The cheapest and fastest trains from Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Cheapest price
$116
Average price
$133
Fastest journey
12 h 40 m
Average duration
12 h 48 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
472 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Cruz, CA 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 Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA will cost around $133 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $116.
Of the 2 trains that leave Santa Cruz, CA for Los Angeles, CA on Sun, Apr 05, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Apr 05 the direct trains cover the 472 km distance in an average of 12 h 48 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 12 h 40 m .
On Sun, Apr 05 the slowest trains will take 12 h 56 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.
9:45 PM12h40Santa Cruz, CA10:25 AMLos Angeles, CA$1161One-way0 transfers
4:15 PM12h56Santa Cruz, CA5:11 AMLos Angeles, CA$1511One-way0 transfers
9:45 PM12h40Santa Cruz, CA10:25 AMLos Angeles, CA$1161One-way0 transfers
4:15 PM12h56Santa Cruz, CA5:11 AMLos Angeles, CA$1511One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, flight, and train for Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $87. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 10h 36m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $87, and a flight costs an average of $400.
Distance: 293 miles (472 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
$146 Average price | $651 Average price | $113 Average price Cheapest |
11h 45m Average total duration 11h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 24h 35m Average total duration 21h 35m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 11h 6m Average total duration Fastest 10h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA trains for today, Saturday, April 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6978 AMTRAK · 11 Coast Starlight | 2:55 PM Santa Cruz, CA | 13h16 | 4:11 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
6980 AMTRAK · 11 Coast Starlight | 3:15 PM Santa Cruz, CA | 12h56 | 4:11 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
6952 AMTRAK · 738 Capitol Corridor · 718 Gold Runner · 5818 AMTRAK | 8:45 PM Santa Cruz, CA | 12h40 | 9:25 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 3 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA by bus, flight, or train
Compare bus, flight, 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.
Apr 05
Apr 06
Apr 07
Apr 08
Apr 09
Apr 10
Apr 11
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Trains from Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 11h 15m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $102 (€83) but you can travel from only $87 (€71) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 01:00, the last at 20:37. The fastest train covers the 293 miles (472 km) distance in 12h 40m.
Distance 293 miles (472 km) |
Average train duration 11h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price $102 (€83) |
Trains per day 2 |
Fastest train 12h 40m |
First train 1:00 AM |
Last train 8:37 PM |
Train companies: Amtrak from Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Santa Cruz, CA and Los Angeles, CA from $87 (€71). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Cruz, CA 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 Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA
- 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
- 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday - Friday
- 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Saturday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station.
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- Located near the main entrance
- Free
- The station is a single-level facility with platforms for Metrolink and Amtrak services.
- Bus: Several lines available
- Metrolink: Ventura County Line
More options for your journey from Santa Cruz, CA to Los Angeles, CA
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