Cheap train tickets from Raleigh to San Francisco
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Raleigh to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Raleigh to San Francisco usually takes 83 hours and 28 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
- Distance
- 2405 mi (3870 km)
- Fastest train
- 83h 28m
- Lowest price
- DKK 4,480.67
- Trains per day
- 0
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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Raleigh to San Francisco Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Raleigh to San Francisco?
There are usually 5 daily bus trips available from Raleigh to San Francisco.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceDKK 4,569.50 | Avg. PriceDKK 2,638.86Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips5 |
Duration | Duration83h 28m | Duration77h 53mFaster |

There are several train options that can take you from Raleigh to San Francisco:
See more detailsPrice trends for trains from Raleigh to San Francisco
Average train ticket prices from Raleigh to San Francisco by travel date
Average train ticket prices from Raleigh to San Francisco by month
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from Raleigh to San Francisco?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Raleigh to San Francisco. 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 | 83h 28m | DKK 4,569.50 |
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Raleigh to San Francisco
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 San Francisco to Raleigh. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Raleigh to San Francisco for DKK 1,197.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
0
The distance between Raleigh and San Francisco is approximately 2405 miles, or 3870 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 83 hours and 28 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)
2405
Distance (km)
3870
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Raleigh at 9:17am and arrives in San Francisco around 83 hours later.
First train
9:17am
Last train
9:17am
Trains from Raleigh to San Francisco are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Monday
Least crowded
Monday
City Information
Raleigh



As an up-and-coming smart city, Raleigh has a wide range of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travelers. One of the most famous destinations in the city is the Neuse River Trail, which boasts 28 miles of a scenic path running through Wake Forest. It goes through not only forests but also wetlands, allowing walkers and cyclists to take a breather from the concrete jungle and be one with nature. Raleigh is also a famous research city, so it makes sense to visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. With a permanent collection that attracts all ages, including whale skeletons and seahorse diorama, the museum is a great spot that you should not miss out on. If you wish to go shopping the old-fashioned way, the Raleigh City Market, which opened more than a century ago, allows you to meander through various small boutiques.
Raleigh’s reputation as a foodie haven is on a steady rise, and it currently houses five different establishments by chef Ashley Christensen, of which Poole’s Diner is particularly noteworthy. If you are looking for authentic North Carolina-style barbecues, Clyde Cooper’s stands among the most popular choices.
Raleigh’s main bus station is located outside of the city center at 2210 Capital Blvd. The city’s Amtrak station is one of the busiest in the country, and there are daily trains running from Raleigh to New York City, Charlotte and Miami, among other places. The principal airport in the region is the Raleigh–Durham International Airport, which is northwest of Downtown.
San Francisco



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 Raleigh?
Main departure station: Union Station


The new multi-million dollar facility of Raleigh’s Union Station has quickly become one of the busiest train stations in North Carolina. Since opening in 2018, the station has expanded to serve over 150,000 passengers every year. Raleigh Union Station is an Amtrak station with routes connecting to major cities along the East Coast, including trips to New York City on the Carolinian or as far as Miami on Amtrak’s Silver Service. In addition, Amtrak’s Piedmont service from Charlotte ends its route in Raleigh. The station is a multi-level facility with tracks on the lower platform and retail shops on the main levels. It’s located in the heart of downtown, within a short walk of Nash Square, the CAM Raleigh art museum, and various restaurant options.
All train stations in Raleigh:
- Union Station
Where is the train station in San Francisco?
Main 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
Need a return trip from San Francisco to Raleigh?
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- Raleigh to Rocky Mount TrainDKK 125+
- Raleigh to Charlotte TrainDKK 197+
- Raleigh to Seattle TrainDKK 3,513+
- Raleigh to Pittsburgh TrainDKK 954+
- Raleigh to New Orleans TrainDKK 1,645+
- Raleigh to St Paul TrainDKK 2,112+
- Raleigh to Houston Train
- Raleigh to Cary TrainDKK 46+
- Raleigh to Washington DC TrainDKK 368+
- Raleigh to Syracuse TrainDKK 1,526+
- Raleigh to Kannapolis TrainDKK 204+
- Raleigh to New York TrainDKK 888+
- Raleigh to Petersburg TrainDKK 263+
- Raleigh to Virginia Beach TrainDKK 474+
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- Raleigh to Columbus Train
- Raleigh to High Point TrainDKK 118+
- Raleigh to Harrisburg TrainDKK 961+
Continue by train from San Francisco
- San Francisco to Ventura TrainDKK 250+
- San Francisco to San Jose TrainDKK 178+
- San Francisco to Fullerton TrainDKK 375+
- San Francisco to Rocklin TrainDKK 270+
- San Francisco to Oceanside TrainDKK 415+
- San Francisco to Chicago TrainDKK 1,855+
- San Francisco to Philadelphia TrainDKK 3,000+
- San Francisco to San Diego TrainDKK 553+
- San Francisco to Milwaukee TrainDKK 2,007+
- San Francisco to Miami TrainDKK 3,777+
- San Francisco to Irvine TrainDKK 395+
- San Francisco to Goleta TrainDKK 355+
- San Francisco to Paso Robles TrainDKK 362+
- San Francisco to St Paul TrainDKK 2,382+
- San Francisco to Sacramento TrainDKK 250+
- San Francisco to Los Angeles TrainDKK 467+
- San Francisco to Santa Ana TrainDKK 382+
- San Francisco to St Louis TrainDKK 2,152+
Check out these popular routes
- Portland, ME to Seattle, WA TrainDKK 3,737+
- New York to Chicago TrainDKK 1,395+
- Boston to New York TrainDKK 901+
- San Diego to Los Angeles TrainDKK 237+
- Portland to Seattle TrainDKK 276+
- Los Angeles to San Diego TrainDKK 276+
- New York to Boston TrainDKK 941+
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- Toronto to Vancouver TrainDKK 2,684+
- Seattle to Vancouver TrainDKK 500+
- Seattle to Los Angeles TrainDKK 1,244+
- Seattle, WA to Vancouver, WA TrainDKK 283+
- Toronto to Ottawa TrainDKK 322+
- Boston to Philadelphia TrainDKK 1,342+
- Seattle to New York TrainDKK 3,435+
- Tampa to Miami TrainDKK 211+
- New York to Toronto TrainDKK 1,138+
- Montreal to Québec City TrainDKK 362+

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