- Must visit
Natural History Museum of Utah
A leading natural history museum with strong dinosaur, geology, and Utah heritage exhibits. Its hillside building and Great Salt Lake views add to the visit.
Cheapest price
$173
Average price
$173
Fastest journey
17 h 30 m
Average duration
17 h 30 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
964 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Francisco, CA to Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City, UT will cost around $173 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $173.
Of the 1 trains that leave San Francisco, CA for Salt Lake City, UT on Thu, May 28, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, May 28 the direct trains cover the 964 km distance in an average of 17 h 30 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 17 h 30 m .
On Thu, May 28 the slowest trains will take 17 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
6 California Zephyr
6 California ZephyrOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to Salt Lake City, UT among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $75. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 54m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $75, and a flight costs an average of $111.
Distance: 599 miles (964 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$208 Average price | $320 Average price | $179 Average price Cheapest | $159 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
17h 14m Average total duration 16h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 54m Average total duration Fastest 1h 54m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 17h 15m Average total duration 16h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 22m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to Salt Lake City, UT:
A bus is $29 (€23) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to Salt Lake City, UT costing on average $208 (€168).
A bus is $140 (€113) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Francisco, CA to Salt Lake City, UT costing on average $320 (€258).
Other travel options to Salt Lake City, UT take longer:
Train takes on average 16h 44m.
Bus takes on average 16h 45m.
Tickets start at around $208 (€168) compared to roughly $159 (€129) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-48.46 (€-39.09). The journey takes 16h 44m versus 10h 22m 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.
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to Salt Lake City, UT trains for today, Wednesday, May 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 California Zephyr | 8:25 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 17h30 | 2:55 AM Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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.
Trains from San Francisco, CA to Salt Lake City, UT run on average 1 times per day, taking around 16h 44m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $80 (€64) but you can travel from only $75 (€61) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 02:40, the last at 23:49. The fastest train covers the 599 miles (964 km) distance in 17h 30m.
Distance 599 miles (964 km) |
Average train duration 16h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $80 (€64) |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 17h 30m |
First train 2:40 AM |
Last train 11:49 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Discover the best of Salt Lake City — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Salt Lake City trip today.
A leading natural history museum with strong dinosaur, geology, and Utah heritage exhibits. Its hillside building and Great Salt Lake views add to the visit.
The University of Utah art museum with global collections spanning ancient to contemporary works. A strong choice for art lovers seeking a quieter cultural stop.
A contemporary museum blending art, science, and technology through interactive exhibitions. Popular for rotating shows and family-friendly hands-on displays.
A short, popular hike leading to one of the best panoramic views of downtown, the Great Salt Lake, and surrounding mountains. Especially popular at sunset.
A large urban park with walking paths, ponds, lawns, and a lively local atmosphere. It is one of the city's best everyday gathering spaces.
A spacious park with mountain views, a central pond, and wide walking paths. It is a favorite local spot for picnics, jogging, and relaxed outdoor time.
A classic Utah casserole of hash browns, cheese, sour cream, and crunchy topping, commonly served at community gatherings and deeply associated with local Mormon food culture.
A Utah fast-food staple featuring a beef burger topped with thin-sliced pastrami, especially popular in the Salt Lake City area.
The region’s signature condiment made from ketchup and mayonnaise, often served with fries and burgers and widely considered a Utah original.
An established fine-dining destination in a scenic mountain setting, known for romantic ambience and seasonal American cuisine.
A long-established local favorite known for regional Mexican cooking, especially its famous mole dishes, in a lively casual setting.
A historic canyon-side diner loved for comfort food, hearty breakfasts, and Utah-style scones in a relaxed setting.
Moderate by U.S. city standards. Hotels can rise during ski season, but casual dining and coffee stay fairly reasonable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff and delivery drivers.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City, UT, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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