Cheap train tickets from Detroit to San Diego
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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:
Detroit to San Diego Train Schedule
Trip Summary
There is usually just one train option from Detroit to San Diego per day. The average train journey from Detroit to San Diego takes 57 hours and 39 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 57 hours and 27 minutes.
| Distance | 1968 mi (3168 km) |
| Fastest train | 57h 27m |
| Lowest price | RON 1,133.04 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Detroit to San Diego?
The average price for a train ticket from Detroit to San Diego is RON 1,135.24, The lengthy distance traveled between Detroit and San Diego often means relatively more expensive train tickets. By booking your trip at least 17 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay RON 624.32 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Detroit to San Diego?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Detroit to San Diego. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 2d 9h 40m | RON 1,603.49 |
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 1 Amtrak trains from Detroit to San Diego every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from RON 1,133.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Detroit to San Diego
The distance between Detroit and San Diego is approximately 1968 miles, or 3168 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 57 hours and 39 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 57 hours and 27 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.
Trains departing from Detroit to San Diego tend to have the most passengers on Monday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Monday. 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 Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Detroit at 6:00am and arrives in San Diego around 57 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, 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 Detroit.
City Information
Detroit
Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travelers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Art, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.
As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favorite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.
The principal bus terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travelers can catch buses run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.
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 Detroit?
Image credit: JasonParis
Link to image attributionMain departure station: 11 W Baltimore Ave
Detroit’s Amtrak station connects Motor City with the nation’s rail network via three daily trains on the Amtrak Wolverine, which runs from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan. Bus service on Miller Transportation also operates from the Amtrak Station on 11 W Baltimore Avenue, and from the adjacent platform, travelers can connect to the QLine streetcar system. The station’s amenities include clean restrooms, vending machines, and onsite customer service staff. Thanks to its location in the New Center neighborhood, the Amtrak station is surrounded by various restaurants and is one block away from the historic landmark, Cadillac Place.
All train stations in Detroit:
11 W Baltimore Ave
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
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Diego to Detroit?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Detroit
- Detroit to Toronto Train
RON 967+
- Detroit to Grand Canyon Village Train
RON 1,664+
- Train from Detroit to Phoenix
RON 864+
- Train from Detroit to Denver
RON 1,153+
- Detroit to New Haven
RON 2,117+
- Train from Detroit to Fort Myers
RON 1,693+
- Train from Detroit to Champaign
RON 476+
- Train from Detroit to Peoria
RON 392+
- Train from Detroit to Battle Creek
RON 195+
- Train from Detroit to Niles
RON 269+
- Detroit to Charlotte Train
RON 1,423+
- Train from Detroit to Newark
RON 1,241+
- Train from Detroit to New York
RON 1,122+
- Detroit to Rochester
RON 564+
- Train from Detroit to Greenville
RON 1,372+
- Detroit to Madison Train
RON 488+
- Train from Detroit to Milwaukee
RON 430+
Continue by train from San Diego
- San Diego to Arcata Train
RON 560+
- San Diego to Eureka Train
RON 579+
- Train from San Diego to Irvine
RON 117+
- Train from San Diego to Lompoc
RON 229+
- San Diego to Moorpark Train
RON 176+
- Train from San Diego to Oceanside
RON 77+
- Train from San Diego to Oxnard
RON 185+
- Train from San Diego to Redding
RON 640+
- Train from San Diego to San Clemente
RON 95+
- San Diego to San Francisco Train
RON 392+
- Train from San Diego to Simi Valley
RON 172+
- Train from San Diego to Yosemite National Park
RON 288+
- Train from San Diego to Saint Paul
RON 2,004+
- San Diego to Albuquerque Train
RON 533+
- Train from San Diego to Santa Fe
RON 838+
- San Diego to Houston
RON 1,124+
- San Diego to Seattle Train
RON 1,006+
Check out these popular routes
- Train from Ottawa to Montreal
RON 190+
- Train from Toronto to Niagara Falls
RON 272+
- Washington D.C. to Boston
RON 1,043+
- Train from Chicago to Saint Paul
RON 445+
- Chicago to Milwaukee Train
RON 122+
- Train from Boston to Washington D.C.
RON 1,048+
- Boston to Providence Train
RON 101+
- Train from Ann Arbor to Chicago
RON 317+
- Saint Paul to Chicago Train
RON 435+
- New York to Montreal Train
RON 399+
- New York to Hartford Train
RON 192+
- Train from New York to Providence
RON 530+
- Train from Providence to Boston
RON 94+
- Seattle to New York Train
RON 3,076+
- Train from Milwaukee to Chicago
RON 126+
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.