Salt Lake City, UT, USA to San Francisco, CA, USA from $38: 5 ways by bus, train, flight or car
Compare Travel Options and Prices
How to Get from Salt Lake City to San Francisco: Cheapest, Fastest and Best Way
1Map provides directions to cities, towns, landmarks, attractions, and addresses worldwide, offering thousands of multi-modal routes to easily get you from point A to point B.
$38 by trainBest price
970 kmDistance
3h 57m Fastest
Compare Train, Bus, Flight, and Driving Options
Get detailed, step-by-step directions below for your trip from Salt Lake City to San Francisco with 1Map travel planner. Easily compare ticket prices, explore various transport options, and find the best routes for a seamless and cost-effective travel experience.
Salt Lake City - San Francisco operators
Explore transport companies operating between Salt Lake City and San Francisco, with prices starting at . These companies offer competitive pricing, flexible schedules, and comfortable travel experiences.
Website
southwest.com
Plane from Salt Lake City (SLC) to Oakland (OAK)
Average Duration
1h 55mEstimated price
$130-567Plane from Salt Lake City (SLC) to San Francisco (SFO)
Average Duration
2h 13mEstimated price
$2750-2755Plane from Salt Lake City (SLC) to San Jose (SJC)
Average Duration
2hEstimated price
$2751-2756Website
delta.com
Plane from Salt Lake City (SLC) to Oakland (OAK)
Average Duration
2h 3mEstimated price
$130-2754Plane from Salt Lake City (SLC) to San Francisco (SFO)
Average Duration
2h 13mEstimated price
$2750-2755Plane from Salt Lake City (SLC) to San Jose (SJC)
Average Duration
2hEstimated price
$2751-2756Website
united.com
Plane from Salt Lake City (SLC) to San Francisco (SFO)
Average Duration
2h 23mEstimated price
$2750-2757Website
flyfrontier.com
Plane from Salt Lake City (SLC) to San Francisco (SFO)
Average Duration
2h 8mEstimated price
$2758-2759Contact phone
+1-800-872-7245Website
amtrak.com
Train from Salt Lake City to Richmond
Average Duration
17h 29mEstimated price
$565-566Contact phone
+1-510-464-6000Website
bart.gov
Train from Milpitas to Civic Center / UN Plaza
Average Duration
1h 5mEstimated price
$382-383Salt Lake City to San Francisco: Overview of Bus, Train, Flight, and Car Trips
Traveling between Salt Lake City and San Francisco offers a variety of convenient options to suit your preferences, schedule, and budget. Whether you prioritize affordability, speed, or comfort, you’re sure to find the perfect way to travel without compromising on quality or convenience.
🚗 Embark on a stunning road trip from Salt Lake City to San Francisco spanning 740 miles of scenic beauty and diverse landscapes.
💸 Enjoy the flexibility of pricing options ranging from $130 to $200 for the journey by car, providing budget-friendly versatility for your travel plans.
🌉 Revel in the approximately 11 hours and 17 minutes of driving time as you venture through picturesque routes towards the iconic Golden Gate Bridge waiting to welcome you to vibrant San Francisco.
Average price
$130 - $200
Although there is no direct route, the journey with transfers takes approximately 18 hours and 27 minutes.
🌉 Route options vary from 18 hours 26 minutes to 18 hours 54 minutes, with distances ranging from 825 to 835 miles. Enjoy scenic views as you pass through Emeryville and Richmond before reaching the vibrant city of San Francisco.
🎫 Prices for the train ride between Salt Lake City and San Francisco can range from $38 to $252. Prepare for a unique and leisurely travel experience as you make your way to the iconic city by the bay.
Departure Point
Salt Lake City station
Arrival Point
Richmond station
Useful tips for train travellers
• Check the onboard services of the Amtrak California Zephyr, which operates on this route. The train offers a café car with a range of food and beverage options, including sandwiches, salads, and hot meals. You can also purchase coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. If you prefer dining at your seat, Amtrak provides a dining car with sit-down service for First Class passengers.
