background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to Salt Lake City

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

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:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

San Francisco to Salt Lake City Train Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00

Trip Summary

There is usually just one train option from San Francisco to Salt Lake City per day. The average train journey from San Francisco to Salt Lake City takes 18 hours and 55 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 18 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance599 mi (964 km)
Fastest train18h 40m
Lowest price$85.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

What is the price of a train ticket from San Francisco to Salt Lake City?

Over the past month, a train ticket between San Francisco and Salt Lake City cost $102.00, on average. Since this route covers a considerable distance, tickets are typically a bit pricier than most train fares. Booking your trip at least 14 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $53.00 more.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to Salt Lake City by travel date

$195$130$65NovNov

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Francisco to Salt Lake City will cost between $85 and $185. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly avg. prices

$150$120$90$60$30DJFMAMJJASON
Mark your calendar for November if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from San Francisco to Salt Lake City. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of $83. If you're planning a trip from San Francisco to Salt Lake City during January, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about $129 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 Salt Lake City?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Francisco to Salt Lake City. 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.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak118h 56m$117.70
  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from San Francisco to Salt Lake City every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $85.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Francisco to Salt Lake City

While the train is the main method of transportation from San Francisco to Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City is approximately 599 miles, or 964 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 18 hours and 55 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 18 hours and 40 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.

Thursday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from San Francisco to Salt Lake City. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Thursday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Tuesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

Most days, there is only one train which leaves San Francisco at 6:00am and arrives in Salt Lake City around 18 hours later.

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. 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 transfer 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 Salt Lake City 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.

Salt Lake City

A city shrouded in a mystical veil to most visitors, Salt Lake City stands among one of the most culturally unique destinations in the U.S. Salt Lake City offers tourists a unique chance to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Temple Square is the best place to do so. Housing the Salt Lake Temple along with other significant historic buildings, the square will take you back to the earliest days of the city, immersing you in a unique cultural experience. While here, don’t miss out on the chance to visit the Great Salt Lake itself and to dive into its cool and refreshing water.

Salt Lake City features a diverse food scene, with Mexican food receiving a lot of attention. Those who wish to enjoy the best Mexican dishes in town could try Red Iguana. For travelers who are simply looking for the best burgers, Crown Burgers’ char-broiled patties will certainly be a great choice.

The Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub is the central transportation hub in the city. It is currently served by several rail services such as Amtrak, TRAX, and FrontRunner. Travelers can also catch Greyhound buses at the station. The Salt Lake City International Airport is the main airport for the city. Located about 4 miles west of Downtown, the airport is a major gateway to the Mountain West and the West Coast region.

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 Salt Lake City?

340 S 600 W  - SLCAMT-0

Image credit: vxla

Link to image attribution
340 S 600 W  - SLCAMT-1

Image credit: Garrett

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 340 S 600 W

The Amtrak Station is a part of Salt Lake Central Station, the principal transportation hub in Salt Lake City. The station is within walking distance from the Bus Terminal, allowing you to easily transfer to bus service on Amtrak Thruway or Jefferson Lines. Along with UTA commuter rail, the station serves Amtrak’s California Zephyr on its journey from Emeryville to Chicago. A park-and-ride lot is available across the street, and travelers can rent bikes from the on-site bicycle sharing service, Greenbike. However you get around town, you’ll appreciate the convenience of the Amtrak station, located less than a mile from the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.

All train stations in Salt Lake City:

  • 340 S 600 W

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from Salt Lake City to San Francisco?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.