Train San Francisco, CA - Los Angeles, CA prices from $42.88

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$42.88

San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train

The journey from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train is 347.81 mi and takes 9 hr 50 min. There are 11 connections per day, with the first departure at 7:36 AM and the last at 5:36 PM. It is possible to travel from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train for as little as $42.88 or as much as $83.28. The best price for this journey is $42.88.

Lowest Price$42.88
Journey Duration9 hr 50 min
Connection per Day11
Lowest Price$42.88
Highest Price$83.28
First Departure7:36 AM
Last Departure5:36 PM
Distance347.81 mi
DepartureSan Francisco, CA
ArrivalLos Angeles, CA
CarriersAmtrak

San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA Train Times

Departure date
Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024

Take the train from San Francisco, CA, to Los Angeles, CA

The train from San Francisco, CA, to Los Angeles, CA, lasts on average 9 hr 50 min. Around 11 trains depart a day from San Francisco to San Diego. The average price is $53.03, and the lowest ticket pricing starts at around $42.88.

Amtrak operates the train journey from San Francisco to San Diego. There is no direct train connection between San Francisco and Los Angeles because Sanfran doesn't have a railway. Its construction is planned, but Amtrak currently secures a bus link to the closest Amtrak railway stations. Their buses transfer passengers to stations serving San Joaquin and the Pacific Surfliner in Oakland and Santa Barbara. Other nearby train stations are in Emeryville and Hayward. The prices remain in the same price range. 

The San Joaquin Amtrak service is a rail service that runs between Bakersfield and Oakland, California. It operates seven days a week and serves various cities along the route of the San Joaquin Valley, the leading agriculture area of California, equally stunning as the coast. It usually guarantees coach seats and has an onboard cafe if you are in the mood for refreshments.

The Pacific Surfliner train line is the direct service between Louis Obispo and San Diego. Before reaching San Diego, the line serves Fullerton, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente Pier, Oceanside, and Solana Beach. The average speed is 41.2 miles per hour (66 km/h), but it can reach speeds up to 90 miles per hour (145 km/h). In Car 3, you will find the Market Café and a variety of snacks, hot emails, and beverages. If you are in the Business Class of the Pacific Surfliner, you can look forward to a complimentary snack and drink. 

The ticket prices may vary depending on how early you book, so securing them at your earliest convenience is recommended. Children 2-12 travel at a lower fare on all Amtrak trains.

San Francisco does not have a railway station (yet!). Amtrak secures a bus connection from the nearest Amtrak station to the Salesforce Transit Center. The station serves local lines such as BART, Muni, AC lines, and Golden Gate Transit, which take you downtown or to the broader Bay Area. The station has diverse coffee places, restaurants, and free wifi. Keep in mind there is no luggage storage or parking at the station. 

In Los Angeles, you can complete your journey at Union Station, the largest station on the West Coast of the United States. The station is an iconic Los Angeles landmark and a central point for Amtrak, Metrolink, and the LA Metro. It is also home to several restaurants, shops, and businesses.

So if you plan to travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles by train, let us help you plan it. We check thousands of rail, bus, and flight destinations to help you find the best price. Check out our handy price calendar below, where you can see the best prices across all modes of transport between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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Compare prices and tickets from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Cheap train tickets from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Best time to book cheap train tickets from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA

The cheapest San Francisco, CA - Los Angeles, CA train tickets can be found for as low as $45.14 if you’re lucky, or $50.50 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $56.57.

Find the best day to travel to Los Angeles, CA by train

When travelling to Los Angeles, CA by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Services on board Amtrak from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Compare services on board when travelling from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train.
Facilities Amtrak
quiet_zone Quiet zone check
wifi WiFi check
power_sockets Power sockets check
luggage Luggage check
accessibility Accessibility check
food_and_drink Food and drink check
air_con Air conditioning check
bicycle Bicycle check
sleeper_couchette Sleeper check

San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
39.18kg
Bus
41.98kg
Flight
111.95kg
Car
89.56kg
What are the CO2 emissions from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA are 39.18kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA? By taking the train between San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA you will save 72.77kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 2.8kg compared to a bus and 50.38kg compared to a car.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA?
A train ticket from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA is $53.03. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as $42.88.
What's the cheapest train ticket from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA?
The cheapest ticket you can get from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA is $42.88. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA by train?
San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA is 347.81 mi.
How long does the train between San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA take?
San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA is on average 9 hr 50 min. However the fastest option will get you there in 8 hr 39 min.
How many train connections per day go from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA?
San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA has 11 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA leave?
The earliest train from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA departs at 7:36 AM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last train from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA depart?
The latest train from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA departs at 5:36 PM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is $42.88 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
How many direct connections depart from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA?
There are on average 1 direct connection(s) from San Francisco, CA to go to Los Angeles, CA.
What's the fastest journey time between San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train?
The fastest journey time by train between San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA is 8 hr 39 min.
Is there a direct train from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA?
Yes, there is a direct train between San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
What are the CO2 emissions for San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train?
The train journey from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA creates 39.18kg of CO2 emissions.

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