Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Detroit

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Trip Summary

There are usually 4 daily train trips available from San Diego to Detroit. Travelling by train from San Diego to Detroit usually takes 2 days, 17 hours and 35 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 days and 7 hours.

Distance: 1968 mi (3168 km)
Fastest train: 55h
Lowest price: NOK 2,134.23
Trains per day: 4
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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San Diego to Detroit Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by coach or train from San Diego to Detroit?

There are usually 7 daily coach trips from San Diego to Detroit.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceNOK 3,909.80	Avg. PriceNOK 2,507.82Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips4	Daily Trips7
Duration	Duration65h 35mFaster	Duration71h 7m

There are several train options that can take you from San Diego to Detroit:

Amtrak tickets: NOK 2,134 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from San Diego to Detroit cost about NOK 3,334 when booked at the cheapest time. Considering the distance between San Diego and Detroit, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 21 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 1,465.91 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Detroit by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Diego to Detroit will cost between NOK 2,673 and NOK 4,750. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Detroit by month

Ticket prices for the train from San Diego to Detroit often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only NOK 3,286. If you're thinking of travelling from San Diego to Detroit during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 4,136 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 Detroit on Wanderu at least 21 days ahead of time, you can save about NOK 1,465.91 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from San Diego to Detroit?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to Detroit. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	4	65h 35m	NOK 3,909.77

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 toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 4 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Detroit every day, as well as 8 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from NOK 2,134.23.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from San Diego to Detroit

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Diego to Detroit. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a coach 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 4 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 hand luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from San Diego to Detroit for NOK 1,445.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Diego and Detroit is approximately 1,968 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 days, 17 hours and 35 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 days and 7 hours. 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 patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

1968

Distance (km)

3168

The earliest train departs San Diego at 14:01 while the last train of the day leaves at 16:10. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

2:01pm

Last train

4:10pm

Trains from San Diego to Detroit are the most crowded on Friday. 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Thursday

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 coach 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.

Detroit

Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travellers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.

As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favourite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.

The principal coach terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travellers can catch coaches run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Diego?

Main departure station: Santa Fe Depot

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

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 Detroit?

Main arrival station: 11 W Baltimore Ave

Detroit’s Amtrak station connects Motor City with the nation’s rail network via three daily trains on the Amtrak Wolverine, which runs from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan. Coach service on Miller Transportation also operates from the Amtrak Station on 11 W Baltimore Avenue, and from the adjacent platform, travellers can connect to the QLine tram system. The station’s amenities include clean toilets, vending machines, and onsite customer service staff. Thanks to its location in the New Center neighbourhood, the Amtrak station is surrounded by various restaurants and is one block away from the historic landmark, Cadillac Place.

Train stations in Detroit:

11 W Baltimore Ave

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