Cheap train tickets from Santa Ana to Salinas
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Trip Summary
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Santa Ana to Salinas. Traveling by train from Santa Ana to Salinas usually takes 9 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 9 hours and 9 minutes.
| Distance | 295 mi (474 km) |
| Fastest train | 9h 9m |
| Lowest price | $96.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
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Santa Ana to Salinas Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Ana to Salinas?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Santa Ana to Salinas.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$106.47 | Avg. Price$78.00Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips5 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration9h 27mFaster | Duration12h 47m |
There are several train options that can take you from Santa Ana to Salinas:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Santa Ana to Salinas?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Ana to Salinas was $96.00. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 17 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $15.30 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Santa Ana to Salinas by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Santa Ana to Salinas will cost between $93 and $103. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Santa Ana to Salinas by month
Taking the train from Santa Ana to Salinas usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $103 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
The price of train trips from Santa Ana to Salinas doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.
Which train should you take from Santa Ana to Salinas?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Ana to Salinas. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 9h 27m | $106.47 |
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 5 Amtrak trains from Santa Ana to Salinas every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $96.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Ana to Salinas
There are 5 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 Salinas to Santa Ana. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Santa Ana to Salinas for $78.
Trains per day
5
Direct trains
0
The distance between Santa Ana and Salinas is approximately 295 miles, or 474 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 27 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 9 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)
295
Distance (km)
474
The earliest train departs Santa Ana at 6:01am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:04pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
6:01am
Last train
6:04pm
Trains from Santa Ana to Salinas are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Wednesday
Least crowded
Saturday
City Information
Santa Ana
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.
Salinas
Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.
For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.
If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.
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 Salinas?
Main arrival station: 11 Station Pl
Salinas has one train station.
All train stations in Salinas:
- 11 Station Pl
Need a return trip from Salinas to Santa Ana?
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