Cheap train tickets from Oakland to Santa Cruz
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Trip Summary
There are usually 7 daily train trips available from Oakland to Santa Cruz. Traveling by train from Oakland to Santa Cruz usually takes 3 hours and 10 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 13 minutes.
| Distance | 59 mi (95 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 13m |
| Lowest price | €20.22 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Oakland to Santa Cruz?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Oakland and Santa Cruz cost €20.66, on average. This is about as cheap as train fares get on this route. Booking your trip at least 22 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around €1.57 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
The price of train trips from Oakland to Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Oakland to Santa Cruz. However, there are 7 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 7 | 3h 11m | €21.50 |
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 7 Amtrak trains from Oakland to Santa Cruz every day, as well as 12 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €20.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Oakland to Santa Cruz
Trains departing from Oakland to Santa Cruz tend to have the most passengers on Monday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Monday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Thursday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Oakland at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. 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 7 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 Santa Cruz 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?
Main departure station: Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave
There are two stations in Oakland where you can board the train to Santa Cruz.
All train stations in Oakland:
Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave
245 Second St
Where is the train station in Santa Cruz?
Main arrival station: Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz has one train station.
All train stations in Santa Cruz:
Santa Cruz, California
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