Train Portland, OR - San Diego, CA prices from $27.58

04/25/2024
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$27.58

Portland, OR to San Diego, CA by train

The journey from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA by train is 933.54 mi and takes 32 hr 39 min. There are 4 connections per day, with the first departure at 5:25 AM and the last at 2:25 PM. It is possible to travel from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA by train for as little as $27.58 or as much as $234.37. The best price for this journey is $27.58.

Lowest Price$27.58
Journey Duration32 hr 39 min
Connection per Day4
Lowest Price$27.58
Highest Price$234.37
First Departure5:25 AM
Last Departure2:25 PM
Distance933.54 mi
DeparturePortland, OR
ArrivalSan Diego, CA
CarriersAmtrak

Portland, OR to San Diego, CA Train Times

Departure date
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024

Travel by train from Portland, OR, to San Diego, CA

The train from Portland, OR, to San Diego, CA, lasts on average 32 hr 39 min. Around 4 trains depart a day from Portland to California. The average price is $119.25, and the lowest ticket pricing starts at around $27.58.

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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Compare prices and tickets from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA

Cheap train tickets from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book Portland, OR to San Diego, CA travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA

The cheapest Portland, OR - San Diego, CA train tickets can be found for as low as $30.01 if you’re lucky, or $77.22 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $109.96.

Find the best day to travel to San Diego, CA by train

When travelling to San Diego, CA by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Services on board Amtrak from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA
Compare services on board when travelling from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA by train.
Facilities Amtrak
quiet_zone Quiet zone check
wifi WiFi check
power_sockets Power sockets check
luggage Luggage check
accessibility Accessibility check
food_and_drink Food and drink check
air_con Air conditioning check
bicycle Bicycle check
sleeper_couchette Sleeper check

Portland, OR to San Diego, CA CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
105.17kg
Bus
112.68kg
Flight
300.48kg
Car
240.38kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Portland, OR and San Diego, CA are 105.17kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Portland, OR and San Diego, CA? By taking the train between Portland, OR and San Diego, CA you will save 195.31kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 7.51kg compared to a bus and 135.21kg compared to a car.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA?
A train ticket from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA is $119.25. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as $27.58.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA is $27.58. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Portland, OR and San Diego, CA by train?
Portland, OR to San Diego, CA is 933.54 mi.
How long does the train between Portland, OR and San Diego, CA take?
Portland, OR to San Diego, CA is on average 32 hr 39 min. However the fastest option will get you there in 29 hr 28 min.
How many train connections per day go from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA?
Portland, OR to San Diego, CA has 4 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA leave?
The earliest train from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA departs at 5:25 AM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last train from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA depart?
The latest train from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA departs at 2:25 PM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is $27.58 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
What's the fastest journey time between Portland, OR to San Diego, CA by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Portland, OR and San Diego, CA is 29 hr 28 min.
Is there a direct train from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA?
Yes, there is a direct train between Portland, OR and San Diego, CA.
What are the CO2 emissions for Portland, OR to San Diego, CA by train?
The train journey from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA creates 105.17kg of CO2 emissions.

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