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Cheap train tickets from Santa Ana to Modesto

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Santa Ana to Modesto Train Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Ana to Modesto?

There are usually 6 daily bus trips available from Santa Ana to Modesto.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$80.64
Avg. Price
$60.16
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
6
Daily Trips
2
Duration
Duration
12h 10m
Duration
9h 39m

Trip Summary

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Santa Ana to Modesto. Traveling by train from Santa Ana to Modesto usually takes 9 hours and 59 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 8 hours and 31 minutes.

Distance321 mi (517 km)
Fastest train8h 31m
Lowest price$42.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

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What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Ana to Modesto?

The average price for a train ticket from Santa Ana to Modesto is $44.00, Considering the distance of the route, this is an excellent deal. By booking your trip at least 12 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $31.67 more.

Monthly avg. prices

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND
You can find the lowest prices on this route during October. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Santa Ana to Modesto, with the average price at just $50. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in December, when the average price goes up to $63. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

By booking your train trip from Santa Ana to Modesto on Wanderu at least 12 days ahead of time, you can save about $31.67 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Santa Ana to Modesto?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Ana to Modesto. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak610h 0m$66.03
  • 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 Santa Ana to Modesto every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $42.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Ana to Modesto

While the train is the main method of transportation from Santa Ana to Modesto, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

The distance between Santa Ana and Modesto is approximately 321 miles, or 517 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 59 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 31 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Santa Ana to Modesto on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Tuesday. Tuesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs Santa Ana at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Modesto to Santa Ana.

City Information

Santa Ana

Santa Ana, CA, US - SNA-0

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.

Modesto

Modesto, CA, US - MOD-0

Image credit: Tom Hilton

Link to image attribution

Modesto is a city in Central Valley, California. The city is known for its large agricultural industry and number of museums. Modesto is home to museums, natural history sites, and planetariums, like the Great Valley Museum and McHenry Museum. It also has different amusement and recreational centers offering playgrounds, rides, go-cart, and more, like Funworks Modesto and Graceada Park. As for nature lovers, Modesto features places for sports, hiking, camping, fishing, and picnics, like Jacob Myers Park and Ceres River Bluff Regional Park. The city is also a fun place for arts with the Graffiti Summer and the Gallo Center for the Arts.

The CA city is ideal for all craft beer and wine lovers, as it has several breweries and wineries to visit. Modesto also has a vibrant nightlife, with different nightclubs, lounges, bars, and restaurants, and is always brimming with pool parties, trance festivals, DJ nights, and more. Downtown Modesto has become a vibrant place for shopping, dining, and parties.

Modesto features several train and bus lines for those in and around the city. The city is easily accessible by Amtrak and Amtrak San Joaquins for trains, while Tufesa Plus offers bus services. The City of Modesto Transit Services powers the city's transportation.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Santa Ana?

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

There is one train station in Santa Ana.

All train stations in Santa Ana:

  • Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd

Where is the train station in Modesto?

Main arrival station: 1700 Held Dr

Modesto has one train station.

All train stations in Modesto:

  • 1700 Held Dr

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Modesto to Santa Ana?

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