Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to Austin

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Austin. Traveling by train from San Francisco to Austin usually takes 2 days, 14 hours, and 22 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 1 day, 21 hours, and 36 minutes.

Distance: 1500 mi (2414 km)
Fastest train: 45h 36m
Lowest price: CZK 6,060.68
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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San Francisco to Austin Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

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

There are usually 6 daily bus trips available from San Francisco to Austin.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCZK 9,334.32	Avg. PriceCZK 5,253.75Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips6
Duration	Duration62h 22m	Duration49h 40mFaster

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

Amtrak tickets: CZK 6,061 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Francisco to Austin was CZK 6,061. Considering the distance between San Francisco and Austin, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 2 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CZK 11,969.85 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Francisco to Austin will cost between CZK 5,714 and CZK 11,710. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to Austin by month

Ticket prices for the train from San Francisco to Austin 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 CZK 7,035. If you're thinking of traveling from San Francisco to Austin during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CZK 9,524 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 San Francisco to Austin on Wanderu at least 2 days ahead of time, you can save about CZK 11,969.85 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from San Francisco to Austin?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Francisco to Austin. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	62h 22m	CZK 9,334.22

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 San Francisco to Austin every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CZK 6,060.68.

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

While the train is the main method of transportation from San Francisco to Austin, 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.

Trains leave the station in San Francisco twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Austin to San Francisco. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Francisco to Austin for CZK 2,900.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Francisco and Austin is approximately 1,500 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 days, 14 hours, and 22 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 day, 21 hours, and 36 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)

1500

Distance (km)

2414

The earliest train departs San Francisco at 7:00 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 9:40 AM. 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

7:00am

Last train

9:40am

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

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Tuesday

City Information

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.

Austin

Austin is the capital of the Lone Star State and one of the best vacation destinations in Texas. Known as Texas’s “weird” city, Austin is famous for being the southern mecca for the arts. In addition to being a hot spot for both emerging and established artists from Texas and the surrounding states, Austin is well known for its eclectic live music scene. In addition, the University of Texas’ main campus is located in Austin, which makes the city a popular destination for young people from all over the world, keeping it vibrant at all times. It’s no surprise that it ranks among the top party cities in the U.S.

While you’re in town, make sure to stop by the hip South Congress neighborhood to shop at the trendy boutiques and grab some grub at the authentically Austin restaurants. Since Austin is one of the best craft beer cities in the country, you won’t regret checking out some of the local breweries too. After that, head over to Lady Bird Lake and rent a kayak for a relaxing paddling session on the water, or simply go for a walk on the picturesque Hike & Bike Trail. Finally, spend the night bar hopping along the pedestrian-only Sixth Street.

While the Austin airport is located on the outskirts of the city, the main train station is right in the heart of downtown. Similarly, the two bus stations that serve Austin are located close to the city center, making ground transportation the more convenient way to travel in and out of town.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

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 Austin?

Main arrival station: 250 N Lamar Blvd

Built in 1947, the Amtrak Station in Austin is one of the stops along Amtrak’s Texas Eagle route which runs from Chicago to San Antonio and connects to Los Angeles. The station, located at 250 N Lamar Boulevard, sits near the banks of the Colorado River in downtown Austin. With just a quick walk from the station, you can reach the beautiful Ladybird Lake-Lamar Beach Park, stylish shopping and dining in the 2nd Street District, and even the state capital complex. Same-day and overnight parking is available at the station, as well as restrooms and vending machines inside.

All train stations in Austin:

250 N Lamar Blvd

Need a return trip from Austin to San Francisco?

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