Cheap train tickets from Salt Lake City to San Diego

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

Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Salt Lake City to San Diego. Traveling by train from Salt Lake City to San Diego usually takes 30 hours and 55 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.

Distance: 627 mi (1010 km)
Fastest train: 30h 55m
Lowest price: TRY 10,736.17
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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

Salt Lake City to San Diego Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Salt Lake City to San Diego?

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Salt Lake City to San Diego.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceTRY 11,947.89	Avg. PriceTRY 9,443.44Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration30h 55m	Duration28h 3mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from Salt Lake City to San Diego:

Amtrak tickets: TRY 10,736 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Salt Lake City to San Diego?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Salt Lake City to San Diego was TRY 10,736.17. Considering the distance between Salt Lake City and San Diego, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 7 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around TRY 2,016.94 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Salt Lake City to San Diego by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Salt Lake City to San Diego will cost between TRY 7,906 and TRY 12,103. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Salt Lake City to San Diego by month

Ticket prices for the train from Salt Lake City to San Diego often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only TRY 9,907. If you're thinking of traveling from Salt Lake City to San Diego during April, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of TRY 11,615 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in April, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Salt Lake City to San Diego on Wanderu at least 7 days ahead of time, you can save about TRY 2,016.94 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Salt Lake City to San Diego?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Salt Lake City 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	30h 55m	TRY 11,947.70

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 Salt Lake City to San Diego every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from TRY 10,736.17.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Salt Lake City to San Diego

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 Salt Lake City. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Salt Lake City to San Diego for TRY 6,074.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Salt Lake City and San Diego is approximately 627 miles, or 1010 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 30 hours and 55 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.

Distance (mi)

627

Distance (km)

1010

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Salt Lake City at 11:40pm and arrives in San Diego around 30 hours later.

First train

11:40pm

Last train

11:40pm

Trains from Salt Lake City to San Diego are the most crowded on Friday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

Salt Lake City

A city shrouded in a mystical veil to most visitors, Salt Lake City stands among one of the most culturally unique destinations in the U.S. Salt Lake City offers tourists a unique chance to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Temple Square is the best place to do so. Housing the Salt Lake Temple along with other significant historic buildings, the square will take you back to the earliest days of the city, immersing you in a unique cultural experience. While here, don’t miss out on the chance to visit the Great Salt Lake itself and to dive into its cool and refreshing water.

Salt Lake City features a diverse food scene, with Mexican food receiving a lot of attention. Those who wish to enjoy the best Mexican dishes in town could try Red Iguana. For travelers who are simply looking for the best burgers, Crown Burgers’ char-broiled patties will certainly be a great choice.

The Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub is the central transportation hub in the city. It is currently served by several rail services such as Amtrak, TRAX, and FrontRunner. Travelers can also catch Greyhound buses at the station. The Salt Lake City International Airport is the main airport for the city. Located about 4 miles west of Downtown, the airport is a major gateway to the Mountain West and the West Coast region.

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 Salt Lake City?

Main departure station: 340 S 600 W

The Amtrak Station is a part of Salt Lake Central Station, the principal transportation hub in Salt Lake City. The station is within walking distance from the Bus Terminal, allowing you to easily transfer to bus service on Amtrak Thruway or Jefferson Lines. Along with UTA commuter rail, the station serves Amtrak’s California Zephyr on its journey from Emeryville to Chicago. A park-and-ride lot is available across the street, and travelers can rent bikes from the on-site bicycle sharing service, Greenbike. However you get around town, you’ll appreciate the convenience of the Amtrak station, located less than a mile from the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.

All train stations in Salt Lake City:

340 S 600 W

Where is the train station in San Diego?

Main arrival station: Santa Fe Depot

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

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

Need a return trip from San Diego to Salt Lake City?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.