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Cheap train tickets from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo

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Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo Train Schedule

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

There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
€63.68
Avg. Price
€56.95
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
1
Daily Trips
6
Duration
Duration
10h 49m
Duration
6h 46m

Trip Summary

You can pick from 7 daily train trips between Santa Ana and San Luis Obispo. The average train journey from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo takes 6 hours and 43 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 6 hours and 9 minutes.

Distance191 mi (308 km)
Fastest train6h 9m
Lowest price€40.57
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo was €53.47. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 22 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around €1.46 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Monthly avg. prices

€66€53€40€26€13MJJASONDJFMA
Taking the train from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around €56 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

€66€53€40€26€133020100

Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to San Luis Obispo at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.

Which train should you take from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo?

2 train services operate from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak56h 44m€60.69
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner26h 42m€40.57

  • 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 San Luis Obispo every day, as well as 7 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €47.

  • 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 2 train trips from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from €41.

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

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo. 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 Santa Ana and San Luis Obispo is approximately 191 miles, or 308 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 43 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 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.

Trains from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo are the most crowded on Saturday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Santa Ana at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. 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 7 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to San Luis Obispo. 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 San Luis Obispo 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.

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.

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 Luis Obispo?

Main arrival station: 1011 Railroad Ave

San Luis Obispo receives travelers from Santa Ana at its two active train stations.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in San Luis Obispo by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

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