Wanderu Logo
United States flag
  • Canada
$
Log in
background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Chico

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 Luis Obispo to Chico Train Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00
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 Luis Obispo to Chico?

There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from San Luis Obispo to Chico.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$121.94
Avg. Price
$97.40
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
1
Daily Trips
5
Duration
Duration
1d 6h 25m
Duration
14h 24m

Trip Summary

You can pick from 4 daily train trips between San Luis Obispo and Chico. The average train journey from San Luis Obispo to Chico takes 15 hours and 11 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 9 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance314 mi (505 km)
Fastest train9h 45m
Lowest price$54.00
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

What is the price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Chico?

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Chico was $92.67. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Chico if you book your train tickets at least 4 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $20.48.

Monthly avg. prices

$100$80$60$40$20JFMAMJJASOND
Ticket prices for the train from San Luis Obispo to Chico often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in November when the average ticket price is only $72. If you're thinking of traveling from San Luis Obispo to Chico during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $100 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.

Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to Chico?

2 train services operate from San Luis Obispo 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:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak315h 54m$103.04
Amtrak Coast Starlight110h 32m$184.45

  • 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 Luis Obispo to Chico every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $54.

  • 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 Luis Obispo to Chico

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Luis Obispo to Chico. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between San Luis Obispo and Chico is approximately 314 miles, or 505 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 15 hours and 11 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 45 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from San Luis Obispo to Chico on Tuesday. Tickets for Tuesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Saturday. Saturday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs San Luis Obispo at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. 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 Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo.

City Information

San Luis Obispo

San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.

Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.

SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.

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 Luis Obispo?

Main departure station: 1011 Railroad Ave

There are two stations in San Luis Obispo where you can board the train to Chico.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

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

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

From the Wanderu blog

Need a return trip from Chico to San Luis Obispo?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from San Luis Obispo

Continue by train from Chico

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.