4.0
Pros: Nice seats on the train and friendly staff. Cons: Train was very late but made good time.
Cheap train tickets from Oakland to Monterey
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Trip Summary
There is usually just one train option from Oakland to Monterey per day. The average train journey from Oakland to Monterey takes 4 hours and 48 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 3 hours and 41 minutes.
| Distance | 86 mi (138 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 41m |
| Lowest price | $33.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Oakland to Monterey
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
What is the price of a train ticket from Oakland to Monterey?
The average price for a train ticket from Oakland to Monterey is $36.20, Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. By booking your trip at least 27 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $17.33 more.
Monthly avg. prices
You can find the lowest prices on this route during April. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Oakland to Monterey, with the average price at just $48. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in August, when the average price goes up to $56. 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
By booking your train trip from Oakland to Monterey on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time, you can save about $17.33 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Oakland to Monterey?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Oakland to Monterey. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 4h 48m | $56.93 |
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 1 Amtrak trains from Oakland to Monterey every day, as well as 10 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $33.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Oakland to Monterey
While the train is the main method of transportation from Oakland to Monterey, 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 Oakland and Monterey is approximately 86 miles, or 138 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 48 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 41 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Oakland to Monterey. 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 Tuesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Oakland at 9:00am and arrives in Monterey around 3 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Monterey to Oakland.
City Information
Oakland
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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 Oakland?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attribution
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain departure 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 San Joaquins 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
Where is the train station in Monterey?
Main arrival station: Monterey Bay Aquarium
There are more train stations and stops in Monterey than most cities. Most trains from Oakland will stop at one (or more) of the 5 following stations in Monterey:
All train stations in Monterey:
Monterey Bay Aquarium
351 Fremont St
1 Old Golf Course Rd
500 Tyler St
Marriott
Get around town with Moovit
Find the best way to get to and from any station in Monterey by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now
Need a return trip from Monterey to Oakland?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Oakland
- Train from Oakland to Redding
$60+
- Train from Oakland to San Francisco
$14+
- Train from Oakland to Santa Barbara
$79+
- Oakland to Stockton
$12+
- Train from Oakland to Las Vegas
$127+
- Oakland to New York Train
$490+
- Train from Oakland to Eugene
$137+
- Train from Oakland to Salt Lake City
$136+
- Oakland to Vancouver Train
$150+
Continue by train from Monterey
Check out these popular routes
- Ottawa to Toronto Train
$78+
- Train from Port Hope to Toronto
$27+
- Los Angeles to Seattle Train
$216+
- New Haven to Boston Train
$63+
- Washington D.C. to Boston
$227+
- Train from Washington D.C. to New York
$151+
- Chicago to Milwaukee Train
$28+
- Train from Boston to New Haven
$70+
- Train from Boston to Washington D.C.
$237+
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.