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 3 daily train trips available from Salem to Martinez. Traveling by train from Salem to Martinez usually takes 18 hours and 35 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 16 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 481 mi (774 km) |
| Fastest train | 16h 15m |
| Lowest price | $101.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Salem to Martinez?
2 train services operate from Salem to Martinez. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 19h 53m | $107.78 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 16h 15m | $102.20 |
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 Salem to Martinez every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $73.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned cars, power outlets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Salem and Martinez is approximately 481 miles, or 774 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 18 hours and 35 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 16 hours and 15 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.
Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Salem to Martinez. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Thursday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Salem at 12:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Salem to Martinez. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Martinez to Salem.
City Information
Salem
Image credit: Unsplash
Salem is the capital of Oregon and one of the state's best vacation destinations. Nestled in the Willamette Valley, the city is rich with outdoor activities, diverse cuisine, and sites reflecting Oregon's history.
The Deepwood Estate, a mansion built in 1893, runs tours that share early Salem history. Explore the surrounding gardens at Deepwood or walk the many paths in Bush's Pasture Park to discover their lush plant life. The Willamette River that runs through Salem is a gorgeous spot to fish, kayak, or board the historic Willamette Queen steamboat for a dinner cruise.
Salem's charming downtown overflows with local coffee shops, cafés, and restaurants serving fresh fare and the best wines from the Willamette Valley. The Saturday Farmers Market near the state capitol serves up fresh produce alongside live music and food trucks.
Many bus services operate in Salem, including Jefferson Lines, FlixBus, Shuttle Oregon, and the Amtrak Thruway. Amtrak's Coast Starlight line also stops in Salem, heading to LA and Seattle, as well as the Cascades, going to Vancouver and Eugene, Oregon.
Martinez
Martinez is a community in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area located on the southern bank of the Carquinez Strait. It's known for its antique shops and wonderfully preserved historic structures. Martinez, founded in 1849, is one of California's oldest towns, with almost 40,000 residents and a thriving downtown area packed with things to see and do. Martinez is a busy waterfront neighborhood with a diverse range of retail, service, entertainment, and food options.
If you are a museum lover, the Martinez Museum is dedicated to preserving Martinez's history and legacy. If you're not into the museum vibe, you can check out the amazing George Miller Trail, which connects Martinez and Port Costa. The trail is open to walkers, bikers, and equestrians.
Martinez's Amtrak has several train lines that stop in downtown Martinez, making it an ideal mode of transportation to get to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and more. Buses from Laytonville, Rohnert Park, Garberville, Eureka, and Ukiah go to Martinez. The closest airport is the Oakland International Airport, which is about 40 miles away.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Salem?
Main departure station: 500 13th St SE
There is one train station in Salem.
All train stations in Salem:
500 13th St SE
Where is the train station in Martinez?
Main arrival station: 601 Marina Vista Ave
Martinez has one train station.
All train stations in Martinez:
601 Marina Vista Ave
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Martinez to Salem?
Search Train Tickets
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