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Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Sacramento
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 12 daily train trips available from San Diego to Sacramento. Traveling by train from San Diego to Sacramento usually takes 14 hours and 45 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 12 hours and 10 minutes.
- Distance
- 473 mi (761 km)
- Fastest train
- 12h 10m
- Lowest price
- $84.00
- Trains per day
- 0
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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San Diego to Sacramento Train Schedule
There are several train options that can take you from San Diego to Sacramento:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to Sacramento?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to Sacramento was $88.00. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 27 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $41.56 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Sacramento by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Diego to Sacramento will cost between $111 and $120. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Sacramento by month
Ticket prices for the train from San Diego to Sacramento often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only $111. If you're thinking of traveling from San Diego to Sacramento during May, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $117 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in May, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from San Diego to Sacramento on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time, you can save about $41.56 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from San Diego to Sacramento?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to Sacramento. However, there are 12 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 12 | 14h 45m | $116.75 |
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 12 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Sacramento every day, as well as 24 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $84.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to Sacramento
There are 12 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Sacramento to San Diego. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Diego to Sacramento for $61.
Trains per day
12
Direct trains
0
The distance between San Diego and Sacramento is approximately 473 miles, or 761 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 14 hours and 45 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 12 hours and 10 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.
Distance (mi)
473
Distance (km)
761
The earliest train departs San Diego at 4:01am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:10pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
4:01am
Last train
10:10pm
Trains from San Diego to Sacramento are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Tuesday
Least crowded
Saturday
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.
Sacramento
As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.
Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.
The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Diego?
Main departure station: Santa Fe Depot
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 Sacramento?
Main arrival station: Valley Station - 401 I St
Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.
All train stations in Sacramento:
- Valley Station - 401 I St
- 1389 10th Street 10th and N Streets
Need a return trip from Sacramento to San Diego?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
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Continue by train from Sacramento
- Sacramento to Eureka Train$63+
- Sacramento to Los Angeles Train$92+
- Sacramento to San Diego Train$89+
- Sacramento to San Jose Train$38+
- Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe Train
- Sacramento to Truckee Train$56+
- Sacramento to Chicago Train$274+
- Sacramento to Reno Train$60+
- Sacramento to Seattle Train$122+
- Sacramento to Fresno Train$36+
- Sacramento to Napa Train$26+
- Sacramento to San Francisco Train$37+
- Sacramento to San Luis Obispo Train$53+
- Sacramento to Stockton Train$13+
- Sacramento to Yosemite Valley Train$39+
- Sacramento to Las Vegas Train$149+
- Sacramento to Portland Train$99+
- Sacramento to Vancouver Train$104+
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