The cheapest and fastest trains from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA
Cheapest price
$58
Average price
$58
Fastest journey
5 h 10 m
Average duration
5 h 10 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
266 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA will cost around $58 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $58.
Of the 1 trains that leave San Jose, CA for Chico, CA on Wed, Nov 26, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Nov 26 the direct trains cover the 266 km distance in an average of 5 h 10 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 10 m .
On Wed, Nov 26 the slowest trains will take 5 h 10 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.


Travel Information
Compare train and bus for San Jose, CA to Chico, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €28. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 5m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €28, and a train costs an average of €46.
Distance: 165 miles (266 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€47 Average price | €43 Average price Cheapest |
5h 35m Average total duration Fastest 5h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 5m Average total duration 6h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
San Jose, CA to Chico, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for San Jose, CA to Chico, CA trains for today, Tuesday, November 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:10 PM San Jose, CA | 5h10 | 11:20 PM Chico, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Jose, CA to Chico, CA by train or bus
Compare train and bus 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.
Nov 26
Nov 27
Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
Dec 02
Why should you book San Jose to Chico trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from San Jose to Chico. Omio is the only official third party seller for Amtrak tickets.
Why book with Omio vs Amtrak?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Amtrak with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Jose to Chico.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Official reseller: Amtrak tickets can only be bought on Omio or Amtrak's website as Omio is the only official third party seller for Amtrak tickets. Trainline, RailEurope, and Rail.Ninja do not sell Amtrak tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from San Jose to Chico.
Journey information
Overview: Train from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA
Trains from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA run on average 7 times per day, taking around 5h 5m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $57 (€46) but you can travel from only $35 (€28) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:45, the last at 19:58. The fastest train covers the 165 miles (266 km) distance in 5h 10m.
Distance 165 miles (266 km) |
Average train duration 5h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price $57 (€46) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 5h 10m |
First train 03:45 |
Last train 19:58 |
Key Takeaways
Train Ticket Prices
- Budget Options: Train tickets from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA start from as low as $57 (€46) if booked well in advance.
- Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $57 (€47) depending on the train type and class.
Journey Duration & Frequency
- On average there are 7 daily trains from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA with 1 direct service.
- The fastest trains can take as little as 5h 10m but the average duration is 5h 5m
Train Operators
- Travel from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA with Amtrak
- The most booked train company for this route on Omio is Amtrak.
Stations & Schedule
- Most trains depart from San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA and arrive in Chico station, Chico, CA
- First train typically departs at 03:45 AM and the last at 07:58 PM
Train companies: Amtrak from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between San Jose, CA and Chico, CA from $35 (€28). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Jose, CA to Chico, 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 Chico, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available 7 days a week, with multiple lots surrounding the station.
- The Farmers Union
- Poor House Bistro
- La Victoria Taqueria
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $0.50
- Hotel De Anza
- The Westin San Jose
- AC Hotel by Marriott San Jose Downtown
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has a main hall with ticketing and waiting areas, platforms for Caltrain, Amtrak, and ACE services, and connections to VTA buses and light rail.
- Bus: VTA Bus Lines 22, 64A, 64B, 68, 168, 181
- Light Rail: VTA Green Line
- Caltrain
- Amtrak
- ACE
- Outside the station.
- Ramps.
- Hotel Diamond Chico
- Quality Inn Chico
- Oxford Suites Chico
- Free
- The station is a platform adjacent to the historic 1892 Southern Pacific depot, which now houses the Chico Art Center.
- Bus: B-Line routes available nearby
Most popular train connections from San Jose, CA
More options for your journey from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA
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