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Trip Summary
3 trains operate daily from Centralia to Salinas. The train trip from Centralia to Salinas is usually about 25 hours and 32 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can get you there in as little as 24 hours and 23 minutes.
| Distance | 697 mi (1121 km) |
| Fastest train | 24h 23m |
| Lowest price | $107.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Centralia to Salinas?
2 train services operate from Centralia to Salinas. 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 | 1d 2h 7m | $111.50 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 1d 0h 23m | $107.00 |
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 Centralia to Salinas every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $109.
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 Centralia and Salinas is approximately 697 miles, or 1121 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 25 hours and 32 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 24 hours and 23 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.
Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Centralia to Salinas. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Centralia at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00am. 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 Centralia to Salinas. 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 Salinas to Centralia.
City Information
Salinas
Image credit: Unsplash
Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.
For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.
If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Centralia?
Main departure station: 210 Railroad Ave
There is one train station in Centralia.
All train stations in Centralia:
210 Railroad Ave
Where is the train station in Salinas?
Main arrival station: 11 Station Pl
Salinas has one train station.
All train stations in Salinas:
11 Station Pl
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Need a return trip from Salinas to Centralia?
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