Cheap train tickets from Modesto to Bakersfield
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Modesto to Bakersfield?
There are usually 4 daily bus trips available from Modesto to Bakersfield.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$39.23 | Avg. Price$36.94 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips4 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration4h 42m | Duration4h 1m |
Trip Summary
You can pick from 6 daily train trips between Modesto and Bakersfield. The average train journey from Modesto to Bakersfield takes 4 hours and 1 minute, though some trains might be a few minutes slower or faster.
Distance | 191 mi (308 km) |
Fastest train | 4h 1m |
Lowest price | $36.00 |
Trains per day | 6 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak San Joaquins |
Train lines | 1 |

What is the price of a train ticket from Modesto to Bakersfield?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Modesto to Bakersfield was $36.00. At this price, taking the train is the cheap and easy way to go. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Bakersfield if you book your train tickets at least 20 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $1.21.
Average train ticket prices from Modesto to Bakersfield by month
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Modesto to Bakersfield. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 20 days before departure, you can save around $1.21. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from Modesto to Bakersfield?
Amtrak San Joaquins is the one and only train line which connects Modesto to Bakersfield. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak San Joaquins | 6 | 4h 2m | $37.10 |
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 about traveling by train from Modesto to Bakersfield
The distance between Modesto and Bakersfield is approximately 191 miles, or 308 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 1 minute,
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 Modesto to Bakersfield are the most crowded on Saturday. 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 Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Modesto at 7:00am 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 6 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Modesto to Bakersfield.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Bakersfield to Modesto.
City Information
Modesto

Image credit: Tom Hilton
Link to image attributionModesto is a city in Central Valley, California. The city is known for its large agricultural industry and number of museums. Modesto is home to museums, natural history sites, and planetariums, like the Great Valley Museum and McHenry Museum. It also has different amusement and recreational centers offering playgrounds, rides, go-cart, and more, like Funworks Modesto and Graceada Park. As for nature lovers, Modesto features places for sports, hiking, camping, fishing, and picnics, like Jacob Myers Park and Ceres River Bluff Regional Park. The city is also a fun place for arts with the Graffiti Summer and the Gallo Center for the Arts.
The CA city is ideal for all craft beer and wine lovers, as it has several breweries and wineries to visit. Modesto also has a vibrant nightlife, with different nightclubs, lounges, bars, and restaurants, and is always brimming with pool parties, trance festivals, DJ nights, and more. Downtown Modesto has become a vibrant place for shopping, dining, and parties.
Modesto features several train and bus lines for those in and around the city. The city is easily accessible by Amtrak and Amtrak San Joaquins for trains, while Tufesa Plus offers bus services. The City of Modesto Transit Services powers the city's transportation.
Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California, is just north of LA on the Kern River. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, one of the city’s biggest attractions, displays fossils, dinosaur models, Native American artifacts, and a changing array of temporary exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Bakersfield Museum of Art features multiple rotating galleries of modern and historical art.
As the sun sets in Bakersfield, locals and visitors alike flock to Buck Owens Crystal Palace for food, drinks, and the biggest live music venue in the area. The Belvedere Cocktail lounge offers a more intimate live music experience– plus some amazing drinks and arcade games. For a truly unique experience, check out the family-friendly Gaslight Melodrama Theatre, where audiences are encouraged to cheer, boo, and get in on the fun of the live performances.
On the quieter side, Bakersfield has a number of beautiful parks across the city. The Park at RiverWalk is a fan favorite, with 32 sprawling acres along the Kern River dotted with picnic areas, public grills, and fishing spots. The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area provides more outdoor activities with swimming, boating, sailing, cycling, and more.
To get to Bakersfield, fly into the Meadows Field Airport just north of the town. Several bus lines also service the area, connecting the city to Phoenix, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Ontario. For train service, Amtrak offers routes to San Diego, San Francisco, and even New York City.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Modesto?
Main departure station: 1700 Held Dr
There is one train station in Modesto.
All train stations in Modesto:
1700 Held Dr
Where is the train station in Bakersfield?
Main arrival station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
Bakersfield has one train station.
All train stations in Bakersfield:
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
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- Modesto to Bakersfield