California stops, boarding or de-boarding an average of 1,142 people per day.

All train stations in Oakland:

  • 245 Second St

  • Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave

Get around town with Moovit

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