Cheap train tickets from Salinas to San Luis Obispo
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Salinas to San Luis Obispo Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Salinas to San Luis Obispo?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Salinas to San Luis Obispo.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$45.72 | Avg. Price$48.00 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration2h 34m | Duration3h 18m |
Trip Summary
There is usually just one train option from Salinas to San Luis Obispo per day. The average train journey from Salinas to San Luis Obispo takes 3 hours and 18 minutes, though some trains might be a few minutes slower or faster.
| Distance | 111 mi (179 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 18m |
| Lowest price | $50.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Coast Starlight |
| Train lines | 1 |

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Salinas to San Luis Obispo
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
What is the price of a train ticket from Salinas to San Luis Obispo?
The average price for a train ticket from Salinas to San Luis Obispo is $57.50, By booking your trip at least 5 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 $8.30 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Salinas to San Luis Obispo?
Amtrak Coast Starlight is the one and only train line which connects Salinas to San Luis Obispo. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 3h 18m | $136.71 |
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.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Salinas to San Luis Obispo
The distance between Salinas and San Luis Obispo is approximately 111 miles, or 179 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 18 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 San Luis Obispo 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.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Salinas at 12:00pm and arrives in San Luis Obispo around 3 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to San Luis Obispo with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from San Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo
San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.
Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.
SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.
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 Luis Obispo?
Main arrival station: 1011 Railroad Ave
San Luis Obispo has one train station.
All train stations in San Luis Obispo:
1011 Railroad Ave
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