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You can pick from 6 daily train trips between Salinas and Sacramento. The average train journey from Salinas to Sacramento takes 5 hours and 59 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 4 hours and 52 minutes.
| Distance | 132 mi (212 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 52m |
| Lowest price | $36.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Average score for trains from Salinas to Sacramento
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: Bus and train was on time and arrived as scheduled. Cons: Seats on bus were cramped (this was not a Amtrak bus) and not that clean. Also, it would have been helpful if the Salinas station was open, to assist those who never been there before with any questions or use of facility.
4.0
Pros: It was relaxing and very nice. Cons: Um, it was difficult getting on the wifi. I never got on.
The average price for a train ticket from Salinas to Sacramento is $55.00, By booking your trip at least 19 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $6.85 more.
By booking your train trip from Salinas to Sacramento on Wanderu at least 19 days ahead of time, you can save about $6.85 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
2 train services operate from Salinas to Sacramento. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 6 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 6 | 6h 4m | $63.95 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 5h 36m | $43.73 |
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 6 Amtrak trains from Salinas to Sacramento every day, as well as 7 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $42.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned cars, power outlets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.
The distance between Salinas and Sacramento is approximately 132 miles, or 212 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 59 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 52 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 Salinas to Sacramento on Monday. Tickets for Monday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Thursday. Thursday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Salinas at 3:00am 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Salinas to Sacramento. 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 Sacramento to Salinas.
Image credit: Unsplash
Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.
For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.
If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.
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.
There is one train station in Salinas.
11 Station Pl
Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy
Link to image attributionSacramento 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.
Valley Station - 401 I St
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