Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Indianapolis
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Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from San Diego to Indianapolis. Traveling by train from San Diego to Indianapolis usually takes 65 hours and 51 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 54 hours and 39 minutes.
| Distance | 1785 mi (2873 km) |
| Fastest train | 54h 39m |
| Lowest price | $306.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
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San Diego to Indianapolis Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from San Diego to Indianapolis?
There are usually 10 daily bus trips available from San Diego to Indianapolis.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$462.24 | Avg. Price$316.63Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips10 |
Duration | Duration65h 51m | Duration54h 36mFaster |
There are several train options that can take you from San Diego to Indianapolis:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to Indianapolis?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to Indianapolis was $345.83. Considering the distance between San Diego and Indianapolis, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. 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 $194.67 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Indianapolis by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Diego to Indianapolis will cost between $222 and $451. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Indianapolis by month
Ticket prices for the train from San Diego to Indianapolis 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 $298. If you're thinking of traveling from San Diego to Indianapolis during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $374 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from San Diego to Indianapolis on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time, you can save about $194.67 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from San Diego to Indianapolis?
There are multiple trains that travel from San Diego to Indianapolis, including Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 65h 51m | $462.24 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Indianapolis every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $306.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to Indianapolis
Trains leave the station in San Diego twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Indianapolis to San Diego. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Diego to Indianapolis for $169.
TRIPS PER DAY
2
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The distance between San Diego and Indianapolis is approximately 1785 miles, or 2873 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 65 hours and 51 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 54 hours and 39 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)
1785
DISTANCE (KM)
2873
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.
EARLIEST TRAIN
2:01pm
LATEST TRAIN
4:10pm
Trains from San Diego to Indianapolis 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Wednesday
LEAST CROWDED
Sunday
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.
Indianapolis
Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.
Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.
Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.
Station Information
Where does the train leave from in San Diego?
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 does the train arrive in Indianapolis?
Main arrival station: 350 S Illinois St
Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.
All train stations in Indianapolis:
- 350 S Illinois St
Need a return trip from Indianapolis to San Diego?
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