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Santa Ana to San Diego train

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Santa Ana to San Diego Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

10 trains operate daily from Santa Ana to San Diego. The train trip from Santa Ana to San Diego is usually about one hour and 58 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as one hour and 47 minutes.

Distance82 mi (132 km)
Fastest train1h 47m
Lowest price$29.00
Trains per day20
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Santa Ana to San Diego

(Based on 8 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Gloria

July 19, 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Everything. Cons: Nothing.

4.0

Chloe

July 22, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: Quick booking! Cons: N/a. Tips: N/a.

4.0

Christopher

June 23, 2022- Vacation

Amtrak

Cons: seats. Tips: get on train early to ensure ur party stays together.

5.0

Jerome

May 27, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Easy to understand schedule and to purchase ticket. Convenient and comfortable travel, helpful staff, clear information. Cons: More details for first time travelers regarding departure, scanning ticket. An example would be helpful.

5.0

Luis

May 10, 2022- Business

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: It was just nice being a passenger rather than the driver. Tips: Yes, if they're heading south to sit on the right hand side, better view of the coast!

Price trends for trains from Santa Ana to San Diego

Average prices by travel date

$45$30$15OctOct

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10NDJFMAMJJASO

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

Which train should you take from Santa Ana to San Diego?

2 train services operate from Santa Ana to San Diego. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak51h 59m$29.61
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner51h 57m$29.00

  • 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 Santa Ana to San Diego every day, as well as 12 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $29.

  • The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 5 train trips from Santa Ana to San Diego every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $29.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Santa Ana to San Diego. 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.
The distance between Santa Ana and San Diego is approximately 82 miles, or 132 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour 58 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 47 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Santa Ana to San Diego on Sunday. Tickets for Sunday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Saturday. Saturday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs Santa Ana at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. 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 10 scheduled trains on most days. 20 of these are direct connections to San Diego. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from San Diego to Santa Ana.

City Information

Santa Ana

Santa Ana, CA, US - SNA-0

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.

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.

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 San Diego?

San Diego, CA - Santa Fe Depot (1050 Kettner Blvd) - SANAMT2-0

Image credit: Doug Letterman

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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

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