Wanderu Logo
United States flag
  • Canada
CZK
Log in
chiku-desktop

Cheap train tickets from Santa Ana to San Diego

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

chiku-mobile

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

Chiku

Santa Ana to San Diego Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Ana to San Diego?

There are usually 40 daily bus trips available from Santa Ana to San Diego.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
CZK 788.34
Avg. Price
CZK 614.73
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
40
Daily Trips
20
Duration
Duration
2h 33m
Duration
1h 58m

Trip Summary

There are usually 13 daily train trips available from Santa Ana to San Diego. Traveling by train from Santa Ana to San Diego usually takes one hour and 58 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in one hour and 48 minutes.

Distance82 mi (132 km)
Fastest train1h 48m
Lowest priceCZK 614.73
Trains per day13
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Pacific Surfliner
Train lines1

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

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!

What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Ana to San Diego?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Ana to San Diego was CZK 614.73. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 10 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CZK 4.03 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Ana to San Diego by month

CZK 1,060CZK 848CZK 636CZK 424CZK 212ASONDJFMAMJJ
Taking the train from Santa Ana to San Diego usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around CZK 615 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

CZK 1,060CZK 848CZK 636CZK 424CZK 2123020100

The price of train trips from Santa Ana to San Diego doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.

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

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is the one and only train line which connects Santa Ana to San Diego. However, there are 13 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner131h 59mCZK 615.16

  • 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 13 train trips from Santa Ana to San Diego every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from CZK 615.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Ana to San Diego

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 48 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

Trains from Santa Ana to San Diego are the most crowded on Saturday. 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

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 13 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Santa Ana to San Diego.

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

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in San Diego by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

From the Wanderu blog

Need a return trip from San Diego to Santa Ana?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from Santa Ana

Continue by train from San Diego

Check out these popular routes

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.