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Trip Summary
4 trains operate daily from Santa Maria to San Diego. The train trip from Santa Maria to San Diego is usually about 8 hours and 38 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 8 hours and 13 minutes.
Distance | 243 mi (392 km) |
Fastest train | 8h 13m |
Lowest price | PLN 295.66 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Maria to San Diego?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Santa Maria to San Diego was PLN 295.66. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to San Diego if you book your train tickets at least 12 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra PLN 11.99.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Santa Maria to San Diego. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 12 days before departure, you can save around PLN 11.99. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from Santa Maria to San Diego?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Maria to San Diego. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 4 | 8h 39m | PLN 306.09 |
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 4 Amtrak trains from Santa Maria to San Diego every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from PLN 296.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Santa Maria and San Diego is approximately 243 miles, or 392 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 13 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.
Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Santa Maria to San Diego. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Tuesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Santa Maria at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00pm. 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 4 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 San Diego to Santa Maria.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Santa Maria?
Main departure station: Santa Maria Bus Stop
There is one train station in Santa Maria.
All train stations in Santa Maria:
Santa Maria Bus Stop
Where is the train station in San Diego?
Image credit: Doug Letterman
Link to image attributionMain 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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