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.
Trip Summary
There are usually 4 daily train trips available from San Jose to Chico. Traveling by train from San Jose to Chico usually takes 9 hours and 56 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 5 hours and 5 minutes.
Distance | 165 mi (266 km) |
Fastest train | 5h 5m |
Lowest price | PLN 112.94 |
Trains per day | 1 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from San Jose to Chico?
The average price for a train ticket from San Jose to Chico is PLN 112.94, This is one of the best deals we’ve seen for train fares recently. By booking your trip at least 23 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 PLN 106.60 more.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from San Jose to Chico. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 23 days before departure, you can save around PLN 106.60. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from San Jose to Chico?
2 train services operate from San Jose to Chico. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 3 | 11h 3m | PLN 219.91 |
Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 5h 40m | PLN 186.51 |
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 Jose to Chico every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from PLN 218.
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
The distance between San Jose and Chico is approximately 165 miles, or 266 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 56 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 5 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 Jose to Chico are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs San Jose at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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 4 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from San Jose to Chico. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Chico to San Jose.
City Information
San Jose
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.
While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.
Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.
San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.
Chico
Chico is the largest city in California north of Sacramento, as well as the cultural and economic heart of the northern Sacramento Valley. In addition, the city is a college town, home to California State University.
Chico is a California city famed for its world-famous golf course, wooded paths popular with hikers and environmental enthusiasts, and the massive Bidwell Park. If you're visiting Chico, you can't miss Bidwell Park, which spans 2500 acres of natural beauty.
Chico has the most fantastic steakhouse at the 5th Street Steakhouse. The highly recommended Unwined Kitchen & Bar is only two blocks away, serving the best bar food and drinks. There is no shortage of nightlife in Chico, the best cocktail bar (Duffy's Tavern) is only 100m away from central Chico, and if you are craving a club, The Beach Nightclub is the best option.
Amtrak has one of the major train stations in Chico, with service to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Seattle, and more. For buses, Jefferson Lines offers routes from cities like Seattle, Phoenix, Sacramento to Chico.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Jose?
Image credit: SPUR
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Diridon Station opened in 1935 with architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and today is a vital part of Silicon Valley’s transportation system. Diridon Station connects Amtrak train service to local commuter service like the Caltrain and VTA Light Rail. The station is also a major hub for bus transit on Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound buses. With paid parking onsite, bicycle racks, and accessible entrances, travelers can easily reach the station from nearby downtown San Jose. As a bonus, food trucks frequently set up outside the station to provide delicious cheap eats for passengers.
All train stations in San Jose:
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Where is the train station in Chico?
Main arrival station: 450 Orange St
Chico has one train station.
All train stations in Chico:
450 Orange St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Chico to San Jose?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from San Jose
- San Jose to Antioch Train
PLN 99+
- Train from San Jose to Arcata
PLN 276+
- Train from San Jose to Camarillo
PLN 365+
- Train from San Jose to Carmel-by-the-Sea
PLN 140+
- Train from San Jose to Fairfield
PLN 117+
- Train from San Jose to Los Angeles
PLN 307+
- Train from San Jose to Madera
PLN 147+
- San Jose to Merced Train
PLN 130+
- San Jose to Oxnard
PLN 358+
- San Jose to Richmond
PLN 81+
- Train from San Jose to Riverside
PLN 335+
- Train from San Jose to Sacramento
PLN 140+
- San Jose to San Diego Train
PLN 448+
- Train from San Jose to San Francisco
PLN 104+
- San Jose to Ventura Train
PLN 354+
- Train from San Jose to New Orleans
PLN 1,699+
- Train from San Jose to Dallas
PLN 1,411+
- San Jose to Seattle
PLN 598+
Continue by train from Chico
- Train from Chico to Phoenix
PLN 672+
- Train from Chico to Anaheim
PLN 413+
- Train from Chico to Arcata
PLN 309+
- Train from Chico to Berkeley
PLN 175+
- Chico to Davis Train
PLN 78+
- Train from Chico to Emeryville
PLN 127+
- Train from Chico to Hanford
PLN 192+
- Train from Chico to Los Angeles
PLN 327+
- Chico to Martinez
PLN 124+
- Train from Chico to Oceanside
PLN 474+
- Chico to Sacramento
PLN 84+
- Train from Chico to San Diego
PLN 448+
- Chico to San Francisco Train
PLN 187+
- Train from Chico to Santa Barbara
PLN 315+
- Chico to Santa Clara
PLN 200+
- Train from Chico to Seattle
PLN 615+
- Chico to Vancouver Train
PLN 359+
Check out these popular routes
- London to Paris
PLN 1,018+
- Los Angeles to Las Vegas
PLN 460+
- Chicago to New York Train
PLN 628+
- Train from Boston to New Haven
PLN 192+
- Train from Boston to Philadelphia
PLN 614+
- Train from Detroit to Chicago
PLN 239+
- Newark to Washington D.C. Train
PLN 441+
- New York to Chicago Train
PLN 726+
- Train from New York to Boston
PLN 432+
- Albany to New York
PLN 1,791+
- Philadelphia to Boston Train
PLN 605+
- Train from Seattle to Los Angeles
PLN 620+
- Seattle to Portland Train
PLN 149+
- Train from Seattle to Leavenworth
PLN 246+
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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more
- Train Tickets
- United States
- California
- Chico
- San Jose to Chico