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You can pick from 6 daily train trips between San Diego and Burbank. The average train journey from San Diego to Burbank takes 3 hours and 42 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 3 hours and 22 minutes.
| Distance | 121 mi (195 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 22m |
| Lowest price | $37.00 |
| Trains per day | 16 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 2 |
Average score for trains from San Diego to Burbank
(Based on 6 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: Staff. Relaxing. Able to enjoy scenery and get up and walk around A/C. Cons: More room for luggage.
4.0
Pros: It was on time, which isn't always the case w Amtrak. Cons: Nothing, this time! Tips: Great deal and very easy, no hassle way to get to San Diego.
5.0
Pros: very relaxing. Cons: it would be nice if someone helped with the bags as i had to carry my bag up a flight of stairs .. there were no seats downstairs, so i had to go up stairs.
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from San Diego to Burbank was $37.00. At this price, taking the train is the cheap and easy way to go. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Burbank if you book your train tickets at least 18 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $11.08.
The cost of a one-way train trip from San Diego to Burbank is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about $37 for your ticket.
The price of train trips from San Diego to Burbank 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.
2 train services operate from San Diego to Burbank. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 3h 59m | $48.37 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 4 | 3h 30m | $37.29 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Burbank every day, as well as 8 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $37.
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 4 train trips from San Diego to Burbank every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $37.
The distance between San Diego and Burbank is approximately 121 miles, or 195 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 42 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 22 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from San Diego to Burbank. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Sunday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Saturday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs San Diego at 3:00am 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.
There are 6 scheduled trains on most days. 16 of these are direct connections to Burbank. 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 Burbank to 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.
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
Burbank receives travelers from San Diego at its two active train stations.
3750 Empire Ave
Burbank, CA
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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.
