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San Diego to Santa Ana train

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San Diego - Santa Ana Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

10 trains operate daily from San Diego to Santa Ana. The train trip from San Diego to Santa Ana is usually about one hour and 55 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as one hour and 49 minutes.

Distance82 mi (132 km)
Fastest train1h 49m
Lowest price$26.00
Trains per day20
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Pacific Surfliner
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Diego to Santa Ana

(Based on 11 ratings and reviews)

4.5

5.0

Kotagal

March 15, 2024- Business

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: comfortable, quiet, good service. Cons: all was good and at expectations. Tips: use the business class if you can. They provide snacks and drinks!!

5.0

Fae

June 13, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Very spacious and friendly staff. Cons: Pricing. Tips: Be on time.

5.0

Matthew

February 20, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: thank you for everything you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cons: pretty goood. Tips: Just Do It!

5.0

Susan

February 17, 2020- Visiting family

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Everything!!! Didn't have to drive and deal with all of the stress of traffic. No question about when I would leave and when I would arrive. Spent about what I would have spent on gas had I driven my car. Was a ble to relax and enjoy the ride. Many choices in the available in the schedule. Wonderful staff in San Diego. Could not have been more pleased. Cons: Nothing from my point of view. Keep up the good work. Tips: Take the train!!!

1.0

David

July 6, 2019- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Horrendously late. Scheduled 2 hours but took 5. The cafe car staff was excellent and very friendly but unfortunately he couldn’t save the entire train the other 4 stars for how despicabley late it was. Absolutely no excuse. Cons: Urgency. Tips: Don’t do it.

Price trends for trains from San Diego to Santa Ana

Monthly avg. prices

$50$40$30$20$10MJJASONDJFMA

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

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

2 train services operate from San Diego to Santa Ana. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 7 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak31h 58m$29.63
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner71h 55m$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 3 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Santa Ana every day, as well as 7 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $26.

  • 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 7 train trips from San Diego to Santa Ana 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 San Diego to Santa Ana. 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 San Diego and Santa Ana is approximately 82 miles, or 132 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour 55 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 49 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

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

The earliest train departs San Diego at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. 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 Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana to San Diego.

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.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Diego?

Main departure station: 4005 Taylor St

There are two stations in San Diego where you can board the train to Santa Ana.

All train stations in San Diego:

  • 4005 Taylor St

  • Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd

Where is the train station in Santa Ana?

Main arrival station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd

Santa Ana has one train station.

All train stations in Santa Ana:

  • Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd

Get around town with Moovit

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