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Cheap train tickets from Los Angeles to San Francisco

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Los Angeles to San Francisco Train Schedule

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

There are usually 28 daily bus trips available from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$54.72
Avg. Price
$68.78
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
28
Daily Trips
25
Duration
Duration
9h 55m
Duration
10h 19m

Trip Summary

There are usually 16 daily train trips available from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Francisco usually takes 10 hours and 19 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 8 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance347 mi (559 km)
Fastest train8h 45m
Lowest price$46.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Los Angeles to San Francisco

(Based on 5 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Saul

August 7, 2024- Business

Amtrak

Pros: I enjoyed all of it. Very well executed and scheduled. Was 30 min late to connected bus back, but it was something uncontrollable, which isn’t anyone’s fault. Cons: Seats weren’t bad but could be roomier for taller people. Tips: Be kind to drivers.

5.0

Emily

August 5, 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: Amtrak got me there. Cons: The clock said the wrong time and the stop was not well announced. Missed it and had to pay to take a cab to the correct location. I will not take the connection buses again. Tips: Trains only for Amtrak, skip the connector buses.

5.0

Theresa

December 27, 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: The people on train where wonderful especially a black guy on train which is employed by the name of will very nice guy. Cons: Bathrooms. Someone to keep them a little bit cleaner. Tips: Its the best way to travel for me i felt safe.the workers where on top of thing through out the stop.

4.0

Romina

November 27, 2021- Vacation

Amtrak

Pros: The views. Cons: The stops in each cities.

4.0

Linda

June 5, 2021- Vacation

Amtrak

Pros: Affordable and I didn’t have to drive. Tips: Bring drinks. Small water and a snack bag was provided.

Los Angeles to San Francisco Route Map

Los Angeles San Francisco

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Los Angeles to San Francisco was $67.12. 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 $6.22 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Los Angeles to San Francisco by travel date

$75$50$25MarMar

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco will cost between $66 and $71. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Los Angeles to San Francisco by month

$75$60$45$30$15AMJJASONDJFM
Ticket prices for the train from Los Angeles to San Francisco often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in March when the average ticket price is only $61. If you're thinking of traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco during October, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $66 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in October, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

By booking your train trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about $6.22 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Los Angeles to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Los Angeles to San Francisco. However, there are 16 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak1610h 19m$68.48

  • 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 16 Amtrak trains from Los Angeles to San Francisco every day, as well as 24 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $46.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Francisco

While the train is the main method of transportation from Los Angeles to San Francisco, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

The distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco is approximately 347 miles, or 559 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 19 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 45 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 from Los Angeles to San Francisco are the most crowded on Friday. 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.

The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 12:00am 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 16 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from San Francisco 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.

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.

If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.

Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.

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

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

Salesforce Plaza - SFOBLT-0

Image credit: 146109843@N05

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: San Francisco, California

Behind a modern curved façade lies San Francisco’s commuter hub, the Salesforce Transit Center. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. Rotating food trucks, cafés, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself.

All train stations in San Francisco:

  • San Francisco, California

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in San Francisco by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

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