Cheap train tickets from Santa Ana to San Francisco

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

Trip Summary

There are usually 7 daily train trips available from Santa Ana to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Santa Ana to San Francisco usually takes 12 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 11 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance: 378 mi (608 km)
Fastest train: 11h 15m
Lowest price: $58.00
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

Santa Ana to San Francisco Train Schedule

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

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Santa Ana to San Francisco.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. Price$85.43Cheaper	Avg. Price$129.39
Daily Trips	Daily Trips7	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration12h 24m	Duration11h 53mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from Santa Ana to San Francisco:

Amtrak tickets: $58 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Ana to San Francisco was $71.80. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 26 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $22.66 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Ana to San Francisco by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Santa Ana to San Francisco will cost between $76 and $87. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Ana to San Francisco by month

Ticket prices for the train from Santa Ana to San Francisco often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only $75. If you're thinking of traveling from Santa Ana to San Francisco during May, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $81 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in May, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Santa Ana to San Francisco on Wanderu at least 26 days ahead of time, you can save about $22.66 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Santa Ana to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Ana to San Francisco. However, there are 7 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	7	12h 24m	$85.43

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 Santa Ana to San Francisco every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $58.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Ana to San Francisco

There are 7 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 San Francisco to Santa Ana. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Santa Ana to San Francisco for $56.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Santa Ana and San Francisco is approximately 378 miles, or 608 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 12 hours and 24 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 11 hours and 15 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)

378

Distance (km)

608

The earliest train departs Santa Ana at 12:15am 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

12:15am

Last train

6:04pm

Trains from Santa Ana to San Francisco are the most crowded on Thursday. 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

Thursday

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.

San Francisco

Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.

If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.

Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.

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 San Francisco?

Main arrival station: San Francisco, California

Behind a modern curved façade lies San Francisco’s commuter hub, the Salesforce Transit Center. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. Rotating food trucks, cafés, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself.

All train stations in San Francisco:

San Francisco, California

Need a return trip from San Francisco to Santa Ana?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from Santa Ana

Continue by train from San Francisco

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.