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.
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 33 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 | TRY 7,141.70 |
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 TRY 11,699.14. 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 21 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra TRY 4,263.05.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Boston to San Francisco will cost between TRY 11,052 and TRY 18,291. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
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 21 days in advance. That way, you’ll save TRY 4,263.05 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 33m | TRY 13,054.13 |
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 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from TRY 7,142.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 33 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 Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. 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 Tuesday 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?
Image credit: Tony Hisgett
Link to image attributionMain departure station: South Station
South Station is the largest and busiest train station in Boston, and a major transportation hub for the greater New England area. South Station's 13 tracks are used by Amtrak, Acela, the MBTA commuter rail, and the MBTA subway system (a.k.a. the "T") with connections to the Boston Logan International Airport. You can also access intercity bus service in the adjacent South Station Bus Terminal. South Station's historic train terminal opened in 1899 right in downtown Boston, and is close to many points of interest like the Boston Common, the Freedom Trail, and the hip Seaport district. At the terminal, you'll find free WiFi, luggage storage, a 24-hour information booth, and 14 dining options, including that New England favorite, Dunkin'.
All train stations in Boston:
South Station
Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St
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?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Boston
- Train from Boston to New Haven
TRY 1,559+
- Boston to Stamford
TRY 2,585+
- Boston to Miami
TRY 10,547+
- Train from Boston to Orlando
TRY 10,039+
- Boston to Chicago Train
TRY 5,769+
- Boston to Worcester
TRY 226+
- Train from Boston to Baltimore
TRY 5,293+
- Boston to Newark Train
TRY 3,737+
- Boston to Syracuse
TRY 1,947+
- Train from Boston to Portland
TRY 14,962+
- Train from Boston to Philadelphia
TRY 4,845+
- Train from Boston to Newport
TRY 1,705+
- Boston to Providence Train
TRY 562+
- Train from Boston to Newport News
TRY 5,276+
- Boston to Burlington Train
TRY 5,504+
Continue by train from San Francisco
- Train from San Francisco to Vancouver
TRY 5,668+
- San Francisco to Fresno Train
TRY 992+
- Train from San Francisco to Napa
TRY 714+
- San Francisco to Sacramento Train
TRY 1,127+
- Train from San Francisco to San Diego
TRY 2,369+
- Train from San Francisco to San Jose
TRY 815+
- San Francisco to Santa Clara Train
TRY 792+
- Train from San Francisco to Santa Cruz
TRY 1,076+
- Train from San Francisco to Truckee
TRY 1,997+
- San Francisco to Yosemite Valley Train
TRY 1,253+
- San Francisco to Denver Train
TRY 4,386+
- San Francisco to Chicago
TRY 8,235+
- San Francisco to Las Vegas Train
TRY 3,707+
- Train from San Francisco to New York
TRY 13,329+
- San Francisco to Portland
TRY 3,540+
- San Francisco to Seattle Train
TRY 4,375+
- San Francisco to Vancouver Train
TRY 3,600+
Check out these popular routes
- Washington D.C. to Boston
TRY 5,640+
- Portland to Seattle
TRY 15,384+
- New York to Toronto Train
TRY 4,596+
- New York to New Haven Train
TRY 1,349+
- Train from New York to Boston
TRY 3,411+
- New York to Rensselaer Train
TRY 1,523+
- Train from Portland to Seattle
TRY 1,152+
- Philadelphia to New York Train
TRY 2,183+
- Train from Providence to Boston
TRY 511+
- Seattle to Portland Train
TRY 1,170+
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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more
- Train Tickets
- United States
- California
- San Francisco
- Boston to San Francisco