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Trip Summary
2 trains operate daily from San Luis Obispo to Albany. The train trip from San Luis Obispo to Albany is usually about 23 hours and 17 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can get you there in as little as 22 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 659 mi (1061 km) |
| Fastest train | 22h 15m |
| Lowest price | $133.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to Albany?
2 train services operate from San Luis Obispo to Albany. 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 0h 19m | $165.33 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 22h 15m | $139.00 |
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 San Luis Obispo to Albany every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $164.
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 San Luis Obispo and Albany is approximately 659 miles, or 1061 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 23 hours and 17 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 22 hours and 15 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 San Luis Obispo to Albany on Friday. Tickets for Friday 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 San Luis Obispo at 10:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in San Luis Obispo twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to Albany faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Albany to San Luis Obispo.
City Information
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.
Albany
Image credit: Unsplash
Albany is an Oregon city located halfway between Portland and Eugene, just south of the state capital, Salem. To get a feel for the town's history, visit Monteith House and Albany Regional Museum, both of which house artifacts from the 19th century when Oregon was a growing destination for pioneers.
Thanks to its location in the Willamette Valley, Albany is near many top-rated wineries and vineyards like Springhill Cellars and Delfino Fine Wines. Oregon's beer culture also shines in Albany, at breweries including Calapooia Brewing Co. and The Garage, with 54 drinks on tap downtown. Albany also has many excellent restaurants, with specialties ranging from Italian to Hungarian dishes.
Many bus routes serve Albany, the most useful of which are ATS (Albany Transit System) for travel within the local area and Amtrak Thruway for intercity travel. Amtrak's Coast Starlight between LA and Seattle and the Cascades from Vancouver to Eugene both stop in Albany for easy rail connections up and down the coast.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Luis Obispo?
Main departure station: 1011 Railroad Ave
There are two stations in San Luis Obispo where you can board the train to Albany.
All train stations in San Luis Obispo:
1011 Railroad Ave
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
Where is the train station in Albany?
Main arrival station: 110 10th Ave SW
Albany has one train station.
All train stations in Albany:
110 10th Ave SW
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