Cheap train tickets from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano

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Trip Summary

There are usually 13 daily train trips available from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano. Traveling by train from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano usually takes 1 hour and 29 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in 1 hour and 22 minutes.

Distance
62 mi (99 km)
Fastest train
1h 22m
Lowest price
CZK 497.84
Trains per day
13
Most frequent service
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Train lines
1

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San Diego to San Juan Capistrano Train Schedule

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano (Based on 12 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Ronald

October 27, 2025 - Visiting friends

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Pros: Not crowded, not noisy, good ocean views for parts of the journey. Cons: Seats need cup holders, certainly in business class. USB charging points would be useful. Tips: Sante Fe station in San Diego is a bit of a building site at present. Access to the station is tricky.

5.0

John

July 10, 2022 - Vacation

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Pros: Had sears. Personnel at station were very helpful. Arrived in time place for carry on luggage. Cons: No suggestion Tips: Consider Business class. We will going forward.

4.0

Alicia

June 8, 2022 - Visiting family

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Pros: Beautiful senic views Tips: Try the chai at SD station ,go 45 min in advance to be on time and navigate around the train station

4.0

Elsa

April 7, 2022 - Vacation

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Pros: Very relaxing, fun. It was a great experience taking my grandson for an adventure, He really loved it. Cons: I think that the signs to show should be improved. Until the last minute you are not sure that you are in the right track.. Tips: Be very sure that you are in the right track and wear a mask.

5.0

Mark

March 19, 2022 - Couples trip

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Pros: The space between the seats and within the rows of seats was far superior to any first class aircraft. The footrest was an added bonus . A passenger would have to try it to get the full benefit. Cons: The only thing I saw that was on a deficit was that there were no cup holders to hold the drinks. The train car might have had free Wi-Fi but there was a lack of USB ports for charging your devices. Tips: The poor folks have to ride in the back. It's just a worldwide issue!
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What is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano was CZK 507. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. The further in advance you book your travels, the more likely it is you can find tickets at this price or lower.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano by travel date

CZK 525CZK 350CZK 175OctNov

The cost of a one-way train trip from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about CZK 519 for your ticket.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano by month

CZK 525CZK 420CZK 315CZK 210CZK 105JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the train from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano 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 519 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

CZK 525CZK 420CZK 315CZK 210CZK 10501020

The price of train trips from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano 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 San Juan Capistrano?

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to San Juan Capistrano. However, there are 13 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner131h 29mCZK 509.19
  • 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 13 train trips from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from CZK 497.84.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano

There are 13 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano. You can also take a train for your return trip from San Juan Capistrano to San Diego. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano for CZK 823.

Trains per day

13

Direct trains

13

The distance between San Diego and San Juan Capistrano is approximately 62 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour and 29 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour and 22 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

Distance (mi)

62

Distance (km)

99

The earliest train departs San Diego at 4:01 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 9:10 PM. 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

9:10pm

Trains from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano are the most crowded on Saturday. 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.

Busiest

Saturday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

San Diego

SAN-0SAN-1SAN-2

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.

San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano, CA, US - SNC-0

Located in Orange County, California, San Juan Capistrano is a small city founded by the Spanish in 1776. Although largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, this city is a growing destination south of Los Angeles and is often used as a backdrop in major Hollywood movies.

San Juan Capistrano has many historical religious sites to explore, and Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of its most renowned. The “Jewel of California Missions” includes a chapel with regular Mass, stunning gardens, and a museum to learn about the many Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences in the region. Visit in mid-March to experience the annual Return of the Swallows celebration. Local cliff swallows return from winters in Argentina, and the Mission plans parades, fairs, and other events to welcome them home.

The area around the Mission is a historic downtown with local restaurants, green spaces, and retail services. In the center of this historic core, San Juan Capistrano's Amtrak station welcomes Pacific Surfliner trains that run from Los Angeles to San Diego.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Diego?

Main departure station: Santa Fe Depot

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

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 San Juan Capistrano?

Main arrival station: 26701 Verdugo St

San Juan Capistrano has one train station.

All train stations in San Juan Capistrano:

  • 26701 Verdugo St

Need a return trip from San Juan Capistrano to San Diego?

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