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

Mon, Dec 15
+ Add return
Amtrak
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Amtrak
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
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Italo
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA

Showing times and prices for Dec 15

Cheapest price

$29

Average price

$30

Fastest journey

2 h 30 m

Average duration

2 h 43 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 Mon, Dec 15, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Mon, Dec 15 the direct trains cover the 95 km distance in an average of 2 h 43 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 30 m .

On Mon, Dec 15 the slowest trains will take 2 h 55 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
08:34PM2h30
San Francisco, CA
11:04PMSanta Cruz, CA
$291One-way
0 transfers
Amtrak
04:11PM2h55
San Francisco, CA
07:06PMSanta 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 €22. 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 train costs an average of €22, and a bus costs an average of €32.

Distance: 59 miles (95 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus

€23

Average price

Cheapest

€32

Average price

2h 57m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 27m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 33m

Average total duration

3h 3m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

Direct Options

Direct Options

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, Sunday, December 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at 7:03 PM
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
amtrak11:34 PM San Francisco, CA
2h30
2:04 AM Santa Cruz, CA0 transfersDirect
Monday, December 15
amtrak4:11 PM San Francisco, CA
2h55
7:06 PM Santa Cruz, CA0 transfersDirect

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

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.

Mon
Dec 15
Tue
Dec 16
Wed
Dec 17
Thu
Dec 18
Fri
Dec 19
Sat
Dec 20
Sun
Dec 21

Why should you book San Francisco to Santa Cruz trains with Omio?

Amtrak operates all train services from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. 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 bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Francisco to Santa Cruz.

Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?

Multiple modes of transport
  • 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 bus and train to find the ideal travel option from San Francisco to Santa Cruz.

Journey information

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

USAUSA
USAUSA
Icon of train

Trains from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA run on average 10 times per day, taking around 2h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $27 (€22) if you book in advance.

The earliest train runs at 04:55, the last at 20:34. The fastest train covers the 59 miles (95 km) distance in 2h 30m.

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 27m
Cheapest ticket price
$27 (€22)
Trains per day
10
Fastest train
2h 30m
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 companies: Amtrak from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between San Francisco, CA and Santa Cruz, CA from $27 (€22). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Amtrak

About
Amtrak is the main passenger train operator in the United States, providing medium- and long-distance intercity services across 46 states and three Canadian provinces. Operating over 300 trains daily and serving more than 500 destinations, Amtrak connects cities and regions nationwide through routes such as the high-speed Acela in the Northeast Corridor, the scenic Coast Starlight along the West Coast, and the Empire Builder linking Chicago to the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. Other notable services include the Northeast Regional, Keystone Service, and the unique Auto Train, which allows passengers to bring their cars onboard. Amtrak offers a variety of classes to suit different budgets and travel needs, including Coach, Business, First Class, and Sleeper Class with options like Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Bedroom Suites for overnight journeys. Ticket types include Saver, Value, Flexible, Business, and Premium. Onboard amenities vary by service but may include comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, power outlets, dining options, and lounge access on select trains. Popular routes include Washington, D.C.–Boston, San Diego–San Luis Obispo, San Jose–Sacramento, and Chicago–Seattle.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 30m
Cheapest Price
$27 (€22)
Luggage included
2 personal items and 2 carry-on bags included free
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, under seats, and designated luggage areas at end of cars
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies depend on ticket type and timing
Refund
Full refund if train is canceled by Amtrak
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Café car with snacks, beverages, and light meals. Long-distance trains have full-service dining cars
Seat reservation
Included in ticket price for Business and First Class. Optional fee for Coach Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, Red Cap assistance service, accessible platforms and stations
Pets
Small pets under 20 pounds allowed for $26 fee. Must be in carrier. Service animals travel free
Quiet zone

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.

FAQs
For a fulfilling visit to Santa Cruz, CA, plan to spend at least 2 to 3 days. This allows enough time to explore the beaches, visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and enjoy nearby attractions like the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The journey from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA by train offers some scenic views, particularly when traveling along the coastline and through the rolling hills and redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. However, much of this route involves transfers and bus connections, as there is no direct train service between the two cities.
A day trip from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA is not feasible because the travel duration is 2h 30m. However, trains run 10 times per day.
The distance by train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA is 59 miles (95 km).
The train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA takes 2h 30m and runs 10 per day.
Train ticket prices from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $27 (€22), while the average price is around $29 (€23).
The last train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA leaves at 8:34 PM.
There is no direct train service currently available from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA.
The cheapest way to get from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA is by train, with a cost of around $27 (€22).
There is no high speed train available from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA.
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA.
The first train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA leaves at 4:55 AM.
Yes, you can take the train from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA

San Francisco
Santa Cruz
The major train station for departures in San Francisco is San Francisco, Mission Street (Chase Bank). Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at San Francisco, Mission Street (Chase Bank) for your trip from San Francisco to Santa Cruz.
San Francisco, Mission Street (Chase Bank)
information

More options for your journey from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTrainsTrains in USATrain Times to Santa Cruz, CASan Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA train

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