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Cheap train tickets from Richmond to San Francisco

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Richmond to San Francisco Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

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

There are usually 4 daily bus trips available from Richmond to San Francisco.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
DKK 2,086.43
Avg. Price
DKK 3,395.13
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
4
Daily Trips
3
Duration
Duration
3d 10h 14m
Duration
3d 11h 5m

Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Richmond to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Richmond to San Francisco usually takes 83 hours and 26 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 79 hours and 53 minutes.

Distance2436 mi (3921 km)
Fastest train79h 53m
Lowest priceDKK 2,186.14
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Richmond, VA to San Francisco, CA was DKK 2,841.33. Considering the distance between Richmond 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 18 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around DKK 1,162.09 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Richmond to San Francisco by month

DKK 3,568DKK 2,854DKK 2,141DKK 1,427DKK 714DJFMAMJJASON
Ticket prices for the train from Richmond to San Francisco often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in November when the average ticket price is only DKK 2,452. If you're thinking of traveling from Richmond to San Francisco during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of DKK 3,522 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

DKK 4,379DKK 3,503DKK 2,627DKK 1,752DKK 8763020100

By booking your train trip from Richmond to San Francisco on Wanderu at least 18 days ahead of time, you can save about DKK 1,162.09 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Richmond to San Francisco?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Richmond to San Francisco. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak53d 11h 26mDKK 3,553.09
  • 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 5 Amtrak trains from Richmond to San Francisco every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from DKK 2,186.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Richmond to San Francisco

While the train is the main method of transportation from Richmond 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.

The distance between Richmond and San Francisco is approximately 2436 miles, or 3921 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 83 hours and 26 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 79 hours and 53 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 Richmond to San Francisco on Thursday. Tickets for Thursday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Monday. Monday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs Richmond at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 12:00pm. 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 5 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, 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 Richmond.

City Information

Richmond

As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travelers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.

Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favorites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.

Richmond is a major hub for bus travel, and visitors can catch buses that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of the city.

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

Image credit: Unsplash

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 Richmond?

7519 Staples Mill Rd  - RICAMT1-0

Image credit: Eli Christman

Link to image attribution
7519 Staples Mill Rd  - RICAMT1-1

Image credit: Avinash Kunnath

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 7519 Staples Mill Rd

Located around 5 miles north of Richmond’s city center, the Amtrak Station on Staples Mill Road is Amtrak’s busiest transport hub in the Southeast Region. The station was built in 1975 to replace the downtown Main Street Station. It now serves as an important terminal for routes traveling up and down the American East. Passengers can venture north onboard the Northeast Regional service—Amtrak’s busiest route—to Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. Richmond’s Amtrak Station also offers several southward connections to vacation destinations along the East Coast in [South Carolina(/train-tickets/us-sc/), Georgia, and Florida. In addition, the GRTC bus service is available from the station for transport into downtown Richmond.

All train stations in Richmond:

  • 7519 Staples Mill Rd

  • 1500 E Main St

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

Salesforce Plaza - SFOBLT-0

Image credit: 146109843@N05

Link to image attribution

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

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