Cheap train tickets from Salinas to San Francisco

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Salinas to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Salinas to San Francisco usually takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 17 minutes.

Distance	87 mi (139 km)
Fastest train	4h 17m
Lowest price	$49.00
Trains per day	0
Most frequent service	Amtrak
Train lines	1

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Salinas to San Francisco Train Schedule

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

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Salinas to San Francisco.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. Price$61.70	Avg. Price$31.00Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration4h 30m	Duration2h 20mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from Salinas to San Francisco:

Amtrak tickets: $36 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Salinas to San Francisco was $49.00. 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 23 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $33.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Salinas to San Francisco will cost between $34 and $64. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Salinas to San Francisco by month

Ticket prices for the train from Salinas to San Francisco often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only $46. If you're thinking of traveling from Salinas to San Francisco during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $61 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Salinas to San Francisco on Wanderu at least 23 days ahead of time, you can save about $33.00 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Salinas to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Salinas to San Francisco. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	3	4h 30m	$61.70

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 3 Amtrak trains from Salinas to San Francisco every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $36.

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

There are 3 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 Salinas. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Salinas to San Francisco for $31.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Salinas and San Francisco is approximately 87 miles, or 139 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 17 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)

Distance (km)

139

The earliest train departs Salinas at 1:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 6:13pm. 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

1:00pm

Last train

6:13pm

Trains from Salinas to San Francisco 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

Salinas

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.

San Francisco

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 Salinas?

Main departure station: 11 Station Pl

There is one train station in Salinas.

All train stations in Salinas:

11 Station Pl

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

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

Need a return trip from San Francisco to Salinas?

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