Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
There are 5 daily trains from Solana Beach to San Francisco. Traveling by train from Solana Beach to San Francisco usually takes around 13 hours and 46 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 12 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 440 mi (707 km) |
| Fastest train | 12h 50m |
| Lowest price | US$64.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Solana Beach to San Francisco?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Solana Beach to San Francisco was US$67.50. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to San Francisco if you book your train tickets at least 4 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra US$29.71.
Monthly average prices
Which train should you take from Solana Beach to San Francisco?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Solana Beach to San Francisco. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 13h 47m | US$87.34 |
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 5 Amtrak trains from Solana Beach to San Francisco every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from US$64.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Solana Beach and San Francisco is approximately 440 miles, or 707 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 13 hours and 46 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 12 hours and 50 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Solana Beach to San Francisco on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Wednesday. Wednesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Solana Beach at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. 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 5 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 San Francisco to Solana Beach.
City Information
Solana Beach
Solana Beach is a small coastal city in San Diego. Its name directly translates to 'warm wind' due to its sunny position by the beach. Some of the best activities in the city involve the sunny coast, like visiting Fletcher Cove Beach Park or going to Seascape Surf Park. You can also enjoy snorkeling, surfing, and fishing trips out on the Pacific. The area is well-known for its classic Californian hiking, with trails such as Annie's Canyon and the Coastal Rails Trail. When you've worked up an appetite, head to the famous Fish Market, which serves fresh-caught Californian seafood.
For air travel, the San Diego Airport is the closest. The city is also on Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route, which runs from Los Angeles, Fullerton, and Santa Ana to Solana Beach. If you'd prefer to take the bus, the Amtrak Thruway also operates in Solana Beach to connect from nearby cities like Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and Santa Barbara.
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.
If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.
Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Solana Beach?
Main departure station: 105 N Cedros Ave - Solana Beach Transit Ctr
There is one train station in Solana Beach.
All train stations in Solana Beach:
105 N Cedros Ave - Solana Beach Transit Ctr
Where is the train station in San Francisco?
Image credit: 146109843@N05
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: San Francisco, California
Behind a modern curved façade lies San Francisco’s commuter hub, the Salesforce Transit Center. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. Rotating food trucks, cafés, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself.
Train stations in San Francisco:
San Francisco, California
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Francisco to Solana Beach?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more