Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Washington DC
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Diego to Washington DC. Traveling by train from San Diego to Washington DC usually takes 78 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 68 hours.
- Distance
- 2270 mi (3653 km)
- Fastest train
- 68h
- Lowest price
- TRY 17,958.68
- 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:
San Diego to Washington DC Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Washington DC?
There are usually 12 daily bus trips available from San Diego to Washington DC.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceTRY 26,887.76 | Avg. PriceTRY 14,914.00Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips12 |
Duration | Duration78h 22mFaster | Duration80h 28m |

There are several train options that can take you from San Diego to Washington DC:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to Washington DC?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to Washington DC was TRY 20,870.63. Considering the distance between San Diego and Washington DC, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 22 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around TRY 10,361.87 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Washington DC by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Diego to Washington DC will cost between TRY 14,055 and TRY 22,546. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Washington DC by month
Ticket prices for the train from San Diego to Washington DC often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only TRY 21,131. If you're thinking of traveling from San Diego to Washington DC during May, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of TRY 27,719 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 Washington DC on Wanderu at least 22 days ahead of time, you can save about TRY 10,361.87 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from San Diego to Washington DC?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to Washington DC. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 78h 22m | TRY 26,887.60 |
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 Washington DC every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from TRY 17,958.68.










Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to Washington DC
There are 3 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 Washington DC to San Diego. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Diego to Washington DC for TRY 7,610.
Trains per day
3
Direct trains
0
The distance between San Diego and Washington DC is approximately 2270 miles, or 3653 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 78 hours and 22 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 68 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)
2270
Distance (km)
3653
The earliest train departs San Diego at 2:01pm 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
2:01pm
Last train
4:10pm
Trains from San Diego to Washington DC 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Tuesday
Least crowded
Thursday
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.
Washington DC



Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.
D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.
Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.
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 Washington DC.
All train stations in San Diego:
- 4005 Taylor St
- Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
Where is the train station in Washington DC?
Main arrival station: Union Station

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.
All train stations in Washington DC:
- Union Station
Need a return trip from Washington DC to San Diego?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from San Diego
- San Diego to San Francisco TrainTRY 4,392+
- San Diego to Petaluma TrainTRY 4,636+
- San Diego to Stockton TrainTRY 4,148+
- San Diego to Hanford TrainTRY 2,733+
- San Diego to Seattle TrainTRY 9,321+
- San Diego to Simi Valley TrainTRY 1,903+
- San Diego to Hollywood Train
- San Diego to Philadelphia TrainTRY 22,400+
- San Diego to Irvine TrainTRY 1,318+
- San Diego to Flagstaff TrainTRY 4,734+
- San Diego to Redding TrainTRY 7,759+
- San Diego to Los Angeles TrainTRY 1,757+
- San Diego to Santa Maria TrainTRY 3,758+
- San Diego to Dallas TrainTRY 11,371+
- San Diego to Berkeley TrainTRY 5,368+
- San Diego to Ventura TrainTRY 2,098+
- San Diego to Oakland TrainTRY 5,075+
- San Diego to Oceanside TrainTRY 830+
Continue by train from Washington DC
- Washington DC to DeLand TrainTRY 7,467+
- Washington DC to Portland, OR TrainTRY 24,400+
- Washington DC to Fayetteville TrainTRY 4,099+
- Washington DC to Philadelphia TrainTRY 3,611+
- Washington DC to Croton-On-Hudson TrainTRY 5,222+
- Washington DC to New Rochelle TrainTRY 4,831+
- Washington DC to Tampa TrainTRY 7,711+
- Washington DC to Manchester, VT Train
- Washington DC to Allentown TrainTRY 3,855+
- Washington DC to Columbia TrainTRY 4,392+
- Washington DC to Richmond TrainTRY 1,513+
- Washington DC to Brattleboro TrainTRY 5,758+
- Washington DC to New Bern TrainTRY 4,929+
- Washington DC to Baltimore TrainTRY 1,171+
- Washington DC to New York TrainTRY 6,198+
- Washington DC to Boston TrainTRY 10,297+
- Washington DC to Wisconsin Dells TrainTRY 17,861+
- Washington DC to Gainesville, GA TrainTRY 6,051+
Check out these popular routes
- Boston to Providence TrainTRY 2,586+
- Baltimore to Washington DC TrainTRY 1,122+
- Seattle to Portland TrainTRY 2,147+
- Detroit to Chicago TrainTRY 2,782+
- Chicago to Milwaukee TrainTRY 1,318+
- New York to Toronto TrainTRY 8,345+
- Vancouver, BC to Seattle, WA TrainTRY 3,904+
- Providence to New Rochelle TrainTRY 2,879+
- Ottawa to Toronto TrainTRY 2,538+
- Seattle to Vancouver TrainTRY 4,002+
- Boston to New York TrainTRY 6,735+
- Montreal to New York TrainTRY 4,441+
- Chicago to St Paul TrainTRY 4,148+
- Washington DC to Baltimore TrainTRY 1,171+
- New York to Providence TrainTRY 6,783+
- New York to Boston TrainTRY 6,832+
- Providence to Syracuse TrainTRY 7,662+
- Toronto to Ottawa TrainTRY 2,489+

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.




