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Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Santa Ana to Riverside. Traveling by train from Santa Ana to Riverside usually takes 2 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in one hour and 44 minutes.
| Distance | 31 mi (49 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 44m |
| Lowest price | $11.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Ana to Riverside?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Santa Ana and Riverside cost $14.00, on average. This is about as cheap as train fares get on this route. Booking your trip at least 10 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $0.62 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Santa Ana to Riverside?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Ana to Riverside. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 2h 15m | $14.12 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from Santa Ana to Riverside every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains departing from Santa Ana to Riverside tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Thursday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Santa Ana at 10:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 3 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.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Riverside to Santa Ana.
City Information
Santa Ana
Image credit: Unsplash
Santa Ana is a sunny city in Orange County located between Anaheim and Irvine in the greater Los Angeles area. Downtown Santa Ana bustles with independent breweries, diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, weekly pop-up markets, and art centers. This lively downtown area, in addition to Santa Ana's live-work housing and creative working spaces, make it attractive to young professionals.
One of the most popular spots for visitors is the Santa Ana Zoo, where little ones can enjoy a carousel and mini-train ride along with the animal exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts will love seeing the Bowers Museum, built in a Mission Revival style, and the Heritage Museum, which has restored homes from the 1890s.
The Orange County Transportation Authority and several shuttle services provide transit within Santa Ana. Santa Ana is easily accessible from over 20 other cities by Amtrak Thruway bus or on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. The primary airport for Orange County, John Wayne Airport, is located in Santa Ana and also makes it easy to travel to this vibrant SoCal spot.
Riverside
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Riverside is the most populous city in the Inland Empire and the birthplace of the local citrus industry. One of the most popular buildings in the city is the Mission Inn, a historic landmark that is also the largest Mission Revival Style building in the country. The building is now a popular local hotel and spa, offering top-notch hospitality services. While nearby, don't forget to check out the Mission Inn Museum as well. If you are looking to enjoy a great panoramic view of the entire city, take a short hike to the top of Mount Rubidoux, and you will not be disappointed!
Riverside boasts a generally vibrant food scene with plenty of establishments to choose from. The Mission Inn itself offers incredible traditional Spanish dishes and a fabulous open-air patio dining spot. For seasonal produce and local dishes, check out Salted Pig!
Riverside is served by Amtrak trains and several bus companies that operate routes throughout Southern California and beyond. In addition, there are three major airports in Riverside's general area: Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and John Wayne Orange County Airport.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Santa Ana?
Main departure station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
There is one train station in Santa Ana.
All train stations in Santa Ana:
Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
Where is the train station in Riverside?
Image credit: Juan Enrique Gilardi
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St
On June 14, 1993, the Riverside station on Vine Street opened as a transportation facility. It comprises a platform with modest shelters to shield visitors from the sun and adverse weather. On April 29, 2002, the station was added as a stop on the Southwest Chief route, putting an end to Amtrak trains just passing through Riverside without making a scheduled stop. In addition to Amtrak, the station now primarily operates as a Metrolink commuter rail and transit bus terminal.
All train stations in Riverside:
Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St
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More trains from Santa Ana
Continue by train from Riverside
- Riverside to Bakersfield
$28+
- Train from Riverside to Carmel-by-the-Sea
$119+
- Riverside to Chico Train
$89+
- Train from Riverside to Corcoran
$41+
- Train from Riverside to Emeryville
$78+
- Train from Riverside to Glendale
$18+
- Riverside to Oceanside Train
$26+
- Train from Riverside to Palm Springs
$14+
- Train from Riverside to Paso Robles
$83+
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