Cheap train tickets from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA. Traveling by train from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA usually takes 3 days, 14 hours, and 18 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 days, 22 hours, and 47 minutes.
- Distance
- 2253 mi (3625 km)
- Fastest train
- 70h 47m
- Lowest price
- CZK 8,290.15
- Trains per day
- 0
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA?
There are usually 15 daily bus trips available from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceCZK 12,360.12 | Avg. PriceCZK 6,264.15Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips5 | Daily Trips15 |
Duration | Duration86h 18m | Duration79h 36mFaster |

There are several train options that can take you from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA was CZK 8,593. Considering the distance between San Diego, CA and Richmond, VA, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 24 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CZK 5,014.13 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA will cost between CZK 7,186 and CZK 9,502. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA by month
Ticket prices for the train from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only CZK 9,178. If you're thinking of traveling from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CZK 14,113 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, CA to Richmond, VA on Wanderu at least 24 days ahead of time, you can save about CZK 5,014.13 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 86h 18m | CZK 12,360.19 |
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 5 Amtrak trains from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA every day, as well as 8 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CZK 8,290.15.










Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA. 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.
There are 5 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA for CZK 3,268.
Trains per day
5
Direct trains
0
The distance between San Diego, CA and Richmond, VA is approximately 2,253 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 days, 14 hours, and 18 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 days, 22 hours, and 47 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)
2253
Distance (km)
3625
The earliest train departs San Diego, CA at 2:01 PM while the last train of the day leaves at 4:10 PM. 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
2:01pm
Last train
4:10pm
Trains from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA are the most crowded on Sunday. 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
Sunday
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.
Richmond



As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travelers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.
Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favorites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.
Richmond is a major hub for bus travel, and visitors can catch buses that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of the city.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Diego, CA?
Main departure station: Santa Fe Depot

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, CA:
- Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
- 4005 Taylor St
Where is the train station in Richmond, VA?
Main arrival station: 7519 Staples Mill Rd


Located around 5 miles north of Richmond’s city center, the Amtrak Station on Staples Mill Road is Amtrak’s busiest transport hub in the Southeast Region. The station was built in 1975 to replace the downtown Main Street Station. It now serves as an important terminal for routes traveling up and down the American East. Passengers can venture north onboard the Northeast Regional service—Amtrak’s busiest route—to Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. Richmond’s Amtrak Station also offers several southward connections to vacation destinations along the East Coast in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. In addition, the GRTC bus service is available from the station for transport into downtown Richmond.
All train stations in Richmond, VA:
- 7519 Staples Mill Rd
- 1500 E Main St
Plan your next adventure
More trains from San Diego, CA
- San Diego to Flagstaff TrainCZK 2,100+
- San Diego to Goleta TrainCZK 1,190+
- San Diego to Irvine TrainCZK 563+
- San Diego to Los Angeles TrainCZK 801+
- San Diego to Paso Robles TrainCZK 1,797+
- San Diego to San Francisco TrainCZK 1,905+
- San Diego to Stockton TrainCZK 1,861+
- San Diego to Salem TrainCZK 3,853+
- San Diego to Pittsburgh TrainCZK 9,459+
- San Diego to Berkeley TrainCZK 2,468+
- San Diego to Hanford TrainCZK 1,082+
- San Diego to Lompoc TrainCZK 1,126+
- San Diego to Palm Desert TrainCZK 801+
- San Diego to Redding TrainCZK 3,009+
- San Diego to Simi Valley TrainCZK 844+
- San Diego to Victorville TrainCZK 1,190+
- San Diego to Philadelphia TrainCZK 8,766+
- San Diego to Seattle TrainCZK 3,983+
Continue by train from Richmond, VA
- Richmond to Montreal TrainCZK 5,563+
- Richmond to Stamford TrainCZK 2,468+
- Richmond, VA to Burlington, NC TrainCZK 909+
- Richmond to Buffalo TrainCZK 3,745+
- Richmond to Cincinnati TrainCZK 2,208+
- Richmond to Dallas TrainCZK 6,797+
- Richmond to Blacksburg TrainCZK 1,623+
- Richmond to Quantico TrainCZK 476+
- Richmond to Charleston TrainCZK 2,294+
- Richmond to Birmingham TrainCZK 4,719+
- Richmond to Washington DC TrainCZK 671+
- Richmond to Greensboro TrainCZK 1,320+
- Richmond to New York TrainCZK 2,922+
- Richmond to Austin TrainCZK 7,035+
- Richmond to San Antonio TrainCZK 8,225+
- Richmond to Fredericksburg TrainCZK 455+
- Richmond, VA to Burlington, VT TrainCZK 3,788+
- Richmond to Martinsburg TrainCZK 1,342+
Check out these popular routes
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- Seattle to Philadelphia TrainCZK 8,701+
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- Washington DC to Boston TrainCZK 4,762+
- Chicago to Milwaukee TrainCZK 584+
- Boston to Providence TrainCZK 931+
- St Paul to Chicago TrainCZK 2,035+
- New York to New Haven TrainCZK 1,299+
- Providence to Boston TrainCZK 736+
- Seattle to New York TrainCZK 10,390+
- Seattle, WA to Vancouver, WA TrainCZK 909+

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