Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA train with Amtrak

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA

Showing times and prices for Jul 11

Cheapest price

$432

Average price

$2083

Fastest journey

2 d 28 m

Average duration

2 d 3 h 57 m

Trains per day

Distance

2784 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA will cost around $2083 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $432.

Fast trains

It's difficult to get from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA without transferring at least once.

5 California Zephyr · 718 San Joaquins · 5818 AMTRAK

02:00PM65h25

Union Station, Chicago, IL

05:25AMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA

$4321One-way

2 transfers

3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner

02:25PM48h28

Union Station, Chicago, IL

12:53PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA

$15841One-way

1 transfer

3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner

02:25PM48h42

Union Station, Chicago, IL

01:07PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA

$15841One-way

1 transfer

3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner

02:25PM48h28

Union Station, Chicago, IL

12:53PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA

$16891One-way

1 transfer

3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner

02:25PM48h42

Union Station, Chicago, IL

01:07PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA

$16901One-way

1 transfer

Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €97. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 55m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.8 - 2.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €97, and a train costs an average of €164.

Distance: 1729 miles (2784 km)

Compare train with

Most popular Train	Flight	Bus
€360 Average price	€234 Average price	€229 Average price Cheapest
50h 8m Average total duration 49h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	7h 55m Average total duration Fastest 4h 55m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time*	45h 8m Average total duration 44h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time*
0.8 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest	8.4 - 16.7kg CO2 emissions	2.8 - 7.0kg CO2 emissions
Most popular train company	Most popular airline	Most popular bus company
Direct Options	Direct Options	Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA train times

Showing trains for today, Thursday, July 10

Last updated at 1:04 AM

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Transfers
5 California Zephyr · 718 San Joaquins · 5818 AMTRAK	7:00 PM Union Station, Chicago, IL	65h25	12:25 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA	2 transfers
3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner	7:25 PM Union Station, Chicago, IL	48h28	7:53 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA	1 transfer
3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner	7:25 PM Union Station, Chicago, IL	48h28	7:53 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA	1 transfer
3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner	7:25 PM Union Station, Chicago, IL	48h42	8:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA	1 transfer
3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner	7:25 PM Union Station, Chicago, IL	48h42	8:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA	1 transfer

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA by train, bus, or flight

Fri
Jul 11

Sat
Jul 12

Sun
Jul 13

Mon
Jul 14

Tue
Jul 15

Wed
Jul 16

Thu
Jul 17

Journey information

Overview: Train from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA

USA

Trains from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 49h 38m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $204 (€164) but you can travel from only $83 (€67) by flight.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Flight from $83 (€67)

Distance

1729 miles (2784 km)

Average train duration

49h 38m

Cheapest ticket price

$204 (€164)

Trains per day

Fastest train

48h 42m

First train

11:03

Last train

21:25

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Flight from $83 (€67)

Train providers: Amtrak from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA trains

Amtrak trains will get you to San Diego, CA from Chicago, IL from $233 (€187). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Amtrak is the main train company in the United States operating medium and long-distance intercity services in 46 US states as well as in 3 Canadian provinces. There are over 300 Amtrak trains running daily. With Amtrak you can travel by train across the country and explore destinations near and far with routes such as the Northeast Regional connecting cities in the East Coast, the Coast Starlight connecting destinations up and down the West Coast, the Empire Builder connecting Chicago and Midwestern cities to the Northwest, and many more.

Amtrak from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA train information:

Average Duration: 48 h 17 min
Cheapest Price: $233
Amtrak frequency: 1 a day

FAQs: Trains from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA

FAQs: Travel by train from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA.

Cheap train tickets from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA can start from as little as $201 (€160) when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA is $335 (€268); however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

On average the Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA train travel time is 48 h 3 min for the 1726 mile (2784 km) long trip, but the duration can vary if you travel on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA leaves at 11: 03 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA leaves at 9: 25 PM.

There are 5 trains a day from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA which require at least one change with Amtrak. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer trains.

When taking a train from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA, you can count on Amtrak for the best way to get you to San Diego, CA. You can also check all possible train providers who offer a service to San Diego, CA from Chicago, IL and compare the amenities they offer before buying a train ticket.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 9: 25 PM.

The cheapest month for a train from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA is July.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA including taking a bus, train or flight.