Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to New Orleans

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Francisco to New Orleans. Traveling by train from San Francisco to New Orleans usually takes 77 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 58 hours.

Distance	1922 mi (3094 km)
Fastest train	58h
Lowest price	$257.00
Trains per day	0
Most frequent service	Amtrak
Train lines	1

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San Francisco to New Orleans Train Schedule

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

There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from San Francisco to New Orleans.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. Price$589.21	Avg. Price$298.24Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration77h 34m	Duration52h 57mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from San Francisco to New Orleans:

Amtrak: 3 daily trains from $257

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Francisco to New Orleans was $369.20. Considering the distance between San Francisco and New Orleans, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $398.30 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to New Orleans by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Francisco to New Orleans will cost between $316 and $680. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Francisco to New Orleans by month

Ticket prices for the train from San Francisco to New Orleans 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 $374. If you're thinking of traveling from San Francisco to New Orleans during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $557 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from San Francisco to New Orleans on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $398.30 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

What train companies travel from San Francisco to New Orleans?

There are multiple trains that travel from San Francisco to New Orleans, including Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:

TRAIN	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	3	77h 34m	$589.21

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 3 Amtrak trains from San Francisco to New Orleans every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $257.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Francisco to New Orleans

There are 3 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 New Orleans to San Francisco. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Francisco to New Orleans for $143.

TRIPS PER DAY

DIRECT TRIPS

The distance between San Francisco and New Orleans is approximately 1922 miles, or 3094 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 77 hours and 34 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 58 hours, 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.

DISTANCE (MI)

1922

DISTANCE (KM)

3094

The earliest train departs San Francisco at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:40am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

EARLIEST TRAIN

7:00am

LATEST TRAIN

9:40am

Trains from San Francisco to New Orleans are the most crowded on Wednesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

MOST CROWDED

Wednesday

LEAST CROWDED

Tuesday

City Information

San Francisco

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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred vacation destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travelers.

There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.

New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centers of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transportation. The airport is located not too far from the city center, while the city’s main bus and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.

Station Information

Where does the train leave from in San Francisco?

Main departure 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

Where does the train arrive in New Orleans?

Main arrival station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transportation hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Buses operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous streetcars. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.

All train stations in New Orleans:

Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Need a return trip from New Orleans to San Francisco?

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