Chico to San Diego train
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Trip Summary
You can pick from 6 daily train trips between Chico and San Diego. The average train journey from Chico to San Diego takes 18 hours and 23 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 13 hours and 50 minutes.
Distance | 550 mi (885 km) |
Fastest train | 13h 50m |
Lowest price | $78.00 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Chico to San Diego?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Chico to San Diego was $106.59. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $21.78 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average prices by travel date
The average cost of a one-way train trip from Chico to San Diego is expected to fluctuate between $101 and $114 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to San Diego in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Chico is $101.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Chico to San Diego. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 29 days before departure, you can save around $21.78. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from Chico to San Diego?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Chico to San Diego. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 6 | 18h 24m | $111.19 |
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 Chico to San Diego every day, as well as 9 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $78.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Chico and San Diego is approximately 550 miles, or 885 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 18 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 13 hours and 50 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.
Thursday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Chico to San Diego. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Thursday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Chico at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. 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 Chico.
City Information
Chico
Chico is the largest city in California north of Sacramento, as well as the cultural and economic heart of the northern Sacramento Valley. In addition, the city is a college town, home to California State University.
Chico is a California city famed for its world-famous golf course, wooded paths popular with hikers and environmental enthusiasts, and the massive Bidwell Park. If you're visiting Chico, you can't miss Bidwell Park, which spans 2500 acres of natural beauty.
Chico has the most fantastic steakhouse at the 5th Street Steakhouse. The highly recommended Unwined Kitchen & Bar is only two blocks away, serving the best bar food and drinks. There is no shortage of nightlife in Chico, the best cocktail bar (Duffy's Tavern) is only 100m away from central Chico, and if you are craving a club, The Beach Nightclub is the best option.
Amtrak has one of the major train stations in Chico, with service to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Seattle, and more. For buses, Jefferson Lines offers routes from cities like Seattle, Phoenix, Sacramento to Chico.
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 Chico?
Main departure station: 450 Orange St
There is one train station in Chico.
All train stations in Chico:
450 Orange 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
4005 Taylor St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Diego to Chico?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Chico
Continue by train from San Diego
- Train from San Diego to Burbank
$37+
- Train from San Diego to Guadalupe
$63+
- San Diego to Hanford Train
$64+
- Train from San Diego to Irvine
$27+
- Train from San Diego to Los Angeles
$37+
- Train from San Diego to Napa
$89+
- San Diego to Oakland
$91+
- Train from San Diego to Pomona
$49+
- San Diego to San Francisco Train
$81+
- Train from San Diego to Santa Ana
$29+
- Train from San Diego to Solana Beach
$13+
- San Diego to Stockton
$82+
- San Diego to Yosemite Valley Train
$77+
- San Diego to Indianapolis
$320+
- Train from San Diego to Kansas City
$207+
- Train from San Diego to Omaha
$274+
- Train from San Diego to Richmond
$488+
- San Diego to Seattle Train
$220+
Check out these popular routes
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. 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.
- Train Tickets
- United States
- California
- San Diego
- Chico to San Diego