5.0
Everything!! The scenery is awesome.
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.
Trip Summary
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Goleta to San Diego. Traveling by train from Goleta to San Diego usually takes 6 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 6 hours and 14 minutes.
| Distance | 194 mi (312 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 14m |
| Lowest price | $55.00 |
| Trains per day | 9 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Goleta to San Diego
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Price trends for trains from Goleta to San Diego
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from Goleta to San Diego?
2 train services operate from Goleta to San Diego. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 4 | 6h 27m | $55.00 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 1 | 6h 27m | $55.00 |
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 4 Amtrak trains from Goleta to San Diego every day, as well as 7 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $55.
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 1 train trips from Goleta to San Diego every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $55.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Goleta and San Diego is approximately 194 miles, or 312 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 27 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 14 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.
Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Goleta to San Diego. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Goleta at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. 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 5 scheduled trains on most days. 9 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 Goleta.
City Information
Goleta
Image credit: Unsplash
Goleta is a city in southern Santa Barbara County, popularly called 'The Good Land.' It comes from the Goleta Valley, a fertile farming region where delicious avocados and citrus grow. The city features family-friendly activities and local fun on picturesque coastal land. The Goleta Beach Park is one of the city's highlights, with a fishing pier. Nature lovers can check out the butterfly preserves in the city or visit Lake Los Carneros. The Sandpiper Gold Club is the best place to enjoy golf at the oceanfront. As for exploring history in Goleta, the South Coast Railroad Museum and Art, Design & Architecture Museum are popular spots in the city.
As a farming city, one of the most popular celebrations in Goleta is the yearly Goleta Lemon Festival, the biggest one in the city. But you don't always have to wait for the festival to come around. Goleta features fun activities and clubs, including The Imperial Lounge. You should visit Goleta between April and November if you want to enjoy the beaches and beach parties.
It is easy to visit Goleta from tens of other cities by train or bus. Amtrak and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner provide train routes to Goleta. Buses are a little rarer, with only a few routes provided by FlixBus US.
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 Goleta?
Main departure station: 25 South La Patera Ln
There is one train station in Goleta.
All train stations in Goleta:
25 South La Patera Ln
Where is the train station in San Diego?
Main arrival station: 4005 Taylor St
San Diego receives travelers from Goleta at its two active train stations.
All train stations in San Diego:
4005 Taylor St
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
Get around town with Moovit
Find the best way to get to and from any station in San Diego by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now
Need a return trip from San Diego to Goleta?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Goleta
Continue by train from San Diego
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.
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