5.0
I was able to enjoy the scenery, a lot of green vegetation. Awesome sight. I wouldn’t mind doing similar trip again.
Cheap train tickets from San Jose to Salinas
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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:
San Jose to Salinas Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Jose to Salinas?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from San Jose to Salinas.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$30.46 | Avg. Price$51.40 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration1h 15m | Duration1h 40m |
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from San Jose to Salinas. Traveling by train from San Jose to Salinas usually takes one hour and 40 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 47 mi (76 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 40m |
| Lowest price | $19.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Coast Starlight |
| Train lines | 1 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from San Jose to Salinas
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from San Jose to Salinas?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from San Jose to Salinas was $19.00. This is a fantastic deal for train travel. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Salinas if you book your train tickets at least 18 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $52.33.
Average train ticket prices from San Jose to Salinas by month
Mark your calendar for October if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from San Jose to Salinas. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of $31. If you're planning a trip from San Jose to Salinas during July, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about $39 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from San Jose to Salinas on Wanderu at least 18 days ahead of time, you can save about $52.33 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from San Jose to Salinas?
Amtrak Coast Starlight is the one and only train line which connects San Jose to Salinas. 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.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 1h 40m | $78.04 |
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 about traveling by train from San Jose to Salinas
The distance between San Jose and Salinas is approximately 47 miles, or 76 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour 40 minutes, As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from San Jose to Salinas on Friday. Tickets for Friday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Wednesday. Wednesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves San Jose at 10:00am and arrives in Salinas about an hour later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Salinas with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Salinas 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.
Salinas
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 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 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 Jose?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from San Jose
- Train from San Jose to Phoenix
$251+
- Train from San Jose to Burbank
$96+
- Train from San Jose to Colfax
$56+
- Train from San Jose to Hanford
$54+
- Train from San Jose to Los Angeles
$97+
- Train from San Jose to Madera
$45+
- Train from San Jose to Martinez
$25+
- Train from San Jose to Palm Springs
$150+
- Train from San Jose to Redding
$67+
- Train from San Jose to Sacramento
$40+
- San Jose to San Diego Train
$124+
- Train from San Jose to San Francisco
$29+
- Train from San Jose to Vallejo
$34+
- San Jose to Ventura Train
$90+
- Train from San Jose to Boston
$737+
- Train from San Jose to Klamath Falls
$119+
- Train from San Jose to Austin
$423+
- San Jose to Seattle
$263+
Continue by train from Salinas
Check out these popular routes
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.