Cheap train tickets from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo

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Trip Summary

There are usually 7 daily train trips available from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo. Traveling by train from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo usually takes 7 hours and 49 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 18 minutes.

Distance	236 mi (380 km)
Fastest train	7h 18m
Lowest price	$54.00
Trains per day	2
Most frequent service	Amtrak
Train lines	2

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Oceanside to San Luis Obispo Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

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

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

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. Price$78.89	Avg. Price$78.00Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips7	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration7h 49mFaster	Duration11h 4m

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

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo was $68.78. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 14 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $19.95 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo will cost between $70 and $112. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

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

Taking the train from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $73 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

The price of train trips from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo 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 Oceanside to San Luis Obispo?

2 train services operate from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	5	7h 49m	$84.17
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner	2	7h 48m	$54.22

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 5 Amtrak trains from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo every day, as well as 10 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $61.
The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 2 train trips from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $54.

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

There are 7 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to San Luis Obispo. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice. You can also take a train for your return trip from San Luis Obispo to Oceanside. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Oceanside to San Luis Obispo for $78.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Oceanside and San Luis Obispo is approximately 236 miles, or 380 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 49 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 18 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)

236

Distance (km)

380

The earliest train departs Oceanside at 4:57am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:57pm. 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

4:57am

Last train

4:57pm

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

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Tuesday

City Information

Oceanside

Oceanside is a beautiful coastal city in Southern California, best known for its lovely beaches and stunning ocean views. Visitors can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities such as swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, and more.

There are also many great points of interest worth checking out, including the Oceanside Pier, which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Also, don't miss the Oceanside Museum of Art, which houses a collection of art from across the globe. Other attractions include Mission San Luis Rey and the California Surf Museum.

The city also boasts a variety of popular neighborhoods and nightlife destinations, like Downtown Oceanside or Coastal Highway, which are home to several bars and restaurants, and The Strand, which offers a vibrant nightlife scene.

Most ground travel to Oceanside operates through the Oceanside Transit Center. Here, Metrolink trains and local buses connect to Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route and intercity bus lines like Greyhound. The nearest airport is the McClellan-Palomar Airport, about 3 miles away from the center of Oceanside.

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 Oceanside?

Main departure station: Oceanside Transit Center

There is one train station in Oceanside.

All train stations in Oceanside:

Oceanside Transit Center

Where is the train station in San Luis Obispo?

Main arrival station: 1011 Railroad Ave

San Luis Obispo receives travelers from Oceanside 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 Oceanside?

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