Cheap train tickets from Santa Cruz to Madera
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Santa Cruz to Madera Train Schedule
Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Santa Cruz to Madera. Traveling by train from Santa Cruz to Madera usually takes 6 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 53 minutes.
| Distance | 109 mi (175 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 53m |
| Lowest price | $36.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Santa Cruz to Madera?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Cruz to Madera. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 6h 36m | $43.03 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from Santa Cruz to Madera every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $36.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Cruz to Madera
The distance between Santa Cruz and Madera is approximately 109 miles, or 175 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 36 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 53 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 departing from Santa Cruz to Madera tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Wednesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Santa Cruz at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 1:00pm. 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 3 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 Madera to Santa Cruz.
City Information
Station Information
Where is the train station in Santa Cruz?
Main departure station: Santa Cruz, California
There is one train station in Santa Cruz.
All train stations in Santa Cruz:
Santa Cruz, California
Where is the train station in Madera?
Main arrival station: 18770 Rd 26
Madera has one train station.
All train stations in Madera:
18770 Rd 26
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Madera to Santa Cruz?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.