Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

What is the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

When are trains the most crowded?

Accepted Answer

Thursday is usually the day of the week when trains are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for train travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the train, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

2 train services operate from Los Angeles to San Diego.  Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 6 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

The most surefire way to find the lowest-priced train tickets from Los Angeles to San Diego is to plan ahead and book your train travel earlier. In the past 30 days, the cheapest average price users have found for trains from Los Angeles to San Diego was $35.00. Trying to save on a last-minute fare and have a bit of flexibility on what day to travel? Take a look at midweek schedules, as these tend to be less busy and are often cheaper than buying tickets to travel on Friday, or a weekend departure. On the Pacific Surfliner, Everyday Discounts are available for seniors, kids, students, military personnel, veterans and passengers with disabilities. Rail fares can be higher during holiday periods. Some restrictions apply.

Question 8

How many train departures serve San Diego each day?

Accepted Answer

There are 11 scheduled trains on most days. 41 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.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

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 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is  2 hours  and 37 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.

Question 10

When are the first and last trains of the day?

Accepted Answer

The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 6:00am 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.

Question 11

Get around town with Moovit

Accepted Answer

Find the best way to get to and from any station in San Diego by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Question 12

Where is the train station in San Diego?

Accepted Answer

San Diego receives travelers from Los Angeles at its two active train stations.

Question 13

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 5 stops and stations in Los Angeles where you can board the train.

Question 14

Prices as travel date approaches

Accepted Answer

By booking your train trip from Los Angeles to San Diego on Wanderu at least 7 days ahead of time, you can save about $0.84 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Question 15

Average prices by travel date

Accepted Answer

The cost of a one-way train trip from Los Angeles to San Diego is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about  for your ticket.

Question 16

Monthly average prices

Accepted Answer

Ticket prices for the train from Los Angeles to San Diego often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in  when the average ticket price is only . If you're thinking of traveling from Los Angeles to San Diego during , keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of  during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in , is to book your trip well in advance.

Question 17

Need a return trip from San Diego to Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

Search Train Tickets

Question 18

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

Accepted Answer

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.