Santa Cruz to Monterey train
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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Santa Cruz to Monterey. Traveling by train from Santa Cruz to Monterey usually takes 4 hours and 45 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 27 mi (43 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 25m |
| Lowest price | $39.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Cruz to Monterey?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Santa Cruz and Monterey cost $42.00, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Monterey. Booking your trip at least 27 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $6.96 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Santa Cruz to Monterey?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Cruz to Monterey. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 4h 46m | $45.94 |
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 Cruz to Monterey every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $39.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Cruz to Monterey
The distance between Santa Cruz and Monterey is approximately 27 miles, or 43 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 45 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 25 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 from Santa Cruz to Monterey 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.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Santa Cruz at 8:00am and arrives in Monterey around 4 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Monterey 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 Monterey?
Main arrival station: 351 Fremont St
There are more train stations and stops in Monterey than most cities. Most trains from Santa Cruz will stop at one (or more) of the 5 following stations in Monterey:
All train stations in Monterey:
351 Fremont St
Marriott
1 Old Golf Course Rd
500 Tyler St
Monterey Bay Aquarium
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