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Modesto to Sacramento train

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Modesto - Sacramento Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 14 daily train trips between Modesto and Sacramento. The average train journey from Modesto to Sacramento takes 2 hours and 43 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as one hour and 32 minutes.

Distance71 mi (113 km)
Fastest train1h 32m
Lowest price$10.00
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Modesto to Sacramento

(Based on 8 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Debra

January 29, 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak

Pros: Relaxing and worry free from driving. Cons: Announcement of stops and displayed. Tips: Sit back and enjoy but pay attention as it get closer to your stop because it may not be announced.

5.0

William M

June 12, 2022

Amtrak

I liked everything - I didn't have to deal with traffic and rude drivers.. I relaxed, read, sipped my coffee as the train zipped from Modesto to Sacramento! There were just enough open seats where I didn't have to share a section with anyone too!

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Modesto to Sacramento was $19.05. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 26 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $2.39 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average prices by travel date

$30$20$10AprApr

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Modesto to Sacramento will range from $17 to $21. If you're planning to travel by train to Sacramento in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Modesto you can find in the next 7 days is $19. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

$25$20$15$10$5MJJASONDJFMA
Taking the train from Modesto to Sacramento usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $15 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$25$20$15$10$53020100

Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to Sacramento at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.

Which train should you take from Modesto to Sacramento?

2 train services operate from Modesto to Sacramento. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 13 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak132h 47m$20.60
Amtrak San Joaquins11h 38m$12.91
  • 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 13 Amtrak trains from Modesto to Sacramento every day, as well as 17 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $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

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Modesto 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 Modesto and Sacramento is approximately 71 miles, or 113 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 43 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 32 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

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

The earliest train departs Modesto at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. 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 14 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Modesto 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 Modesto.

City Information

Modesto

Modesto, CA, US - MOD-0

Image credit: Tom Hilton

Link to image attribution

Modesto 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.

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 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 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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