Cheap train tickets from Salinas to San Francisco
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Salinas to San Francisco?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Salinas to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$30.47 | Avg. Price$46.36 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration2h 15m | Duration4h 7m |
Trip Summary
You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Salinas and San Francisco. The average train journey from Salinas to San Francisco takes 4 hours and 18 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Distance | 87 mi (139 km) |
Fastest train | 2h 20m |
Lowest price | $28.00 |
Trains per day | 1 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |

What is the price of a train ticket from Salinas to San Francisco?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Salinas to San Francisco was $28.00. This is a fantastic deal for train travel. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to San Francisco if you book your train tickets at least 19 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $34.00.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
If you're looking to save on your train trip from Salinas to San Francisco, book online with Wanderu at least 19 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $34.00 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
Which train should you take from Salinas to San Francisco?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Salinas to San Francisco. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 2 | 4h 19m | $47.34 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from Salinas to San Francisco every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $28.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Salinas to San Francisco
Trains from Salinas to San Francisco are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Salinas at 1:00pm 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.
Trains leave the station in Salinas twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to San Francisco faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from San Francisco to Salinas.
City Information
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.
San Francisco

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

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 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?

Image credit: 146109843@N05
Link to image attributionMain 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
Need a return trip from San Francisco to Salinas?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Salinas
Continue by train from San Francisco
- Train from San Francisco to Anaheim
$66+
- Train from San Francisco to Antioch
$19+
- San Francisco to Camarillo Train
$43+
- San Francisco to Long Beach Train
$66+
- Train from San Francisco to Paso Robles
$68+
- San Francisco to Sacramento Train
$37+
- Train from San Francisco to San Diego
$76+
- Train from San Francisco to San Jose
$26+
- Train from San Francisco to Ventura
$47+
Check out these popular routes

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
- Train Tickets
- United States
- California
- San Francisco
- Salinas to San Francisco