Cheap train tickets from Oakland to San Francisco

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Trip Summary

There are usually 8 daily train trips available from Oakland to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Oakland to San Francisco usually takes 7 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 47 minutes.

Distance: 8 mi (13 km)
Fastest train: 47m
Lowest price: $12.00
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Oakland to San Francisco Train Schedule

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

There are usually 6 daily bus trips available from Oakland to San Francisco.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. Price$13.38	Avg. Price$9.46Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips8	Daily Trips6
Duration	Duration7h 12m	Duration25mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from Oakland to San Francisco:

Amtrak tickets: $12 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Oakland to San Francisco was $12.81. 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 25 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $5.14 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Oakland to San Francisco by travel date

The cost of a one-way train trip from Oakland to San Francisco is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about $12 for your ticket.

Average train ticket prices from Oakland to San Francisco by month

Taking the train from Oakland to San Francisco usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $12 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

The price of train trips from Oakland to San Francisco doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.

Which train should you take from Oakland to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Oakland to San Francisco. However, there are 8 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	8	7h 12m	$13.38

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 8 Amtrak trains from Oakland to San Francisco every day, as well as 10 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $12.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Oakland to San Francisco

There are 8 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 Oakland. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Oakland to San Francisco for $7.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Oakland and San Francisco is approximately 8 miles, or 13 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 12 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 47 minutes. It's a short and pleasant ride; the train is a perfect way to get to San Francisco.

Distance (mi)

Distance (km)

The earliest train departs Oakland at 12:22am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:21pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

12:22am

Last train

9:21pm

Trains from Oakland 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Saturday

City Information

Oakland

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.

San Francisco

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 Oakland?

Main 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 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

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

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

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