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San Luis Obispo to Irvine train

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San Luis Obispo - Irvine Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 8 daily train trips between San Luis Obispo and Irvine. The average train journey from San Luis Obispo to Irvine takes 8 hours and 3 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 6 hours and 59 minutes.

Distance197 mi (317 km)
Fastest train6h 59m
Lowest price$45.00
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Luis Obispo to Irvine

(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Richard

February 13, 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Cheap, pleasant staff, good food, comfortable seats and great customers! Cons: All of the bathrooms serviceable! Tips: Relax and enjoy and be patient!

5.0

Barbara

November 17, 2019- Visiting family

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: That I did not have to deal with LA traffic. Cons: We had a delay at a station stop along the way. It was not properly explained to us passengers what the problem was or how long the delay would be until we had already been waiting and wondering what was happening for about 20 minutes. Better communication, please. Some passengers got concerned and just left the train. I almost took an Uber to my destination since I was only 2 stops away. In today’s day and age, passengers can get worried of an issue and want to flee. Just give passengers information when you are able. Tips: Sit back and enjoy the ride!!

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Irvine was $63.73. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 11 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $2.46 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Monthly avg. prices

$75$60$45$30$15MJJASONDJFMA
Ticket prices for the train from San Luis Obispo to Irvine often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in March when the average ticket price is only $51. If you're thinking of traveling from San Luis Obispo to Irvine during October, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $65 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in October, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from San Luis Obispo to Irvine, book online with Wanderu at least 11 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $2.46 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

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

2 train services operate from San Luis Obispo to Irvine. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 7 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak78h 9m$67.66
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner17h 0m$48.00

  • 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 7 Amtrak trains from San Luis Obispo to Irvine every day, as well as 11 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $39.

  • The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 1 train trips from San Luis Obispo to Irvine every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $48.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Luis Obispo to Irvine. 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 Irvine is approximately 197 miles, or 317 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 3 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 59 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.

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

The earliest train departs San Luis Obispo at 3:00am 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 8 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Irvine. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Irvine 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.

Irvine

Irvine, CA - IRV-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Irvine, CA - IRV-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Irvine, CA - IRV-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Though Irvine is probably most famous for its corporations and university campuses, the city is well worth the trip for its variety of attractions and activities. Start with a date night at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, which boasts an intimate atmosphere and superb acoustics. You could also check out the UCI Arboretum, where you can learn more about the unique flora of the coastal California region. The Beall Center for Art + Technology features interesting exhibitions that fuse modern art with futuristic technologies.

When you've worked up an appetite, you can find a wide variety of dining options available in the city. For some of the best Japanese dishes in town, check out Fukuda, which serves udon and soba dishes. If you are craving a good chicken parm, North Italia has just what you need!

It's easy to get to Irvine from anywhere in Southern California via intercity buses or Amtrak trains. Flights operate through the nearby John Wayne Airport-Orange County Airport, just 4.3 miles away from downtown.

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 Irvine.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Where is the train station in Irvine?

Irvine Transp Ctr - 15215 Barranca Pkwy - IRVAMT-0

Image credit: Adam Moss

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Irvine Transp Ctr - 15215 Barranca Pkwy

Irvine Station – also known as Irvine Transportation Center – is the busiest station in South Orange County, serving over a million passengers annually. It first opened in 1990 on the south side of the decommissioned Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in the Spectrum district. The station serves Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, Metrolink (Southern California's commuter rail system), and various local transit bus lines part of the Orange County Transportation Authority's network. In the vicinity of the station, there are hotels, offices, and shops. Irvine Station is also close to the Irvine Spectrum Center, one of SoCal's most popular entertainment and shopping destinations.

All train stations in Irvine:

  • Irvine Transp Ctr - 15215 Barranca Pkwy

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