Cheap train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There is one daily train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz. Traveling by train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz usually takes 7 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 6 hours and 14 minutes.

Distance	140 mi (225 km)
Fastest train	6h 14m
Lowest price	$66.00
Trains per day	0
Most frequent service	Amtrak
Train lines	1

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

San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

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

Amtrak tickets: $66 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz was $66.00. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 24 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $25.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz will cost between $65 and $74. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

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

Ticket prices for the train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only $80. If you're thinking of traveling from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $92 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz on Wanderu at least 24 days ahead of time, you can save about $25.00 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 Cruz?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	7h 8m	$80.07

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 Santa Cruz every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $66.

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

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Cruz 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 Cruz for $88.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz is approximately 140 miles, or 225 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 8 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 14 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)

140

Distance (km)

225

Most days, there is only one train which leaves San Luis Obispo at 3:05pm and arrives in Santa Cruz around 6 hours later.

First train

3:05pm

Last train

3:05pm

Trains from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Sunday

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Luis Obispo?

Main departure station: 1011 Railroad Ave

There is one train station in San Luis Obispo.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

1011 Railroad Ave

Where is the train station in Santa Cruz?

Main arrival station: Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz has one train station.

All train stations in Santa Cruz:

Santa Cruz, California

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

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from San Luis Obispo

Continue by train from Santa Cruz

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.