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7 trains operate daily from Santa Cruz to Berkeley. The train trip from Santa Cruz to Berkeley is usually about 2 hours and 50 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 2 hours and 34 minutes.
| Distance | 63 mi (102 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 34m |
| Lowest price | €23.81 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Average score for trains from Santa Cruz to Berkeley
(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: I liked that the person checking tickets was so kind and helpful when I asked them questions about the traveling. Cons: The exit door closed too fast when I was trying to leave the train, because so many people were boarding I didn't have time to leave when the train was at my stop. Tips: Be ready when the door opens at your stop.
Over the past month, a train ticket between Santa Cruz and Berkeley cost €23.81, on average. This is about as cheap as train fares get on this route. Booking your trip at least 14 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around €0.11 more.
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Cruz to Berkeley. However, there are 7 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 7 | 2h 50m | €24.05 |
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 Cruz to Berkeley every day, as well as 7 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €24.
Trains from Santa Cruz to Berkeley are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Santa Cruz at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. 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. 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 Berkeley to Santa Cruz.
Image credit: Unsplash
Berkeley is located on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay Area and is home to the popular University of California. It has an ethnically diverse community and numerous culinary and art attractions as a college city. Make the most of your trip with a visit to their unique museums, like the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, the Berkeley Art Museum, and the Pacific Film Archive.
The Lawrence Hall of Science offers a planetarium and hands-on exhibits for families. Berkeley is also home to gorgeous parks and green spaces, like the 2000-acre Tilden Regional Park and Adventure Playground. Berkeley is the center of entertainment in California, with the exciting nightlife attracting students and young professionals. Food is an important part of this city, as you can explore the ethnic restaurants and food trucks. Look out for shows held in the Greek Theatre, or explore their ever-growing craft beer scene. Downtown Berkeley is the entertainment district of this college city.
If you're visiting Berkeley, you can do so by train from 85 other cities or bus from 38 cities. The bus lines are provided by FlixBus, while Amtrak supplies most of the train routes. In the town, you can move around with public transit, with student-friendly prices.
There is one train station in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz, California
Berkeley has one train station.
700 University Ave under University Ave overpass W of 4th St
€10+
€12+
€56+
€18+
€58+
€21+
€74+
€408+
€133+
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