Cheap train tickets from Santa Clara to San Francisco

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Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Santa Clara to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Santa Clara to San Francisco usually takes 8 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in one hour and 38 minutes.

Distance: 39 mi (62 km)
Fastest train: 1h 38m
Lowest price: $26.00
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Santa Clara to San Francisco Train Schedule

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

Amtrak tickets: $26 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Clara to San Francisco was $26.00. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. 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 $0.55 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

The cost of a one-way train trip from Santa Clara to San Francisco is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about $25 for your ticket.

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

Taking the train from Santa Clara to San Francisco usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $24 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

The price of train trips from Santa Clara to San Francisco 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 San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Clara to San Francisco. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	5	8h 24m	$26.50

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 Clara to San Francisco every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $26.

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

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 San Francisco to Santa Clara.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Santa Clara and San Francisco is approximately 39 miles, or 62 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 24 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 38 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

Distance (mi)

Distance (km)

The earliest train departs Santa Clara at 6:25am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:18pm. 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

6:25am

Last train

8:18pm

Trains from Santa Clara to San Francisco are the most crowded on Monday. 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.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

Santa Clara

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.

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 Clara?

Main departure station: 5099 Stars and Stripes Dr

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

All train stations in Santa Clara:

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

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

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