Cheap train tickets from New York to San Francisco

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from New York to San Francisco. Traveling by train from New York to San Francisco usually takes 3 days, 5 hours, and 13 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 3 days, 5 hours, and 5 minutes.

Distance: 2566 mi (4129 km)
Fastest train: 77h 5m
Lowest price: SEK 3,359.75
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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New York to San Francisco Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from New York to San Francisco?

There are usually 38 daily bus trips available from New York to San Francisco.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceSEK 5,236.56	Avg. PriceSEK 3,991.96Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips38
Duration	Duration77h 13mFaster	Duration85h 13m

There are several train options that can take you from New York to San Francisco:

Amtrak tickets: SEK 3,360 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from New York to San Francisco?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from New York to San Francisco was SEK 4,212. Considering the distance between New York and San Francisco, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 27 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around SEK 3,706.63 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from New York to San Francisco by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from New York to San Francisco will cost between SEK 3,102 and SEK 5,560. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from New York to San Francisco by month

Ticket prices for the train from New York to San Francisco 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 SEK 3,736. If you're thinking of traveling from New York to San Francisco during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of SEK 5,738 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from New York to San Francisco on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time, you can save about SEK 3,706.63 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from New York to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects New York 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	77h 13m	SEK 5,236.57

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 New York to San Francisco every day, as well as 1 trip on the weekends, with prices starting from SEK 3,359.75.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from New York to San Francisco

While the train is the main method of transportation from New York to San Francisco, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

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 New York. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from New York to San Francisco for SEK 1,635.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between New York and San Francisco is approximately 2,566 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 days, 5 hours, and 13 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 days, 5 hours, and 5 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)

2566

Distance (km)

4129

Most days, there is only one train which leaves New York at 3:40 PM and arrives in San Francisco around 77 hours later.

First train

3:40pm

Last train

3:40pm

Trains from New York to San Francisco are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Thursday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

New York

New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world for a reason – it offers numerous opportunities for a great time to visitors of all ages and interests. For the culturally inclined travelers, the city boasts a unique collection of world-famous museums, as well as the chance to see the best plays and musicals that Broadway has to offer, or check out the latest production at the Metropolitan Opera. If sightseeing is your cardio, NYC is the place to be – just by walking around town, you can visit such iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square. Or hop on a ferry to Liberty Island to meet the Statue of Liberty up-close and personal.

NYC’s five boroughs feature more than 1,700 parks, including the gorgeous Central Park, making it one of the best cities for outdoor activities in the country. As for the nightlife, there’s no argument that New York City is the biggest party hub in the U.S.

With three major bus and train stations in Manhattan alone – Port Authority, Grand Central & Penn Station – and three nearby airports, NYC is one of the predominant travel hubs in the world. If you are ever looking to get out of town, NYC is centrally connected throughout the state and region, you can easily hop on a train to Albany to go explore upstate New York.

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 New York?

Main departure station: Penn Station

Pennsylvania Station, or just Penn Station, is the main train station in New York City. All Amtrak trains to and from NYC use Penn Station as their only train stop in Manhattan. Penn Station offers easy connections to various other types of transportation, including commuter rail (the Long Island Rail Road and the NJ Transit both operate out of Penn Station), airport transit, and six lines of the NYC Subway, making it the busiest train station in the Western Hemisphere. Located in the heart of Manhattan, right by the world-famous Madison Square Garden, Penn Station is close to various points of interest such as Times Square and the Empire State Building, as well as many restaurants and retail stores.

All train stations in New York:

NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn 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 New York?

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