Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Kansas City

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

Trip Summary

There is one daily train from San Diego to Kansas City. Traveling by train from San Diego to Kansas City usually takes 38 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 38 hours and 8 minutes.

Distance: 1334 mi (2147 km)
Fastest train: 38h 8m
Lowest price: NOK 1,729.01
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:

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

San Diego to Kansas City 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 Kansas City?

There are usually 8 daily bus trips available from San Diego to Kansas City.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceNOK 2,134.57	Avg. PriceNOK 1,925.76Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips8
Duration	Duration38h 22mFaster	Duration48h 27m

There are several train options that can take you from San Diego to Kansas City:

Amtrak tickets: NOK 1,729 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to Kansas City?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to Kansas City was NOK 1,934.88. Considering the distance between San Diego and Kansas City, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 7 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 820.14 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Kansas City by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Diego to Kansas City will cost between NOK 1,672 and NOK 2,347. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Kansas City by month

Ticket prices for the train from San Diego to Kansas City 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 NOK 2,024. If you're thinking of traveling from San Diego to Kansas City during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 2,556 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from San Diego to Kansas City on Wanderu at least 7 days ahead of time, you can save about NOK 820.14 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from San Diego to Kansas City?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to Kansas City. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	38h 22m	NOK 2,134.59

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 1 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Kansas City every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from NOK 1,729.01.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to Kansas City

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. 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 transfer 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 Kansas City to San Diego. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Diego to Kansas City for NOK 973.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Diego and Kansas City is approximately 1334 miles, or 2147 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 38 hours and 22 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 38 hours and 8 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)

1334

Distance (km)

2147

Most days, there is only one train which leaves San Diego at 2:01pm and arrives in Kansas City around 38 hours later.

First train

2:01pm

Last train

2:10pm

Trains from San Diego to Kansas City are the most crowded on Monday. 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

Monday

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.

Kansas City

Straddling two states, Kansas City is a vibrant modern city with plenty of activities for visitors. Those wishing to learn more about the city’s culture and history should not miss out on the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts, which offers artworks for both children and adults alike. If you seek something a bit quirkier and more interesting, the Arabia Steamboat Museum will certainly satisfy your curiosity. While you are in town, don’t forget to pay the Boulevard Brewing Company a visit. It is the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest and the source of pride from many local residents.

Kansas City’s signature barbecue is another source of pride, and you should take every occasion to try it out. Some noticeable venues with well-received barbecue dishes include Danny Edwards Boulevard BBQ and Arthur Bryant's Barbeque. If that’s not really your thing, The Farmhouse and Providence New American Kitchen are also worth checking out.

Kansas City’s principal bus station is located on Troost Ave, and it offers bus trips to Chicago, Wichita and Denver, among many other places. Kansas City Union Station provides Amtrak intercity train services, and the trains Missouri River Runner and Southwest Chief pass through the station on their way. Kansas City International Airport is located 15 miles northwest of Downtown.

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 Kansas City.

All train stations in San Diego:

4005 Taylor St
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd

Where is the train station in Kansas City?

Main arrival station: Union Station - 30 W Pershing Rd

Union Station - 30 W Pershing Rd - KCYAMT-0

Union Station - 30 W Pershing Rd - KCYAMT-1

Union Station in Kansas City is a grand, historic station dating back to 1914 with an imposing columned facade and intricately carved coffered ceilings. The station is truly a destination in itself, where you can explore a series of museums, a planetarium, a 3D theater, and upscale dining options. Train service still runs through Union Station, though, and you can catch the Missouri River Runner to St. Louis or the Southwest Chief to Chicago or Los Angeles. Paid parking, restrooms, and a mothers’ nursing room can be found at the station. Just steps outside are some of the highlights of Kansas City, from Legoland Discovery Center to Penn Valley Park’s various memorials and museums.

All train stations in Kansas City:

Union Station - 30 W Pershing Rd

Need a return trip from Kansas City 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.