5.0
Pros: Met some awesome people on the way up in the lounge car and in my seat! Tips: get out there and meet people :).
Cheap train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Portland
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Luis Obispo to Portland?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from San Luis Obispo to Portland.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$240.37 | Avg. Price$196.54 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration1d 16h 0m | Duration1d 1h 52m |
Trip Summary
You can pick from 3 daily train trips between San Luis Obispo and Portland. The average train journey from San Luis Obispo to Portland takes 25 hours and 45 minutes, but some Amtrak Coast Starlight train trips are as short as 24 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 715 mi (1151 km) |
| Fastest train | 24h 35m |
| Lowest price | $134.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from San Luis Obispo to Portland
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Portland?
Over the past month, a train ticket between San Luis Obispo and Portland cost $164.00, on average. Since this route covers a considerable distance, tickets are typically a bit pricier than most train fares. Booking your trip at least 16 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $37.80 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Ticket prices for the train from San Luis Obispo to Portland often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in April when the average ticket price is only $156. If you're thinking of traveling from San Luis Obispo to Portland during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $222 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.
Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to Portland?
2 train services operate from San Luis Obispo to Portland. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 1d 2h 12m | $211.48 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 1d 0h 36m | $175.18 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from San Luis Obispo to Portland every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $158.
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 Portland
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Luis Obispo to Portland. 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 Portland is approximately 715 miles, or 1151 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 25 hours and 45 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 24 hours and 35 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.
Friday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from San Luis Obispo to Portland. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Friday 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 10:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. 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 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from San Luis Obispo to Portland. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Portland 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.
Portland
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Portland is the largest city in Oregon and accordingly one of the state's best vacation destinations. Also known as the City of Roses, this city along the Willamette River wows visitors with its diverse street food, quirky counterculture, and sprawling bookstores such as the world-famous Powell's Books.
Portland is the 5th best city in the United States for outdoor activities, thanks in part to open-air grounds like the expansive Forest Park. Gardens are also excellent outdoor date locales for couples on a romantic getaway: stop and smell the roses at either the International Rose Test Garden or the Portland Japanese Garden.
Once you've gotten hungry from a long day wandering outside, nearly every block downtown has a plethora of food trucks waiting to tickle your taste buds. Or, kick back at one of the many breweries in the #3 best city for craft beer in the United States. Unique locations like McMenamin's brewpubs in renovated cinemas or historic hotels do their part to "keep Portland weird."
As the biggest city in Oregon, Portland is a hub for travel throughout the Pacific Northwest. Amtrak train service and various bus services operate primarily out of Union Station, conveniently-located downtown, and nearby Portland International Airport makes it easy to travel to Portland from near and far.
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 Portland.
All train stations in San Luis Obispo:
1011 Railroad Ave
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
Where is the train station in Portland?
Image credit: Ian Sane
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Union Station
Located in Portland’s Old Town Chinatown area at 800 Northwest Sixth Avenue, Union Station features a glowing neon sign encouraging you to “Go By Train.” Union Station serves several iconic Amtrak routes including the Cascades through the Pacific Northwest, the scenic Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle, and the long-distance Empire Builder which travels all the way to Chicago. Along with train service, Union Station serves intercity bus service via Greyhound, and connects to the Portland Streetcar, MAX Light Rail, and several local TriMet buses. There is a restaurant and bar onsite, as well as a Metropolitan Lounge reserved for Amtrak’s first- and business-class passengers.
All train stations in Portland:
Union Station
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