5.0
Pros: The food, comfortable seat. Cons: Long walk at my departure point(SLC) No WiFi. Tips: No.
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Trip Summary
On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from Salt Lake City to Sacramento. The train trip from Salt Lake City to Sacramento is usually about 16 hours and 10 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak California Zephyr train can get you there in as little as 15 hours and 43 minutes.
| Distance | 532 mi (856 km) |
| Fastest train | 15h 43m |
| Lowest price | $53.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak California Zephyr |
| Train lines | 1 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Salt Lake City to Sacramento
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from Salt Lake City to Sacramento?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Salt Lake City and Sacramento cost $53.00, on average. Booking your trip at least 11 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $155.00 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Mark your calendar for October if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Salt Lake City to Sacramento. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of $84. If you're planning a trip from Salt Lake City to Sacramento during February, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about $143 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Salt Lake City to Sacramento on Wanderu at least 11 days ahead of time, you can save about $155.00 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Salt Lake City to Sacramento?
Amtrak California Zephyr is the one and only train line which connects Salt Lake City to Sacramento. 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 California Zephyr | 1 | 16h 11m | $75.63 |
Amtrak California Zephyr is one of the longest train routes in the United States, spanning from Chicago to Emeryville. With views of the Colorado and Mississippi rivers, the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the Rockies, it highlights some of the most stunning views the US has.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Salt Lake City and Sacramento is approximately 532 miles, or 856 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 16 hours and 10 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 15 hours and 43 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Salt Lake City to Sacramento on Sunday. Tickets for Sunday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Thursday. Thursday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Salt Lake City at 11:00pm and arrives in Sacramento around 15 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Sacramento with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Sacramento to Salt Lake City.
City Information
Salt Lake City
A city shrouded in a mystical veil to most visitors, Salt Lake City stands among one of the most culturally unique destinations in the U.S. Salt Lake City offers tourists a unique chance to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Temple Square is the best place to do so. Housing the Salt Lake Temple along with other significant historic buildings, the square will take you back to the earliest days of the city, immersing you in a unique cultural experience. While here, don’t miss out on the chance to visit the Great Salt Lake itself and to dive into its cool and refreshing water.
Salt Lake City features a diverse food scene, with Mexican food receiving a lot of attention. Those who wish to enjoy the best Mexican dishes in town could try Red Iguana. For travelers who are simply looking for the best burgers, Crown Burgers’ char-broiled patties will certainly be a great choice.
The Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub is the central transportation hub in the city. It is currently served by several rail services such as Amtrak, TRAX, and FrontRunner. Travelers can also catch Greyhound buses at the station. The Salt Lake City International Airport is the main airport for the city. Located about 4 miles west of Downtown, the airport is a major gateway to the Mountain West and the West Coast region.
Sacramento
As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.
Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.
The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Salt Lake City?
Image credit: vxla
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Garrett
Link to image attributionMain departure station: 340 S 600 W
The Amtrak Station is a part of Salt Lake Central Station, the principal transportation hub in Salt Lake City. The station is within walking distance from the Bus Terminal, allowing you to easily transfer to bus service on Amtrak Thruway or Jefferson Lines. Along with UTA commuter rail, the station serves Amtrak’s California Zephyr on its journey from Emeryville to Chicago. A park-and-ride lot is available across the street, and travelers can rent bikes from the on-site bicycle sharing service, Greenbike. However you get around town, you’ll appreciate the convenience of the Amtrak station, located less than a mile from the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.
All train stations in Salt Lake City:
340 S 600 W
Where is the train station in Sacramento?
Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Valley Station - 401 I St
Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.
All train stations in Sacramento:
Valley Station - 401 I St
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