Cheap train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana

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Trip Summary

There are usually 9 daily train trips available from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana. Traveling by train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana usually takes 7 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance: 191 mi (308 km)
Fastest train: 5h 30m
Lowest price: $46.00
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana?

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

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. Price$72.31	Avg. Price$63.14Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips9	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration7h 28mFaster	Duration9h 5m

There are several train options that can take you from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana:

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana was $46. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 25 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $30.38 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana will cost between $59 and $77. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana by month

Taking the train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $67 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

The price of train trips from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.

Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana?

2 train services operate from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 6 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	6	7h 43m	$81.80
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner	3	6h 46m	$46.00

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 6 Amtrak trains from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana every day, as well as 10 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $53.
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 3 train trips from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $46.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana. 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.

There are 9 scheduled trains on most days. 3 of these are direct connections to Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana for $36.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Luis Obispo and Santa Ana is approximately 191 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 28 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 30 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.

Distance (mi)

191

Distance (km)

308

The earliest train departs San Luis Obispo at 3:15 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 4:17 PM. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

3:15am

Last train

4:17pm

Trains from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

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.

Santa Ana

Santa Ana is a sunny city in Orange County located between Anaheim and Irvine in the greater Los Angeles area. Downtown Santa Ana bustles with independent breweries, diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, weekly pop-up markets, and art centers. This lively downtown area, in addition to Santa Ana's live-work housing and creative working spaces, make it attractive to young professionals.

One of the most popular spots for visitors is the Santa Ana Zoo, where little ones can enjoy a carousel and mini-train ride along with the animal exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts will love seeing the Bowers Museum, built in a Mission Revival style, and the Heritage Museum, which has restored homes from the 1890s.

The Orange County Transportation Authority and several shuttle services provide transit within Santa Ana. Santa Ana is easily accessible from over 20 other cities by Amtrak Thruway bus or on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. The primary airport for Orange County, John Wayne Airport, is located in Santa Ana and also makes it easy to travel to this vibrant SoCal spot.

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 Santa Ana.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

1011 Railroad Ave
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Where is the train station in Santa Ana?

Main arrival station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd

Santa Ana has one train station.

All train stations in Santa Ana:

Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd

Need a return trip from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo?

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