4.0
Pros: relaxing. Cons: food beer. Tips: take your head phones and blanket neck pillow and enjoy the ride.
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Trip Summary
There are usually 11 daily train trips available from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento. Traveling by train from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento usually takes 10 hours and 16 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 37 minutes.
| Distance | 233 mi (374 km) |
| Fastest train | 7h 37m |
| Lowest price | $44.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
What is the price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento was $74.86. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Sacramento if you book your train tickets at least 25 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $16.92.
Monthly average prices
You can find the lowest prices on this route during January. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento, with the average price at just $63. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in September, when the average price goes up to $76. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 25 days before departure, you can save around $16.92. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento?
2 train services operate from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 10 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 10 | 10h 21m | $82.19 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 8h 44m | $79.90 |
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 10 Amtrak trains from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento every day, as well as 23 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $44.
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 San Luis Obispo to Sacramento. 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 San Luis Obispo and Sacramento is approximately 233 miles, or 374 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 16 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 37 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 San Luis Obispo to Sacramento tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. 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 Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs San Luis Obispo at 12:00am 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.
There are 11 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento. 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 Sacramento 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.
Sacramento
As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.
Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.
The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.
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 Sacramento.
All train stations in San Luis Obispo:
1011 Railroad Ave
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
Where is the train station in Sacramento?
Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Valley Station - 401 I St
Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.
All train stations in Sacramento:
Valley Station - 401 I St
1389 10th Street 10th and N Streets
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