Cheap train tickets from Sacramento to Santa Clara

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There are usually 7 daily train trips available from Sacramento to Santa Clara. Traveling by train from Sacramento to Santa Clara usually takes 2 hours and 59 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Capitol Corridor train can make the trip in 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance
88 mi (142 km)
Fastest train
2h 45m
Lowest price
$36.00
Trains per day
7
Most frequent service
Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Train lines
2

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Sacramento to Santa Clara Train Schedule

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Sacramento to Santa Clara (Based on 9 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Michelle

April 16, 2023 - Solo travel

Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Pros: Easy to book, everyone was very friendly and professional and it was a very comfortable train ride. In fact, I may use the train as my main transportation up to Sacramento.

5.0

Randy

November 27, 2022 - Couples trip

Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Pros: Convenience & comfort Cons: Seats with a little recline. Tips: Pack snacks & neck pillow!!

5.0

BIN

July 11, 2022 - Business

Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Pros: Enjoy and relax to take this ride Tips: Overall the ride is punctuate and safe, and the seat is comfortable

5.0

Harry

February 9, 2021 - Visiting family

Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Pros: Thankful Cons: Food choices

5.0

Eva

January 19, 2020 - Solo travel

Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Cons: Cabin was very cold.
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What is the price of a train ticket from Sacramento to Santa Clara?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Sacramento to Santa Clara was $36.84. 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 8 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $8.54 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Sacramento to Santa Clara by travel date

$60$40$20SepSep

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Sacramento to Santa Clara will cost between $37 and $48. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Sacramento to Santa Clara by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the train from Sacramento to Santa Clara usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $38 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$1001020

The price of train trips from Sacramento to Santa Clara 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 Sacramento to Santa Clara?

2 train services operate from Sacramento to Santa Clara. Amtrak Capitol Corridor usually has more trains scheduled, with 6 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak13h 56m$50.48
Amtrak Capitol Corridor62h 51m$36.86
  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from Sacramento to Santa Clara every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $36.

    Amtrak train passing through mountains, offering affordable train tickets for scenic rail travel - WanderuModern Amtrak train at a station, providing cheap train travel and convenient Amtrak tickets - WanderuAmtrak train speeding through scenic fall foliage, featuring cheap train tickets for long-distance trips - WanderuInterior view of a table in the dining car of an Amtrak train - WanderuInterior view of the dining car on an Amtrak train. Find affordable train tickets on - WanderuClean and spacious Amtrak bathroom, offering convenience and comfort for passengers during long train journeys with cheap Amtrak tickets - WanderuAmtrak power outlet for charging devices, providing convenience for passengers during affordable travel with cheap train tickets - WanderuComfortable Amtrak seats with ample legroom, ideal for relaxing during long journeys with cheap Amtrak tickets - WanderuSpacious Amtrak seats with reclining options, offering comfort and convenience for passengers on affordable train travel - WanderuAmtrak viewing car seats with large windows, offering panoramic views and comfort for passengers enjoying scenic routes with affordable train tickets - Wanderu
  • Since 1991, Capitol Corridor has connected Auburn to San Jose, with stops in Sacramento, Oakland, Berkeley, and 15 other cities in Northern California. The route's convenient transport to various cities includes breathtaking scenery guaranteed to help pass the time. Each train offers onboard WiFi and a cafe car for the comfort of passengers, as well as ample bicycle and luggage storage. Most Capitol Corridor trips make the journey from Sacramento to Santa Clara in about 2 hours and 51 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Sacramento to Santa Clara

There are 7 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Sacramento to Santa Clara. You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Clara to Sacramento.

Trains per day

7

Direct trains

7

The distance between Sacramento and Santa Clara is approximately 88 miles, or 142 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 59 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 45 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.

Distance (mi)

88

Distance (km)

142

The earliest train departs Sacramento at 4:20am while the last train of the day leaves at 5:03pm. 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

4:20am

Last train

5:03pm

Trains from Sacramento to Santa Clara are the most crowded on Saturday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Saturday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Sacramento

SAC-0SAC-1SAC-2

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.

Santa Clara

Santa Clara, CA, US - SLR-0

Santa Clara is a city in the San Francisco Bay Area, home to Santa Clara University, the San Francisco 49ers, and many of Silicon Valley's prominent tech companies. The Intel Museum, at Intel's headquarters, is the perfect place to celebrate technological advances and see exhibits like a giant replica of an Intel computing chip. The Intel Museum is free to visit, as is the Triton Museum of Art, home to contemporary artworks from Bay Area artists.

If you'd rather escape the fast-paced world of tech, the Santa Clara Valley is also home to over 30 wineries that encourage visitors to take it slow and relax a while. Drink in the view as you sip the wines at Kirigin Cellars, one of the oldest wineries in California.

Santa Clara is a fabulous city for a family vacation, too, just maybe without the winery visits. Instead, treat the kids to thrills at California's Great Adventure amusement park and South Bay Shores water park.

Santa Clara is one of the stops on the Capitol Corridor train that runs from San Jose to Sacramento. Amtrak Thruway provides a few bus trips out of Santa Clara, but there are even more options departing from its neighbors, San Jose and San Francisco. The closest major airport to Santa Clara is the San Jose Airport, but it also convenient to fly into San Francisco or Oakland.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Sacramento?

Main departure station: Valley Station - 401 I St

Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-0Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-1

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 Santa Clara?

Main arrival station: Caltrain ACE station - 1001 Railroad Ave

Santa Clara receives travelers from Sacramento at its two active train stations.

All train stations in Santa Clara:

  • Caltrain ACE station - 1001 Railroad Ave
  • 5099 Stars and Stripes Dr

Need a return trip from Santa Clara to Sacramento?

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