Cheap train tickets from Palm Desert to Santa Ana
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:
Palm Desert to Santa Ana Train Schedule
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Palm Desert to Santa Ana. Traveling by train from Palm Desert to Santa Ana usually takes 3 hours and 45 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 86 mi (138 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 45m |
| Lowest price | CA$19.49 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |

Which train should you take from Palm Desert to Santa Ana?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Palm Desert to Santa Ana. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 3h 45m | CA$19.49 |
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 Palm Desert to Santa Ana every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CA$19.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Palm Desert to Santa Ana
The distance between Palm Desert and Santa Ana is approximately 86 miles, or 138 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 45 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.
Trains departing from Palm Desert to Santa Ana tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Palm Desert at 7:00am and arrives in Santa Ana around 3 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Ana to Palm Desert.
City Information
Santa Ana

Image credit: Unsplash
Santa Ana is a sunny city in Orange County located between Anaheim and Irvine in the greater Los Angeles area. Downtown Santa Ana bustles with independent breweries, diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, weekly pop-up markets, and art centers. This lively downtown area, in addition to Santa Ana's live-work housing and creative working spaces, make it attractive to young professionals.
One of the most popular spots for visitors is the Santa Ana Zoo, where little ones can enjoy a carousel and mini-train ride along with the animal exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts will love seeing the Bowers Museum, built in a Mission Revival style, and the Heritage Museum, which has restored homes from the 1890s.
The Orange County Transportation Authority and several shuttle services provide transit within Santa Ana. Santa Ana is easily accessible from over 20 other cities by Amtrak Thruway bus or on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. The primary airport for Orange County, John Wayne Airport, is located in Santa Ana and also makes it easy to travel to this vibrant SoCal spot.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Palm Desert?
Main departure station: Sunline Transit Stop - 44449 Towne Ctr Way
There is one train station in Palm Desert.
All train stations in Palm Desert:
Sunline Transit Stop - 44449 Towne Ctr Way
Where is the train station in Santa Ana?
Main arrival station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
Santa Ana has one train station.
All train stations in Santa Ana:
Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Santa Ana to Palm Desert?
Search Train Tickets
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
- Santa Ana
- Palm Desert to Santa Ana






