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Cheap train tickets from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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San Diego to San Juan Capistrano Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano?

There are usually 21 daily bus trips from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano.

Coach
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
£28.70
Avg. Price
£17.75
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
21
Daily Trips
13
Duration
Duration
3h 0m
Duration
1h 28m

Trip Summary

There are usually 13 daily train trips available from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano. Traveling by train from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano usually takes one hour and 29 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in one hour and 22 minutes.

Distance62 mi (99 km)
Fastest train1h 22m
Lowest price£17.37
Trains per day13
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Pacific Surfliner
Train lines1

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano

(Based on 12 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Ronald

27 October 2025- Visiting friends

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Not crowded, not noisy, good ocean views for parts of the journey. Cons: Seats need cup holders, certainly in business class. USB charging points would be useful. Tips: Sante Fe station in San Diego is a bit of a building site at present. Access to the station is tricky.

5.0

John

10 July 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Had sears. Personnel at station were very helpful. Arrived in time place for carry on luggage. Cons: No suggestion. Tips: Consider Business class. We will going forward.

4.0

Alicia

8 June 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Beautiful senic views. Tips: Try the chai at SD station ,go 45 min in advance to be on time and navigate around the train station.

4.0

Elsa

7 April 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Very relaxing, fun. It was a great experience taking my grandson for an adventure, He really loved it. Cons: I think that the signs to show should be improved. Until the last minute you are not sure that you are in the right track.. Tips: Be very sure that you are in the right track and wear a mask.

5.0

Mark

19 March 2022- Couples trip

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: The space between the seats and within the rows of seats was far superior to any first class aircraft. The footrest was an added bonus . A passenger would have to try it to get the full benefit. Cons: The only thing I saw that was on a deficit was that there were no cup holders to hold the drinks. The train car might have had free Wi-Fi but there was a lack of USB ports for charging your devices. Tips: The poor folks have to ride in the back. It's just a worldwide issue!

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano was £17.37. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 17 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £0.32 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano by month

£19£15£11£8£4NDJFMAMJJASO
Taking the train from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around £18 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

£19£15£11£8£43020100

The price of train trips from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.

Which train should you take from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano?

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to San Juan Capistrano. However, there are 13 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner131h 29m£17.73

  • The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 13 train trips from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from £17.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano

The distance between San Diego and San Juan Capistrano is approximately 62 miles, or 99 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour 29 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 22 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

Trains from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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 traveling on Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs San Diego at 04:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. 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 13 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano.

You can also take a train for your return trip from San Juan Capistrano 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.

San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano, CA, US - SNC-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Located in Orange County, California, San Juan Capistrano is a small city founded by the Spanish in 1776. Although largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, this city is a growing destination south of Los Angeles and is often used as a backdrop in major Hollywood movies.

San Juan Capistrano has many historical religious sites to explore, and Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of its most renowned. The "Jewel of California Missions" includes a chapel with regular Mass, stunning gardens, and a museum to learn about the many Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences in the region. Visit in mid-March to experience the annual Return of the Swallows celebration. Local cliff swallows return from winters in Argentina, and the Mission plans parades, fairs, and other events to welcome them home.

The area around the Mission is a historic downtown with local restaurants, green spaces, and retail services. In the center of this historic core, San Juan Capistrano's Amtrak station welcomes Pacific Surfliner trains that run from Los Angeles to San Diego.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Diego?

Main departure station: 4005 Taylor St

There are two stations in San Diego where you can board the train to San Juan Capistrano.

All train stations in San Diego:

  • 4005 Taylor St

  • Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd

Where is the train station in San Juan Capistrano?

Main arrival station: 26701 Verdugo St

San Juan Capistrano has one train station.

Train stations in San Juan Capistrano:

  • 26701 Verdugo St

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Need a return trip from San Juan Capistrano to San Diego?

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