• When booking your ticket, consider the different seating options available on Amtrak. There are three main classes: First Class (Roomette and Bedroom options), Business Class (more spacious seating with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages), and Economy Class (standard coach seating). The Roomette is particularly recommended for privacy, while Business Class offers a comfortable option for those wanting a premium experience.
• For this journey, you can use operators like Amtrak (amtrak.com) for the Amtrak California Zephyr, which is the primary train line connecting Salt Lake City to San Francisco. Other options may require a combination of train and bus, but Amtrak remains the most direct. Useful links include Amtrak’s site for ticket booking and schedules, and local transport options at the arrival station can be found on the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency website (sfmta.com).
🛫 Flying from Salt Lake City to San Francisco is a convenient and relatively short journey. The quickest direct flight from Salt Lake City Airport to Oakland Airport takes just 1 hour and 50 minutes.
🌉 Once you arrive at Oakland Airport, it's just a short distance to San Francisco. Overall, the total flight time from Salt Lake City to San Francisco is approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes.
💸 Flight prices between San Francisco and Salt Lake City can range from $56 to $275, providing a range of options to fit different budgets. With airlines like Delta and Southwest serving this route, travelers have flexibility in choosing their flight options.
Departure Point
Salt Lake City Airport
Arrival Point
Oakland Airport
🚍 Embark on a scenic bus journey from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, a trip spanning 1,080 miles with 6 transfers. Enjoy the diverse landscapes as you make your way towards the iconic city by the bay.
🌉 Arrive in San Francisco after a total travel time of 1 day and 3 hours, ready to explore the vibrant streets, iconic landmarks, and stunning views that this legendary city has to offer. With memories of your bus journey to cherish, your trip from Salt Lake City to San Francisco will surely be an unforgettable experience.
Frequently asked questions
Find out more about the route from Salt Lake City to San Francisco.
Or choose the category:
The distance between Salt Lake City and San Francisco is approximately 970 km by air and 1190 km by road. The typical travel time by plane is around 3 hours and 49 minutes, while by train, it takes approximately 18 hours and 26 minutes. Driving from San Francisco to Salt Lake City would take around 11 hours and 17 minutes.
The most cost-effective option for traveling from Salt Lake City to San Francisco is by train, which can cost between $35 and $260 and takes approximately 18 hours and 26 minutes. However, if time is a priority, the quickest option is to fly, which can cost between $65 and $300 and takes around 3 hours and 49 minutes.
The prices for train tickets between Salt Lake City and San Francisco range from $38 to $252, depending on factors such as the class of service and the time of travel.
To travel from Salt Lake City to San Francisco without using public transportation, you can drive the distance of approximately 1191 km. It takes around 11 hours and 17 minutes to reach San Francisco by car. The prices for renting a car and driving from Salt Lake City to San Francisco can vary between $130 and $200 depending on the rental company and type of vehicle.
The best way to travel from Salt Lake City to San Francisco without a car is by train. The train journey takes approximately 18 hours and 26 minutes, and the ticket prices range from $35 to $260.
No, there is no direct train connection between Salt Lake City and San Francisco. However, there are train services available with a transfer at Richmond, which takes approximately 18 hours and 26 minutes. This journey involves departing from Salt Lake City station and arriving at Civic Center / UN Plaza in San Francisco.
The flight between Salt Lake City and San Francisco typically takes around 1 hour and 56 minutes. The duration of the flight may vary depending on factors such as weather conditions and any layovers. As for the cost, prices for a flight between the two cities can range from $69 to $294, depending on the airline and time of booking.
There are numerous options for accommodation near San Francisco. With over 835 hotels to choose from, travelers have a wide range of choices to suit their preferences and budgets. Prices for hotels in San Francisco start at $74, ensuring that there are options available for all types of travelers.