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Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Oakland
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 12 daily train trips available from San Diego to Oakland. Travelling by train from San Diego to Oakland usually takes 14 hours and 26 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 13 hours and 3 minutes.
- Distance
- 455 mi (731 km)
- Fastest train
- 13h 3m
- Lowest price
- $95.00
- Trains per day
- 12
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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San Diego to Oakland Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Oakland?
There are usually 11 daily bus trips available from San Diego to Oakland.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$156.66Cheaper | Avg. Price$171.42 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips12 | Daily Trips11 |
Duration | Duration14h 26m | Duration11h 50mFaster |
There are several train options that can take you from San Diego to Oakland:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to Oakland?
In the last month, train tickets from San Diego to Oakland cost about $150 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 11 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $19.32 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Oakland by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Diego to Oakland will cost between $147 and $170. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Oakland by month
Ticket prices for the train from San Diego to Oakland often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in March when the average ticket price is only $144. If you're thinking of travelling from San Diego to Oakland during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $156 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from San Diego to Oakland on Wanderu at least 11 days ahead of time, you can save about $19.32 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from San Diego to Oakland?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to Oakland. However, there are 12 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 12 | 14h 26m | $156.66 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railway service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned washroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 12 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Oakland every day, as well as 26 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $95.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from San Diego to Oakland
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Diego to Oakland. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.
There are 12 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Oakland to San Diego. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from San Diego to Oakland for $96.
Trains per day
12
Direct trains
0
The distance between San Diego and Oakland is approximately 731 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 14 hours and 26 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 13 hours and 3 minutes. Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Distance (mi)
455
Distance (km)
731
The earliest train departs San Diego at 4:01 a.m. while the last train of the day leaves at 10:10 p.m. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
4:01am
Last train
10:10pm
Trains from San Diego to Oakland are the most crowded on Tuesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Tuesday
Least crowded
Saturday
City Information
San Diego
San Diego is known as “America's Finest City” for its sunny weather, white-sand beaches, and dazzling attractions from Belmont Park to SeaWorld. San Diego's 70 miles of pristine beaches include such gems as Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Coronado Beach. The city's strong surfing culture may even inspire you to rent a surfboard and catch the epic waves, bro.
Visitors can spend days getting lost in Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre cultural hub which features 16 museums, immaculate gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The historic heart of the city, Old Town, showcases San Diego's heritage and ties to Mexican culture, while other sights like the USS Midway pay tribute to the city's military and maritime history. Leave time for some evening exploring, too! San Diego is rated the #1 best city for craft beer in America, so don't miss out on the bars in the Gaslamp Quarter: 16 walkable blocks packed with nightlife and young crowds.
Two airports, as well as many bus and train options, mean it is easy to get to San Diego from afar or from nearby cities like Tijuana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
Oakland
Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbour to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.
Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.
It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Diego?
Main departure station: Santa Fe Depot
The Santa Fe Depot is the main train station in San Diego and one of the end points of the Pacific Surfliner, the only Amtrak train line that serves the city. The station is also used by the Green Line of the San Diego Trolley light rail transit service and the COASTER commuter rail service that connects the city with the central and northern coastal regions of San Diego County. Opened in 1915, the Santa Fe Depot is famous for its Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture and grand interior space that features natural redwood beam ceilings and ceramic details. The train station is located in the heart of Downtown San Diego, making it easy to reach from all parts of the city.
All train stations in San Diego:
- Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
- 4005 Taylor St
Where is the train station in Oakland?
Main arrival station: 245 Second St
The Jack London Station in Oakland opened in 1995, replacing 16th Street Station, which was extensively damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The station was named after the famous writer Jack London, as he spent much of his life in the area. It is a contemporary glass and stone structure located on the easternmost corner of Jack London Square. The square, which fronts a natural estuary leading to San Francisco Bay, was formerly the hub of Oakland's port activities, connecting the maritime and agricultural sectors. It is still an active and bustling waterfront today. Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and Gold Runner trains serve the station. It is the 10th busiest of Amtrak's 74 California stops, boarding or de-boarding an average of 1,142 people per day.
All train stations in Oakland:
- 245 Second St
- Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave
Need a return trip from Oakland to San Diego?
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