Travel by train from Portland, OR, to San Diego, CA
The train from Portland, OR, to San Diego, CA, lasts on average . Around trains depart a day from Portland to California. The average price is , and the lowest ticket pricing starts at around .
Amtrak, the largest passenger railroad service in the US, operates the train from Portland to San Diego. A direct connection between the two cities doesn't exist -the Amtrak Coast Starlight will take you to California, where you will transfer to the Pacific Surfliner heading to San Diego.
The Pacific Surfliner train service directly connects Louis Obispo and San Diego. It serves Solana Beach, Oceanside, San Clemente Pier, San Juan Capistrano, Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Fullerton before reaching Los Angeles. 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.
The Coast Starlight is one of the most stunning Amtrak services; it connects all the major cities, from Seattle to Los Angeles. Rainy Washington forests, Cascades, Rocky Mountains, and Pacific beaches, you can experience it all in the unique sightseeing cars. The Coast Starlight is one of the long-distance trains using the double-decker Superliner cars: dining cars, sleeping cars, and the particular observation lounge car. You can observe the dramatic scenery unfold while having a snack from the café on the lower deck.
Amtrak offers four sleeping options on their trains.
- The Roomette is, at first glance, a tiny room, but it is very well-used. Different innovative storage options will surprise you at every step. They start with two comfortable recliner seats, which turn into a bed, and a second bunk bed that you pull from the ceiling, making enough space for two people to sleep and have a great view. The older Viewliner cars have a toilet and a sink in the room (one of the surprises under the steps to the upper bunk), which can be tricky if there are two people. The newer cars have toilets and bathrooms in the hallway.
- The Bedroom is twice as big, with a big comfy queen bed and a bathroom in the room (separated by a door). It has all the amenities of the Roomette with more space and a higher price.
- The Two-Room Suite on a train offers twice the space of a regular Bedroom accommodation. During the day, the suite features two sofas and separate chairs for seating; at night, these furnishings convert into upper and lower beds, providing comfortable sleeping arrangements. It includes two in-room sinks, restrooms, and showers.
- The Family room is only available on the Superliner trains. It provides comfortable accommodations for up to four people, with full-sized beds and fold-down bunks. Passengers can access hot showers, extra storage space, a sink, and an enclosed lavatory.
Union Station in Portland is located at 800 NW Sixth Avenue and is widely recognizable thanks to its glowing neon sign encouraging travelers to "Go By Train." The station is located at. The station features vending machines, ATMs, vending machines ticketing kiosks, and a ticket office. Business-class passengers can take some time to relax in the Metropolitan Lounge, which has comfortable seating and complimentary snacks and beverages. The station is fully accessible, with an elevator, accessible toilets, and accessible parking. Overnight and same-day parking is available for a fee if you want to leave your car.
There are two stations in San Diego where you can end your journey:
Old Town Station is an ideal place to arrive, as it is located 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.
So if you plan to travel to Irvine from Portland by train, let us help you plan it. We check thousands of rail, bus, and flight destinations 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 Portland and Irvine.
