Cheap train tickets from Santa Clara to Sacramento

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Trip Summary

There are usually 8 daily train trips available from Santa Clara to Sacramento. Traveling by train from Santa Clara to Sacramento usually takes 3 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Capitol Corridor train can make the trip in 2 hours and 48 minutes.

Distance
88 mi (142 km)
Fastest train
2h 48m
Lowest price
$36.00
Trains per day
7
Most frequent service
Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Train lines
2

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Santa Clara to Sacramento Train Schedule

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Santa Clara to Sacramento (Based on 5 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Alex

July 13, 2026 - Visiting family

Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Pros: I did not have to deal with traffic.

5.0

Krishnavasu

March 4, 2023 - Visiting family

Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Pros: Both the legs of the trip were excellent. Cons: NA Tips: NA

5.0

Adam

July 29, 2019 - Solo travel

Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Pros: How calm and peaceful it was, besides the horn. Cons: The horn was very loud and annoying.

4.0

Dehydys

June 15, 2019 - Visiting family

Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Pros: Bloody Maria Cons: travelers manners?!
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What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Clara to Sacramento?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Clara to Sacramento was $37.07. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. 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 $12.89 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Clara to Sacramento by travel date

$60$40$20AugSep

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Santa Clara to Sacramento will cost between $38 and $52. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Clara to Sacramento by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the train from Santa Clara to Sacramento usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $39 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$1001020

The price of train trips from Santa Clara to Sacramento 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.

What train companies travel from Santa Clara to Sacramento?

There are multiple trains that travel from Santa Clara to Sacramento, including Amtrak Capitol Corridor, Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular train lines:

TRAINDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Capitol Corridor73h 2m$36.54
Amtrak14h 36m$62.81
  • Since 1991, Capitol Corridor has connected Auburn to San Jose, with stops in Sacramento, Oakland, Berkeley, and 15 other cities in Northern California. The route's convenient transport to various cities includes breathtaking scenery guaranteed to help pass the time. Each train offers onboard WiFi and a cafe car for the comfort of passengers, as well as ample bicycle and luggage storage. Most Capitol Corridor trips make the journey from Santa Clara to Sacramento in about 3 hours and 2 minutes.

  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from Santa Clara to Sacramento every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $36.

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Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Clara to Sacramento

The distance between Santa Clara and Sacramento is approximately 88 miles, or 142 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 13 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 48 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

DISTANCE (MI)

88

DISTANCE (KM)

142

The earliest train departs Santa Clara at 6:25am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:40pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

EARLIEST TRAIN

6:25am

LATEST TRAIN

11:40pm

Trains from Santa Clara to Sacramento are the most crowded on Friday. 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

MOST CROWDED

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Monday

City Information

Santa Clara

Santa Clara, CA, US - SLR-0

Santa Clara is a city in the San Francisco Bay Area, home to Santa Clara University, the San Francisco 49ers, and many of Silicon Valley's prominent tech companies. The Intel Museum, at Intel's headquarters, is the perfect place to celebrate technological advances and see exhibits like a giant replica of an Intel computing chip. The Intel Museum is free to visit, as is the Triton Museum of Art, home to contemporary artworks from Bay Area artists.

If you'd rather escape the fast-paced world of tech, the Santa Clara Valley is also home to over 30 wineries that encourage visitors to take it slow and relax a while. Drink in the view as you sip the wines at Kirigin Cellars, one of the oldest wineries in California.

Santa Clara is a fabulous city for a family vacation, too, just maybe without the winery visits. Instead, treat the kids to thrills at California's Great Adventure amusement park and South Bay Shores water park.

Santa Clara is one of the stops on the Capitol Corridor train that runs from San Jose to Sacramento. Amtrak Thruway provides a few bus trips out of Santa Clara, but there are even more options departing from its neighbors, San Jose and San Francisco. The closest major airport to Santa Clara is the San Jose Airport, but it also convenient to fly into San Francisco or Oakland.

Sacramento

SAC-0SAC-1SAC-2

As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.

Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.

The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.

Station Information

Where does the train leave from in Santa Clara?

Main departure station: 5099 Stars and Stripes Dr

There are two stations in Santa Clara where you can board the train to Sacramento.

All train stations in Santa Clara:

  • 5099 Stars and Stripes Dr
  • Caltrain ACE station - 1001 Railroad Ave

Where does the train arrive in Sacramento?

Main arrival station: Valley Station - 401 I St

Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-0Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-1

Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.

All train stations in Sacramento:

  • Valley Station - 401 I St

Need a return trip from Sacramento to Santa Clara?

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