Trains Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA: Times, Prices and Tickets

04/19/2024
+ Add return
Stay with Booking.com

Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA by train

The journey from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA by train is 243.78 mi and takes 9 hr 2 min. There are 9 connections per day, with the first departure at 2:20 AM and the last at 7:40 PM. It is possible to travel from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA by train for as little as or as much as . The best price for this journey is .

Journey Duration9 hr 2 min
Connection per Day9
First Departure2:20 AM
Last Departure7:40 PM
Distance243.78 mi
DepartureSanta Maria, CA
ArrivalSan Diego, CA
CarriersAmtrak

Quick and easy travel from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA with Virail

What's the best way to get from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA? If you're not sure, don't worry - Virail can help you. The only thing you have to do is enter your planned travel dates, and let Virail's powerful search tool deal with the rest. We'll look at the routes offered by our trusted travel partners to give you all your available options. Whether you want to travel by plane, train, bus, carpool, or something else, we'll find your ideal solution. You can filter your results according to price, departure or arrival time, journey duration, number of connections, one-way or round trip - anything you want. Virail will give you a full, clear picture of how to get from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA, then transfer you to your chosen provider's website to complete your booking.

How can I find the cheapest train tickets to get from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA?

On average, a train ticket from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA will cost you . However, there may be cheaper alternatives available. Virail will show you the lowest prices available for your chosen travel dates, which could be as little as . If you are trying to stick to a budget, there are several ways you can seek out lower ticket prices. For example, if your travel dates are flexible, you might find that some days of the week are cheaper than others. Traveling during peak season will usually cost more, so avoid that if you want to save money. Even the time of day can affect the price of tickets sometimes. You can also look for an indirect route, which may be cheaper than a direct connection. Often, the cheapest train tickets can be found by booking well in advance. However, be mindful that many companies do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest tickets.
Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results.
On average, you can expect to spend around for your train ticket. Virail will help you find a journey that fits your budget. You can expect prices to vary between different travel providers and methods of transport; often, faster journeys will cost more than slower routes. If your travel dates are flexible, you might be able to find cheaper train tickets, as prices may fluctuate a little from day to day. You may also find lower prices by booking at certain times of day, avoiding rush hour traffic. Another tip for travelers on a tight budget is to look for connecting journeys. Sometimes it can be cheaper to make a change or two along the way, rather than traveling on a direct route from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA.

How long does the journey from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA take by train?

The average journey time is 9 hr 2 min. This is how long it takes to cross the 243.78 mi from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA. When planning your journey, remember that delays are a possibility. Some unplanned events could cause your journey from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA to take longer than 9 hr 2 min. The journey from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA covers a distance of 243.78 mi. On average, you can expect your journey to last roughly 9 hr 2 min. However, booking the fastest option will see you reach your destination in approximately 7 hr 47 min. For faster journeys, look for express routes. Please remember that these may only depart at certain times of day, or on particular days of the week. You may also find that you can go from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA faster by making connections, rather than taking a direct route.

Which stations can I use to travel from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA?

Depending on the type of transport, and the provider you decide to use for your journey, you will be able to depart Santa Maria, CA from the following stations: SANTA MARIA IHOP. Arriving at San Diego, CA, your route will pass through all or some of the following stations: San Diego, CA - Old Town,San Diego (Balboa Park),San Diego (Downtown - Seaport),San Diego CA - Santa Fe Depot (SAN). Not all transport providers serve every station, so check in advance to see exactly where your route takes you. You may need to use another form of transport to get from one station to another or to your final destination when you arrive in San Diego, CA.

How many times a day do journeys run from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA?

The exact number of journeys from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA can vary from day to day. Some services may only run on particular days of the week, while others might be seasonal. In general, an average of 9 departures leave each day. These are run by a number of different transport providers, including . On particularly busy days, there can be up to departures. You can usually expect there to be more connections on weekdays. Many providers run fewer journeys on weekends or public holidays. As a traveler, you may prefer to take a direct route from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA. However, you will find more options available to you if you are willing to take a connecting route. These pass through one or more different cities, and you'll have to change along the way. Not all travelers feel comfortable making multiple connections, but if you are, then you will enjoy greater flexibility when making your booking. The exact number of daily departures from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA varies, but in general, you can expect to find 0 direct connections with no changes leaving each day. Travelers who are happy to take an indirect route will find, on average, 9 journeys with one change or more. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.

Show full descriptionHide full description
Cheap train tickets from Santa Maria, CA 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 Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Santa Maria, CA 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 Santa Maria, CA 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 cheap train tickets from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA

The cheapest Santa Maria, CA - San Diego, CA train tickets can be found for as low as $79.38 if you’re lucky, or $96.94 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $116.73.

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 Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA
Compare services on board when travelling from Santa Maria, CA 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

Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
27.46kg
Bus
29.42kg
Flight
78.46kg
Car
62.77kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego, CA are 27.46kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego, CA? By taking the train between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego, CA you will save 51kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 1.96kg compared to a bus and 35.31kg compared to a car.

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the distance between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego, CA by train?
Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA is 243.78 mi.
How long does the train between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego, CA take?
Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA is on average 9 hr 2 min. However the fastest option will get you there in 7 hr 47 min.
How many train connections per day go from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA?
Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA has 9 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA leave?
The earliest train from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA departs at 2:20 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 Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA depart?
The latest train from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA departs at 7:40 PM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What's the fastest journey time between Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego, CA is 7 hr 47 min.
Is there a direct train from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA?
Yes, there is a direct train between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego, CA.
What are the CO2 emissions for Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA by train?
The train journey from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA creates 27.46kg of CO2 emissions.

Go local from Santa Maria, CA

Trending routes

Weekend getaways from Santa Maria, CA

Other destinations from Santa Maria, CA

Main routes to San Diego, CA

Other popular routes