← Route
Los Angeles → San Francisco · Amtrak San Joaquins / Pacific Surfliner + bus
Los Angeles → San Francisco
California’s great missing link: the state never built a direct LA–SF rail line, so Amtrak stitches one together — a fast Surfliner or San Joaquins leg plus a bus over the Grapevine or through the valley, downtown to downtown in 9–12 hours for a fraction of flying’s footprint.
≈9–12hDuration
1–2Transfers
4×CO₂ vs flying
From $40Ticket budget
TrainTransport
Booked 2–3 months ahead$40–70
Booked this week$60–100
One-way fares, per person, 2nd class · verified 4 Oct 2026
Day · Leg
Leg
| Leg | Transport / Operator | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles → Bakersfield | Amtrak bus or rail leg | ≈2–3h |
| Bakersfield → Oakland | San Joaquins | ≈4h 15 |
| Oakland → San Francisco | Amtrak Thruway bus | ≈30min |
Pass advice
Pass advice
The San Joaquins routing (via Bakersfield) is the fastest and most frequent; the Surfliner adds coastline at the cost of an hour.
The connecting bus is included in through pricing — one booking covers both legs.
There is no night option on this corridor — plan a full daylight day or split with an overnight in Santa Barbara.