The cheapest and fastest trains from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Cheapest price
$93
Average price
$102
Fastest journey
9 h 35 m
Average duration
9 h 36 m
Trains per day
11
Distance
559 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA will cost around $102 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $93.
It's difficult to get from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA without transferring at least 2 times.
6624 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 5810 AMTRAK7:00 AM10h15San Francisco, CA5:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$931One-way2 transfers
6642 AMTRAK · 718 Gold Runner · 5818 AMTRAK4:45 PM9h40San Francisco, CA2:25 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$931One-way2 transfers
6624 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 5710 AMTRAK7:00 AM10h15San Francisco, CA5:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$931One-way2 transfers
6612 AMTRAK · 712 Gold Runner · 5712 AMTRAK9:40 AM9h35San Francisco, CA7:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$931One-way2 transfers
6616 AMTRAK · 716 Gold Runner · 5716 AMTRAK1:40 PM9h35San Francisco, CA11:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$931One-way2 transfers
6612 AMTRAK · 712 Gold Runner · 5712 AMTRAK9:40 AM9h35San Francisco, CA7:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$931One-way2 transfers
6616 AMTRAK · 716 Gold Runner · 5716 AMTRAK1:40 PM9h35San Francisco, CA11:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$931One-way2 transfers
6614 AMTRAK · 714 Gold Runner · 5714 AMTRAK11:40 AM9h35San Francisco, CA9:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$931One-way2 transfers
6612 AMTRAK · 712 Gold Runner · 5812 AMTRAK9:40 AM9h35San Francisco, CA7:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$931One-way2 transfers
6642 AMTRAK · 718 Gold Runner · 5818 AMTRAK4:45 PM9h40San Francisco, CA2:25 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$931One-way2 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $49. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 35m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $49, and a flight costs an average of $127.
Distance: 347 miles (559 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$97 Average price | $70 Average price Cheapest | $200 Average price | $79 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 10m Average total duration 9h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 50m Average total duration 6h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 35m Average total duration Fastest 3h 35m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 40m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions | 1.7 - 3.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA:
A bus is $27 (€22) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $97 (€78).
A bus is $130 (€105) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $200 (€161).
Other travel options to Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 20m.
Train takes on average 9h 40m.
Tickets start at around $97 (€78) compared to roughly $79 (€64) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-18.51 (€-14.94). The journey takes 9h 40m versus 5h 40m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA trains for today, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6642 AMTRAK · 718 Gold Runner · 5818 AMTRAK | 4:45 PM San Francisco, CA | 9h40 | 2:25 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2 transfers | |
| Wednesday, May 27 | |||||
6624 AMTRAK · 11 Coast Starlight | 7:00 AM San Francisco, CA | 14h11 | 9:11 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
6624 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 5810 AMTRAK | 7:00 AM San Francisco, CA | 10h15 | 5:15 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2 transfers | |
6624 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 5710 AMTRAK | 7:00 AM San Francisco, CA | 10h15 | 5:15 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2 transfers | |
6610 AMTRAK · 11 Coast Starlight | 7:30 AM San Francisco, CA | 13h41 | 9:11 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
6610 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 5710 AMTRAK | 7:30 AM San Francisco, CA | 9h45 | 5:15 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2 transfers | |
6610 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 5810 AMTRAK | 7:30 AM San Francisco, CA | 9h45 | 5:15 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2 transfers | |
6612 AMTRAK · 712 Gold Runner · 5712 AMTRAK | 9:40 AM San Francisco, CA | 9h35 | 7:15 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2 transfers | |
6612 AMTRAK · 712 Gold Runner · 5812 AMTRAK | 9:40 AM San Francisco, CA | 9h35 | 7:15 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2 transfers | |
6614 AMTRAK · 714 Gold Runner · 5714 AMTRAK | 11:40 AM San Francisco, CA | 9h35 | 9:15 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2 transfers | |
6616 AMTRAK · 716 Gold Runner · 5716 AMTRAK | 1:40 PM San Francisco, CA | 9h35 | 11:15 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA?
Journey information
Overview: Train from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Trains from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA run on average 14 times per day, taking around 9h 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $82 (€67) but you can travel from only $49 (€40) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:15, the last at 22:35. The fastest train covers the 347 miles (559 km) distance in 8h 27m.
Distance 347 miles (559 km) |
Average train duration 9h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $82 (€67) |
Trains per day 14 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 8h 27m |
First train 12:15 AM |
Last train 10:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 77 days |
Train companies: Amtrak, Caltrain from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA trainsAmtrak, Caltrain trains will get you between San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA from $49 (€40). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
Caltrain
FAQs: Trains from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Los Angeles, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
- 4:30 AM - 1:00 AM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access via Vignes Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue.
- Traxx Restaurant
- Union Station Cafe
- Philippe The Original
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, restrooms.
- $1
- DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown
- Miyako Hotel Los Angeles
- Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza
- Cost $10
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: Main entrance, platforms for Amtrak and Metrolink
- Hall 2: Metro Rail connections
- Hall 3: Bus terminal
- Metro: Red Line, Purple Line, Gold Line
- Bus: Several lines available including DASH and Metro Bus
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station.
- Outside the main entrance.
- $0.50
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Bus: Several lines available
- Metro: Orange Line
Most popular train connections from San Francisco, CA
More options for your journey from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
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