- Must visit
USS Midway Museum
A large aircraft carrier museum on the waterfront with restored aircraft, flight deck exhibits, and naval history. One of the city's most visited cultural attractions.
Cheapest price
$19
Average price
$20
Fastest journey
44 m
Average duration
44 m
Trains per day
26
Distance
52 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $20 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $19.
Of the 26 trains that leave Carlsbad, CA for San Diego, CA on Fri, Jul 10, 26 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 10 the direct trains cover the 52 km distance in an average of 44 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 44 m .
On Fri, Jul 10 the slowest trains will take 44 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
588 Pacific Surfliner
572 Pacific Surfliner
584 Pacific Surfliner
566 Pacific Surfliner
580 Pacific Surfliner
588 Pacific Surfliner
572 Pacific Surfliner
584 Pacific Surfliner
566 Pacific Surfliner
580 Pacific SurflinerOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $18. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 49m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $18, and a bus costs an average of $13.
Distance: 32 miles (52 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$19 Average price Cheapest | $48 Average price | $8 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 24m Average total duration 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 19m Average total duration Fastest 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 37m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA:
A train is $29 (€24) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $48 (€39).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 54m.
Tickets start at around $19 (€16) compared to roughly $8 (€6) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-11.15 (€-9.15). The journey takes 54m versus 37m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Thursday, July 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
580 Pacific Surfliner | 5:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 6:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 5:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 5:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 6:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 6:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 6:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 7:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 7:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 7:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 8:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 8:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 8:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 8:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 9:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 9:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 9:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 10:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 10:05 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 1h02 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 10:05 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h46 | 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, July 10 | |||||
794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:05 AM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:05 AM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h45 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
562 Pacific Surfliner | 8:05 AM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 8:49 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
562 Pacific Surfliner | 8:05 AM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 9:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 9:08 AM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 9:52 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 9:08 AM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 10:07 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 10:08 AM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 10:52 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 10:08 AM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 11:07 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 12:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 12:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 12:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 1:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 1:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 1:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 1:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 2:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 2:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h59 | 3:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 2:08 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 0h44 | 2:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 21 times per day, taking around 54m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $18 (€15) but you can travel from only $13 (€10) by bus.
There are 21 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 22:28. The fastest train covers the 32 miles (52 km) distance in 44m.
Distance 32 miles (52 km) |
Average train duration 54m |
Cheapest ticket price $18 (€15) |
Trains per day 21 |
Direct trains 21 |
Fastest train 44m |
First train 12:05 AM |
Last train 10:28 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of San Diego — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego trip today.
A large aircraft carrier museum on the waterfront with restored aircraft, flight deck exhibits, and naval history. One of the city's most visited cultural attractions.
Balboa Park's flagship art museum, known for European old masters, South Asian art, and major rotating exhibitions in a landmark Spanish Colonial building.
Contemporary art museum with a major La Jolla campus and strong collection of postwar and current works, plus ocean-view architecture and installations.
San Diego's signature urban park, filled with gardens, plazas, museums, and Spanish Colonial architecture. It is one of the city's essential places to explore.
A scenic coastal area known for sea lions, turquoise water, dramatic cliffs, and some of the most photographed ocean views in San Diego.
A popular waterfront walking area with bay views, promenades, and public spaces near downtown, especially appealing at sunset and on casual strolls.
Baja-style fish tacos are a San Diego staple, usually made with battered or grilled local fish, cabbage, crema, and salsa in a corn tortilla.
A classic San Diego burrito filled with carne asada, fries, cheese, and salsa, reflecting the city’s Mexican borderland food culture.
A beloved local late-night dish of fries topped with carne asada, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.
An iconic casual spot in Barrio Logan known for house-made tortillas, rice, beans, and traditional Mexican plates with a no-frills atmosphere.
A long-running waterfront seafood market and eatery loved for fresh fish sandwiches, chowder, and a classic San Diego harbor setting.
A popular casual restaurant serving upscale fried chicken, sandwiches, and local beers in a lively indoor-outdoor setting.
San Diego is pricey by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining near beaches and downtown.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at San Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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