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Trip Summary
3 trains operate daily from Albany to Chico. The train trip from Albany to Chico is usually about 15 hours and 39 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can get you there in as little as 11 hours and 58 minutes.
| Distance | 345 mi (556 km) |
| Fastest train | 11h 58m |
| Lowest price | $60.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Albany to Chico?
2 train services operate from Albany to Chico. 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 | 17h 29m | $102.00 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 11h 58m | $79.50 |
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 Albany to Chico every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $65.
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 Albany and Chico is approximately 345 miles, or 556 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 15 hours and 39 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 11 hours and 58 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.
Trains departing from Albany to Chico tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Albany at 12:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. 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 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Albany to Chico. 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 Chico to Albany.
City Information
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.
Chico
Chico is the largest city in California north of Sacramento, as well as the cultural and economic heart of the northern Sacramento Valley. In addition, the city is a college town, home to California State University.
Chico is a California city famed for its world-famous golf course, wooded paths popular with hikers and environmental enthusiasts, and the massive Bidwell Park. If you're visiting Chico, you can't miss Bidwell Park, which spans 2500 acres of natural beauty.
Chico has the most fantastic steakhouse at the 5th Street Steakhouse. The highly recommended Unwined Kitchen & Bar is only two blocks away, serving the best bar food and drinks. There is no shortage of nightlife in Chico, the best cocktail bar (Duffy's Tavern) is only 100m away from central Chico, and if you are craving a club, The Beach Nightclub is the best option.
Amtrak has one of the major train stations in Chico, with service to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Seattle, and more. For buses, Jefferson Lines offers routes from cities like Seattle, Phoenix, Sacramento to Chico.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Albany?
Main departure station: 110 10th Ave SW
There is one train station in Albany.
All train stations in Albany:
110 10th Ave SW
Where is the train station in Chico?
Main arrival station: 450 Orange St
Chico has one train station.
All train stations in Chico:
450 Orange St
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Need a return trip from Chico to Albany?
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