Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA train with Amtrak

Thu, Jul 10
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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

7

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.

Amtrak5 California Zephyr · 718 San Joaquins · 5818 AMTRAK
02:00PM65h25
Union Station, Chicago, IL
05:25AMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
$4321One-way
2 transfers
Amtrak3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner
02:25PM48h28
Union Station, Chicago, IL
12:53PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA
$15841One-way
1 transfer
Amtrak3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner
02:25PM48h42
Union Station, Chicago, IL
01:07PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
$15841One-way
1 transfer
Amtrak3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner
02:25PM48h28
Union Station, Chicago, IL
12:53PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA
$16891One-way
1 transfer
Amtrak3 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

Amtrak

Most popular train company

Spirit Airlines

Most popular airline

Greyhound

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
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
amtrak5 California Zephyr · 718 San Joaquins · 5818 AMTRAK7:00 PM Union Station, Chicago, IL
65h25
12:25 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA2 transfers
amtrak3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner7:25 PM Union Station, Chicago, IL
48h28
7:53 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA1 transfer
amtrak3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner7:25 PM Union Station, Chicago, IL
48h28
7:53 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA1 transfer
amtrak3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner7:25 PM Union Station, Chicago, IL
48h42
8:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA1 transfer
amtrak3 Southwest Chief · 770 Pacific Surfliner7:25 PM Union Station, Chicago, IL
48h42
8:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA1 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

USAUSA
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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
4
Fastest train
48h 42m
First train
11:03
Last train
21:25
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)

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.
FAQs

Most popular trains to and from San Diego and Chicago

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