The cheapest and fastest trains from Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA
Cheapest price
$480
Average price
$480
Fastest journey
18 h 17 m
Average duration
18 h 17 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
964 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA will cost around $480 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only $480.
Of the 1 trains that leave Salt Lake City, UT for San Francisco, CA every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 964 km distance in an average of 18 h 17 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 18 h 17 m .
The slowest trains will take 18 h 17 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.
5 California Zephyr
5 California ZephyrTravel Information
Compare coach, train and flight for Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from $84. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 22m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of $84, and a flight costs an average of $84.
Distance: 964 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
$164 Average Price | $202 Average Price | $141 Average Price Cheapest |
18h 43m Average total duration 18h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 22m Average total duration Fastest 3h 22m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 19h 47m Average total duration 19h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA trains for tomorrow, Friday, 20 March. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 California Zephyr | 5:40 am Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT | 18h17 | 11:57 pm Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA by coach, train or flight
Compare coach, 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA
Trains from Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 18h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $79 if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 02:40, the last at 23:49. The fastest train covers the 964 km distance in 18h 17m.
Distance 964 km |
Average train duration 18h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price $79 |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 18h 17m |
First train 02:40 |
Last train 23:49 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Salt Lake City, UT and San Francisco, CA from $79. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Salt Lake City, UT and San Francisco, CA
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station, with spaces for both short-term and long-term parking.
- The Gateway
- Red Iguana
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- $0.50
- Hyatt House Salt Lake City/Downtown
- Courtyard by Marriott Salt Lake City Downtown
- Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-2 for Amtrak and FrontRunner trains
- Hall 2: TRAX light rail connections
- Light Rail: TRAX Blue Line, TRAX Green Line
- Bus: Several UTA bus lines available
