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Trip Summary
On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from Santa Maria to Needles. The train trip from Santa Maria to Needles is usually about 15 hours and 41 minutes long. However, be prepared just in case your train arrives slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 330 mi (531 km) |
| Fastest train | 15h 41m |
| Lowest price | $149.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Santa Maria to Needles?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Maria to Needles. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 15h 41m | $149.00 |
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 1 Amtrak trains from Santa Maria to Needles every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $149.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Santa Maria and Needles is approximately 330 miles, or 531 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 15 hours and 41 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.
Thursday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Santa Maria to Needles. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Thursday 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.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Santa Maria at 8:00am and arrives in Needles around 15 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Needles to Santa Maria.
City Information
Station Information
Where is the train station in Santa Maria?
Main departure station: Santa Maria Bus Stop
There is one train station in Santa Maria.
All train stations in Santa Maria:
Santa Maria Bus Stop
Where is the train station in Needles?
Main arrival station: 950 Front St
Needles has one train station.
All train stations in Needles:
950 Front St
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