Cheap train tickets from Oakland to San Luis Obispo

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Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Oakland to San Luis Obispo. Traveling by train from Oakland to San Luis Obispo usually takes 6 hours and 14 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 19 minutes.

Distance	196 mi (315 km)
Fastest train	4h 19m
Lowest price	$18.00
Trains per day	1
Most frequent service	Amtrak
Train lines	2

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Oakland to San Luis Obispo Train Schedule

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

There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Oakland to San Luis Obispo.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. Price$102.45	Avg. Price$54.17Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips5	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration6h 14m	Duration5h 21mFaster

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

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Oakland to San Luis Obispo was $99.75. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 27 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $5.93 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Oakland to San Luis Obispo by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Oakland to San Luis Obispo will cost between $84 and $110. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Oakland to San Luis Obispo by month

Ticket prices for the train from Oakland to San Luis Obispo often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only $79. If you're thinking of traveling from Oakland to San Luis Obispo during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $91 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Oakland to San Luis Obispo on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time, you can save about $5.93 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Oakland to San Luis Obispo?

2 train services operate from Oakland to San Luis Obispo. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	4	6h 14m	$103.99
Amtrak Coast Starlight	1	6h 15m	$84.83

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 4 Amtrak trains from Oakland to San Luis Obispo every day, as well as 13 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $18.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned cars, power outlets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Oakland to San Luis Obispo

There are 5 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Oakland to San Luis Obispo. 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 San Luis Obispo to Oakland. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Oakland to San Luis Obispo for $11.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Oakland and San Luis Obispo is approximately 196 miles, or 315 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 14 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 19 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.

Distance (mi)

196

Distance (km)

315

The earliest train departs Oakland at 6:13am while the last train of the day leaves at 1:55pm. 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

6:13am

Last train

1:55pm

Trains from Oakland to San Luis Obispo 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.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Sunday

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 Luis Obispo

San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.

Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.

SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.

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 Luis Obispo?

Main arrival station: 1011 Railroad Ave

San Luis Obispo receives travelers from Oakland at its two active train stations.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

1011 Railroad Ave
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Need a return trip from San Luis Obispo to Oakland?

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