Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Salinas

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from San Diego to Salinas. Traveling by train from San Diego to Salinas usually takes 11 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 11 hours.

Distance: 374 mi (602 km)
Fastest train: 11h
Lowest price: CZK 2,245.40
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

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.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

San Diego to Salinas Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

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

There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from San Diego to Salinas.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCZK 2,522.26	Avg. PriceCZK 1,962.00Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips5	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration11h 24mFaster	Duration14h 53m

There are several train options that can take you from San Diego to Salinas:

Amtrak tickets: CZK 2,245 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to Salinas was CZK 2,280.28. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CZK 394.36 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Salinas by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Diego to Salinas will cost between CZK 2,267 and CZK 2,485. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Salinas by month

Taking the train from San Diego to Salinas usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around CZK 2,463 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

The price of train trips from San Diego to Salinas 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 Salinas?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to Salinas. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	5	11h 24m	CZK 2,522.16

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 Salinas every day, as well as 8 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CZK 2,245.40.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to Salinas

There are 5 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 Salinas to San Diego. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Diego to Salinas for CZK 1,962.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Diego and Salinas is approximately 374 miles, or 602 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 24 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 11 hours, 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)

374

Distance (km)

602

The earliest train departs San Diego at 4:01am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:10pm. 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

4:10pm

Trains from San Diego to Salinas are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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

Wednesday

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.

Salinas

Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.

For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.

If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Diego?

Main departure station: 4005 Taylor St

There are two stations in San Diego where you can board the train to Salinas.

All train stations in San Diego:

4005 Taylor St
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd

Where is the train station in Salinas?

Main arrival station: 11 Station Pl

Salinas has one train station.

All train stations in Salinas:

11 Station Pl

Need a return trip from Salinas to San Diego?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.