The cheapest and fastest trains from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA
Cheapest price
$326
Average price
$446
Fastest journey
2 d 1 h 47 m
Average duration
2 d 7 h 53 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
2553 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA will cost around $446 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $326.
Of the 5 trains that leave St. Louis, MO for Los Angeles, CA on Tue, May 26, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct trains cover the 2553 km distance in an average of 2 d 7 h 53 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 d 1 h 47 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest trains will take 2 d 11 h 25 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.
311 Missouri River Runner · 3 Southwest Chief8:10 AM49h47St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO7:57 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$3261One-way1 transfer
421 Texas Eagle8:10 PM59h25St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO5:35 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$3841One-way0 transfers
21 Texas Eagle · 421 Texas Eagle8:10 PM59h25St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO5:35 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$4751One-way1 transfer
21 Texas Eagle · 1 Sunset Limited8:10 PM59h25St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO5:35 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$4751One-way1 transfer
302 Lincoln Service · 3 Southwest Chief6:35 AM51h22St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO7:57 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$5711One-way1 transfer
311 Missouri River Runner · 3 Southwest Chief8:10 AM49h47St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO7:57 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$3261One-way1 transfer
302 Lincoln Service · 3 Southwest Chief6:35 AM51h22St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO7:57 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$5711One-way1 transfer
21 Texas Eagle · 421 Texas Eagle8:10 PM59h25St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO5:35 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$4751One-way1 transfer
421 Texas Eagle8:10 PM59h25St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO5:35 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$3841One-way0 transfers
21 Texas Eagle · 1 Sunset Limited8:10 PM59h25St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO5:35 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$4751One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $137. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 33m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $137, and a train costs an average of $174.
Distance: 1586 miles (2553 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$351 Average price | $260 Average price Cheapest | $312 Average price | $377 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
50h 0m Average total duration 49h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 39h 11m Average total duration 38h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 33m Average total duration Fastest 4h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 26h 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() 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 |
This is compared to other travel options from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA:
A bus is $52 (€42) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $312 (€252).
A bus is $92 (€74) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $351 (€284).
Other travel options to Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 38h 41m.
Train takes on average 49h 30m.
Tickets start at around {cheapestPrice} compared to roughly {drivingPriceInCents} in fuel and tolls — a saving of about {savingsAmount}. The journey takes {durationInMinutes} versus {drivingDurationInMinutes} 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.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
302 Lincoln Service · 3 Southwest Chief | 6:35 AM St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO | 51h22 | 7:57 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
311 Missouri River Runner · 3 Southwest Chief | 8:10 AM St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO | 49h47 | 7:57 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA by bus, train, or flight
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.
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Journey information
Overview: Train from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA
Trains from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 49h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $174 (€141) but you can travel from only $137 (€111) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 06:35, the last at 22:00. The fastest train covers the 1586 miles (2553 km) distance in 42h 46m.
Distance 1586 miles (2553 km) |
Average train duration 49h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $174 (€141) |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 42h 46m |
First train 6:35 AM |
Last train 10:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 28 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between St. Louis, MO and Los Angeles, CA from $137 (€111). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA
- 5:30 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available on-site with both short-term and long-term options.
- Landry's Seafood House
- The Station Grille
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Courtyard St. Louis Downtown West
- Drury Inn St. Louis at Union Station
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-4 for Amtrak and regional trains
- Hall 2: MetroLink connections
- MetroLink: Red Line, Blue Line
- Bus: Several lines available including 40, 94, 97
- 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
Most popular train connections from St. Louis, MO
More options for your journey from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA
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