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Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Los Angeles

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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San Diego to Los Angeles Train Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Los Angeles?

There are usually 140 daily bus trips available from San Diego to Los Angeles.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$33.68
Avg. Price
$37.66
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
140
Daily Trips
44
Duration
Duration
4h 49m
Duration
3h 33m

Trip Summary

There are usually 12 daily train trips available from San Diego to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from San Diego to Los Angeles usually takes 3 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in 2 hours and 42 minutes.

Distance111 mi (179 km)
Fastest train2h 42m
Lowest price$25.00
Trains per day43
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Pacific Surfliner
Train lines2

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Diego to Los Angeles

(Based on 49 ratings and reviews)

4.8

4.0

Janet

August 21, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Enjoyed the ride and conversations with fellow passengers! I rode the train to avoid the hassles and stresses of driving through LA and San Diego traffic. Met all my expectations and would do it again, as well as other destinations! Tips: Ask a porter for help with suitcase if you have a disability. They were very helpful!

5.0

ALEX

August 1, 2024- Vacation

Amtrak

Pros: I enjoyed it very much. Thank you. Cons: I was very satisfied. Tips: Carpe Diem.

5.0

Thomas

July 22, 2024- Vacation

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Reasonable price!

5.0

Lissa

May 30, 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: I enjoyed that the Conductor nade it simple to get to my destination , I was so out of my element and not sure , but They lead the way announcing all stops, also the cafe in the Amtrak was very friendly! Tyronne gave me the best customer service and the veggie breakfast burrito was on point! Tips: They have charging outlets and if you miss your train , they will help you figure another way.

5.0

Judy

August 11, 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: an efficient way to travel from San Diego to Los Angeles. The snacks and beverages that were brought to our seats were adequate and fairly healthful. Cons: No on was wearing masks which would be ok if the seats weren't so close together. Even though Covid has settled down a bit I'm 75 and felt a bit uncomfortable sitting so close to a stranger. Tips: cars have different configurations - find out which car has seat configurations to suit your needs and then find out how to get that car when you are boarding.

San Diego to Los Angeles Route Map

San Diego Los Angeles

What is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to Los Angeles?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to Los Angeles was $36.10. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 2 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $1.78 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Los Angeles by travel date

$45$30$15DecDec

The cost of a one-way train trip from San Diego to Los Angeles 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.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Los Angeles by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND
Taking the train from San Diego to Los Angeles 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

$50$40$30$20$103020100

The price of train trips from San Diego to Los Angeles 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 San Diego to Los Angeles?

2 train services operate from San Diego to Los Angeles. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 7 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak53h 49m$38.45
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner73h 22m$37.08

  • 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 5 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Los Angeles every day, as well as 14 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $25.

  • 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 7 train trips from San Diego to Los Angeles every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $35.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to Los Angeles

There are a number of different transportation options to get from Union Station to other parts of Los Angeles.

To get to LAX, passengers can take the LAX Flyaway bus from Bus Stop 9 at Union Station’s Patsaouras Transit Plaza. The cost is $9.75 per person.

The Los Angeles Metro Rail has a number of lines that you can take from Union Station, such as the Red Line, Gold Line and Purple Line. The Silver Line on the Metro Busway departs from Union Station as well.

The Metrolink commuter rail offers transport to five Southern California counties. Lines that pass through Union Station include the 91/Perris Valley, San Bernardino, Antelope Valley, Ventura County, Orange County, and Riverside lines.

In addition, you can summon an Uber or Lyft, or take a taxi from the taxi stand located in front of Union Station West.

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Diego to Los Angeles. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.
The distance between San Diego and Los Angeles is approximately 111 miles, or 179 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 42 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.

Trains from San Diego to Los Angeles 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs San Diego at 3:00am 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 12 scheduled trains on most days. 43 of these are direct connections to Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles 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.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Diego?

San Diego, CA - Santa Fe Depot (1050 Kettner Blvd) - SANAMT2-0

Image credit: Doug Letterman

Link to image attribution

Main 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 Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 592 Gayley Ave

  • Metrolink Station

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