Cheap train tickets from Sacramento to Fresno

Pros: Amazing staff very nice food was amazing. Overall just a fantastic trip. Cons: Nothing to be honest.

4.0

Reginald

June 9, 2023- Visiting family

The staff interaction!

4.0

Evangeline

December 31, 2022- Solo travel

Pros: everything. Cons: Just maintain cleanliness and good customer service.

5.0

kimberly

October 29, 2022- Solo travel

It was smooth and comfortable

5.0

Roberta

October 28, 2022- Business

Pros: Comfortable relaxing. Cons: No suggestions.

5.0

Cecelia J

January 3, 2022- Solo travel

Pros: Ease of transferring to another train. Cons: It was cold in handicap seating. Tips: Don’t be afraid to use Amtrak, they help you every step of the way.

5.0

Heather

January 19, 2020- Solo travel

Pros: I loved it! I could relax and sleep and not worry about traffic or falling asleep. The Amtrak station was clean and reminded me of an airport, but quieter without all the people. Buying the ticket was easy. I find the train such a great alternative, and very affordable. Tips: Ride it and you'll love it!

5.0

Deanna

August 14, 2019- Solo travel

Pros: Relaxing and smooth ride. Bought last minute. App and eticket are very efficient. Cons: I use WiFi all the time. The WiFi shows available on the train, but for the life of me I couldn’t hook up to it. I have an iPhone 6Xs.

5.0

Eleanor

July 9, 2019- Visiting friends

Pros: Amtrak, especially in California, is underrated, especially if you're traveling through the Central Valley corridor. I love that for three hours I can nap, read, and just gaze out the window. The train station in Sacramento has a nice Starbucks next door (but it wasn't open when we arrived at 5:30 a.m.) and still has the 1920s mahogany interior with polished wooden benches, chandeliers and the John MacQuarrie mural. Cons: The train platform is a quarter mile from the station, so give yourself time to walk there, or take the little trams that run between the back door and the platforms. (They get busy when multiple trains are boarding/arriving, so it's not unusual to have to wait ten minutes or longer for an open one to arrive.) Once en route, the cafe car for some reason doesn't open until the train is in Lodi. The food and coffee are decent and reasonably priced, but the quality reminds me of airline food. Tips: Bring a book, game, something to occupy your time. The scenery along the route can be kind of meh, especially in the summer when everything is baked brown by the sun. That said, this one family sitting near me was playing a form of agricultural bingo where they looked for different fruits and vegetables growing along the tracks. There are orchards of almonds, pears, peaches and other fruits growing like forests.

What is the price of a train ticket from Sacramento to Fresno?

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Sacramento to Fresno was €29.54. At this price, taking the train is the cheap and easy way to go. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Fresno if you book your train tickets at least 12 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra €6.19.

Average train ticket prices from Sacramento to Fresno by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Sacramento to Fresno will cost between €35 and €38. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly avg. prices

Ticket prices for the train from Sacramento to Fresno often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in June when the average ticket price is only €24. If you're thinking of traveling from Sacramento to Fresno during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €31 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Which train should you take from Sacramento to Fresno?

2 train services operate from Sacramento to Fresno. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 13 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	13	4h 32m	€36.52
Amtrak San Joaquins	1	3h 19m	€29.60

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 13 Amtrak trains from Sacramento to Fresno every day, as well as 16 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €30.
After becoming a permanent Amtrak rail route in 1974, the San Joaquins has offered train services throughout California and the San Joaquin Valley. The line runs daily from the San Francisco Bay Area to Bakersfield, with many stops in between, including Martinez and Modesto. Although Amtrak San Joaquins is one of the nation's busiest routes, it is renowned for being impeccably clean and safe, with passenger comfort remaining the carrier's highest priority. Most of the trains on this line are equipped with lavatories, onboard WiFi, disabled access, and personal power outlets, ensuring a comfortable journey for every passenger.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Sacramento to Fresno

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Sacramento to Fresno. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between Sacramento and Fresno is approximately 158 miles, or 254 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 26 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Sacramento to Fresno on Sunday. Tickets for Sunday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Saturday. Saturday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs Sacramento at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. 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 14 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Sacramento to Fresno. 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 Fresno to Sacramento.

City Information

Sacramento

As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.

Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.

The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.

Fresno

Situated close to the center of California, Fresno’s location makes it the perfect hub for travelers who wish to explore the state, but it also has enough attractions on its own to keep visitors interested. One of the city’s most unique destinations is the Forestiere Underground Gardens. Built by a Sicilian immigrant, the gardens stay below the ground level so that citrus trees could grow, making it a unique sight that will capture the heart of nature lovers. Fresno has recently gone through a lot of changes in the field of agriculture, and the city’s love for homegrown produce is now one of its attractions. As you explore the city, don’t hesitate to make a slight detour to Riverdance Farm, a local organic farm where you can pick ripened blueberries and cherries to your heart’s content. For fans of cultural activities, the Fresno Art Museum offers unique artworks created mostly by local artists.

Fresno restaurants are famous for their fresh homegrown produce, and Sam’s Italian Deli & Market is where you can try local staples. If you want to cook yourself, Fresno Farmers’ Market will be a great choice.

Fresno’s main bus and train station is the Santa Fe Passenger Depot located at 2650 Tulare St. From there, you can take buses from various carriers or hop on a train on Amtrak’s San Joaquins line. The Fresno Yosemite International Airport is the city’s main airport and it is located not too far from the city center.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Sacramento?

Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon

Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy

Main departure station: Valley Station - 401 I St

Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.

All train stations in Sacramento:

Valley Station - 401 I St

Where is the train station in Fresno?

Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St - FNOAMT-0

Image credit: Ron Reiring

Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St - FNOAMT-1

Image credit: Mattias Thorslund