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Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to Salinas

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San Francisco to Salinas Train Schedule

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

There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from San Francisco to Salinas.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$33.37

Avg. Price

$43.48

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

1

Daily Trips

2

Duration

Duration

2h 15m

Duration

4h 48m

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Salinas. Traveling by train from San Francisco to Salinas usually takes 4 hours and 58 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 3 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance87 mi (139 km)
Fastest train3h 50m
Lowest price$28.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

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

Over the past month, a train ticket between San Francisco and Salinas cost $41.33, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Salinas. Booking your trip at least 13 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $9.14 more.

Monthly avg. prices

$50$40$30$20$10DJFMAMJJASON
Mark your calendar for June if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from San Francisco to Salinas. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of $36. If you're planning a trip from San Francisco to Salinas during August, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about $47 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Which train should you take from San Francisco to Salinas?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak34h 58m$47.44
  • 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 San Francisco to Salinas every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $28.

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

While the train is the main method of transportation from San Francisco to Salinas, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

The distance between San Francisco and Salinas is approximately 87 miles, or 139 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 58 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 50 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.

Trains from San Francisco to Salinas are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 San Francisco at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00am. 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 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 Salinas to San Francisco.

City Information

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

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.

Salinas

Salinas, CA, US - SNS-0

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

Salesforce Plaza - SFOBLT-0

Image credit: 146109843@N05

Link to image attribution

Main departure 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

Where is the train station in Salinas?

Main arrival station: 11 Station Pl

Salinas has one train station.

All train stations in Salinas:

  • 11 Station Pl

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Salinas by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Salinas to San Francisco?

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