Trains from Bakersfield to San Diego
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
No Wanderu Fees
Without any extra fees, we make it easy to book your tickets.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Trip Summary
There are 16 daily trains from Bakersfield to San Diego. Traveling by train from Bakersfield to San Diego usually takes around 32 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 6 hours and 13 minutes.
| Distance | 212 mi (341 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 13m |
| Lowest price | $28.50 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Bakersfield to San Diego?
In the last month, $146.86 was the average price of a train ticket from Bakersfield to San Diego. Tickets are generally somewhat expensive for this particular train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 23 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $73.86 more than that for a same-day booking.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Bakersfield to San Diego will vary between $93 and $211. Planning a train trip to San Diego within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Bakersfield over the next 7 days is $93. 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
If you are trying to decide when to travel from Bakersfield to San Diego by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for October. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just $50 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Bakersfield to San Diego in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to $70 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
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 23 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to San Diego from Bakersfield will be about $73.86 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from Bakersfield to San Diego?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Bakersfield to San Diego. However, there are 16 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 16 | 1d 8h 15m | $161.95 |
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 16 Amtrak trains from Bakersfield to San Diego every day, as well as 14 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $29.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by train from Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield to San Diego?
How long is the train journey from Bakersfield to San Diego?
The distance between Bakersfield and San Diego is approximately 212 miles, or 341 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 32 hours and 15 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 13 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.
When are trains the most crowded?
Trains departing from Bakersfield to San Diego tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs Bakersfield at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from Bakersfield to San Diego?
There are 16 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 Bakersfield.
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 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 Bakersfield?
Image credit: Mark Hogan
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Mark Hogan
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Adam Moss
Link to image attributionMain departure station: 280 N Center St
The Amtrak Station in Reno is one of the main travel hubs in the city and opened in 1868. Located on North Center St, the station is surrounded by the casinos, restaurants, and hotels which put Reno on the map. Due to its downtown location, the station waiting area and the train tracks are actually placed below ground level. The California Zephyr train line passes through this station on its route from Chicago to Emeryville as well as Amtrak Thruway buses which connect to Sacramento.
All train stations in Bakersfield:
280 N Center St
200 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway
201 Pacific St
Union Station - 1701 Wynkoop Street
BART Station - 1700 Nevin Ave
Union Station
340 S 600 W
1003 S 9th St
MLK Plaza - 415 Emerald Ave
Union Station
350 S Illinois St
Penn Station
Salesforce Plaza
1700 Held Dr
Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St
Where is the train station in San Diego?
Image credit: Doug Letterman
Link to image attributionMain 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.
All train stations in San Diego:
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
Need a return trip from San Diego to Bakersfield?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Bakersfield
- Train from Bakersfield to Fresno
$20+
- Bakersfield to Hanford Train
$15+
- Bakersfield to La Crescenta-Montrose Train
$56+
- Bakersfield to Los Angeles Train
$86+
- Bakersfield to Martinez
$39+
- Train from Bakersfield to Merced
$25+
- Bakersfield to Modesto Train
$29+
- Train from Bakersfield to Oakland
$42+
- Bakersfield to Oxnard
$77+
- Bakersfield to Riverside Train
$68+
- Train from Bakersfield to Sacramento
$39+
- Train from Bakersfield to San Francisco
$44+
- Train from Bakersfield to San Jose
$52+
- Train from Bakersfield to Santa Barbara
$72+
- Bakersfield to Stockton Train
$32+
- Train from Bakersfield to Las Vegas
$147+
- Train from Bakersfield to Portland
$107+
- Train from Bakersfield to Seattle
$124+
Continue by train from San Diego
- San Diego to Phoenix
$119+
- Train from San Diego to Anaheim
$30+
- Train from San Diego to Fresno
$49+
- Train from San Diego to Irvine
$27+
- Train from San Diego to Long Beach
$50+
- Train from San Diego to Los Angeles
$37+
- Train from San Diego to Oceanside
$18+
- San Diego to Palm Springs Train
$41+
- Train from San Diego to Sacramento
$77+
- San Diego to San Francisco Train
$75+
- Train from San Diego to San Jose
$70+
- Train from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano
$24+
- San Diego to San Luis Obispo
$61+
- Train from San Diego to Santa Barbara
$45+
- Train from San Diego to Chicago
$231+
- San Diego to Las Vegas
$115+
- Train from San Diego to Portland
$142+
- San Diego to Seattle Train
$153+
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more