4.0
Pros: It was somehow stressful knowing that it arrived 25 minutes late and when boarding the staff wrongly communicated that it was standing only but I went upstairs and found a seat. Cons: Better communication. Tips: None.
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There are usually 33 daily bus trips available from San Clemente to San Diego.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$39.74 | Avg. Price$21.50 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips33 | Daily Trips11 |
Duration | Duration1h 51m | Duration1h 21m |
11 trains operate daily from San Clemente to San Diego. The train trip from San Clemente to San Diego is usually about one hour and 21 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can get you there in as little as one hour and 13 minutes.
| Distance | 56 mi (90 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 13m |
| Lowest price | $21.00 |
| Trains per day | 22 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 1 |

Average score for trains from San Clemente to San Diego
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: It was somehow stressful knowing that it arrived 25 minutes late and when boarding the staff wrongly communicated that it was standing only but I went upstairs and found a seat. Cons: Better communication. Tips: None.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is the one and only train line which connects San Clemente to San Diego. However, there are 11 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 11 | 1h 22m | $21.50 |
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 11 train trips from San Clemente to San Diego every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $21.
Trains departing from San Clemente to San Diego tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. 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 Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs San Clemente at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. 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 11 scheduled trains on most days. 22 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 San Clemente.



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.
There is one train station in San Clemente.
615 Ave Victoria at San Clemente Pier

Image credit: Doug Letterman
Link to image attributionThe 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.
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
4005 Taylor St
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