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Cheap train tickets from Los Angeles to San Diego

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Los Angeles to San Diego Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Los Angeles to San Diego?

There are usually 109 daily bus trips available from Los Angeles to San Diego.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
€32.42
Avg. Price
€37.12
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
109
Daily Trips
57
Duration
Duration
4h 31m
Duration
4h 9m

Trip Summary

There are usually 13 daily train trips available from Los Angeles to San Diego. Traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Diego usually takes 4 hours and 10 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in 2 hours and 38 minutes.

Distance111 mi (179 km)
Fastest train2h 38m
Lowest price€30.17
Trains per day47
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Pacific Surfliner
Train lines2

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Los Angeles to San Diego

(Based on 62 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Vera

October 19, 2025- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: In the Pacific Surfliner I could have a beautiful view of the sea, the chairs were confortable and I arrived on time. Perfect!! Cons: I had to print my ticket in Amtrak's Office at the moment of my trip because I just received a number of confirmation, but didn't receive the voucher in my email. I had a spare time for printing it, if not I could have problems on board without a voucher. Tips: Arrive earlier and take the seats on your right to see the beautiful view of the ocean.

5.0

Eugenio

November 24, 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Big leg room comfortable seating

4.0

Janet

August 16, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Friendly and helpful staff! Helped me with a heavy suitcase! Clean, good snacks and comfortable experience. Will continue to explore other destinations! Thank you! Cons: All good! Pleasant experience! Great way to travel!

4.0

Montserrat

May 6, 2024- Couples trip

Amtrak

Pros: The different stops were announced each time we were approaching a station. The announcements were very clear. Cons: Some of the seats were worn out and look a little dirty. Tips: Travelling by train gives you the chance to see places from the window that you wouldn't get to see otherwise. It's a nice experience.

5.0

Clint

December 20, 2023- Couples trip

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Convenient, easy, affordable and timely. Cons: Nothing really. Tips: Respond and follow text/email chains.

Los Angeles to San Diego Route Map

Los Angeles San Diego

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

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 €36.46. 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.

Average train ticket prices from Los Angeles to San Diego by travel date

€52€34€17NovDec

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Los Angeles to San Diego will cost between €34 and €40. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Los Angeles to San Diego by month

€43€34€26€17€9DJFMAMJJASON
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 April when the average ticket price is only €32. If you're thinking of traveling from Los Angeles to San Diego during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €36 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

€43€34€26€17€93020100

By booking your train trip from Los Angeles to San Diego on Wanderu at least 11 days ahead of time, you can save about €5.35 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

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

2 train services operate from Los Angeles to San Diego. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 12 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak112h 55m€98.69
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner123h 23m€31.80

  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from Los Angeles to San Diego every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €30.

  • 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 12 train trips from Los Angeles to San Diego every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from €30.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Diego

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.

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.

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.
The distance between Los Angeles and San Diego is approximately 111 miles, or 179 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 10 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 38 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.

Trains from Los Angeles to San Diego are the most crowded on Tuesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00pm. 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 13 scheduled trains on most days. 47 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.

City Information

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

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 Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Union Station

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.

All train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

  • Metrolink Station

Where is the train station in San Diego?

Main arrival station: 4005 Taylor St

San Diego receives travelers from Los Angeles 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

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