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Cheap train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Ventura

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San Luis Obispo to Ventura Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 8 daily train trips between San Luis Obispo and Ventura. The average train journey from San Luis Obispo to Ventura takes 4 hours and 53 minutes, but some Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train trips are as short as 3 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance107 mi (172 km)
Fastest train3h 25m
Lowest price$38.00
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Price trends for trains from San Luis Obispo to Ventura

Average train ticket prices from San Luis Obispo to Ventura by month

$50$40$30$20$10DJFMAMJJASON

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

2 train services operate from San Luis Obispo to Ventura. 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
Amtrak75h 2m$48.81
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner13h 25m$38.00
  • 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 Ventura every day, as well as 11 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $38.

  • 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 Ventura every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $38.

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

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Luis Obispo to Ventura. 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 Ventura is approximately 107 miles, or 172 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 53 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 25 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from San Luis Obispo to Ventura. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Sunday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday 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 4:00pm. 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 Ventura. 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 Ventura 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.

Ventura

Ventura, CA, US - VEC-0

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Ventura is a beach town near LA, located on the Central Coast of California. It is known for its different beaches, like the San Buenaventura State Beach, which features the wooden Ventura Pier. Ventura is known as one of the best surf towns in America, with scenic coasts and impressive waves. Surfer's Point is the town's most popular spot for surfing and windsurfing. One of the popular tourist locations in the city is Channel Islands National Park, which is a habitat for rare island foxes and scrub jays, and can be accessed by boat from the Ventura Harbor. Explore Main Street in Downtown Ventura for more landmarks and historical sites.

Ventura has a lively art scene, with different galleries and museums in the downtown area. Enjoy entertaining theatre at the Rubicon Theatre Company, or go on short-day cruises with friends and family. The city also offers an eclectic food scene with Polynesian and Nepalese restaurants and wineries that will surprise you. Its nightlife consists of bars, lounges, breweries, comedy clubs, and taprooms, like The Tavern, all littered in Downtown Ventura.

Ventura is easily accessible from other cities by train routes provided by Amtrak and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and bus lines by FlixBus US and Amtrak Thruway. The Ventura County Transportation Commission provides commuter bus routes throughout 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 Ventura.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Where is the train station in Ventura?

Main arrival station: Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops

Ventura has one train station.

All train stations in Ventura:

  • Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops

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