Pros: Both the legs of the trip were excellent. Cons: NA. Tips: NA.
5.0
Pros: How calm and peaceful it was, besides the horn. Cons: The horn was very loud and annoying.
4.0
Pros: Bloody Maria. Cons: travelers manners?!
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Trip Summary
8 trains operate daily from Santa Clara to Sacramento. The train trip from Santa Clara to Sacramento is usually about 3 hours and 8 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Capitol Corridor train can get you there in as little as 2 hours and 44 minutes.
| Distance | 88 mi (142 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 44m |
| Lowest price | $20.00 |
| Trains per day | 13 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Capitol Corridor |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Santa Clara to Sacramento
(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)
4.8
What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Clara to Sacramento?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Santa Clara and Sacramento cost $25.83, on average. This is about as cheap as train fares get on this route. Booking your trip at least 18 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $11.73 more.
Average prices by travel date
The average cost of a one-way train trip from Santa Clara to Sacramento is expected to fluctuate between $30 and $39 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Sacramento in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Santa Clara is $31.
Monthly avg. prices
The price of a train ticket from Santa Clara to Sacramento remains pretty stable, regardless of when you plan to travel. Tickets on this route usually cost $40 throughout the year.
Prices as travel date approaches
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.
Which train should you take from Santa Clara to Sacramento?
2 train services operate from Santa Clara to Sacramento. Amtrak Capitol Corridor usually has more trains scheduled, with 6 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 3h 39m | $35.23 |
| Amtrak Capitol Corridor | 6 | 2h 57m | $36.49 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from Santa Clara to Sacramento every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $20.
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 2 hours and 57 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Santa Clara to Sacramento. 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 Clara and Sacramento is approximately 88 miles, or 142 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 8 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 44 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.
Trains from Santa Clara to Sacramento 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Santa Clara 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 8 scheduled trains on most days. 13 of these are direct connections to Sacramento. 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 Sacramento to Santa Clara.
City Information
Santa Clara
Image credit: Unsplash
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
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 is the train station 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 is the train station in Sacramento?
Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Valley Station - 401 I St
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
1389 10th Street 10th and N Streets
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