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San Diego to Sacramento train

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San Diego - Sacramento Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are 6 daily trains from San Diego to Sacramento. Traveling by train from San Diego to Sacramento usually takes around 15 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 11 hours and 10 minutes.

Distance473 mi (761 km)
Fastest train11h 10m
Lowest price$78.53
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

What is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to Sacramento?

Over the past month, a train ticket between San Diego and Sacramento cost $117.20, on average. Booking your trip at least 23 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $97.54 more.

Average prices by travel date

$183$122$61MarApr

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from San Diego to Sacramento will range from $135 to $179. If you're planning to travel by train to Sacramento in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from San Diego you can find in the next 7 days is $142. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Monthly average prices

$169$135$102$68$34AMJJASONDJFM
You can find the lowest prices on this route during January. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from San Diego to Sacramento, with the average price at just $104. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in October, when the average price goes up to $167. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$203$162$122$81$413020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from San Diego to Sacramento, book online with Wanderu at least 23 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $97.54 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from San Diego to Sacramento?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to Sacramento. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak615h 24m$148.57
  • Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad 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 restroom, 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 6 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Sacramento every day, as well as 11 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $79.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Diego to Sacramento. 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.

The distance between San Diego and Sacramento is approximately 473 miles, or 761 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 15 hours and 24 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 11 hours and 10 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.

Trains departing from San Diego to Sacramento tend to have the most passengers on Thursday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Thursday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs San Diego at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 6 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 Sacramento to San Diego.

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.

Sacramento

As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.

Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.

The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Diego?

San Diego, CA - Santa Fe Depot (1050 Kettner Blvd) - SANAMT2-0

Image credit: Doug Letterman

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Main departure station: Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd

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 Sacramento?

Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-0

Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon

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Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-1

Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Valley Station - 401 I St

Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.

Train stations in Sacramento:

  • Valley Station - 401 I St

  • 1389 10th Street 10th and N Streets

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Sacramento to San Diego?

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