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How to get to San Diego by train
| Routes | 150 |
| Trips per day | 463 |
| train lines | 2 |
| Stations | 2 |
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About 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
Santa Fe Depot
Image credit: Doug Letterman
Link to image attributionThe 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.
Popular train stations in San Diego:
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
4005 Taylor St
What train companies travel to San Diego, California?
Located in California, San Diego is accessible by train from 150 other cities. You can choose from 463 daily scheduled trips when you search for trains to San Diego on Wanderu. Amtrak usually has the most trains on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Bus tickets to San Diego are also available..
Train companies serving San Diego
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 233 | 10h 23m | CA$97.34 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 24 | 2h 40m | CA$44.65 |
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.
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.
Which train service has the best service to San Diego?
Based on customers travel reviews, travelers who booked on Wanderu rave about traveling to San Diego by train with Amtrak Pacific Surfliner giving them a 4.5 rating out of 5.
Travelers also mentioned that Amtrak Pacific Surfliner had the most comfortable train service to San Diego taking into account the seats and amenities that Amtrak Pacific Surfliner offers. They rate Amtrak Pacific Surfliner a 4.5 out of 5 when it comes to just how relaxing and enjoyable their experience was onboard.
If you are looking to arrive to San Diego punctually, travelers suggest that Amtrak Pacific Surfliner has the best on time performance on their train schedules to San Diego, rating them a 4.6 based on their on time arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The busiest train station in San Diego is Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd. As San Diego's main station, it has the most trains coming and going. However, a popular alternative is 4005 Taylor St.
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chatsworth | 5h 0m | CA$54.15 |
| Los Angeles | 3h 37m | CA$51.50 |
| Emeryville | 15h 16m | CA$126.24 |
| Anaheim | 2h 9m | CA$41.44 |
| Oceanside | 0h 52m | CA$24.10 |
Top train routes to and from San Diego
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