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Cheap train tickets from Los Angeles to San Diego
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 14 daily train trips available from Los Angeles to San Diego. Traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Diego usually takes 4 hours and 9 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in 2 hours and 39 minutes.
- Distance
- 111 mi (179 km)
- Fastest train
- 2h 39m
- Lowest price
- €16.11
- Trains per day
- 13
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
- Train lines
- 2
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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 165 daily bus trips available from Los Angeles to San Diego.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price€38.32 | Avg. Price€36.21Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips14 | Daily Trips165 |
Duration | Duration4h 9mFaster | Duration4h 38m |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Los Angeles to San Diego (Based on 68 ratings and reviews)
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Los Angeles to San Diego Route Map
There are several train options that can take you from Los Angeles to San Diego:
See more detailsWhat 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 €37.46. 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
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 €38 for your ticket.
Average train ticket prices from Los Angeles to San Diego by month
Taking the train from Los Angeles to San Diego usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around €38 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
The price of train trips from Los Angeles to San Diego doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.
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 13 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 13h 38m | €107.47 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 13 | 3h 26m | €32.99 |
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 7 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €34.00.
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 13 train trips from Los Angeles to San Diego every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from €16.11.
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.
There are 14 scheduled trains on most days. 13 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. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Los Angeles to San Diego for €19.
Trains per day
14
Direct trains
13
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 9 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 39 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.
Distance (mi)
111
Distance (km)
179
The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 6:10am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:37pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
6:10am
Last train
10:37pm
Trains from Los Angeles to San Diego are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Monday
Least crowded
Saturday
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?
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: Santa Fe Depot
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
Need a return trip from San Diego to Los Angeles?
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