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Cheap train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Salinas

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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San Luis Obispo to Salinas Train Schedule

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 Salinas?

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from San Luis Obispo to Salinas.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$43.24
Avg. Price
$140.50
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
2
Daily Trips
1
Duration
Duration
2h 34m
Duration
3h 4m

Trip Summary

There is usually just one train option from San Luis Obispo to Salinas per day. The average train journey from San Luis Obispo to Salinas takes 3 hours, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance111 mi (179 km)
Fastest train2h 45m
Lowest price$50.00
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Coast Starlight
Train lines2

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Luis Obispo to Salinas

(Based on 5 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

LUCINDA

June 6, 2025- Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Seeing the Salinas Valley beyond the confines of the highway. Cons: Ask passengers if they have or need a seat preference. I'm 83, use a walking stick for balance, carried a backpack and would have preferred a seat downstairs. Instead, I was seated upstairs on the aisle next to a large man with body odor. There were many empty seats in the car. The person doing seat assignments just shuffled his cards arbitrarily without asking if any passengers had disabilities. I mentioned my disabilities when I bought my ticket. I managed, but only because I'm determined and do lots of gardening to stay strong. Tips: Request a seat where you want it.

5.0

Daniel

August 6, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Riding in the train was great. Cons: Could be cleaner. Tips: Not really.

4.0

Ben

April 15, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Fast and efficient. Cons: A little more space.

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

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Salinas was $52.67. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Salinas if you book your train tickets at least 7 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $58.67.

Monthly avg. prices

$125$100$75$50$25JASONDJFMAMJ
You can find the lowest prices on this route during January. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Salinas, with the average price at just $39. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in July, when the average price goes up to $102. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

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

2 train services operate from San Luis Obispo to Salinas. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak12h 51m$50.00
Amtrak Coast Starlight13h 6m$109.21

  • 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 Luis Obispo to Salinas every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $50.

  • 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 Salinas

Yes, there are some trains that travel the entire distance from San Luis Obispo to Salinas. However, in some cases you will have to take a bus for part of your journey in addition to taking the train.
The distance between San Luis Obispo and Salinas is approximately 111 miles, or 179 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 45 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

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

Most days, there is only one train which leaves San Luis Obispo at 10:00am and arrives in Salinas around 2 hours 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 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.

Salinas

Salinas, CA, US - SNS-0

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 Luis Obispo?

Main departure station: 1011 Railroad Ave

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

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

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

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