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Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to San Diego

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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San Francisco to San Diego Train Timetable

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

There are usually 32 daily bus trips from San Francisco to San Diego.

Coach
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
£75.98
Avg. Price
£58.14
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
32
Daily Trips
9
Duration
Duration
15h 35m
Duration
14h 25m

Trip Summary

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from San Francisco to San Diego. Traveling by train from San Francisco to San Diego usually takes 14 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 12 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance458 mi (738 km)
Fastest train12h 45m
Lowest price£51.26
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Francisco to San Diego

(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

4.5

5.0

Nancy

23 September 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak

Pros: Just fine. Of course we are looking forward to the high speed rail someday, someday! But for now, I so appreciate AmTrak. Cons: It would be real nice if the Amtrak pickup point in San Francisco were printed or produced on the ticket information. It is kind of a mystery pickup point. It needs to be loud and clear on your information.

4.0

Melanie

22 August 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: Nice scenic views from the train. Cons: Bus was too dark. Was afraid to use the toilet because I couldn’t see to get there. Couldn’t see what towns we were passing through because the streets and bus stops were also dark. Tips: If traveling at night, bring food and drink as there are no open eateries along the way.

4.0

Nancy

3 August 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak

The only "complaint" is that the doors on the overhead cabinets on the bus bang when the bus needs to make a turn. It looks as though they can't be latched tightfully.

5.0

Nancy

15 May 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak

Pros: I am perhaps one of the weird travelers who don't mind, or rather relish, a long slow trip (15.5 hours from San Francisco to an Diego), but I am retired and not in a rush these days. I don't mind not having an airport experience, so the bus and train are my cup of tea. Thank you for making it possible. Cons: The only thing I can think of, and I don't know if this is a suggestion for Wanderu or Amtrak, is for my ticket (I printed mine out) to indicate the exact address of the boarding place in San Francisco, since it doesn't have a traditional train station. For me,, that would be very helpful and would reduce the anxiety I can feel about going to the correct boarding location.

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

The average price for a train ticket from San Francisco to San Diego is £53.96, By booking your trip at least 24 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay £4.08 more.

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

£71£47£24DecDec

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Francisco to San Diego will cost between £54 and £65. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly average prices

£99£79£59£39£20JFMAMJJASOND
You can find the lowest prices on this route during June. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from San Francisco to San Diego, with the average price at just £60. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in September, when the average price goes up to £88. 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

£79£63£47£32£163020100

By booking your train trip from San Francisco to San Diego on Wanderu at least 24 days ahead of time, you can save about £4.08 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from San Francisco to San Diego?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak614h 28m£58.42
  • 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 Francisco to San Diego every day, as well as 9 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £51.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Francisco to San Diego

While the train is the main method of transportation from San Francisco to San Diego, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

The distance between San Francisco and San Diego is approximately 458 miles, or 738 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 14 hours and 28 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 12 hours and 45 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.

Friday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from San Francisco to San Diego. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Friday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Sunday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs San Francisco at 05:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 22:00. 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 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 San Diego to San Francisco.

City Information

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

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.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

Salesforce Plaza - SFOBLT-0

Image credit: 146109843@N05

Link to image attribution

Main departure 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.

All train stations in San Francisco:

  • San Francisco, California

Where is the train station in San Diego?

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

Image credit: Doug Letterman

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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.

Train stations in San Diego:

  • Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd

  • 4005 Taylor St

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Need a return trip from San Diego to San Francisco?

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