Train from Los Angeles, CA, to San Diego, CA
The train from Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA, lasts on average 2 h 47 min. Around 5 trains depart a day between Los Angeles, CA, and San Diego, CA, the average price is $ 44.52 and the lowest ticket pricing starts at around $ 39.
Amtrak, the largest passenger railroad service in the US, operates the train from Los Angeles to San Diego. All the trains run on the Pacific Surfliner Route. All the connections are direct, but due to unforeseen circumstances, your journey may be cut into segments so that part of the journey is substituted by a bus or a shuttle from the Amtrak Thruway bus service.
The Pacific Surfliner train line is the direct service operating between Luis Obispo and San Diego. This train service serves Fullerton, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente Pier, Oceanside, and Solana Beach before reaching San Diego. The average speed is 41.2 miles per hour (66 km/h), but it can reach speeds up to 90 miles per hour (145 km/h)
Be prepared for stunning South Californian scenery. The train will take you along the coast and some of the country's best surfing spots, and the trains feature enough racks to bring your surfing board or bicycle along. All trains also feature free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a Market Cafe with snacks, beverages, and fresh food. All cats and dogs up to 20 pounds are welcome on board.
In Los Angeles, you can board at Union Station, the largest station on the West Coast of the United States. The station is an iconic landmark in Los Angeles and is the central point for Amtrak, Metrolink, and the LA Metro. It is also home to several restaurants, shops, and businesses.
You can also board on these Intercity stations:
- 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth
- Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd
- Metrolink Station
- 592 Gayley Ave
There are two stations in San Diego where you can end your journey:
- Old Town Station is an excellent place to arrive, as it is close to the Old Town San Diego, a state historic park, and one of the earliest settlements in the US, as well as to Presidio Palace, the site of the Old Spanish fort. San Diego Trolley, local buses, and the Coaster commuter rail that links northern San Diego County's ocean-side communities also use Old Town as one of their stations.
- Sante Fe Depot is the city's main train terminal. Also built in a Spanish Colonial style, reflecting San Diego's turbulent past, it serves as a station of the Green Line of the San Diego Trolley light rail transit service and the COASTER commuter rail service. Located in the city center, the station is a convenient place to start your San Diego adventure.
So if you're planning to travel to Los Angeles from San Diego by train, let us help you plan it. We check thousands of destinations across rail, bus, and flight to help you find the best price. Check out our handy price calendar below, where you can see the best prices across all modes of transport between Los Angeles and San Diego.
