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Cheap train tickets from Sacramento to San Francisco

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Sacramento to San Francisco Train Schedule

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

There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Sacramento to San Francisco.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$37.42
Avg. Price
$35.93
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
3
Daily Trips
13
Duration
Duration
2h 38m
Duration
2h 45m

Trip Summary

There are usually 14 daily train trips available from Sacramento to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Sacramento to San Francisco usually takes 2 hours and 44 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Distance75 mi (121 km)
Fastest train2h 10m
Lowest price$33.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Sacramento to San Francisco

(Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

James

May 7, 2025- Regular commuter

Amtrak

Pros: On time. Cons: None I can think of at the moment. Tips: I was on an Amtrak commuter train so the upper berth is for general passengers with no reserved seating assignments. Sit where you want. Easy transfer from train stop in Emeryville CA to Amtrak bus to San Francisco. Just follow the crowd and look for the bus at the back of the public parking garage maybe 15 feet from the tracks. First stop in SF is around First and Mission. The Greyhound bus station is on Minna St between 2nd and !st street. Look for the arcade entry with Greyhound logo (about midway).Take the escalator on the right side not the left to the 2nd floor. Yep it’s the dingy room on your right. To catch your bus take the escalator to the 3rd floor. Look for pickup spot # 5. Loading starts about 10-15 minutes before departure. You can skip the waiting room if you arrive just before bus departure. You have to load your own luggage on the bottom bay on greyhound. The bus driver will give you a luggage ID/ticket. Not sure if greyhound has WiFi to be honest. Greyhound now has seat belts. But no requirement to use. If the bus is not crowded you can sit where you want although your ticket does specify a seat. Enjoy.

5.0

Natalia

September 17, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: It was awesome! I arrived on time and the bus is in very good conditions. Cons: Everything was good. Tips: Please go and be on time or you might lose your bus:).

5.0

Scott

August 11, 2021

Amtrak

Had a good trip. Would recommend.

5.0

Rachel

August 10, 2021

Amtrak

Easy booking, smooth trip, on time.

4.0

Tzvi

April 30, 2021- Solo travel

Amtrak

Very comfortable and smooth. Quite and relaxed.

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Sacramento to San Francisco was $34.83. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $3.60 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

$45$30$15JunJul

If you're planning a train trip from Sacramento to San Francisco in the upcoming month, you'll be happy to know that ticket prices are expected to remain stable. You can book your trip for any day within the next four weeks and expect to pay around $35.

Monthly avg. prices

$50$40$30$20$10JASONDJFMAMJ
Ticket prices for the train from Sacramento to San Francisco stay pretty consistent throughout the year. You can expect to pay around $35 regardless of when you plan to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to San Francisco at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.

Which train should you take from Sacramento to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Sacramento to San Francisco. However, there are 14 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak142h 44m$36.34

  • 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 14 Amtrak trains from Sacramento to San Francisco every day, as well as 14 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $29.

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

While the train is the main method of transportation from Sacramento to San Francisco, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.
The distance between Sacramento and San Francisco is approximately 75 miles, or 121 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 44 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 10 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

Trains departing from Sacramento to San Francisco tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. 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 Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Sacramento at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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. 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 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.

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

Image credit: Unsplash

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 Sacramento?

Valley Station - 401 I St - SACAMT-0

Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon

Link to image attribution
Valley Station - 401 I St - SACAMT-1

Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy

Link to image attribution

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 San Francisco?

Salesforce Plaza - SFOBLT-0

Image credit: 146109843@N05

Link to image attribution

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

Get around town with Moovit

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