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.
Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from San Diego to Phoenix. Traveling by train from San Diego to Phoenix usually takes 14 hours and 58 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 14 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 299 mi (481 km) |
| Fastest train | 14h 35m |
| Lowest price | $169.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from San Diego to Phoenix
Monthly average prices
Which train should you take from San Diego to Phoenix?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to Phoenix. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 14h 59m | $173.50 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Phoenix every day, as well as 7 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $169.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
The distance between San Diego and Phoenix is approximately 299 miles, or 481 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 14 hours and 58 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 14 hours and 35 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.
Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from San Diego to Phoenix. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Thursday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs San Diego at 3:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in San Diego twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. 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 change 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 Phoenix to San Diego.
City Information
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.
Phoenix
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Phoenix, in the heart of the American Southwest, is the capital of Arizona and one of the best destinations for escaping the cold winter months. But we won't lie, it can get HOT.
Sure, you can sip a margarita by the pool at any one of the city's many resorts, or you can get outside and experience some of the Sonoran Desert's unique landscapes. For impressive views of the city and the desert beyond, hike up Camelback Mountain, a 2,700-foot humped mountain which resembles a kneeling camel. If you're more a fan of Tiger Woods than camel mountains, see why Phoenix is a top destination for golf at one of the city's 200+ golf courses.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, you too can overcome your sore muscles after a long day of hiking or golfing and get ready to hit the town. After all, Phoenix is one of the biggest party hubs in the U.S. Roosevelt Row, a creative arts district known for its galleries and mural-covered walls, is one of many spots where Phoenix comes to life after dark. Recommended haunts on Roosevelt Row include the Churchill and Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co, as well as The Duce which offers themed nights ranging from Cowboy Night to Burlesque.
Getting to Phoenix is surely easier than getting over your hangover. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a large and busy airport just outside of downtown, and bus service is operated from stations throughout the city connecting Phoenix to destinations in Arizona and beyond. Unfortunately, there is no train service to Phoenix.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Diego?
Image credit: Doug Letterman
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
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
Where is the train station in Phoenix?
Main arrival station: Sky Harbor Apt, Terminal 4 Arrivals, Door 3
Phoenix receives travelers from San Diego at its two active train stations.
All train stations in Phoenix:
Sky Harbor Apt, Terminal 4 Arrivals, Door 3
2717 W Bell Rd
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Phoenix to San Diego?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from San Diego
Continue by train from Phoenix
Check out these popular routes
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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more