Cheap train tickets from Boston to San Francisco
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Boston to San Francisco Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Boston to San Francisco?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Boston to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceHUF 81,590.69 | Avg. PriceHUF 189,606.43 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration3d 12h 44m | Duration3d 8h 12m |
Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Boston to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Boston to San Francisco usually takes 80 hours and 3 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 79 hours and 48 minutes.
| Distance | 2693 mi (4334 km) |
| Fastest train | 79h 48m |
| Lowest price | HUF 95,441.13 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Boston to San Francisco?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Boston to San Francisco was HUF 123,155.13. Train tickets on this route are typically priced higher due to the distance covered. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to San Francisco if you book your train tickets at least 15 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra HUF 52,233.52.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
If you're looking to save on your train trip from Boston to San Francisco, book online with Wanderu at least 15 days in advance. That way, you’ll save HUF 52,233.52 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
Which train should you take from Boston to San Francisco?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Boston to San Francisco. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 3d 8h 4m | HUF 167,923.91 |
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 Boston to San Francisco every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from HUF 95,441.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Boston to San Francisco
The distance between Boston and San Francisco is approximately 2693 miles, or 4334 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 80 hours and 3 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 79 hours and 48 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 Boston to San Francisco tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. 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 Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Boston at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 12:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Boston twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. 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 change 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 San Francisco to Boston.
City Information
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest cities in the country, but it is kept young and fresh with the help of over 150,000 students who flock to the city’s prestigious universities every year. Beantown’s many sights and activities celebrate American history, prolific sports teams, and New England seafood. So let's spill the tea (into the harbor, if you will):
Boston's Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city on foot and visit some of the most iconic landmarks of the American Revolution: from Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution to the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall. The Freedom Trail officially begins in Boston Common, the oldest public park in the U.S. and a beautiful spot for walking, picnicking, or ice skating in the winter. Foodies will love tasting the Italian cuisine in the North End and the modern eateries of South End, while sports fans can tour Fenway Park, and art lovers can explore the expansive Museum of Fine Arts.
From Boston, travelers can easily get to the beachy summer destination of Cape Cod, or surrounding states like New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. With four main train stations and several bus stops in the city, as well as Boston Logan Airport (which, by the way, has some excellent airport food), Boston is a central hub for travel throughout New England and beyond.
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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 Boston?
Main departure station: Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St
There are two stations in Boston where you can board the train to San Francisco.
All train stations in Boston:
Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St
South Station
Where is the train station in San Francisco?
Image credit: 146109843@N05
Link to image attributionMain 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
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Francisco to Boston?
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