San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA train with Amtrak

Sat, May 24
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The cheapest and fastest trains from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA

Showing times and prices for May 24

Cheapest price

$29

Average price

$30

Fastest journey

2 h 31 m

Average duration

3 h 3 m

Trains per day

2

Distance

95 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz, CA will cost around $30 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $29.

Fast trains

Of the 2 trains that leave San Francisco, CA for Santa Cruz, CA on Sat, May 24, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Sat, May 24 the direct trains cover the 95 km distance in an average of 3 h 3 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 31 m .

On Sat, May 24 the slowest trains will take 3 h 34 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.

Amtrak
04:39PM3h34
San Francisco, CA
08:13PMSanta Cruz, CA
$291One-way
0 transfers
Amtrak
10:34PM2h31
San Francisco, CA
01:05AMSanta Cruz, CA
$311One-way
0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare bus and train for San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €24. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 45m.

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus

€26

Average price

Cheapest

€33

Average price

3h 15m

Average duration

Fastest

2h 45m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 48m

Average duration

4h 18m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA train times

Showing trains for today, Friday, May 23
Last updated at 6:52 PM
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
amtrak541 Capitol Corridor · 6801 AMTRAK8:34 PM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA
2h46
11:20 PM Santa Cruz, CA1 transfer
amtrak541 Capitol Corridor · 6801 AMTRAK8:34 PM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA
2h31
11:05 PM Santa Cruz, CA1 transfer
Saturday, May 24
amtrak547 Capitol Corridor · 6945 AMTRAK1:42 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA
2h44
4:26 AM Santa Cruz, CA1 transfer
amtrak547 Capitol Corridor · 6945 AMTRAK1:42 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA
2h32
4:14 AM Santa Cruz, CA1 transfer

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 Santa Cruz, CA by bus or train

Sat
May 24
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May 25
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Journey information

Overview: Train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA

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Icon of train
Trains from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 2h 45m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $29 (€24) if you book in advance.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
59 miles (95 km)
Average train duration
2h 45m
Cheapest ticket price
$29 (€24)
Trains per day
4
Train providers
1
Fastest train
2h 26m
First train
04:55
Last train
20:34
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Train providers: Amtrak from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA trains

Find the best trains to Santa Cruz, CA from San Francisco, CA with Omio's travel partners Amtrak from $39 (€32). We can find you the best deals, schedules and tickets when comparing and booking the best trip.

Amtrak is the main train company in the United States and operates medium and long-distance intercity services in 46 American states and 3 Canadian provinces. With over 300 Amtrak trains running daily, you can travel by train across America and explore destinations near and far. Take the Acela train for high-speed services connecting popular cities in the Northeast, the Coast Starlight to travel up and down the stunning West Coast or the Empire Builder to travel from Chicago to the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest among others. Amtrak offers different class options to suit any traveler’s budget with classes like Coach, Business, First and the Sleeper Class, where you can book a Roomette, Bedroom, and Bedroom suite among others for night travel. When you book your train journey between San Francisco, CA and Santa Cruz, CA, you can choose between ticket types like Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium.

Train information from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA with Amtrak:

  • Average Duration: 3 h 31 min
  • Cheapest Price: $39
  • Amtrak frequency: 2 a day

Convenient Travel by Train: San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA

Embark on a scenic journey along the coast with the train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA, one of the most relaxing and efficient ways to travel between these vibrant cities. Departing from the bustling hub of San Francisco 4th and King Street Station, trains whisk travelers southward through gorgeous landscapes, culminating at the charming and serene Santa Cruz Station. This popular train service not only provides a convenient travel option from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA but also excites passengers with breathtaking views. Exploring everything Santa Cruz has to offer begins with a seamless experience aboard the trains from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA, offering an environmentally friendly and enjoyable alternative to road travel. Whether commuting for work or indulging in a weekend getaway, catch the train from San Francisco to Santa Cruz to enjoy a hassle-free and comfortable ride.

Discover Cheap San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA Train Tickets

Traveling by train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA offers a convenient and scenic route while keeping your budget in check. The cheapest train ticket for this journey starts at just $29 (€24), making it an economical choice for cost-savvy travelers. On average, you can expect train ticket prices to hover around $32 (€26), offering flexible options depending on your travel needs and advance booking. For optimal convenience and pricing, we recommend planning your trip in the early fall, particularly in September. This time of year tends to offer pleasant weather without the high season fare surges, ensuring a relaxed journey with breathtaking views along California's coastline.

Train San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA: Caltrain and Amtrak

Traveling by train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA offers a scenic and convenient option for visitors and residents alike, although reaching Santa Cruz typically involves a combination of train and bus or shuttle services as direct train services are not available. Commencing from San Francisco, one can catch the renowned Caltrain for a comfortable and efficient journey down to San Jose Diridon Station. Caltrain is known for its various service tiers ranging from local to express and offers amenities such as Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment, and upgraded seating options. From San Jose, travelers can transition to an Amtrak Thruway bus service or the Santa Cruz METRO, bridging the last leg of the journey with ease. Despite the transit from train to bus, the journey through California's picturesque landscapes makes the trip both pleasant and memorable.

Train San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA: Train Times and Schedule

Planning your journey by train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA? The distance between these two popular California destinations is approximately 59 miles (95 km) and the average train journey duration is around 2h 26m. This makes it a convenient travel option for those seeking a scenic and hassle-free ride.

Trains between San Francisco, CA and Santa Cruz, CA run approximately 4 times daily. Services operate throughout the week, ensuring flexibility whether you plan to travel on weekdays or during the weekend. It's advisable to check the schedule in advance, as operation times may vary.

Typically, the first train of the day departs San Francisco, CA at around 04:55, with the last train heading out at approximately 20:34. This extensive schedule provides ample options to select the most convenient train time for your journey.

FAQs: Trains from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA

FAQs: Travel by train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA.
FAQs

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