Cheap train tickets from Detroit to Oakland
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Detroit to Oakland. Traveling by train from Detroit to Oakland usually takes 2 days, 21 hours, and 4 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 days, 14 hours, and 20 minutes.
- Distance
- 2079 mi (3346 km)
- Fastest train
- 62h 20m
- Lowest price
- RON 1,773.11
- Trains per day
- 1
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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Detroit to Oakland Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Detroit to Oakland?
There is usually 1 daily bus trip available from Detroit to Oakland.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceRON 1,884.63 | Avg. PriceRON 1,335.68Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration69h 4m | Duration55h 38mFaster |

There are several train options that can take you from Detroit to Oakland:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Detroit to Oakland?
In the last month, train tickets from Detroit to Oakland cost about RON 1,773 when booked at the cheapest time. Considering the distance between Detroit and Oakland, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. The further in advance you book your travels, the more likely it is you can find tickets at this price or lower.
Average train ticket prices from Detroit to Oakland by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Detroit to Oakland will cost between RON 1,303 and RON 2,161. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Detroit to Oakland by month
Ticket prices for the train from Detroit to Oakland often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only RON 1,217. If you're thinking of traveling from Detroit to Oakland during April, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 2,415 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in April, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
You can score the best price on a train ticket from Detroit to Oakland by booking on Wanderu in advance. Tickets are nearly always cheaper the further in advance you purchase them.
Which train should you take from Detroit to Oakland?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Detroit to Oakland. 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 | 69h 4m | RON 1,884.64 |
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 is 1 Amtrak train from Detroit to Oakland every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from RON 1,303.48.










Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Detroit to Oakland
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 Oakland to Detroit. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Detroit to Oakland for RON 805.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
0
The distance between Detroit and Oakland is approximately 2,079 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 days, 21 hours, and 4 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 days, 14 hours, and 20 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.
Distance (mi)
2079
Distance (km)
3346
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Detroit at 6:26 AM and arrives in Oakland around 62 hours later.
First train
6:26am
Last train
6:31am
Trains from Detroit to Oakland are the most crowded on Saturday. 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Saturday
Least crowded
Tuesday
City Information
Detroit



Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travelers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.
As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favorite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.
The principal bus terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travelers can catch buses run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.
Oakland



Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.
Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.
It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Detroit?
Main departure station: 11 W Baltimore Ave

Detroit’s Amtrak station connects Motor City with the nation’s rail network via three daily trains on the Amtrak Wolverine, which runs from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan. Bus service on Miller Transportation also operates from the Amtrak Station on 11 W Baltimore Avenue, and from the adjacent platform, travelers can connect to the QLine streetcar system. The station’s amenities include clean restrooms, vending machines, and onsite customer service staff. Thanks to its location in the New Center neighborhood, the Amtrak station is surrounded by various restaurants and is one block away from the historic landmark, Cadillac Place.
All train stations in Detroit:
- 11 W Baltimore Ave
Where is the train station in Oakland?
Main arrival station: 245 Second St


The Jack London Station in Oakland opened in 1995, replacing 16th Street Station, which was extensively damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The station was named after the famous writer Jack London, as he spent much of his life in the area. It is a contemporary glass and stone structure located on the easternmost corner of Jack London Square. The square, which fronts a natural estuary leading to San Francisco Bay, was formerly the hub of Oakland's port activities, connecting the maritime and agricultural sectors. It is still an active and bustling waterfront today. Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and Gold Runner trains serve the station. It is the 10th busiest of Amtrak's 74 California stops, boarding or de-boarding an average of 1,142 people per day.
All train stations in Oakland:
- 245 Second St
Need a return trip from Oakland to Detroit?
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