Cheap train tickets from San Diego to San Antonio
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Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from San Diego to San Antonio. Traveling by train from San Diego to San Antonio usually takes 34 hours and 55 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 34 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 1126 mi (1813 km) |
| Fastest train | 34h 50m |
| Lowest price | $167.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
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San Diego to San Antonio Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to San Antonio?
There are usually 4 daily bus trips available from San Diego to San Antonio.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$285.89 | Avg. Price$204.39Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration34h 54m | Duration34h 23mFaster |
There are several train options that can take you from San Diego to San Antonio:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to San Antonio?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to San Antonio was $216.50. Considering the distance between San Diego and San Antonio, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 9 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $105.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to San Antonio by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Diego to San Antonio will cost between $180 and $247. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to San Antonio by month
Ticket prices for the train from San Diego to San Antonio often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in May when the average ticket price is only $216. If you're thinking of traveling from San Diego to San Antonio during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $279 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from San Diego to San Antonio on Wanderu at least 9 days ahead of time, you can save about $105.00 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from San Diego to San Antonio?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego to San Antonio. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 34h 55m | $285.89 |
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 San Antonio every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $167.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to San Antonio
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 San Antonio to San Diego. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Diego to San Antonio for $130.
Trains per day
2
Direct trains
0
The distance between San Diego and San Antonio is approximately 1126 miles, or 1813 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 34 hours and 55 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 34 hours and 50 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)
1126
Distance (km)
1813
The earliest train departs San Diego at 4:01pm 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
4:01pm
Last train
4:10pm
Trains from San Diego to San Antonio are the most crowded on Friday. 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.
Busiest
Friday
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.
San Antonio
San Antonio is a fast-growing city located in the southwest corner of the Texas Triangle. In addition to the alluring year-round warm weather, San Antonio offers a blend of rich history with contemporary attractions and cuisine.
If there's one thing to remember from your trip to San Antonio, it’s the Alamo! This 18th century fortress is one of five Spanish missions in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, all of which are connected by a scenic hiking and biking trail. If history isn't your thing, the River Walk along the San Antonio River is a much livelier spot. This shaded path is lined with shops and restaurants, and you could spend an entire day strolling, shopping, and eating along the river. Don't sleep on the riverside bars, either – San Antonio is one of the cheapest drinking cities in the U.S. so you can bar-hop to your heart’s (and your wallet’s) delight.
Traveling with little ones? San Antonio is home to the San Antonio Zoo, SeaWorld, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, any one of which will provide a thrilling adventure with no screen time required. Visitors of all ages will find treasures at Historic Market Square, the largest Mexican market in the U.S., where handcrafted art from local artisans is available alongside authentic Mexican food.
San Antonio is one of the biggest cities in the Lone Star State, so it is very easy to travel to other Texas destinations like Austin, Houston, and Dallas by bus or by train, or to destinations farther afield through the San Antonio International Airport.
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 San Antonio.
All train stations in San Diego:
- 4005 Taylor St
- Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
Where is the train station in San Antonio?
Main arrival station: 350 Hoefgen St
The San Antonio Amtrak Station is adjacent to the city’s vibrant downtown, nestled between the Alamodome sports complex and the historic Sunset Station where train service began in 1902. Amtrak operations moved to its new home at 350 Hoefgen Ave in 1998, where passengers can board the Texas Eagle to travel to Chicago, or connect to the Sunset Limited heading to Los Angeles. The stuccoed, Spanish Mission Revival style station is fully accessible, and offers comfortable seating as well as restrooms available in the waiting room. Two of San Antonio’s most popular attractions, the bustling Riverwalk and the historic Alamo, cannot be missed and luckily are within just 1 mile of the station.
All train stations in San Antonio:
- 350 Hoefgen St
Need a return trip from San Antonio to San Diego?
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