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You can pick from 7 daily train trips between San Diego and Fresno. The average train journey from San Diego to Fresno takes 9 hours and 53 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 7 hours and 49 minutes.
| Distance | 316 mi (508 km) |
| Fastest train | 7h 49m |
| Lowest price | MX$721.34 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Overall score for trains from San Diego to Fresno
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: It was at night. Cons: That all the electrical outlets, Heat/AC & the overhead air vents function.
4.0
Pros: bus was clean and attendant professional. On time and appropriate driving conducted. Cons: The bus broke down on the Grapvine just 41 miles from the Bakersfield destination. The driver was communicative with passengers and was able to get the bus up and running after a 20 minute delay off of the side of the freeway. Tips: prepare for a crowded bus.
Over the past month, a train ticket between San Diego and Fresno cost MX$788.45, on average. This is a great bargain given the length of the route. Booking your trip at least 18 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around MX$340.71 more.
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from San Diego to Fresno will vary between MX$1,040 and MX$1,225. Planning a train trip to Fresno within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from San Diego over the next 7 days is MX$1,107. 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.
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from San Diego to Fresno. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 18 days before departure, you can save around MX$340.71. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to Fresno. However, there are 7 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 7 | 9h 54m | MX$1,157.50 |
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 7 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Fresno every day, as well as 12 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from MX$721.
The distance between San Diego and Fresno is approximately 316 miles, or 508 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 53 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 49 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.
Wednesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from San Diego to Fresno. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Wednesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Friday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
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 7 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 Fresno to 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.
Situated close to the center of California, Fresno’s location makes it the perfect hub for travelers who wish to explore the state, but it also has enough attractions on its own to keep visitors interested. One of the city’s most unique destinations is the Forestiere Underground Gardens. Built by a Sicilian immigrant, the gardens stay below the ground level so that citrus trees could grow, making it a unique sight that will capture the heart of nature lovers. Fresno has recently gone through a lot of changes in the field of agriculture, and the city’s love for homegrown produce is now one of its attractions. As you explore the city, don’t hesitate to make a slight detour to Riverdance Farm, a local organic farm where you can pick ripened blueberries and cherries to your heart’s content. For fans of cultural activities, the Fresno Art Museum offers unique artworks created mostly by local artists.
Fresno restaurants are famous for their fresh homegrown produce, and Sam’s Italian Deli & Market is where you can try local staples. If you want to cook yourself, Fresno Farmers’ Market will be a great choice.
Fresno’s main bus and train station is the Santa Fe Passenger Depot located at 2650 Tulare St. From there, you can take buses from various carriers or hop on a train on Amtrak’s San Joaquins line. The Fresno Yosemite International Airport is the city’s main airport and it is located not too far from the city center.
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.
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
4005 Taylor St
Image credit: Ron Reiring
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Mattias Thorslund
Link to image attributionThe Santa Fe Station is a historic train station and transportation hub in Fresno. The station opened in 1899 and was originally owned by the Santa Fe Railway, hence the misleading “Santa Fe” name for a station in Fresno. Passengers can board the Amtrak San Joaquins train to Oakland, Sacramento, or Bakersfield from this station, and bus service from Amtrak Thruway and Jefferson Lines also stops at this location. The Santa Fe station is just steps away from Fresno’s City Hall, the Meux Home Museum, and the Fresno Convention Center, making this station a convenient entry point to Fresno.
Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
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