Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to San Antonio

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Francisco to San Antonio. Traveling by train from San Francisco to San Antonio usually takes 54 hours and 17 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 41 hours and 20 minutes.

Distance: 1487 mi (2394 km)
Fastest train: 41h 20m
Lowest price: NOK 2,612.51
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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San Francisco to San Antonio Train Schedule

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

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

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceNOK 3,984.04	Avg. PriceNOK 2,373.02Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration54h 17m	Duration47h 48mFaster

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

Amtrak tickets: NOK 2,613 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Francisco to San Antonio was NOK 2,793.01. Considering the distance between San Francisco and San Antonio, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 8 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 3,382.02 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Francisco to San Antonio will cost between NOK 2,518 and NOK 4,342. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to San Antonio by month

Ticket prices for the train from San Francisco to San Antonio often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in April when the average ticket price is only NOK 2,698. If you're thinking of traveling from San Francisco to San Antonio during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 3,753 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from San Francisco to San Antonio on Wanderu at least 8 days ahead of time, you can save about NOK 3,382.02 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from San Francisco to San Antonio?

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

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	3	54h 17m	NOK 3,984.00

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 San Antonio every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from NOK 2,612.51.

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

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 Antonio to San Francisco. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Francisco to San Antonio for NOK 1,391.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Francisco and San Antonio is approximately 1487 miles, or 2394 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 54 hours and 17 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 41 hours and 20 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)

1487

Distance (km)

2394

The earliest train departs San Francisco at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:40am. 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 San Antonio 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Monday

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.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a fast-growing city located in the southwest corner of the Texas Triangle. In addition to the alluring year-round warm weather, San Antonio offers a blend of rich history with contemporary attractions and cuisine.

If there's one thing to remember from your trip to San Antonio, it’s the Alamo! This 18th century fortress is one of five Spanish missions in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, all of which are connected by a scenic hiking and biking trail. If history isn't your thing, the River Walk along the San Antonio River is a much livelier spot. This shaded path is lined with shops and restaurants, and you could spend an entire day strolling, shopping, and eating along the river. Don't sleep on the riverside bars, either – San Antonio is one of the cheapest drinking cities in the U.S. so you can bar-hop to your heart’s (and your wallet’s) delight.

Traveling with little ones? San Antonio is home to the San Antonio Zoo, SeaWorld, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, any one of which will provide a thrilling adventure with no screen time required. Visitors of all ages will find treasures at Historic Market Square, the largest Mexican market in the U.S., where handcrafted art from local artisans is available alongside authentic Mexican food.

San Antonio is one of the biggest cities in the Lone Star State, so it is very easy to travel to other Texas destinations like Austin, Houston, and Dallas by bus or by train, or to destinations farther afield through the San Antonio International Airport.

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 San Antonio?

Main arrival station: 350 Hoefgen St

The San Antonio Amtrak Station is adjacent to the city’s vibrant downtown, nestled between the Alamodome sports complex and the historic Sunset Station where train service began in 1902. Amtrak operations moved to its new home at 350 Hoefgen Ave in 1998, where passengers can board the Texas Eagle to travel to Chicago, or connect to the Sunset Limited heading to Los Angeles. The stuccoed, Spanish Mission Revival style station is fully accessible, and offers comfortable seating as well as restrooms available in the waiting room. Two of San Antonio’s most popular attractions, the bustling Riverwalk and the historic Alamo, cannot be missed and luckily are within just 1 mile of the station.

All train stations in San Antonio:

350 Hoefgen St

Need a return trip from San Antonio to San Francisco?

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