chiku-desktop

Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Indianapolis

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

chiku-mobile

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

Chiku

San Diego to Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis?

There are usually 12 daily bus trips available from San Diego to Indianapolis.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
£171.45
Avg. Price
£245.97
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
12
Daily Trips
3
Duration
Duration
2d 6h 37m
Duration
2d 14h 26m

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 64 hours and 48 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 54 hours and 39 minutes.

Distance1785 mi (2873 km)
Fastest train54h 39m
Lowest price£221.79
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

What 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 £221.79. 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 16 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £174.40 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Indianapolis by month

£279£223£167£112£56ASONDJFMAMJJ
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 September when the average ticket price is only £220. If you're thinking of traveling from San Diego to Indianapolis during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £271 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Which train should you take from San Diego to Indianapolis?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to Indianapolis. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak22d 16h 48m£312.43
  • 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 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £194.

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

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Diego to Indianapolis. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between San Diego and Indianapolis is approximately 1785 miles, or 2873 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 64 hours and 48 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.

Trains from San Diego to Indianapolis are the most crowded on Thursday. 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.

The earliest train departs San Diego at 2:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 2:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

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.

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 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 Indianapolis.

All train stations in San Diego:

  • 4005 Taylor St

  • Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd

Where is the train station in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

Image credit: Panoramio upload bot

Link to image attribution

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

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Indianapolis by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Indianapolis 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.