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Vancouver to San Luis Obispo train

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Vancouver - San Luis Obispo Train Schedule

Train
Amtrak
  1. Sun,
  2. Tue,
  3. Wed,
  4. Fri
10:07 AM
Vancouver1301 W 11th St
3:24 PM
San Luis Obispo1011 Railroad Ave
from $87.00
Bus
Train
Amtrak
  1. Sun,
  2. Tue,
  3. Wed,
  4. Thu,
  5. Fri
1:10 PM
Vancouver1301 W 11th St
3:50 PM
San Luis Obispo1011 Railroad Ave
from $95.00
Bus
Train
Amtrak
  1. Fri
1:10 PM
Vancouver1301 W 11th St
6:50 PM
San Luis Obispo1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
from $135.00
Bus
Train
Amtrak
  1. Sun,
  2. Tue,
  3. Wed,
  4. Fri
1:10 PM
Vancouver1301 W 11th St
4:15 PM
San Luis Obispo1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
from $131.00
Bus
Train
Amtrak
  1. Fri
1:10 PM
Vancouver1301 W 11th St
7:00 PM
San Luis Obispo1011 Railroad Ave
from $174.00

Trip Summary

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo. Traveling by train from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo usually takes 27 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 26 hours and 14 minutes.

Distance723 mi (1164 km)
Fastest train26h 14m
Lowest price$95.00
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

What is the price of a train ticket from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo?

The average price for a train ticket from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo is $129.64, Tickets are generally pricier for this train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. By booking your trip at least 19 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $54.45 more.

Monthly average prices

$250$200$150$100$50MJJASONDJFMA
Ticket prices for the train from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only $146. If you're thinking of traveling from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $227 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$225$180$135$90$453020100

By booking your train trip from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo on Wanderu at least 19 days ahead of time, you can save about $54.45 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo?

2 train services operate from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak51d 3h 50m$155.02
Amtrak Coast Starlight11d 2h 14m$131.15

  • 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 Vancouver to San Luis Obispo every day, as well as 9 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $95.

  • 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

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between Vancouver and San Luis Obispo is approximately 723 miles, or 1164 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 27 hours and 40 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 26 hours and 14 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.

Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Thursday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Vancouver at 10:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 1:00pm. 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo. 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 San Luis Obispo to Vancouver.

City Information

Vancouver

Vancouver, WA, US - VAN-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Vancouver sits on the northern banks of the Columbia River in Washington and is the state's fourth most populated city. The surrounding Cascade Mountains offer incredible Pacific Northwest adventures. Mount Saint Helens and Mount Hood, two snow-topped volcanoes, are within short drives of Vancouver for easy access to hikes and ski runs. Beacon Rock State Park includes a trail to the summit of a monolithic rock formation. Plus, the Columbia River Gorge is easily one of the best destinations in Washington for breathtaking scenery.

Vancouver is located just across the Columbia from Portland, and Interstates 5 and 205 have north to south bridges connecting Portland to Vancouver. Within the city, you will find Vancouver's mass transit system, C-Tran, to get around with ease.

Several Amtrak services operate from Vancouver, including the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Cascades routes. If you're arriving by air, the nearest airport is Portland International Airport, just a few minutes' drive from downtown Vancouver.

San Luis Obispo

San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.

Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.

SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Vancouver?

Main departure station: 1301 W 11th St

There is one train station in Vancouver.

All train stations in Vancouver:

  • 1301 W 11th St

Where is the train station in San Luis Obispo?

Main arrival station: 1011 Railroad Ave

San Luis Obispo receives travelers from Vancouver at its two active train stations.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Get around town with Moovit

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