Cheap train tickets from Houston to Los Angeles
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Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Houston to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from Houston to Los Angeles usually takes 53 hours and 17 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 36 hours and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 1371 mi (2206 km) |
| Fastest train | 36h 40m |
| Lowest price | $141.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
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Houston to Los Angeles Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Houston to Los Angeles?
There are usually 29 daily bus trips available from Houston to Los Angeles.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$365.38 | Avg. Price$243.39Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips29 |
Duration | Duration53h 17m | Duration40h 20mFaster |
There are several train options that can take you from Houston to Los Angeles:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Houston to Los Angeles?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Houston to Los Angeles was $318.61. Considering the distance between Houston and Los Angeles, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 24 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $111.03 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Houston to Los Angeles by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Houston to Los Angeles will cost between $231 and $470. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Houston to Los Angeles by month
Ticket prices for the train from Houston to Los Angeles often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only $311. If you're thinking of traveling from Houston to Los Angeles during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $412 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Houston to Los Angeles on Wanderu at least 24 days ahead of time, you can save about $111.03 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Houston to Los Angeles?
There are multiple trains that travel from Houston to Los Angeles, including Amtrak, Amtrak Sunset Limited. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 58h 39m | $403.05 |
| Amtrak Sunset Limited | 1 | 36h 40m | $248.88 |
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 1 Amtrak trains from Houston to Los Angeles every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $242.
The Amtrak Sunset Limited is a southern Amtrak route that crosses through Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The double-decker carriages have a variety of roomettes, bedrooms, and suites, as well as a restuarant and cafe service.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Houston to Los Angeles
Trains leave the station in Houston twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. 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 change 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 Los Angeles to Houston. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Houston to Los Angeles for $103.
TRIPS PER DAY
2
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The distance between Houston and Los Angeles is approximately 1371 miles, or 2206 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 53 hours and 17 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 36 hours and 40 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)
1371
DISTANCE (KM)
2206
The earliest train departs Houston at 1:05pm while the last train of the day leaves at 6:55pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
EARLIEST TRAIN
1:05pm
LATEST TRAIN
6:55pm
Trains from Houston to Los Angeles 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.
MOST CROWDED
Saturday
LEAST CROWDED
Tuesday
City Information
Houston
Houston, Texas is one of the most populous cities and among the most expansive cities in the U.S. As a result, Houston has become the leading commercial center in the Southern United States. Astronomy aficionados recognize Houston as the city where NASA’s Mission Control Center is located, and music fans know Houston as the birthplace of Queen B herself, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.
Even though Houston has a relatively small downtown area, it is packed with exciting things you can do while you’re in town. If you’re in the mood for a cultural outing, head to the Theater District where you are sure to find a play or a music performance you’d enjoy, or check out the Museum District that boasts more than 20 different museums and galleries. Since Houston is the most racially and ethnically diverse city in the country, its restaurant scene is one of a kind offering a rich variety of cuisines from all over the world. The many experiences available in Houston make it one of Texas' best vacation destinations.
As one of the main metropolitan cities in the U.S., Houston is very well connected to the rest of the country and the world. The main bus and train stations are both located right in the heart of downtown making it easy to get to your final destination by public transit or car. There are also several airports within the city’s vicinity that provide a good variety of options depending on where you’re flying to or from.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.
The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.
With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.
Station Information
Where does the train leave from in Houston?
Main departure station: 902 Washington Ave
The Amtrak Station on Washington Avenue is a key stop on the Sunset Limited train route that runs from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Restrooms, vending machines, and checked baggage services are available inside the waiting room of the station. There is also plenty of free same-day and overnight parking onsite. Downtown Houston is within a quick walk, where you can find hotels, restaurants, and attractions in the nearby Theater District, Civic Center, and Skyline District.
All train stations in Houston:
- 902 Washington Ave
Where does the train arrive in Los Angeles?
Main arrival station: Union Station
Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.
All train stations in Los Angeles:
- Union Station
Need a return trip from Los Angeles to Houston?
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