Cheap train tickets from San Diego to New Orleans
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to New Orleans?
There are usually 4 daily bus trips available from San Diego to New Orleans.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$192.38 | Avg. Price$300.59 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips4 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration1d 22h 36m | Duration2d 16h 41m |
Trip Summary
2 trains operate daily from San Diego to New Orleans. The train trip from San Diego to New Orleans is usually about 62 hours and 59 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 51 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 1606 mi (2584 km) |
| Fastest train | 51h 30m |
| Lowest price | $197.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to New Orleans?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to New Orleans was $229.50. Considering the distance between San Diego and New Orleans, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 4 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $299.50 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to New Orleans by month
Which train should you take from San Diego to New Orleans?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to New Orleans. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 2d 14h 59m | $337.22 |
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 New Orleans every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $197.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to New Orleans
The distance between San Diego and New Orleans is approximately 1606 miles, or 2584 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 62 hours and 59 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 51 hours and 30 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.
Thursday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from San Diego to New Orleans. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Thursday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Sunday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
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 New Orleans 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.
New Orleans
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred vacation destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travelers.
There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.
New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centers of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transportation. The airport is located not too far from the city center, while the city’s main bus and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Diego?
Image credit: Doug Letterman
Link to image attributionMain 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 is the train station in New Orleans?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave
Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transportation hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Buses operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous streetcars. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.
All train stations in New Orleans:
Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave
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- San Diego to Indianapolis
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Continue by train from New Orleans
- Train from New Orleans to Birmingham
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- New Orleans to Mobile Train
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- Train from New Orleans to Tuscaloosa
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- New Orleans to Phoenix
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- New Orleans to Atlanta Train
$32+
- New Orleans to Chicago Train
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- New Orleans to Springfield Train
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- New Orleans to Lafayette Train
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- Train from New Orleans to Slidell
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- Train from New Orleans to Newark
$216+
- Train from New Orleans to Las Vegas
$479+
- Train from New Orleans to Syracuse
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- New Orleans to North Charleston
$496+
- Train from New Orleans to Memphis
$70+
- New Orleans to Nashville Train
$97+
- New Orleans to Dallas
$246+
- Train from New Orleans to Houston
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- Train from New Orleans to Seattle
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