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Los Angeles to San Diego train

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Los Angeles - San Diego Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 11 daily trains from Los Angeles to San Diego. Traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Diego usually takes around 3 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance111 mi (179 km)
Fastest train2h 30m
Lowest price€32.07
Trains per day17
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Los Angeles to San Diego

(Based on 48 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

David

31 August 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Simple and smooth. Cons: Letting us know how early we should arrive so that we dont need to rush to catch our train. Tips: Arrive 20-30mins early.

Pros: Simple and smooth. Cons: Letting us know how early we should arrive so that we dont need to rush to catch our train. Tips: Arrive 20-30mins early.

5.0

JUSTIn

26 August 2022- Business

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Some signal delay issuers

Some signal delay issuers

5.0

E

25 July 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: On time train journey. Clean facilities and staff is very good, helpful and friendly. Enjoyable journey while passing the seaside area and various places. Cons: More friendly and helpful staffs. Tips: Do plan your journey ahead and give time to stop in some stat...

Pros: On time train journey. Clean facilities and staff is very good, helpful and friendly. Enjoyable journey while passing the seaside area and various places. Cons: More friendly and helpful staffs. Tips: Do plan your journey ahead and give time to stop in some station by the beach area. It is convenient to take the train.

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5.0

Maria E.

9 July 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak

I loved it

I loved it

5.0

Ahima

30 March 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: Very convenient as I could book online and the rest lined up as expected. Cons: Thank you for my our trip comfortable.

Pros: Very convenient as I could book online and the rest lined up as expected. Cons: Thank you for my our trip comfortable.

Los Angeles to San Diego Route Map

Los Angeles San Diego

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

Typically €34.23 is the average price you should expect to pay for a train ticket to San Diego. At this price a train trip is a cheap way to travel from Los Angeles to San Diego. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

€41€27€14JanFeb

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Los Angeles to San Diego will vary between €34 and €39. Planning a train trip to San Diego within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Los Angeles over the next 7 days is €34. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.

Monthly average prices

€69€55€41€27€14FMAMJJASONDJ

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Los Angeles to San Diego by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for January. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just €35 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Los Angeles to San Diego in May, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to €60 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

€69€55€41€27€143020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 8 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to San Diego from Los Angeles will be about €0.43 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Los Angeles to San Diego?

2 train services operate from Los Angeles to San Diego. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 9 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak93h 55m€34.48
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner53h 7m€33.29
  • Amtrak

    Amtrak

    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 9 Amtrak trains from Los Angeles to San Diego every day, as well as 43 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €32.

  • Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

    Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

    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 5 train trips from Los Angeles to San Diego every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from €32.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the amenities like at Union Station in Los Angeles?

The amenities at Union Station in L.A. include dining, gift kiosks, bike hubs and more. They have a wide array of dining options, from elegant New American fare to fast food and coffee for taking on the train.

Located at the North Arcade, the Bike Center offers secure luggage storage. (Chinatown is less than a half-mile walk from Union Station, making it a great spot to get lunch after dropping off your bags.)

You can also kill time waiting for a train by getting your shoes shined for just $8 in the Passenger Concourse.

What is the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner?

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is a 350-mile long train service that runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. It has 25 stops and the entire route is about four hours long. These trains have an average speed of 41 miles per hour, but can reach a maximum of 80 to 90 miles per hour. They operate 12 daily round trips from L.A. to San Diego.

The Pacific Surfliner offers some amazing ocean views of Southern California, and has enough space and racks to carry a surfboard or bike. The train features comfortable, reclining seats as well as power outlets, free Wi-Fi, restrooms, bike and luggage racks and large picture windows. An onboard Market Café offers fresh food, snacks, and beverages, including soft drinks, wine, cocktails and local craft beer. You can also upgrade to Business Class for additional perks.

Is it safe to travel by train from Los Angeles to San Diego during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the train or in stations.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

Can you take a train all the way from Los Angeles to San Diego?

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Los Angeles to San Diego. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus 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.

How long is the train journey from Los Angeles to San Diego?

The distance between Los Angeles and San Diego is approximately 111 miles, or 179 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 53 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

When are trains the most crowded?

"Friday is the busiest travel day for trains as people head from Los Angeles to San Diego for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for train travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go."

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

How many train trips to San Diego are there per day?

There are 11 scheduled trains on most days. 17 of these are direct connections to San Diego. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from San Diego to Los Angeles.

City Information

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

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 Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Union Station

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.

All train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

  • Metrolink Station

  • 592 Gayley Ave

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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