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Trip Summary
You can pick from 9 daily train trips between San Luis Obispo and Santa Ana. The average train journey from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana takes 7 hours and 48 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 6 hours and 48 minutes.
| Distance | 191 mi (308 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 48m |
| Lowest price | $45.00 |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
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 $58.14. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $6.39 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $6.39 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
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 8 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 8 | 7h 53m | $66.33 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 1 | 6h 49m | $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 8 Amtrak trains from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $46.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between San Luis Obispo and Santa Ana is approximately 191 miles, or 308 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 48 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 48 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.
Trains from San Luis Obispo to Santa Ana are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
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 9 scheduled trains on most days. 2 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.
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
Image credit: Unsplash
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
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