The cheapest and fastest trains from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA
Cheapest price
$31
Average price
$36
Fastest journey
2 h 45 m
Average duration
3 h 10 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
95 km
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 $36 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $31.
It's difficult to get from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA without transferring at least once.
723 Capitol Corridor · 6973 AMTRAK7:45 AM2h57Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA10:42 AMSanta Cruz, CA$311One-way1 transfer
729 Capitol Corridor · 6979 AMTRAK10:35 AM2h56Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA1:31 PMSanta Cruz, CA$311One-way1 transfer
747 Capitol Corridor · 6967 AMTRAK6:46 PM3h24Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA10:10 PMSanta Cruz, CA$311One-way1 transfer
741 Capitol Corridor · 6987 AMTRAK2:36 PM2h45Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA5:21 PMSanta Cruz, CA$311One-way1 transfer
11 Coast Starlight · 6977 AMTRAK8:39 AM3h48Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA12:27 PMSanta Cruz, CA$561One-way1 transfer
741 Capitol Corridor · 6987 AMTRAK2:36 PM2h45Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA5:21 PMSanta Cruz, CA$311One-way1 transfer
729 Capitol Corridor · 6979 AMTRAK10:35 AM2h56Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA1:31 PMSanta Cruz, CA$311One-way1 transfer
723 Capitol Corridor · 6973 AMTRAK7:45 AM2h57Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA10:42 AMSanta Cruz, CA$311One-way1 transfer
747 Capitol Corridor · 6967 AMTRAK6:46 PM3h24Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA10:10 PMSanta Cruz, CA$311One-way1 transfer
11 Coast Starlight · 6977 AMTRAK8:39 AM3h48Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA12:27 PMSanta Cruz, CA$561One-way1 transfer
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 bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 27m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a train costs an average of $29.
Distance: 59 miles (95 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$37 Average price | $16 Average price Cheapest | $16 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 57m Average total duration Fastest 2h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 33m Average total duration 3h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA:
A bus is $21 (€17) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA costing on average $37 (€30).
Other travel options to Santa Cruz, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 3m.
Tickets start at around $37 (€30) compared to roughly $16 (€13) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-21.61 (€-17.69). The journey takes 2h 27m versus 1h 19m 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 Santa Cruz, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA trains for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
741 Capitol Corridor · 6987 AMTRAK | 2:36 PM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 2h45 | 5:21 PM Santa Cruz, CA | 1 transfer | |
747 Capitol Corridor · 6967 AMTRAK | 6:46 PM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 3h24 | 10:10 PM Santa Cruz, CA | 1 transfer | |
| Sunday, June 21 | |||||
723 Capitol Corridor · 6973 AMTRAK | 7:45 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 2h57 | 10:42 AM Santa Cruz, CA | 1 transfer | |
11 Coast Starlight · 6977 AMTRAK | 8:39 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 3h48 | 12:27 PM Santa Cruz, CA | 1 transfer | |
729 Capitol Corridor · 6979 AMTRAK | 10:35 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 2h56 | 1:31 PM Santa Cruz, CA | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA by bus or train
Compare bus and train 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.
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Jun 27
Journey information
Overview: Train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA
Trains from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $29 (€24) but you can travel from only $16 (€13) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 04:55, the last at 20:34. The fastest train covers the 59 miles (95 km) distance in 2h 36m.
Distance 59 miles (95 km) |
Average train duration 2h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $29 (€24) |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 2h 36m |
First train 4:55 AM |
Last train 8:34 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 7 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between San Francisco, CA and Santa Cruz, CA from $16 (€13). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA
Most popular train connections from San Francisco, CA
More options for your journey from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA
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