Cheap train tickets from Philadelphia to San Francisco
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Philadelphia to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Philadelphia to San Francisco usually takes 3 days, 8 hours, and 12 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
- Distance
- 2517 mi (4050 km)
- Fastest train
- 80h 12m
- Lowest price
- MX$12,834.11
- Trains per day
- 0
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
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.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Philadelphia to San Francisco Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Philadelphia to San Francisco?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Philadelphia to San Francisco.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceMX$12,834.11 | Avg. PriceMX$7,455.98Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration80h 12mFaster | Duration82h 4m |

There are several train options that can take you from Philadelphia to San Francisco:
See more detailsPrice trends for trains from Philadelphia to San Francisco
Average train ticket prices from Philadelphia to San Francisco by travel date
Average train ticket prices from Philadelphia to San Francisco by month
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from Philadelphia to San Francisco?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Philadelphia 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 | 80h 12m | MX$12,834.11 |
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Philadelphia to San Francisco
While the train is the main method of transportation from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Philadelphia to San Francisco for MX$4,578.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
0
The distance between Philadelphia and San Francisco is approximately 2,517 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 days, 8 hours, and 12 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)
2517
Distance (km)
4050
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Philadelphia at 12:33 PM and arrives in San Francisco around 80 hours later.
First train
12:33pm
Last train
12:33pm
Trains from Philadelphia 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Thursday
Least crowded
Thursday
City Information
Philadelphia



We may feel a little bit more than just brotherly love for Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and culture. Where else can you channel your inner Rocky Balboa on his epic run, and later enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak as a reward?
Philadelphia’s affordability (especially compared to other East Coast cities) is just one of many reasons it is among Wanderu’s best destinations for college students. Another reason is how much there is to do! Early American history takes precedence at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while museums abound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sometimes called the most artistic mile in the city. Head to Reading Terminal Market to fuel up for a night hitting the bars, clubs, and live music joints that line South Street.
Philadelphia is a major hub for both Greyhound and Amtrak, and its 30th Street Station is one of the busiest stations in the country. The plentitude of ground travel and the nearby Philadelphia International Airport make this exciting city very easily accessible, even on a budget.
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 Philadelphia?
Main departure station: 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

There is one train station in Philadelphia.
All train stations in Philadelphia:
- 30th St Station - 2955 Market St
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 Philadelphia?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Philadelphia
- Philadelphia to Denver TrainMX$5,723+
- Philadelphia to Washington DC TrainMX$1,426+
- Philadelphia to Baltimore TrainMX$1,107+
- Philadelphia to Newark TrainMX$1,295+
- Philadelphia to New Rochelle TrainMX$1,388+
- Philadelphia to Rochester TrainMX$2,796+
- Philadelphia, PA to Portland, OR TrainMX$7,749+
- Philadelphia to Reading Train
- Philadelphia to Charlottesville TrainMX$1,557+
- Philadelphia to Stamford TrainMX$2,045+
- Philadelphia to Boston TrainMX$3,696+
- Philadelphia to Atlantic City Train
- Philadelphia to Hudson TrainMX$1,745+
- Philadelphia to New York TrainMX$1,370+
- Philadelphia to Cleveland TrainMX$2,646+
- Philadelphia to Pittsburgh TrainMX$1,557+
- Philadelphia to Alexandria TrainMX$1,276+
- Philadelphia, PA to Burlington, VT TrainMX$2,345+
Continue by train from San Francisco
- San Francisco to Fairfield TrainMX$507+
- San Francisco to Paso Robles TrainMX$938+
- San Francisco to Rocklin TrainMX$769+
- San Francisco to Salinas TrainMX$751+
- San Francisco to San Jose TrainMX$507+
- San Francisco to Atlanta TrainMX$9,325+
- San Francisco to Newark TrainMX$8,293+
- San Francisco to Philadelphia TrainMX$7,036+
- San Francisco to Seattle TrainMX$2,608+
- San Francisco to Oceanside TrainMX$1,182+
- San Francisco to Redding TrainMX$1,163+
- San Francisco to Sacramento TrainMX$713+
- San Francisco to San Diego TrainMX$1,576+
- San Francisco to Vallejo TrainMX$507+
- San Francisco to Chicago TrainMX$5,385+
- San Francisco to New York TrainMX$8,200+
- San Francisco to Dallas TrainMX$5,479+
Check out these popular routes
- Montreal to New York TrainMX$1,557+
- Los Angeles to San Diego TrainMX$769+
- New Haven to New York TrainMX$1,163+
- Boston to New York TrainMX$2,552+
- New York to Montreal TrainMX$1,576+
- New York to Boston TrainMX$2,289+
- Portland to Seattle TrainMX$788+
- Seattle to New York TrainMX$9,006+
- Seattle to Philadelphia TrainMX$7,543+
- London to Paris Train
- San Diego to Los Angeles TrainMX$694+
- Washington DC to New York TrainMX$2,402+
- Portland, ME to Seattle, WA TrainMX$8,519+
- New York to Washington DC TrainMX$2,477+
- New York to Providence TrainMX$2,345+
- Seattle, WA to Portland, ME Train
- Seattle to Portland TrainMX$788+
- Seattle, WA to Vancouver, WA TrainMX$788+

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.




